Latest News
The Beauty Behind the Banner
At Southridge, we dream that every volunteer feels that they belong to a cause greater than ourselves. Therefore, we value togetherness; each of us playing a role with and for one another. We have so many amazing volunteers who are playing their role quietly in the background, working hard to create a special and unique experience for our guests. Some of these volunteers have used their unique gifts of creativity to bring our message of a fully devoted lifestyle to life. They work diligently and without any expectations and some with very …
It's Gardening Time!
If you’ve ever had a chance to venture out back of our Glenridge building, you might have noticed a huge garden located out there.  After a long fall and winter, opening the garden is a big job filled with labour intensive tasks.

This year, we had a group of 32 hardworking team members from Freedom 55 Financial who volunteered for the job!  This group came in last Thursday and in only 7 hours transformed our garden from a jungle of overgrowth to a beautifully planted and maintainable garden ready to grow!  Take a look below for some pictures …
Reflect: I AM the Resurrection and the Life (May 20, 2012)
This spring, we’re entering into a new season of Sundays in our new series, Asked, seven weeks of opportunities to invite our friends who don’t yet know Jesus. So, how do we—the church community—reflect on this season? By rediscovering who Jesus is… to us. For the next eight weeks, in this space we will intentionally reflect on the seven “I AM” statements of Jesus in the Gospel of John, discovering Jesus as the Bread of Life; the Light of the World; the Gate; the Good Shepherd; the Resurrection; the …
A Father to the Fatherless?
For three years my wife Becky has been visiting our Compassion sponsor child named Edgar who lives in Guatemala. In year one she went to meet him and his family by herself, and the following two years she's brought our boys along with her. We've never traveled to visit Edgar as an entire family before... That is, until now!

Tomorrow (Tuesday) we'll be flying to Guatemala for a bit of a family adventure. On Wednesday, we'll travel with Compassion representatives to Edgar's student centre to visit him and his family there, and then on Friday …
Conference: Comfort and Hope, June 8-10, 2012
Check out this conference that Tim Arnold and I will be involved with, from June 8-10, 2012 at Brock University, called Comfort And Hope. The conference is organized by a friend of, and former speaker at, Southridge, Brock University psychology professor, Kathy Belicki.

The Conference has three intertwined themes:


Finding comfort, hope and strength when we personally suffer, whether physically, emotionally, or spiritually

Finding and providing comfort when we journey with others who are suffering

Exploring ways that we can reach out to a suffering world


The conference will include keynote talks, small group presentations and workshops, ecumenical prayer, music …
Read: Why Does God Allow Suffering?
Welcome to your space to Read. What you'll find here are two different kinds of reading recommendations, resources to read in order to encounter God's revelation of himself in more in depth and personal ways: a list of daily Bible readings to sustain your personal time with God throughout the week, and a few book recommendations to more deeply explore the themes we encountered in worship. "Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path," (Ps. 119:105).

Daily Bible Readings for May 13 to May 19, 2012
Faithfully follow this reading plan in 2012 and by the …
Resources: Why Context Is King
The 24/7 blog that we've called Resources is intended to be a multifaceted exploration of the Christian life. It is a place where we expand the conversation about what God is doing in our lives and in our community, and further reflect on what it looks like to live a life of full devotion to Christ, 24/7. This post is part of a series of posts about interpreting the Bible. It was composed by Pat Beard, a longtime member of the Southridge community and Bible teacher in a variety of contexts.

In his play, "The Merchant of Venice&…
Portable Location Facility Updates
If you attend one of our portable locations in Welland or North End, you are probably aware that we are unable to use our regular facilities at Centennial and Governor Simcoe Secondary Schools for the months of July and August due to maintenance and repairs that will be taking place.

However, you may not yet have heard our alternative summer plans for these locations. So, here you go:

NORTH END

After some initial research in the North End we were unable to find an obvious well-suited alternative facility option for our regular Sunday programs. Therefore, we went through a process …
Pursuing Dignity for All
Drew Toth is a full-time coach in our shelter ministry and a strong advocate for our homeless friends.  We asked him to tell the story of the dental project...

I write to you with exciting news about what God has been up to through a team of people in our community. Four years ago, a police officer came to the shelter and asked about opportunities to volunteer.  He shared that his wife was a dental hygienist and he wondered if she could help with the oral health of the residents at the shelter. This question sparked a series …
Upper Deck - 2nd Annual Golf Tournament
 

On June 23 2012, Youth Unlimited will be having their second annual golf tournament in support of the Upper Deck - an at-risk youth ministry in the Lincoln area. 

18 holes of golf with a cart, lunch & dinner, shotgun start and best-ball scramble.

Click here for more information and for the sign-up sheet.
Reflect: I AM the Good Shepherd (May 13, 2012)
This spring, we’re entering into a new season of Sundays in our new series, Asked, seven weeks of opportunities to invite our friends who don’t yet know Jesus. So, how do we—the church community—reflect on this season? By rediscovering who Jesus is… to us. For the next eight weeks, in this space we will intentionally reflect on the seven “I AM” statements of Jesus in the Gospel of John, discovering Jesus as the Bread of Life; the Light of the World; the Gate; the Good Shepherd; the Resurrection; the …
Read: Can I Be Forgiven? (May 13, 2012)
Welcome to your space to Read. What you'll find here are two different kinds of reading recommendations, resources to read in order to encounter God's revelation of himself in more in depth and personal ways: a list of daily Bible readings to sustain your personal time with God throughout the week, and a few book recommendations to more deeply explore the themes we encountered in worship. "Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path," (Ps. 119:105).

Daily Bible Readings for May 13 to May 19, 2012
Faithfully follow this reading plan in 2012 and by the …
Resources: Is Marriage Worthwhile?
 

The 24/7 blog that we've called Resources is intended to be a multifaceted exploration of the Christian life. It is a place where we expand the conversation about what God is doing in our lives and in our community, and further reflect on what it looks like to live a life of full devotion to Christ, 24/7. This post is by Ron Esau, a longtime Southridge member and Bible teacher in a variety of contexts.

 

The question raised in the video prior to Sundays message, “Why should we get married when we are in this loving relationship and …
Help Support The Awesome Work of MCC
 

There is a dedicated team of Southridge members who are preparing to take part in the annual MCC Relief Sale in New Hamburg.  Each year this event raises hundreds of thousands of dollars to support the incredible work of MCC that focuses relief, development and peace (www.mcc.org). 

The team lead by members of our Vineland location has been able to raise over $10,000 each year through the sale of bedding plants, homemade grape juice, and a silent auction.  Their goal is to make this year their best year yet…and you can help!

They …
R!OT May Newletter
Hello Everyone,

Welcome to May! Our season is coming to end however we have tons planned for your Kids! This month we want to highlight the Canada's Wonderland trip that the entire Student Ministry is invited to on June 2. You do not want to miss this year end event!

download PDF
Pray Without Ceasing
Last week I noticed that a friend of mine chose the Southridge Prayer Wall as the homepage on her internet browser.  So every time she opened up the web, she saw the most recent version of our community’s prayer requests and praise reports.

When I commented to her that it was a good idea, she told me that it had drastically impacted how much she prayed throughout the day.  Then she challenged me to try it.

So I did.  And she was right!  I’m finding that I’m praying WAY more …
Resources: How Lucky Is Getting Lucky? (May 6, 2012)
The 24/7 blog that we've called Resources is intended to be a multifaceted exploration of the Christian life. It is a place where we expand the conversation about what God is doing in our lives and in our community, and further reflect on what it looks like to live a life of full devotion to Christ, 24/7. This post is from an online forum called Ask Men, a secular dating and sex resource and explores the longterm dynamics of sex during a dating relationship.

NOTE: Southridge does NOT endorse all the content on this page.

"It’s a question …
Live Studio Audience
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be part of a live studio audience? I once had the privilege of sitting in on a taping of George Strombolopolous at the CBC studio in Toronto. Beyond being a pretty cool experience, it gave me a whole new appreciation for what goes into producing a TV show like that.



Perhaps you've wondered what goes into the pre-recorded messages we show on Sundays at Southridge. Our messages are filmed in our Glenridge auditorium every Thursday night. Normally, the preacher speaks to an empty room. On May 24th, however, …
Reflect: I AM the Gate (May 6, 2012)
This spring, we’re entering into a new season of Sundays in our new series, Asked, seven weeks of opportunities to invite our friends who don’t yet know Jesus. So, how do we—the church community—reflect on this season? By rediscovering who Jesus is… to us. For the next eight weeks, in this space we will intentionally reflect on the seven “I AM” statements of Jesus in the Gospel of John, discovering Jesus as the Bread of Life; the Light of the World; the Gate; the Good Shepherd; the Resurrection; the …
Great Date Weekend In Review
With the topic of Marriage before us this weekend it's great timing to fill you in on the Great Date Weekend Escape that took place April 27 & 28.  Held at the beautiful Four Points by Sheraton Niagara Falls, this years event was a huge success.  26 couples set aside time and resources to make a long term investment in their relationships.  The topic "The Language of Sex - experiencing the beauty of sexual intimacy" certainly did not disappoint.  Ted Cunningham and Dr. Gary Smalley did an awesome job using story and humor to unpack this …
What Would You Ask God?
If you could ask God any question what would it be? Sponsored children sit down and share their questions for God:



We have the opportunity, by sponsoring children like these, to personally invest in the life of a child in need. Through sponsorship, we can help children to become healthy and fulfilled adults, experience God's love, and bring about lasting change to their families and communities.

To learn more about sponsorship, or to sponsor a child, visit the Welcome Centre at any location to pick up a child sponsorship kit.

Or learn more or sponsor online at:&…
Read: What Is Marriage (And Why Do We Care)? (May 6, 2012)
Welcome to your space to Read. What you'll find here are two different kinds of reading recommendations, resources to read in order to encounter God's revelation of himself in more in depth and personal ways: a list of daily Bible readings to sustain your personal time with God throughout the week, and a few book recommendations to more deeply explore the themes we encountered in worship. "Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path," (Ps. 119:105).

Daily Bible Readings for May 6 to May 12, 2012
Faithfully follow this reading plan in 2012 and by the …
Celebrating Birthdays at Tabor
Over the past several years, we’ve been involved in throwing birthday parties for the residents of Tabor Manor celebrating their birthday throughout the month.  These have been great opporuntities for Life Groups to serve together and have definitely been a way that we can bless the seniors living at Tabor Manor.

In April, a group from our Welland location threw a birthday party for 15 residents and their guests.  It was the biggest party of the year for Tabor and was the highlight of birthday celebrations for many of the seniors. 

To give you an inside …
Resources: Complaining About Complaining (Apr 29, 2012)
The 24/7 blog that we've called Resources is intended to be a multifaceted exploration of the Christian life. It is a place where we expand the conversation about what God is doing in our lives and in our community, and further reflect on what it looks like to live a life of full devotion to Christ, 24/7. This post is the first from Carrie Jones, a longtime member and elder of Southridge.

As I thought about what to write about this week, I knew that I needed to look no further than to ask myself, “what has God been teaching …
Rose City Kids Garage Sale
Come out Saturday May 19 to support the Rose City Kid Mega Garage Sale.  In addition to many great things to buy, there will be plants for sale from a local greenhouse! 

Get there early! Shopping starts at 7:00am. 

Location:  116 Sandra Drive in Fenwick
You Asked For It
In the spirit of keeping our programming for children aligned with the adult programming, we have spent the last number of weeks asking questions that were raised by some of the children who attend Movers and Shakers.  For those of us who have young children, or have worked with young children, we know that asking questions comes naturally, especially young, inquisitive minds.  A series revolving around kid friendly questions was a logical next step in our programming.

The value in asking questions is to develop a better understanding of ourselves, and even our world.  Likewise, as spiritual …
Change For Life Baby Bottle Campaign
Elisha House provides assistance for the physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs of women, men, and families in Welland who are challenged by unplanned pregnancy and related issues.

You can support this important and needed ministry by joining the Change For Life Baby Bottle Campaign.  On Sunday May 13, empty baby bottles will be available to fill up with coins, bills, or even a cheque.  All bottles need to be returned by Sunday June 17.

Please contact Nicole Birrell at jnbirrell@yahoo.ca for more information.  Nicole will also be available at the Welcome Centre on Sunday May 13 at …
Way To Go Vineland Parking Team!!
Just wanted to say a huge thank you to a group of individuals who stepped forward when they were needed most.  We have put so many hours over the past few months into creating the most welcoming and inviting environment we could for guests at our  new Vineland location.  We quickly realized that without a proper and equipped parking team our efforts of creating a positive First Impression for our neighbours and our guests were in jeopardy due to the congestion and chaos of the parking lot.  If you build it, they will come and …
Reflect: I AM the Light of the World (Apr 29, 2012)
This spring, we’re entering into a new season of Sundays in our new series, Asked, seven weeks of opportunities to invite our friends who don’t yet know Jesus. So, how do we—the church community—reflect on this season? By rediscovering who Jesus is… to us. For the next eight weeks, in this space we will intentionally reflect on the seven “I AM” statements of Jesus in the Gospel of John, discovering Jesus as the Bread of Life; the Light of the World; the Gate; the Good Shepherd; the Resurrection; the …
Resources: Is Free Will An Illusion?
The 24/7 blog that we've called Resources is intended to be a multifaceted exploration of the Christian life. It is a place where we expand the conversation about what God is doing in our lives and in our community, and further reflect on what it looks like to live a life of full devotion to Christ, 24/7. This post is from an online forum called The Chronicle Review, a publication of The Chronicle of Higher Education. It explores the issue of free will, as researched in various academic disciplines, and its implications for human society, morality and religion.

"Free will …
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RIOT: Lazermania (Vineland)
May 23rd, 5:30pm
Baptism: Making Waves
Jun 3rd, 10:00am
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