Coffee Break Ministries Highlighted

Calvin Church has been blessed with many ministries. All are wonderful to watch as they ebb and flow, struggle and grow, but are never in it for personal show. One ministry I always see is Coffee Break. It meets every Wednesday morning from 9:30 - 11:30 am in the Fall and Winter/Spring. Things are just about wrapping up for this ministry season. I wanted to take just a moment to highlight this ministry. My wife, Joycegina, heads it up at this point in time. Quite a bit of work, actually. She's often on email, or the phone, ensuring that all the volunteers are in place, prayer meetings are happening, etc. She likes it though, so that is good. Each Wednesday morning, Calvin slowly comes to life beginning at about 9:00 am. It begins with the initial helpers coming in to pray, or begin the coffee, or set up snacks and tables/chairs. The volume level increases slightly as the group leaders come in, and set up their respective rooms, as well as the caregivers for the children. Things comes to a crescendo as all the women, some with children, some not, enter the building. Between 9:30 and 10:00 am there is allot of talking that goes on over coffee in the fellowship hall (I didn't get a picture of that, but it's a sight to see). At times I'll saunter into the fellowship hall to grab a coffee and talk with some of the ladies, but I know that I'm a distraction to the real action - catching up on their lives in between coffee break meetings. : ) After some good fellowship, maybe some announcements from my wife, it's off to the various Bible study groups for about 1.25 hours. Things quiet down around the church by about 11:30 am as the leaders close things down. This ministry has been going on for several years now, meeting many needs and ministering to many women in the process. We are very thankful for Coffee Break. Having said that, that doesn't mean this ministry is not without its struggles. I know in talking with my wife that there is always this tension in her heart as to what type of group should this be/is/wants to be. At present I could say that it is a group that ministers to many women who are already Christians, whether they have younger children, are empty nesters, or have children at all. That is not a bad thing at all, but I think that some struggle with that. Should we be seeking out women who are searching for Christ (we have had some in the past), and if so, how would that change the present dynamic of Coffee Break? What would have to be added, removed, changed in order to move Coffee Break in a different direction? Do the women attending even desire that sort of change? Joycegina is testing the waters of those who are attending now. I am intrigued to see what the results of her questions will reveal. Another issue is maintaining the many volunteers to keep it running. Many are needed. Bible Study leaders, child care providers, people to set up and clean up, etc. It seems that each year that gets to be a harder thing to get commitments for. A ministry like this one doesn't thrive without them. (Oh, and thank you to all those who HAVE volunteered in the past. I know Joycegina GREATLY appreciates all you do!) I still think Coffee Break is valued greatly here at Calvin. I know that for some women this is their life-line to sanity as they tend to their families. I've seen some great relationships be built from the foundations of Coffee Break Ministries. As this year draws to a close, and planning begins for next year, would you pray with me that this ministry continues in new and creative ways that energize those who lead, and those who attend? Thanks. Oh, and if you just happen to be reading this as a non member of Calvin, and are interested in knowing more about this women's ministry (whether you are a believer, or just wondering about who God and Jesus are and what they have to do with you), please call the church office at 613-225-2889 and the office manager will be sure to forward your number on to Joycegina. You can also email me at youthpastor@calvincrc.ca and I'll get Joycegina to contact you.

The Mom to Mom group. A VERY Large group : )

Another Bible Study Group. Some very fun ladies in this group (oh, that's not to say those in the other group AREN'T fun....FYI) : )

Bea and Margaret take time each week to take care of the little ones. Always a GREAT craft or some other teaching item. Thanks for all your VALUED and WONDERFUL work with these little ones.

Some of the projects that the little ones get to do. Looks like lots of FUN!

Oh, I told the lady with the outstretched arms and the bunny ear fingers that I'd put this picture in my blog, so here it is. : )