Blessings Residents of 220 Viewmount AND Blessing Carleton U. Students during exams - Carleton Exam Pause Table

Soooooo, 

Two more events that Calvin has had the privilege of blessing others with. 

The first was our youth group going to bless the residents of 220 Viewmount (a co-op housing development that many CRC's are part of) this past Sunday.  

We arrived at 3:30 p.m. and residents, youth, youth leaders, and mentors sang together the ancient Christmas Carols.  

We had some readings, shared favourite Christmas traditions as well, and then sampled some Christmas baking and socialized.  

It was a nice time, and the residents were very thankful. Thanks to all who came out to be a blessing.   

Yesterday, Megan, Jack, and myself were part of something called the 

"Carleton Exam Pause Table"

This is an initiative that has been run by Trinity Anglican Church here in Ottawa for quite some time, and before that run by the Carleton Chaplaincy. 

The Pastor at Trinity, as well as Pastor Nick (who served as Calvin's Specialized Transitional Pastor several years ago when we were vacant - a.k.a. "quick Nick" because his sermons were quite succinct : ) ) headed this one up. 

I had never heard of this initiative before, but since I'm helping out Pastor Ryan at Carleton every Wednesday co-leading a small student Bible Study group, I was included in an email thread that talked about this. 

Here's a bit more about the history and present day.

The Pause Table was a welcomed presence at Carleton during exams for many years, providing free food and drinks and an opportunity for conversation for students at a stressful time of year.  

It stopped during COVID, but was revived for one day last April. For this December exams, we want to try to hold this for three days.  Nick, who is a member of my parish of Trinity Anglican, and was in the past a chaplain at Brock University, is coordinating this for us.  

Well, when I saw this email, I was intrigued so inquired some more.  Eventually, I committed Calvin to participate.  How could I not? : )   This was a great way to spread the love of Jesus in a very simple way. 

Before we get to the pictures, just some facts to give the pictures context.  

After putting out a request to Calvin's congregation we received donated items as well as cash donations amounting to $510. 

In total, I was able to purchase $750 of items (itemized below) and take them with other donated items. 

I wasn't sure exactly what to expect, never having done this before, so on Monday I took a trip to Carleton to check out the Monday of the Pause Table. 

Here's a set of churches set up and handing out items to students.  They had more baked goods than we did. 

I went on a shopping spree and got lots of items.  

Purchased with cash donations 

• 576 Earl Gray tea
• 162 Merci finest assortment of European chocolates
• 40 little bites from Sara Lee chocolate chip
• 112 packets of trail mix
• 600 Ziploc bags
• 108 bear paws
• 2 boxes of Lindor chocolates 
• 100-dole fruit salad 
• 132 microwave popcorn
• 198 assorted oatmeal packets
• 96 chocolate fudge brownies not the ones that Sonja makes
• 144 sesame snaps packages
• 108 rice crispy squares
• 120 assorted juice boxes
• 90  hot chocolate packets
• 60 bagels 
• 300 paper sandwich bags
• Peanut Butter and Jam and Margarine

Donated items

• 4 dozen chocolate chip cookies 
• 60 individual strawberry jam 
• Assorted boxes of herbal tea 
• 288 Red rose tea packets. 
• 166 assorted juice boxes = 286 juice boxes total
• 40 assorted oatmeal packages
• 8 fruit snacks 
• 20 granola bars 
• 4 chocolate pudding
• 8 yogurts 

Borrowed from Calvin - more or less :) 

• Toaster and extension cord
• Paper plates 
• Cutting knife for the bagels 
• Plastic Cutlery 

Provided by Carleton

• Coffee
• Tea
• Ciders of different Kinds

Once Megan and I got there, we had to cart all the goodies to the tables.  

There, all set up by 9:45 a.m. and ready to receive students.  

Megan helped make sure we stayed stocked up at the tables and chatted with students about how their exams were going.  She did an awesome job!! 

Some close-up pics of the items and signs.  

Jack came soon after and stood at the bagel section.  I didn't realize until a bit later that this was the perfect spot for Jack.   It takes time to toast a bagel.  A perfect moment to engage in conversation with students about life..... faith...and life : ) 

Jack is a master at this and was able to share the gospel message several times with students who were very open to having conversations. 

Next year he gets this job again : ) 

Students came in waves.  

Different exams ended at different times.  

Stephon, a student helper also helped make sure the tables stayed stocked.  He was also our official "student counter" : )  In total 350 + came by for free snacks and chats.  

There were also two other churches present, but it seemed like we provided 90 % of the food items today, which was good because we would have been done in 30 minutes if we hadn't, so THANK YOU to all who donated funds or goods!!! 

Some pics of the tables and students.  

We even had a couple of lineups. 

Whoot!!!!!  

It's great fun seeing the reactions of students as we call out "free snacks to help you get through exams!"  : ) 

Many were very thankful. 

Some were leary. 

One cried because she was so stressed and thankful. 

My love language of Acts of Service was thriving today :) 

As we approached 12:30 p.m. our supplies dwindled. 

But students still came by.  

Who doesn't want free tea bags by the dozen : ) 

Right Jack?? : ) 

Jack talked the whole time pretty much.  

At 12:45 p.m. I had to leave and things were winding down. 

This was a hoot!!!!  

Another "Pause Table" is to be held in April. 

I will definitely be signing Calvin up for another round : ) so stay tuned for a request for your help so we can be a blessing and ray of hope to students who are really searching for that hope in ways they don't even realize.  

But first, our care package prep and giveaway in January : )  

Yahoo!!! 

I love it when a plan comes together!!!!!! 

Calvin's 2023 Christmas Party Event

 

November/December brings me great joy in the life of Calvin's church community. 

Why you ask? 

Well, I'm glad you did : )! 

Because it's that time of year when I get to plan and execute the BEST event of Calvin's calendar year : ) 

Oh yes, there are other good events, but THIS ONE is GREAT !! : ) 

Calvin's annual Christmas Party.   

Whoot!!!  

This year it took place on Saturday, December 2nd, a week later than usual due to me being part of our Young Adult Retreat (see previous post for that one). 

Preparations began in the afternoon. 

Here are the tables ready for their settings. 

And we even got the gift of snow during the day.  : ) 

The place settings are all done.  73 of them. 

An all-time record in attendance.  YAHOO!!! 

In placing things out there were these two anomolies in the utensil bins.  Cute.  

The table is set a bit differently than last year but still includes that one important item.

CHOCOLATE!!!!  : ) 

Awaiting our guests.  

Name tags this year so we know who we are talking to...or is "whom".  

Someone will let me know the correct word here :) 

Gift exchange table.  

Candles lit, and tree alite.  

More candles making our own unique wreath : ) 

Coffee, hot cider, and punch await our guests as always.  

Tables for the food ready to go.  

6:00 p.m. arrived and so did our guests. 

This year we had 73 persons attend.  

The best turnout yet. 

That comes with it's joys and 

logistical issues as well : ) 

Let the socializing begin : ) 

 

The food cooking away. 

We have very good potlucks at Calvin! 

Our "younger" folk enjoying the night.  

Pastor Craig once again wore his tie and jacket.  

The gift exchange table bursting. 

And the food coming out for our consumption. 

A panoramic shot of all the guests.  

At 6:30 p.m. we gathered at our table and began our meal.  Last year I did a game before eating, but people were hungry so we switched things around a bit.  

And a brief video of how we sounded singing Christmas Carols.  

Let the eating begin! : ) 

Laura borrowed these HUGE slippers complete with working bells : )   Cute.  

73 people take a bit of time to get through the potluck line : ) 

The food was excellent, as always.  

After supper, we sang some Carols, 

Read the Christmas story in Luke 2 and once again played a game of Christmas Pictionary and sang some more carols. 

And set out, but did not yet consume, the desserts.  

I enjoy Christmas Pictionary, as I know Rachael does as well : ).   

And this group was very competitive and enjoyed it (mostly) as well. : ) 

Some pics of the interactions.  

And a video of one group.  

And another group : ) 

More pics of Pictionary

Then dessert. 

 

After dessert, we rearranged the furniture to be able to fit all 73 of us in a sort of circle :)  

No easy feat, but we got 'r done!  

Then, it was time for a sort of gift exchange experiment.  

With a group this size, you can't do an exchange the usual way.  We'd be there till midnight : ) 

Soooo, after deliberating with my family over several days I came up with this idea. 

1.  Everyone gets a gift in the circle. 

2.  Pastor Ron rolls a dice. 

For a 

1 = everyone passes their gift 1 to the left. 

2 = everyone passes their gift 2 to the right.  

3 = everyone passes their gift 3 to the left.

4 = everyone passes their gift 4 to the right.

5 = Pastor Ron will call out 8 numbers and those people can steal from anyone in the room with an opened or unopened gift. If they steal an opened gift, the person who is stolen from must open their new gift. If they swap for an unopened gift both people must open their gifts. You can’t steal from the same person twice in one round. 

 

6 = Pastor Ron will call out 8 numbers and they must open their gift if it’s not open.  

I will say that this game was a wee bit louder than other years :) but it was within a good time range.  

The trick was to not get toooo attached to your gift because many saw them go by many times depending on the dice I rolled.  : ) 

I learned some things from this game which we will incorporate into next year's game D.V.  

All in all, though, I think it went ok.  Whew.  

At the end, we closed with the singing of Silent Night.  

A brief listen to us singing.  

And then it was time to clean up, which is a spiritual gift I might add : ). 

I decided that in addition to using the dishwasher, we'd use the many sinks we have in the kitchen to wash everything.  

George and Cherrie took up the task with vigor.  

As did others : ) 

Things went MUCH faster because of this.  

Thankfully.  

And you wouldn't even have known we were there : ) 

Another awesome event/evening in the books.  Thanks to all who came out, all who helped out, and all who shouted out : ) 

Till next year D.V. 

Whoot!!!!