Good day, Black Creek Church,

 

This week I had a chat with a fellow new to the area.  ‍‍

He is around 22 years old and moved from Ontario to Abbotsford a couple of years ago, 

and just recently arrived in Campbell River.

I asked him how many people did he know when he moved here.

 - 'ZERO' was his answer. 0

 

It made me ponder how do younger folks get to know other younger folks?  

Workplace?

School? 

The Bar?

The Gym? 

Church....? 

 

It makes me so appreciate our community of faith and each one of you.  

You make up my circle of family, friends, and neighbours.  

I feel blessed, grateful, very WEALTHY..... ‍‍

and not lonely. 

 

 I invited this fellow to our Church Musical  that is playing this Saturday and Sunday at 7:00pm  

He told me he is heading to Ontario to spend time with his mom over the break so can't attend....  

But... he would like to connect with me in the new year.

 

I just recently heard this stat on the news: 

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared loneliness to be a pressing global health threat, 

with the US Surgeon General saying that its mortality effects are equivalent to smoking 15 cigarettes a day (The Guardian)  

It was reported on other news sites including some interesting clips in Global News.


 Ecclesiastes 4:9  Two are better than one, 

because they have a good reward for their toil.
10  For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. 

But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!
11  Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, 

but how can one keep warm alone?
12  And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, 

two will withstand him a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

 

 Church Musical this Saturday and Sunday evenings at 7:00pm   

Invite a friend or neighbour to come along ‍‍

 

 Church activities next week will be 'paused' until the new year.  Check the bulletin for January starting up details.

 

 I will not be sending out an update next Friday as I will be overrun with family and grandchildren (read HAPPY )

 

 For year-end giving note our office will be closed next week and CRA requirements - see the bulletin or the note at the end of this letter.

 The World Health Organization is commissioning a 3-year study worldwide to figure out the scope and solution to the problem of loneliness. 

 

May I suggest a solution to the human condition - loneliness included?

Peace with God AND each other;

Jesus came to fill us with Himself and call us to be in an integrated organism with Him as its head.

The church, the gathered... choosing to come together with each other.  

Regularly

Intentionally

With His GRACE to grease the wheels of relationship (including forgiveness and not taking offense)

The church is not only the vehicle, but scripture gives the structure of 'rules of engagement' that make it work. 

 

 Ephesians 4:1 ...walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called,

2    with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,
3  eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

15 ...grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,
16  from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, 

when each part is working properly, 

makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

 

Blessings as you minister and are ministered to - in His Body 

and in His world.

I pray that the Lord brings us opportunities to reach out and share His love

This season. 

 

Feeling blessed,

Peter Jackson

Part of Your Team

Black Creek Community Church

peterj@blackcreekchurch.ca