Good morning friends!

I've just returned home from Monday morning prayer in the Student Center (every Monday at the MUSC fireplace at 8am), and I am just about ready for another great week! How about you? I'm going to do my best to give you as much information as possible in this email, but please keep an eye out for another one this week with more details on Friday night's Worship night and the upcoming RETREAT!

To start things off, this week is the 'week of prayer for christian unity' (or I'm pretty sure what has in the past been called: Christ at Mac Week). Learn more about what it is here. This year's text and material was chosen and written by Poland. If you'd like to check it out, it's 1 Corinthians 15:51-58. The Christian Unity group is keeping things pretty low key this year, but I'm sure the event will still be great! Check out the prayer table in the atrium this week, and consider visiting them at the Soul Food Fair in the atrium on Wednesday (I believe there will also be some cool performances in MUSC that day including a canter from the local synagogue and the Mac Gospel Choir around 2:30pm). Then on Thursday will be a night to gather as a larger Christian community to learn about prayer and join together to pray for each other and the school. That starts at 5:30 in Div College rm. 136. Light dinner will be provided at the event.

Okay, so... Small Groups and Prayer Pockets!

They will continue to run this week! I would also like to encourage each of you to bring your past Acts manuscript pages (if you have them) to study with you. Not only may this help with your own understanding of the book as a whole and contribute to some continuity, but it could also potentially save some trees!

So here are the times and locations:

Monday Night (Tonight)

Where: 121 Stroud Rd.
When: 7:30pm
Wednesday Night
Where: Whidden Hall
When: 7:00pm
Thursday Night
Where: 57 Barclay
When: 7:00pm, arrive at 6:30 if you'd like dinner
Friday Afternoon
Where: Student Center (MUSC) Room 303
When: 12:30 - 3:30pm


We invite anyone to join us at any of these groups!

And Prayer Pockets:


Stay tuned for an email from your P.P. leader if you have not yet received one. If you were not able to be a part of one last semester and would like to join one for this semester, (or if you've just now decided that you would like to participate), please let me know. Hopefully times and locations for running P.P.s will also be posted soon. So far, there are 2 worked out:

1. Friday mornings at 9:30 am at the MUSC fireplace

2. Wednesdays from 12:30-1:30 in the Health Sciences Building outside the main floor Williams.



I pray that you would strongly consider joining with others in committing simply 1 hour a week to catch up with others, and chat with God.

THIS FRIDAY... We're going to join together for a... WORSHIP NIGHT!
YAY!
Unfortunately, that's about all the detail I can give you right now, so please please please stay tuned for more, we'd love to see you out!

And now,
for the main event:
I am SO excited to inform you all about our upcoming RETREAT! It's totally legit. guys! We're teaming up with MAC KCF, and Laurier-Brantford IVCF for an entire weekend, to get away from school, have fun, bond, celebrate our love for the Lord, and learn about how He loves our campus. There will be giant dutch blitz, an authentic Korean meal, and TONS of FUN! It will be occurring the weekend of February 3-5th, and the cost is $89. The deadline to sign up is January 29th! In preparation for this retreat, you will want to have a sleeping bag! (if you don't have one, let us know). Also, if you are planning to attend and have access to a vehicle, we would greatly appreciate help with transportation, so please let me know if this is something you are able and willing to do!

We also highly encourage you to bring friends to this event. If you know someone who you think might possibly benefit from getting connected to a good group of people, and seeing their love for each other and Christ, then this would be a great thing to invite them to. If when reading that someone came to your mind, but you are now ignoring that that happened, I encourage you to think further about actually taking a brave step and inviting that person. If you'd like someone to talk things over with first, or would just like some moral support, let me know - I would love to help!
We are SO excited for this event, that we even created a new email account to deal with the in-flux of emails from people wanting to attend! So, to let us know you're coming, please email Karlee at: macivcf.rsvp@gmail.com

More information will be coming in the email to be sent later this week!


Here's the RECAP:

January:

26 - 'Why Pray?' Prayer Night
27 - Worship Night
February:
3-5 - RETREAT!


The End
(at least for now)

Sincerely,
Emily

Hey, hey, hey!

Thanks to everyone who came out to GIANT Dutch Blitz on Friday night! It was a BLAST! Hopefully, you enjoyed it as well, and to those of you who could not make it, there will definitely be more fun things to do! Speaking of which, Small groups will start this week. Instead of studying something new, we will be taking the time to review what we studied last semester. So if you have them, bring your notes! If not, we'll catch you up. :). It also will be an opportunity to get to know the people in your group, and just have some fun. Times and locations of the studies are as follows:

Monday (tomorrow) Night
Where: 121 Stroud Rd.
When: 7:30pm

Wednesday Night
Where: Whidden Hall
When: 7:00pm

Thursday Night
Where: 57 Barclay
When: 7:00pm

Friday Afternoon
Where: Student Center (MUSC) Room 303
When: 12:30 - 3:30pm

We invite anyone to join us at any of these groups!

Also, every Monday at 8am, a group of us will be meeting at the fireplace in the student center to pray for our school and community etc. Please join us!

Prayer Pockets will be continuing this semester, so please stay tuned for an email from your P.P. leader if you have not yet received one. If you were not able to be a part of one last semester and would like to join one for this semester, (or if you've just now decided that you would like to participate), please let me know. Hopefully times and locations for running P.P.s will also be posted soon. So far, there are 2 worked out:
1. Friday mornings at 9:30 am at the MUSC fireplace
2. Wednesdays from 12:30-1:30 in the Health Sciences Building outside the main floor Williams.

I pray that you would strongly consider joining with others in committing simply 1 hour a week to catch up with others, and chat with God.

Next up, this week is the Veritas Forum! Check it out:
The Veritas Forum is on January 15-20, and we want you!! (to be involved)
To find out more about Veritas, check this video out: http://vimeo.com/veritasmcmaster/freedom or:http://veritas.org/mcmaster.

How you can be involved:

Come to the Sunday night Kickoff (SO IMPORTANT):
Sunday, Jan. 15 @ 7:30pm in TwelvEighty.
Dwayne Cline from Hughson Street Baptist Church will be speaking with Joshua Seller(http://joshuaseller.blogspot.com/p/about.html) and his band from Harvest Bible Chapel, Oakville, leading worship.

Check out the Freedom Art Exhibit and bring your friends!
Monday, Jan. 16 – Thursday, Jan. 19 in MUSC Atrium
This art exhibit showcases dozens of pieces, the majority of which were created by McMaster Art students, and all of which are on the theme of Freedom. The art exhibit itself is set up as a giant maze to symbolize our quest to escape confinement and find true Freedom.
Throughout the day, The Gospel Choir will be singing and Bruce Kuhn will be performing segments of “Tales of Tolstoy” in the MUSC Atrium. Tolstoy’s brilliant short stories are witty and profoundly simple portraits of grouchy saints and ordinary sinners, struggling to live good lives in a fallen world.

Come to DAILY PRAYER with a VERITAS FOCUS!
Starting Monday, January 9, through the week leading up to Veritas and the week of Veritas, we will two prayer slots at the Div College Chapel from 10:30 to 11:30 or from 11:30 to 12:30. Pick a time slot, and show up to pray - every day except for Wednesday.

Join the facebook event!
( https://www.facebook.com/events/269682043078042/)
And invite others (ie. everyone you know!)
Change your profile picture to the attached poster.

Tickets to the Gospel of Luke will be sold at COMPASS
$5 per ticket - buy tickets for your friends too! (We are encouraging people to come only if they are able to invite a friend)

We will have tables in the Student Center
Every day, Monday, Jan 9 to Friday, Jan 13 except Thursday
Please drop by and offer to help!
Pick up fliers at the tables and give them to your friends!

Coffee house!!
If you have gifts and have not signed up yet send an email to or text Sarah Jennison (s.jennison@hotmail.comor 519-546-9743)

Please feel free to email Bahi with questions or call him at 289 888 2246.

Looking forward to seeing you all at the Kickoff!

Then next week:
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity Prayer Night
January 23-26th, McMaster will be participating in the international week of prayer for Christian unity. In accordance with this, there will be a table in the student center hosted by students from various Christian groups on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday where students' questions about Christianity and particularly prayer will be welcomed, along with an invitation for individuals to place any prayer requests they may have in a box. This will lead up to Thursday night, where there will be a time of food and conversation, as well as a speaker talking about 'what is prayer', followed by a time of prayer in which we will open the box from that table in the student center, and pray for those requests. Your presence at this prayer night would be a great way to join with other Christians on our campus in reaching out to others on our campus. If you would like to help out at all (ie. with the prayer table), please let me know!

January 26 - 5:30 - 8:30pm in the Div College basement

After that:
Worship Night
For those of you who missed the one at the end of last semester, we're hoping to do more worship nights this semester where we can come together as a community and bring praise and prayer to our Father! The first of these worship nights will be on January 27th. Location is still TBD, but we will keep you in the loop.

If you would like to be a part of leading worship for one or multiple worship nights, we are looking for people like you, so please let me know! We would love to get you involved!


Then:
Retreat
Who: McMaster IVCF, KCF; and Laurier Brantford IVCF
When: February 3-5!
What: Tons of fun, bonding, and of course - learning!!!
Why: To make new friends, get closer to old friends, to see part of the larger IVCF community and better understand our role in the furthering of the Kingdom, to have fun, and most importantly, to grow closer to Jesus!
Cost: If we can recruit 20 people or more, it will only be $80!
- In preparation for this retreat, you will want to have a sleeping bag! (if you don't have one, let us know). Also, if you are planning to attend and have access to a vehicle, we would greatly appreciate help with transportation, so let me know if this is something you are able and willing to do!
(We will be playing GIANT DUTCH BLITZ at this event)

Okay, so as per the usual, here's the

RECAP:

January:
16-20 - Veritas Forum, Small Groups, Monday morning prayer, and Prayer Pockets start
26 - 'Why Pray?' Prayer Night
27 - Worship Night
February:
3-5 - Retreat

If you have any questions about anything, please feel free to send us an email or check out our facebook page!

Alright, well... Hope to see y'all on the flip side!

Emily

Oh, and P.S. check out the pictures page for updated pictures from GDB night!

Greetings one and all!

We've got an exciting couple of months ahead of us, so here's what's goin' down:

1. Giant Dutch Blitz!
When: This Friday! January 13th, 2012 7 pm
Where: MUSC (Student Center) Atrium = By the Fireplace!
Why: To have fun! And kick-off what is sure to be an awesome semester!
Who: EVERYONE! Bring all your friends! Invite widely! The more, the merrier!
~ This Wednesday (January 11th), we will be manning a table in the student center in order to invite everyone possible to this event, and invite people to join our community. I will be there all day, and would love it if you could drop by and help me out, or even just say hi!

2. Small Groups
These will be starting up the week of the 16th. The days and times for the studies are as follows:

Monday
Where: 121 Stroud Rd.
When: 7:30pm

Wednesday
Where: Whidden Hall
When: 7:00pm

Thursday
Where: 57 Barclay
When: 6:30pm (for dinner), 7:00pm Study start

Friday
Where: Most likely a Student Center Study Room (exact location still TBD)
When: 12:30 - 3:30pm

These locations and times will be confirmed at this Friday's Dutch Blitz night!

3. Monday Morning Prayer
Prayer is an essential part of life, and is SO powerful! In accordance with this, a group of students from our IVCF community have committed to meeting every Monday morning at 8:00am at the MUSC fireplace to pray for the school, our community, and each other. This is an invitation to join with them in starting your week off well!

4. Prayer Pockets
Prayer pockets will be continuing this semester. If you were not able to attend one first semester, this is your chance to get in on the goodness!

Times and locations will be confirmed and announced at Friday's Dutch Blitz Event, and sent out in the next Monday email. We would love to see prayer pockets grow, as we know from experience, the good that can come out of them. I pray that you would strongly consider joining with others in committing simply 1 hour a week to catch up with others, and chat with God.

5. Veritas Forum
The Veritas Forum is on January 15-20, and we want you!! (to be involved)
To find out more about Veritas, check this video out: http://vimeo.com/veritasmcmaster/freedom or: http://veritas.org/mcmaster.

How you can be involved:

Come to the Sunday night Kickoff (SO IMPORTANT):
Sunday, Jan. 15 @ 7:30pm in TwelvEighty.http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif
Dwayne Cline from Hughson Street Baptist Church will be speaking with Joshua Seller (http://joshuaseller.blogspot.com/p/about.html) and his band from Harvest Bible Chapel, Oakville, leading worship.

Check out the Freedom Art Exhibit and bring your friends!
Monday, Jan. 16 – Thursday, Jan. 19 in MUSC Atrium
This art exhibit showcases dozens of pieces, the majority of which were created by McMaster Art students, and all of which are on the theme of Freedom. The art exhibit itself is set up as a giant maze to symbolize our quest to escape confinement and find true Freedom.
Throughout the day, The Gospel Choir will be singing and Bruce Kuhn will be performing segments of “Tales of Tolstoy” in the MUSC Atrium. Tolstoy’s brilliant short stories are witty and profoundly simple portraits of grouchy saints and ordinary sinners, struggling to live good lives in a fallen world.

Come to DAILY PRAYER with a VERITAS FOCUS!
Starting Monday, January 9, through the week leading up to Veritas and the week of Veritas, we will two prayer slots at the Div College Chapel from 10:30 to 11:30 or from 11:30 to 12:30. Pick a time slot, and show up to pray - every day except for Wednesday.

Join the facebook event!
( https://www.facebook.com/events/269682043078042/)
And invite others (ie. everyone you know!)
Change your profile picture to the attached poster.

Tickets to the Gospel of Luke will be sold at COMPASS
$5 per ticket - buy tickets for your friends too! (We are encouraging people to come only if they are able to invite a friend)

We will have tables in the Student Center
Every day, Monday, Jan 9 to Friday, Jan 13 except Thursday
Please drop by and offer to help!
Pick up fliers at the tables and give them to your friends!

Coffee house!!
If you have gifts and have not signed up yet send an email to or text Sarah Jennison (s.jennison@hotmail.com or 519-546-9743)

Please feel free to email Bahi with questions or call him at 289 888 2246.

Looking forward to seeing you all at the Kickoff!

6. Week of Prayer for Christian Unity Prayer Night
January 23-26th, McMaster will be participating in the international week of prayer for christian unity. In accordance with this, there will be a table in the student center hosted by students from various christian groups on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday where students' questions about Christianity and particularly prayer will be welcomed, along with an invitation for individuals to place any prayer requests they may have in a box. This will lead up to Thursday night, where there will be a time of food and conversation, as well as a speaker talking about 'what is prayer', followed by a time of prayer in which we will open the box from that table in the student center, and pray for those requests. Your presence at this prayer night would be a great way to join with other Christians on our campus in reaching out to others on our campus. If you would like to help out at all (ie. with the prayer table), please let me know!

January 26 - 5:30 - 8:30pm in the Div College basement

7. Worship Night
For those of you who missed the one at the end of last semester, we're hoping to do more worship nights this semester where we can come together as a community and bring praise and prayer to our Father! The first of these worship nights will be on January 27th. Location is still TBD, but we will keep you in the loop.

If you would like to be a part of leading worship for one or multiple worship nights, we are looking for people like you, so please let me know! We would love to get you involved!

8. Retreat
Who: McMaster IVCF, KCF; and Laurier Brantford IVCF
When: February 3-5!
What: Tons of fun, bonding, and of course - learning!!!
Why: To make new friends, get closer to old friends, to see part of the larger IVCF community and better understand our role in the furthering of the kingdom, to have fun, and most importantly, to grow closer to Jesus!
Cost: $80
- In preparation for this retreat, you will want to have a sleeping bag! (if you don't have one, let us know). Also, if you are planning to attend and have access to a vehicle, we would greatly appreciate help with transportation, so let me know if this is something you are able and willing to do!




DID YOU GET ALL THAT?
Just in case:

January:
13 - Giant Dutch Blitz
16-20 - Veritas Forum, Small Groups, Monday morning prayer, and Prayer Pockets start
26 - 'Why Pray?' Prayer Night
27 - Worship Night
February:
3-5 - Retreat

Well, that's all folks! - At least for now.

As always, I hope to see you all soon!

Emily

Welcome Back!

It's Frost week (ie. Welcome Week take 2), and it seems that the weather definitely got the memo. Wow, it was cold today!

Well, I hope that your semesters are off to a good start! Just in case their not, we've got some fun planned for the next couple of weeks.

Our first official event will be on January 13th, and yes, it will be a GIANT Dutch Blitz games night, hopefully played with our very own deck of giant cards! More details on time and location are soon to come, but for now, tell your friends to book it off on their calendars!

Also coming up soon is the Veritas Forum. January 16-19th, McMaster will be hosting this exciting week long event. For more information, check it out online at:http://www.veritas.org/Campus/Schedule.aspx?cid=108 . Or even better, watch the video on how you can get involved: http://vimeo.com/31151934
Also:

Are you creative? Would you pick up a guitar over a textbook any day? Are you that person in the trendy little cafe with the over-sized glasses writing your heart out to the background track of indie music?

Friday, January 20th, 2012 Veritas will be hosting a Coffeehouse from 7:30-10:30 in CIBC Hall, and we want you to provide the show for the evening. We’re looking for anything from songs, to poems, spoken word, short stories, videos, skits, self-written or not, but all surrounding the theme of Freedom.

Anyone is invited to present so if you yourself may not have a creative bone in your body but you know someone who does, pass this message along!

We’re also looking to have people interested in being included that evening to audition just so we can have an idea of what kinds of acts we will have and how to put together the run-down for the evening. Acts should be about 5 minutes or less in length.

Auditions will be held in the first week back January 3-6th, but if you are unable to make one of the times on the list or if you have any questions about acts then please contact Sarah Jennison at s.jennison@hotmail.com.

So sign up and get your creative juices flowing!!

http://tinyurl.com/veritascoffeehouse


Next up is the retreat! February 3-5th, we will be teaming up with McMaster KCF, and Laurier Brantford for a weekend of fun, learning, and bonding! Right now, the cost is estimated to be $80 per person, but the more people we get attending, the less expensive the retreat will be!


So:

January 13th – Dutch Blitz

January 16-19 – Varitas Forum

February 3-5 – Retreat


Details on the where and when of this semester's small group Manuscript Bible Studies should be available as of the 13th (the games night).


Got any questions? Want to get more involved? Shoot me an email!



Oh, and if the 13th is too far away for you, we're going to have an informal hang-out night this Friday, starting at 7pm. Bring your stories and snacks to share! If you would like to come, and do not receive the weekly email, just contact us for the details. I hope that I can see many of you there! I can't wait to catch up and hear about your breaks!


Sincerely,

Your friend,

Emily

Good Afternoon!

I’m just sitting here at my kitchen table, looking out at the beautiful sunshine, green grass, and even a yellow rose still in blossom across the street, listening to joyful Christmas music celebrating the gift of our Saviour, waiting for an old friend to arrive so that we can spend some much-overdue time together. I truly hope that you are each getting a chance to enjoy this day just as much as me! Whether you’ve still got exams to write, or you’re already done and are fully engulfed in your holiday rest already, today is a beautiful day for which we can thank the Lord!

I would like to take a small portion of this lovely day, to thank you all for an awesome semester! Now, often times, I’m pretty sure that the true meaning of the word ‘awesome’ is lost in our everyday usage of the term. However, in this case, I honestly mean awesome! I mean awe inspiring! Let’s take a moment to review how God has blessed us this past semester, shall we?

The first event of the year, a Dutch Blitz games night: We weren’t too sure about having to have the event catered. The hall itself was already costing us money, and the food seemed highly overpriced, and on top of it all, we had no idea how much money we actually had in the IVCF bank account. But, we asked God to bring people, and we asked God to multiply the food. Then sure enough, we had way more people than expected. The group in the hall before didn’t use a whole container of their lemonade and gave it to us, and they messed up our food order and to make up for it gave us more food. Then to top it all off, we had enough money in the bank to pay for it all!

Big Event #2, Halloween Photo Scavenger Hunt: After the way things had been growing in our fellowship, and based on the fact that we were going to join with KCF for the event, we planned an event for about 40 people. We thought this was a bit of a stretch, but we didn’t want to aim low! Also, we really wanted to convey the great abundance offered by the Kingdom of God, and in accordance with this, we jumped at the idea of ending with a free pizza dinner at Boston Pizza! So, we fundraised to cover dinner for 40 people at Boston pizza, and were pleasantly surprised when many of the people we approached offered significantly more than we had asked for. We were pumped, thinking that we’d now have money leftover to spend on the Christmas banquet, and thanked God for providing yet again! Little did we know how perfectly He had provided though! The day came for the event, and by the time dinner rolled around, we had 56 people! There weren’t enough seats in Boston Pizza to accommodate everyone! Then when it came time to pay, the full significance of God’s provision hit home when the bill essentially matched the exact funds we had in our bank account. We would have no money left in our account for Christmas, but if God took care of us here, then we knew He’d do so for Christmas as well!

Big Event #3, The Christmas Party: I was unfortunately not able to attend this event, but I was able to see the beautiful decorations, and hear the great stories about the successes of the night! Tasty food, fun games, an entertaining skit, Tim’s Christmas message, and fun times with friends! Oh, and the financials? Yah, we planned for 70 people to show up this time. It turns out that the final number was less than this, but the funds raised from ticket sales, again matched exactly the total amount that had been spent on the event. No more, no less.

Games Nights: So, the original plan for the semester was to have our small groups once a week, prayer pockets once a week, and big events like once a month. In the end, it turns out that we ended up having a games night AND one big event each month! On top of this, we averaged about 20 people every single games night!

Small Groups: At the beginning of the semester, Karen, Alix, and I were not sure what the community was going to be like. We in fact, were not very comfortable with having even two separate small groups. From what we knew, we were starting with just enough people for two groups. Then, the Tuesday night study grew, and the Monday night study grew, and now in preparation for next semester we’re hoping for 4 small groups (that’s double what we started with!). At the moment, we probably have enough people to make three and a half good sized small groups, but God’s already doubled us in size, so we trust Him for next semester!

Caroling: This was a fun night in which we must have handed out several hundred cookies, and got the opportunity to spread Christmas cheer on campus! Thanks to all who came out!

Worship Night: We were able to finish the year with a night of fellowship, prayer, and worship. It was a smaller group due to exams, but it was a great way to end off the semester (praising our Father, who clearly provides)! It also showed us that perhaps worship nights would be a good thing to have every once in a while next semester.

Thank you: All in all, I hope you can see why I think we’ve had an awesome semester! I want to take a moment to thank the Father, but also those who took part in His work by taking on some kind of a leadership role this semester. Thanks to Elizabeth for running a games night, Justin and Karlee for putting Caroling together, thank you Keegan for his part in the skit, and a giant thank you to the leadership team, for which each member contributed so much this semester: Heidi, Joel, Joshua, Kammie, Naomi, and Tim.

While on the topic of Tim, I’d also just like to make you all aware of the fact that he will be in Toronto next semester, and we will miss his presence here! We thank him for his contribution to our community, and want to wish him all the best for his semester of co-op!

Now, what’s up for next semester you ask? Clearly, if you’ve read everything above, there’s no knowing the greatness that God has planned for our community so long as we’re faithful to Him, pray big prayers, and invite like crazy! Here’s what we’ve got so far though:

As some of you know, recently we had a totally fun crafts, cards, and challenges night, and some who attended worked very hard on some materials to be used for the making of a giant deck of Dutch Blitz cards. In accordance with this, January 13th, we will be playing a giant, team game of Dutch Blitz with our very own fancy home-made cards!

Next up, January 16-19th, McMaster will be hosting something called the Veritas Forum. If you'd like more information, you can check it out online at: http://www.veritas.org/Campus/Schedule.aspx?cid=108 Or even better, watch the video on how you can get involved: http://vimeo.com/31151934

Lastly, I am VERY excited to inform you all of the up-coming retreat! February 3-5th, we will be teaming up with McMaster KCF, and Laurier Brantford for a weekend of fun, learning, and bonding! Right now, the cost is estimated to be $80 per person, but the more people we get attending, the less expensive the retreat will be!

Okay, recap:

January 13th – Dutch Blitz
January 16-19 – Varitas Forum
February 3-5 – Retreat

Well, that was a long email, but I think it was totally worth it! I hope it helps you all see why we should be SO thankful! I hope you can see where we’ve come from, and be excited to find out where we’re going. Most of all, I hope that you’re encouraged to pray BIG prayers, and watch how God answers them!

Got any questions? Want to get more involved? Shoot me an email, or check out the blog: http://macivcf.blogspot.com/

To wrap this all up, I would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas! I can’t wait to see you when you get back, and hear about your breaks!

Your friend,
Emily



“Love is what’s in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen.”

Salut! (That's french for 'hi')

I hope that this email finds each of you doing extremely well! I'm sure that right now each of you are all extremely composed, relaxing by a well stocked fireplace, cup of gourmet hot chocolate in hand, smiling contentedly as you calmly review the material (which you already know so well), in preparation for your upcoming exam. As you flip through the pages of your beautifully colour-coded, organized, and detailed notes, you laugh to yourself because the information contained on their pages - and in your brain - are SO amazing and interesting...

You can try to tell me otherwise, but (in the words of one of my profs.) I think I'll just keep sucking on that dreamsicle for at least a little while longer!

Even though I know you all aren't dealing with any kind of stress at all, we still have a stress-buster running this week. Take some time out from relaxing, studying by the fire, to join with KCF and our community for a night of praise and worship! Tuesday night, starting at 7:00pm, in clubspace [MUSC(Student Center) 215]

I'm also going to take this opportunity to let you know about some exciting things happening in the new year!

As some of you know, this past Friday night we had a totally fun crafts, cards, and challenges night, ind some who attended worked very hard on some materials to be used for the making of a giant deck of Dutch Blitz cards. In accordance with this, January 13th, we will be playing a giant, team game of Dutch Blitz with our fancy home-made cards!

Next up, January 16-19th, McMaster will be hosting something called the Veritas Forum. If you'd like more information, you can check it out online at: http://www.veritas.org/Campus/Schedule.aspx?cid=108

Lastly, I am VERY excited to inform you all of the up-coming retreat! February 3-5th. We will be teaming up with McMaster KCF, and Laurier Brantford for a weekend of fun, learning, and bonding! Right now, the cost is estimated to be $80 per person, but the more people we get attending, the less expensive the retreat will be!

Okay, recap:

Tuesday:
Worship Night
Clubspace (MUSC 215)
7:00pm
http://www.facebook.com/#!/events/302421743125188/?notif_t=event_invite


January 13th – Dutch Blitz
January 16-19 – Varitas Forum
February 3-5 – Retreat

Got any questions? Shoot me an email!

Okay well, I guess I'll let you all get back to your calm and peaceful study-fun now!

Hope to see you all soon!

Emily

Hello, and happy exam season greetings!

Starting to feel swamped with studying? Tired of always sitting and being quiet? Craving social interaction with other human beings?

We have the solution!
This Friday... OOh wait, that's tomorrow! Yes, TOMORROW from 6:00 - 10:00 pm, come and join us in Clubspace for a night of crafts, cards, and challenges! Hopefully we can remedy all of these issues, and better prepare you to get back to working hard!
In the last email, It was incorrectly stated that we would be meeting somewhere other than clubspace. That was wrong.

CLUBSPACE, TOMORROW, Friday December 9, 2011 at 6PM!!!!!!!!!
Bring your friends!

http://www.facebook.com/#!/events/257648537625954/

Hope to see you there!

Emily

A warm and energetic holiday greeting to one and all!

I am currently sitting in my living room next to a colourful christmas tree, taking a break from decorating what seems to be an endless number of snowflake shaped cookies (see picture) with my lovely housemates, to give you each a reminder of the exciting holiday events going on this week.


First up is the Christian Unity Coffee House tomorrow night (Monday December 5) from 6:30-10:30 in Divinity college lower level. Entrance is a non-perishable food item or a gently used item of clothing. All collections will be donated to Living Rock, a christian organization reaching out to the homeless youth of Hamilton. Our friends Joshua, Keegan, and Elizabeth will be repeating their wonderful skit around 8:00pm, so be sure to drop in and show them your support! Check out the facebook event and invite your friends:
http://www.facebook.com/#!/events/285052678184552/

Then, on Tuesday, to round off your first day of nothing but studying, bring your friends along to join us at the MUSC fireplace at 7:00pm with your home-made baked goods, your kettles, and your most beautiful singing voices! We're going out caroling, and giving out cookies and hot chocolate as we go!

Take a couple of days to study, and maybe even write an exam, then gather with us again to finish up your first week of no classes as we enjoy each other's company for a night of Crafts, Cards, and Challenges! All are welcome for an evening of STRESSBUSTER fun! There will be craft supplies (especially Christmas related supplies), card games (such as president, signal, and whatever card game you would like to introduce), and Minute to Win It type challenges to really deliver your stress a roundhouse kick to the face.
Also, if Christmas crafts aren't your style, there will be paper to color and cut for our GIANT dutch blitz deck.
http://www.facebook.com/#!/events/257648537625954/?notif_t=event_invite

Invite your friends! (actually, invite strangers too! Why not?)

Lastly, stay tuned because we're hoping to run a worship night hopefully on Tuesday night next week, and who knows what'll come next!

So to recap:

Monday
Christian Unity Coffee House
Divinity College Lower Level
6:30-10:30
Admission: 1 non-perishable food item, or a piece of gently used clothing
http://www.facebook.com/#!/events/285052678184552/

Tuesday
Caroling
MUSC Fireplace
7:00

Friday
Crafts, Cards, and Challenges
MUSC 220
6:00
http://www.facebook.com/#!/events/257648537625954/?notif_t=event_invite

Tuesday
Worship night?
Details soon to come

I wish you all a truly blessed exam season and I really, truly hope to see you all soon!

Your friend,
Emily

Howdy Folks!

I sure do hope y'all 'ur ready fur an exciting week! Here's the low-down on the hoe-down:

Prayer Pockets:Throughout the week

Small Group: Monday and Tuesday Night

Christmas Party: FRIDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Christian Unity Coffee House:December 5

Caroling: Details Coming Soon!


Prayer Pockets:
(groups of 3 or 4 who meet for ~1hr a week to pray with each other)

http://prayerpockets.blogspot.com
Monday, 9:30am - MUSC fireplace (with Naomi)
Wednesday, 2:30 - 1st floor Williams HSC (with Joel)
Thursday, 8:30am - Keyes Lobby (with Tim)
Thursday, 2:30pm -the tables an ABB on the way to thode next to the funny wood walls. (with Heidi)

These two will run if there is interest, so if you would like to join either, please let me know so that someone will be there:

Tuesday, 1:30pm - 1st floor Williams HSC (with Kammie)

Thursday, 10:30am - Hamilton Hall Math Cafe (with Joshua)



Small Groups:
(Manuscript Bible Study)

Monday Night, 7pm in the Mary Keyes Lobby
You will meet in the lobby, and then head up to a common room for the study.


Tuesday Night, 7pm at 57 Barclay St.

Dinner included!
For those who wish, we will meet at the Student Center Fireplace at 6:30-6:40 and walk over together!

If neither of those nights work for you, let us know!

THIS FRIDAY!!!!!!!!
IVCF/KCF Christmas Dinner
Where: Mission Baptist Church in Westdale
When: December 2nd. Arrive by 6pm, Dinner starts by 6:30pm
What: There will be GAMES and FOOD and AWESOME BONDING TIME!
Cost: $10 per person
Dress: Casual/Smart casual
**IF you are a member of IVCF/KCF, PLEASE RSVP (Attending/Not attending) to macivcf@gmail.com

Remember to invite your friends!


It's coming soon, and it's bound to be tons of fun! Halloween was a blast, and we were SO impressed at how well you guys invited! We want even more people out for Christmas! So start inviting now!!!!!!!!!


Christian Unity Coffee House:

This is a REALLY exciting opportunity! On December 5th (the last day of classes), every christian group on campus will be gathering together to partake in a coffee house. Do you have a talent you'd like to showcase? We're looking for performers, so let us know!

This will hopefully be a good way to see what other christian groups on our campus are doing, and will allow us to get to know each other better!

If you have something you would like to contribute to the coffee house, please send me an email with your name, contact info, availability on the night of the coffee house, the variety of your act, and approximate length of the act ASAP! It does not have to be completely solidified yet, but we need these basics for planning the night. If all you know is that you want to do something, give me your available times and how long you think you want and we'll book you a time! I am really excited to see our group step up for this event, and to see the talent that you've all been hiding from us!

Also, check out our Blog: http://macivcf.blogspot.com/ or facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/groups/macivcf/

God bless!

Emily

Greetings one and all!

This week is gonna be a busy one I'm sure! Here's what's up with I.V.!

Prayer Pockets:Throughout the week

Small Group: Monday and Tuesday Night

Games/Ice cream Sundae Night: November 25!!

Christmas Party: December 2

Christian Unity Coffee House:December 5







Prayer Pockets:
(groups of 3 or 4 who meet for ~1hr a week to pray with each other)

http://prayerpockets.blogspot.com
Monday, 9:30am - MUSC fireplace (with Naomi)
Wednesday, 2:30 - 1st floor Williams HSC (with Joel)
Thursday, 8:30am - Keyes Lobby (with Tim)
Thursday, 2:30pm -the tables an ABB on the way to thode next to the funny wood walls. (with Heidi)



These two will run if there is interest, so if you would like to join either, please let me know so that someone will be there:

Tuesday, 1:30pm - 1st floor Williams HSC (with Kammie)

Thursday, 10:30am - Hamilton Hall Math Cafe (with Joshua)



Small Groups:
(Manuscript Bible Study)

Monday Night, 7pm in the Mary Keyes Lobby
You will meet in the lobby, and then head up to a common room for the study.


Tuesday Night, 7pm at 57 Barclay St.

Dinner included!
For those who wish, we will meet at the Student Center Fireplace at 6:30-6:40 and walk over together!

If neither of those nights work for you, let us know!



SUNDAE PARTY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

THIS FRIDAY!!!!!!!!

November 25th!

7:30 pm in MUSC 318!

KCF is hosting an icecream sundae party, and they've assured us that it'll be a good one, so mark it down on your calendars now!

Bring your friends, and bring your FUN!



The Christmas Party:

December 2nd

Arrive by 6pm, Dinner will be served at 6:30

Dress code: casual or smart casual


It's coming soon, and it's bound to be tons of fun! Halloween was a blast, and we were SO impressed at how well you guys invited! We want even more people out for Christmas! So start inviting now!!!!!!!!! It will be December 2nd, and more details are on the way!



Christian Unity Coffee House:

This is a REALLY exciting opportunity! On December 5th (the last day of classes), every christian group on campus will be gathering together to partake in a coffee house. Do you have a talent you'd like to showcase? We're looking for performers, so let us know!

This will hopefully be a good way to see what other christian groups on our campus are doing, and will allow us to get to know each other better!



If you have something you would like to contribute to the coffee house, please send me an email with your name, contact info, availability on the night of the coffee house, the variety of your act, and approximate length of the act ASAP! It does not have to be completely solidified yet, but we need these basics for planning the night. If all you know is that you want to do something, give me your available times and how long you think you want and we'll book you a time! I am really excited to see our group step up for this event, and to see the talent that you've all been hiding from us!



Leadership Opportunity

Lastly, some individuals at Tuesday night's Small Group were talking this past Tuesday, and someone suggested the idea of going caroling as a group sometime before Christmas. I think this is a great idea! If you think it is too, and would like to do it, then all we need is for someone to plan it! I would like to extend an invitation to all of you out there: this would be a great opportunity for someone to experience planning and leading an event. I am willing to help out and provide guidance if needed. So, if you would like to take on this caroling event, send me an email, talk to me - let me know in some way, and we can get on it!



Also, check out our Blog: http://macivcf.blogspot.com/ or facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/groups/macivcf/

God bless!

Emily

Zdrastvuchye!

I mean... Hi!


I hope all are doing well on this blustery day in the midst of midterms! Though assignments and tests can be overwhelming at times, I'd like to make this weeks update a reminder to slow down. Take a moment to think about why you're here at school, working hard and doing your best. God gives us perspective, you just may have to take some time to slow down, and listen to Him.


At InterVarsity, we like to help each other do this, so here are some ways in which we can support each other in the next coming weeks:


Prayer Pockets:Throughout the week

Small Group: Monday and Tuesday Night

Games/Ice cream Sundae Night: November 25!!

Christmas Party: December 2

Christian Unity Coffee House:December 5




Prayer Pockets:
(groups of 3 or 4 who meet for ~1hr a week to pray with each other)

http://prayerpockets.blogspot.com
Monday, 9:30am - MUSC fireplace (with Naomi)
Wednesday, 2:30 - 1st floor Williams HSC (with Joel)
Thursday, 8:30am - Keyes Lobby (with Tim)
Thursday, 2:30pm - IAHS sign (with Heidi)



These two will run if there is interest, so if you would like to join either, please let me know so that someone will be there:

Tuesday, 1:30pm - 1st floor Williams HSC (with Kammie)

Thursday, 10:30am - Hamilton Hall Math Cafe (with Joshua)


Small Groups:
(Manuscript Bible Study)

Monday Night, 7pm in the Mary Keyes Lobby
You will meet in the lobby, and then head up to a common room for the study.

Tuesday Night, 7pm at 57 Barclay St.

Dinner included!
For those who wish, we will meet at the Student Center Fireplace at 6:30-6:40 and walk over together!

If neither of those nights work for you, let us know!


Games Night!

November 25th!

7 pm in MUSC 318!

KCF is hosting an icecream sundae party, and they've assured us that it'll be a good one, so mark it down on your calendars now!

Bring your friends, and bring your FUN!


The Christmas Party:

It's coming soon, and it's bound to be tons of fun! Halloween was a blast, and we were SO impressed at how well you guys invited! We want even more people out for Christmas! So start inviting now!!!!!!!!! It will be December 2nd, and more details are on the way!


Christian Unity Coffee House:

This is a REALLY exciting opportunity! On December 5th (the last day of classes), every christian group on campus will be gathering together to partake in a coffee house. Do you have a talent you'd like to showcase? We're looking for performers, so let us know!

This will hopefully be a good way to see what other christian groups on our campus are doing, and will allow us to get to know each other better!


If you have something you would like to contribute to the coffee house, please send me an email with your name, contact info, availability on the night of the coffee house, the variety of your act, and approximate length of the act ASAP! It does not have to be completely solidified yet, but we need these basics for planning the night. If all you know is that you want to do something, give me your available times and how long you think you want and we'll book you a time! I am really excited to see our group step up for this event, and to see the talent that you've all been hiding from us!


Leadership Opportunity

Lastly, some individuals at Tuesday night's Small Group were talking this past Tuesday, and someone suggested the idea of going caroling as a group sometime before Christmas. I think this is a great idea! If you think it is too, and would like to do it, then all we need is for someone to plan it! I would like to extend an invitation to all of you out there: this would be a great opportunity for someone to experience planning and leading an event. I am willing to help out and provide guidance if needed. So, if you would like to take on this caroling event, send me an email, talk to me - let me know in some way, and we can get on it!


Also, check out our Blog: http://macivcf.blogspot.com/ or facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/groups/macivcf/

Remember, God made you special, and He loves you very much!!

Hope to see you ALL soon!

Emily

Hello!

Here is what is going on this week:

Halloween Fun!
First of all, book of this Saturday afternoon for time to spend exploring Westdale and then eating free Pizza!
When: October 29th, 3:45 pm
Where: meet at MUSC fireplace. Dinner is at 6 at Boston Pizza
What: Photo-scavenger Hunt and dinner
** Be sure to dress up! Also, invite anyone you think may be interested in joining us, and look out for the posters in the Student Center.  :)  

Small Group Bible Studies:

Monday Night
7pm Mary Keyes Lobby
Meet Karen, Alix, and Tim and head up to a common room

Tuesday Night
7pm 57 Barclay (or 6:45 at the MUSC fireplace)
Dinner Included!

Prayer Pockets:
Check out the website:
http://prayerpockets.blogspot.com/

Okay, here's the deal:
Monday Night Manuscripting
7pm Mary Keyes Lobby
Meet Karen, Alix, and Tim and head up to a common room

Tuesday Night Manuscripting
7pm 57 Barclay (or 6:45 at the MUSC fireplace)
Dinner Included!

HALLOWEEN   Saturday, October 29th
Joint IVCF/KCF (Korean Christian Fellowship) event!!!!
Details to come!  Expect an email soon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Prayer Pockets:
Check out the website:
http://prayerpockets.blogspot.com/