A SIGN FOR OUR TIMESAs someone who has been around Talbot Street Church for decades, I have (Harry) witnessed enormous change in our corner of downtown. The townhouses across the street have been replaced by high rise apartments, the corner variety store where our children went after (or instead of) Tuesday night church education classes and the bar called the Latin Quarter where the “second half” of council meetings were held on the northeast corner of Talbot and Dufferin has been replaced by a commercial high rise building, and now only a few feet away from our facility stands a 30 story luxury condo building replacing houses we once owned for a custodian’s house and a church office. Our own church facility has evolved in remarkable ways, especially with the Atrium and 3 level addition added in the last decade, as well as numerous renovations, upgrades and technological enhancements we continue to make along the way.

In the midst of and because of all the change, we have committed to remaining in the downtown core. It’s not always an easy place to be the church and do ministry. It is not my (Don) favourite part of the job to deal with theft, vandalism, and messes related to being downtown, but there is a remarkable opportunity for us here. As Pastor Steve continues to lay out the challenge to live missional lives and be a missional church we also long for our facility to be used more broadly and be a blessing to the community in which we are located. While a truly missional culture is our goal there are tangible realities we continue to change to help shape that culture. One such change will be a new sign in front of our facility. As was recently noted in a “from the elders” email, a new sign is in the works. Signs are not inexpensive, but this one is not costing our faith community anything. We are very grateful for a significant donation from Tricar (developers who built Azure next door and to whose space our old sign was not contributing) and a donation from the Talbot Street Church Foundation using some remaining funds from the purchase of 535/537 Talbot St. The Visual Impressions Team helped design the sign; the colour pattern matches the historical colours on the exterior of the church and the brick base matches the brick on the church building. The sign will have a large electronic multi-coloured display on which we can highlight ministry and community events. You will notice the sign has two (interchangeable) labels: Talbot Street Church and Atrium on Talbot. While there is nothing yet official about the label “Atrium on Talbot” our facility is increasingly known in the community as such and we are exploring use of this label as a soft-branding approach to promote our space for community opportunities and engagement. We already host dozens of rentals a year from weddings to concerts to business gatherings and community events and our hope is to continue to be a facility where people will feel welcomed and blessed by our space. A sign will certainly help identify our facility and our desire to be a meaningful part of our community. However, we know that a new sign and label are only small components in a much bigger dream to share the love and grace of Jesus with our city. May God continue to bless our efforts and shape us into a truly missional community.

513 Talbot St. London ON N6A 2S5519.432.7997 | talbotstreetchurch.com

The TSC Connection is a monthly publication to share the stories of how we, as a faith community, are discovering and living out God’s missional call on our lives. We believe Jesus actually meant what he said when he commanded his followers to go and

make disciples. And so we refuse to do church as usual, but long in both our corporate gatherings and in our individual lives to be the church of Jesus. A church that acts like Jesus, talks like Jesus and loves like Jesus. This is who we aspire to be.

SANDRA BORK’S REFLECTIONSTalbot Street Church was (and still is) home.

It’s where I was baptized as an infant. I attended the GEMS club (although then it was Calvinettes). I have fond memories of participating in “God’s Kids”, a children’s choir that regularly performed the Kids Praise musicals with Psalty the Singing Songbook. Sunday School, CDs, Youth Group, Serve trips, Youth campouts…Talbot Street (or First CRC as it was back in those days) has done a lot to shape what I believe and who I am today. Even after returning from Calvin College, I was encouraged to be a SERVE leader, and welcomed as a Youth Group volunteer, which all led to the position I’ve held for the last 7 years. And I’m not saying I do everything right, but I’m one of those stories that shows a church community can do a lot to support, shape, and empower one of their children to become an adult who is still actively involved in church and living faithfully. I have seen how the research we’ve been talking about in church applies. The information in “Sticky Faith” and “Growing Young” has proven to be true in my life.

I need to thank you all for that. I’m incredibly grateful for the community at Talbot Street Church. Thank you to all of you who promised at my baptism to pray for me and help raise me. Thank you to all of you who encouraged me and asked me about my life and my ministry. Thank you to those of you who bought pies to support SERVE, donated candy to feed the youth, sent Christmas Cards and all the rest of the things that make Talbot Street really seem like a family to me. As I stated on a recent Sunday during my sermon conversation with Pastor Steve - Talbot Street Church has does so many things well and it continues to do a lot of things right.

But that doesn't mean there isn't room for growth. I encourage you to continue to find meaningful roles for all ages (especially those with less experience and years) to contribute to life at Talbot Street. I don't mean asking them to move tables and chairs just because they can (although we all do have to take our turn), but tasks and positions that use their gifts and their thoughts. Invite youth to be on every team! Continue to encourage those who nervously get up in front of the congregation and play their bass or piano on Sunday mornings. Don't assume they will step up and take roles when they become adults - welcome them to full participation right now!

We all have the responsibility to set examples for those who are watching, and those examples are even better when seen in relationship. Starting a conversation with a youth may be awkward at first (and it will be for the youth as well), but those relationships are vital. Not every kid attends youth group or catechism - for a variety of reasons - and while a part-time youth director and a few volunteers try to touch base, it’s not easy. But it is not just our job, it is also your job! Maybe by connecting with a youth regularly on a Sunday after worship, you may encourage a youth who doesn't already have a connection to the church! Perhaps you can find someone who has similar interests, who you can teach a new skill, or who can teach you something new! Valuable relationships can be built in many ways.

TALBOT STREET CHURCH

CONNECTIONFebruary 2019

~ Harry DeJonge & Don SteeleContinued inside…

COMMON GROUND - YOUNG ADULTS CONNECTION Recently members of Talbot Street Church hosted a Progressive Dinner and invited the Common Ground group to travel around the city enjoying a different course at one of each of five homes. As an extension of our Common Ground monthly lunches it was a great way for intergenerational fellowship. We’ve gathered some comments from some of our students and Young Adults and they speak to the love and hospitality this church shows to students.

The Common Ground Group is an extremely welcoming community. They have literally opened their homes to a stranger and made me feel so welcome. I truly feel a sense of belonging among the young adults as well as the members of Talbot Street Church. ~ Cathryn

Common Ground is a great place to get to know the other young adults at TSC as well as some of the older adults. The food is always amazing! CG does a great job of making the young adults like me who are here in London on their own because of school to feel welcomed and a part of the family at TSC. ~ Dillon

Initially started going to Common Ground as a way to get to know people at Talbot Street. Common Ground has been an amazing way to meet people and I have felt incredibly welcome at all of our events. One of the most significant impacts for me is that I’ve also begun to feel a part of a church community again. I look forward to fellowshipping with a group of like-minded individuals once a month and I am thankful that I now recognize a few more faces at church every Sunday! ~ Renee

"Common ground is a great time for younger people in the church to get to know one another and be given good food by the (relatively) older folks at church. The name of the group is telling; it's just a time where folks can learn what they have in common, appreciate what they don't, and maybe make some friends.” ~ Ryan

"Common Ground has been a wonderful experience for us. Through it, we have met some great people our own age and we are enjoying getting to know them better. Also, we have met a number of other people in the community who have graciously cooked for us and welcomed us into their homes. Common Ground has been an excellent catalyst for deepening our connection to this community. We look forward to seeing these relationships grow in the future.” ~ Janessa and Kevin

For me common ground has really allowed London to feel much more like home. Knowing there are church members who want to get to know us and help us meet other people means a lot, and having a chance to sit down with other young adults is a blessing. ~ Katherine

The initial discussion for a Progressive Dinner for the Common Ground group took place at our Sunday evening Home Group. We thought this was an excellent way to get to know others in our church and to promote intergenerational relationships. When the official request to host 20 plus people was made, Mark and I enthusiastically agreed. Our home was the first stop so we served appetizers. As a Sunday morning greeter I had met some of the individuals already but handing out name tags on arrival allowed use to put ‘names to faces’. As the night progressed to other homes for additional meal courses we intentionally sought out participants who we had not spoken with earlier in the evening. It was very interesting to hear their varied life stories, plans and hopes for the future. Sever stops later, the roles occasionally reversed and Mark and I found that they were interested in our story too. All in all, a very successful, relationship building endeavour and we look forward to hosting a repeat Progressive Dinner. ~ JoAnne Edlund

SANDRA BORK’S REFLECTIONS (cont’d)Please, engage! Be involved! Our youth programs are always looking for volunteers - new GEMS counsellors, catechism teachers, or nursery volunteers. You can make a difference and make a connection! We all have something to offer when it comes to showing the next generation how to live like Jesus lived and love like He loved.

So now, after being involved in a community I’ve called home for years, I’m ready to move on to my next home - Grand Rapids. Some of you have asked exactly what I’ll be doing there. I’ll be working with Youth Unlimited as the Serve Director, which means I will be encouraging, supporting and training teams across North America as they host week-long mission trips for teens. I’ll also be recruiting new hosting churches and sending churches. I look forward to continue working with Talbot Street as you continue to host SERVE trips every summer! I ask that you continue to pray for me, for Youth Unlimited and for each and everyone of the youth at Talbot Street Church as we all strive to faithfully follow Jesus. ~Sandra Bork

LOCAL MISSIONS - REFUGEE SPONSORSHIPOur church has been blessed to have Ajok Manyang Bang and her children Adhieu, Thon, Akech and Luke worshipping with us for the past 2 years. You may recall a Connection article last year (April) that shared their story and how they came to Canada in the fall of 2016 as government assisted refugees. The story recalled their journey from South Sudan, to Kenya, Winnipeg and then here to London, as well as to the Talbot Street Church faith community. Many of you have graciously come around them to provide support, rides, and especially your time and friendship. Ajok recognizes God’s work and blessing in her life, and is so thankful!

But there is more to this story! Last year, Ajok reconnected with her only sibling, her 20-year-old brother named Magai, whom she hasn’t seen since he was a child. This young man lived in difficult circumstances in South Sudan enduring experiences hard for us to imagine. He managed to escape those circumstances last year and made his way to the Kakuma refugee camp in northern Kenya. He called his sister and she was so excited to hear from him.

Following this reconnection, Ajok approached Talbot Street Church about the possibility of us helping to bring him here to Canada, as he feels his life would be in danger if he were to return to South Sudan. The elder board approved a motion last spring to proceed with the refugee sponsorship, and we have partnered with World Renew in the sponsorship application process. Trisa and Atem Majak worked on preparing the initial documentation outlining Magai’s story, and the official sponsorship documents were prepared for World Renew by Trisa Majak and Denise Luyt. The application was submitted by World Renew to the Canadian Government in late 2018.

The Local Mission Team has taken on this endeavour but need your help! We are looking for volunteers from our faith community who will form a team to be responsible for assisting Magai with the various areas of transition to Canadian life as a newcomer. This will include fundraising and well as planning for the many needs he will have when he arrives. We will have a commitment for financial support for one year from the time of his arrival. Please consider this wonderful opportunity to assist this young man to start a new life here in London, in safety, and with his family. If you have any interest in helping, please contact the office. We would love to work with you!

We are told that the successful refugee sponsorship application process can take up to two years. In the meantime, we ask for your prayers for Magai, for strength, health and patience while he moves through this process and awaits a decision that will allow him to be with his family. ~ Trisa Majak & Denise Luyt