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L’ARCHE COMOX VALLEY“Centered on Creating Homes for Adults With Developmental Disabilities”

491 B 4th St., COURTENAY, B.C., V9N 1G9

Moving Towards Fall

For many of us the summer sun b r o u g h t m u c h r i c h n e s s a n d enlightenment. Our time in Calgary where we gathered with friends new and old – youth and elders, sharing and celebrating time with Jean Vanier was very special. I recall words of Gunilla Norris from “A Mystic Garden” where she says:

The deep urge in our souls wants grounding, needs light, longs for living water, too.We cannot grow on our own any more than any plant in nature can.At the core we know that of our own selves we can do nothing.We are only what we are given, what we are able to receive and return.

Our Outreach Centre is certainly a place of giving and receiving. We have had more than 31 different artists share their work with us. We were able to provide Jean Vanier a sample of 35 different cards when we met with him in June. He was very happy to take them back to Trosly.

We are quickly discovering that our Outreach Centre is indeed becoming a place of welcome in the community! We are a welcome place for various people to just come and take-a-breath from their own routines. Our back room is often a refuge from the everyday world “out there”.

This year we have been present at a variety of new ventures, including a booth at Market Days; entries in the Comox Valley Fall Fair where we won a “Best Group Project” for our nativity set plus First Prize in an open art work category for our cards. Stop by the Outreach Centre to see our Blue and Pink ribbons!

It seems like we are moving into fall with our AGM already behind us. Monday, September 15 saw 61 people at least (that many signed our guest book) gather with us for a short Taize service followed by a spaghetti supper with salads and desert. Close to 30 stayed for the annual general meeting that followed. What a fun evening of sharing, celebrating, coming together to see where we are on our journey with L’Arche.

Rae OwensCommunity Leader

Message from our Board Chair

October is almost upon us and I am very honoured to be representing our Board and Community at the L’Arche Federation meeting in Kolkata, India from the 4th Oct to 13th.

I would like to briefly tell you a little about what will be taking place at the meeting.

The Federation has over 5,000 members who will be represented by the 200 attendees from 37 countries. The main items that will be voted on are: The acceptance of the Identity and Mission Statement. The Financial Report. The nominations for the executives. The launch of the new governance principals and structures for the next three years and amendments to the Constitution. As we are not yet a permanent member I will not be voting on any of these issues.

Apart from all the decisions that have to be made there will be many other activities planned. An Art Exhibition will be held where art from a core member from each community will be displayed. The theme being “Celebration”. Leading artists from Kolkata will be attending it. I am taking a picture painted by our own Cory Pagnoni. Each day there will be a “Market Place” where other NGO’s will be selling goods as well as other L'Arche communities, especially Asha Niketan - as L’Arche in India is called.

A book of photos of L’Arche communities around the world will be presented to Jean Vanier for his 80th Birthday. These will be available on the L'Arche web site in due course.

A regular activity at our Outreach Centre - Art Lessons! Continued on Page 6



L’ARCHE COMOX VALLEY WELCOMES THE

OLYMPICS!!!

A fine group of over 30 people gathered on a frigid day in the valley, to participate in the Winter Olympics, L’Arche style!. We had invited our friends from neighboring Powell River Faith and Light Community to join us. What a hearty bunch they were, braving the fresh snows of Powell River to join in our fun. We began the afternoon indoors, in a large circle, with the Opening Ceremonies as the ‘torch’ arrived. We introduced ourselves and shared our favorite winter sport. Among the favorites, were the usual, like skiing, hockey, figure skating and cross country skiing, as well as a demonstration winter sport, “flying to Mexico”!! After the opening ceremonies, we divided into four ‘teams’ and had a few minutes to adorn ourselves with surveyor’s tape in our team colour, make a quick flag, out of plastic table cloths, and compose our team cheer or song. The y e l l o w t e a m p r o u d l y s a n g ‘yellow submarine’ as their song, while the other teams cheered each other on with various r e n d i t i o n s o f familiar tunes. A highl ight was a s p o n t a n e o u s o u t b u r s t o f patriotism, as a c o r e m e m b e r began to sing ‘O C a n a d a ’ a n d everyone joined in w i t h g r e a t enthusiasm.

W h e n t h e games began, we were entered into such riotous events a s M u s i c a l Bobsled, similar to m u s i c a l c h a i r s ,

however, instead of taking away a chair each round, we added a participant, so we were encouraged to share seating (sit on each other’s knees!) We participated in a Biathlon event, with cardboard skis strapped to our feet, and armed with various shapes of water pistols, we aimed at pie plate targets! Needless to say, not all the water remained on the pie plates, as our playful sides emerged, and a few folks were squirted generously!

We played a relay of Winter dress-up, where you had to run to a pile of clothes, and put on a pair of mittens, a scarf and a hat, run around a chair, take the clothes off again and run back to your team. Another fun relay was the shoe scramble….think dog-pile of 80 shoes in the middle of the room. Then when the whistle blew, you run to get your own shoes and put them back on. When your whole team had their shoes on again, they were declared winners.

An activity that also proved great fun was the ‘snowball throw’. Our teams lined up facing other teams, and

were each given two pi les of newspapers. On the count of three, we were to rip the papers, and make ‘snowballs’. When we all had a nice tidy pile, we were ready to blast the opposing teams with our snowballs. The team with the fewest snowballs on their side at the whistle, won. There were many people on their knees, scooping every last snowball off their side, when the whistle blew!

The highlight for many of our participants was a chance to challenge our goalie, Andre, with a shoot out. Andre appeared in full goalie gear, and with his net, and we all took turns shooting foam pucks in his direction. Everyone worked up a sweat in this endeavor!

By the end of the shoot-out, we were all ready for a snack and some time to sit and chat with our friends.

For our first attempt at L’Arche Olympics Comox Valley style,I would say we had a fantastic afternoon together! See you in 2009.

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The newest Winter Olympic Sport - The Snowball (Newspaper-ball) Throw



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Donald with Jean Vanier in Calgary

Planting the Mile of Flowers

Our new Christmas Nativity Set



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Coffee House Schedule 2008-2009

Here is the schedule of our Coffee House Gatherings (used to be called our Community Gatherings) for the 2008-9 season.Please come and join us, we would love to see you there.

Unless otherwise noted the gatherings will take place at St. John the Divine Church, 5th Street, Courtenay. 2 - 4 pm.

26th Oct. Solidarity Day/Federation Meeting Review *India theme *Wear clothes from India if you like *Bring a snack to share

30th Nov. Advent Celebration *Seasonal crafts *Make Advent calendars *Bring a snack to share

28th Dec. Holiday Open House *Drop in for visiting and music *Bring a snack to share

24th Jan. January Jive and Jitterbug Dance (note: Saturday 7 - 9 pm) *Come with dancing feet *Bring a snack to share

22nd Feb. Olympics! - L’Arche Style *Join a team! cheer & laugh * Relays-Games-Awards *Bring a snack to share

29th Mar. Jubilee House 9th Anniversary Celebration- ‘The Nine Lives of Jubilee’ *Share memories and best wishes *Bring a snack to share

19th Apr. Spring Clean-up (note: at Jubilee House, 534 19th St. Courtenay. 3 - 6 pm) *Bring garden tools, elbow grease and sunshine *Help Jubilee & friends and neighbours with yard care *Finish with a BBQ at Jubilee

31st May Circus!!(note: at Peter and Angela’s, 675 14th Street, Courtenay) *Dress as a circus performer * Bring a snack to share

28th Jun. Summer Picnic, Rain or Shine (note: At Kin Beach Hut 12 - 4 pm) *BBQ hot dogs and hamburgers provided *Bring a salad to share

*Cake for summer birthdays provided

1st Aug. Sundaes on Saturday (note: Saturday at Jack & Jennifer’s house (250-334-2321) 3164 Hellicar Road - follow the balloons off Headquarters Road) *Ice cream provided *Bring your bowl and spoon *Bring a topping to share

Taizé Service

Sponsored byL’Arche Comox Valley

St, John the Divine Anglican Church5th Street, Courtenay

7:00 pm

Please join us for a time of music... a time of meditation:

a time to renew your spirit in a gentle and prayerful manner.

“In the silence I hear the voice of God.”

Future Taizé Service at St. John the Divine through the generosity of Father George

and his congregation.

October 7th 2008November 4th 2008December 2nd 2008

January 6th 2009February 3rd 2009

March 3rd 2009May 5th 2009June 2nd 2009

Taizé is an ecumenical prayer movement which began over 60 years ago in France. The movement has grown over the years, for at its heart is the desire to praise God in very simple ways. Please join us as we reflect on God’s presence in our lives and His call to love one another unconditionally.

DINNER/DANCE8th Nov. 2008

Once again L’Arche Comox Valley is holding its annual Dinner/Dance.

This year we will be at the Upper Native Sons’ Hall on Cliffe Avenue in Courtenay.

As in previous years, the music will be provided by the wonderful “Doc Sumner and the Cure All Dance Band”.

You may purchase your tickets from any board member, or at our office on 4th Street in Courtenay or the Parish Office at Christ The King Church on Tunner Drive in Courtenay.

***Newsletter by email!***

If you would like to help us save paper and postage costs by receiving your newsletters by email, please send your email

address to me at [email protected] and I will take care of it.



NORTH / SOUTH CONNECTION

As well as greeting Spring with the yard-work and clean up that always accompanies it, our recent Community Gathering in April included a surprise greeting of another kind.

Twelve years ago in 1996 a lady by the name of Angela Capes was visiting her sister who lives in Comox. Angela made contact with me in my then role as President of the local L’Arche Board. Why? Angela, who was Community Leader for L’Arche in New Zealand, had heard that there was a L’Arche Community in formation here. Coincidentally she was involved in the very same project of forming L’Arche in New Zealand and therefore wanted to connect, visit and compare program progress. We did so over many cups of tea. We also agreed to keep in touch and over the subsequent years exchanged newsletters to do so.

Late last month I was surprised to receive yet another phone call from Angela, who again was in the area visiting her sister. It had been twelve years since we had spoken to each other. She was curious as to our progress in forming L’Arche. Happily I was able to brief her on the opening of Jubilee House, our new Outreach Centre and many of our other activities including Community Gatherings. As our April 27 “Spring Clean-up” gathering at Jubilee House was only days away I was able to extend an invitation to her to join us. She was delighted to accept the invitation and accompanied me to Jubilee House, toured the house, met many new friends, and shared some stories of her small community way “down under” in New Zealand. She then willingly donned some gardening gloves, pitched in and planted a few plants symbolic of the new life announced by the season and renewing a very special “earthy connection” between our Community and L’Arche Kapiti in Paraparaumu, New Zealand.

Lock Mawhinney

Greetings from Victoria!

I had coffee with Barenda this week when she was in Victoria for the Sue Mosteller workshop and heard that there was a spring news letter on the “Press” to be published and asked if I could add a quick update on my life in Victoria.

I first have to say that I miss “ H o m e ” i n C o u r t e n a y a l m o s t everyday. I few months back I was so homesick for my L’Arche family that I got a job at a group home to get my “L’Arche-fill” I work there just a few times a month. My main job is at a nursing home just a few minutes by bike from my home. I work in the evening so I help with dinner then assist people to bed. I am often reminded how much I have learned living at Jubilee house when I am at work, being able to recognize what is really important and what can wait until tomorrow. I am often called to slow down and take a L’Arche moment in an often fast paced environment.

I reached a huge personal goal this spring, I participated in the Times Colonist 10K Run! I finished in just over one hour and placed 5,211th out of 10,000 people! What an experience, to be in a group with so many people with the same goal.

I am in the middle of planting my little plot at a community garden just beh ind the par l iament buildings. There are 22 individual plots and the perimeter of the garden is community garden beds. Every Thursday there is a group of us that gets together to harvest what ever is ready that week to donate to the Community center across the street. I love that I have a little piece of earth to plant and that I get to help others have access to fresh veggies as well.

I have been going to a Baptist Church down town. Once a month they serve breakfast to 400 people who are homeless and hungry. I have been helping and am always touched my the sense of community that is in that church hall. These are people who on the outside look like they have nothing to give and when you spend time with them their gifts and life experience are overflowing. One man reminded me of our Cory when he was done eating his eggs and pancakes he went to the piano and started playing, with out any sheet music in front of him he played with the “spirit” for over an hour. When he left we all thanked him for the music and he said “it is never me playing, it’s always God”

I want to wish every one a great summer and please know how Thankful and Grateful I am to everyone from Jubilee house and L’Arche Comox Valley for the person I have become. All because of the amazing life experience my 5 years at L’Arche have taught me.

Blessings and Love, Kim

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Gratitude Garden

Here , at the Outreach Centre, we are so grateful for many local

businesses, who are supporting us. We’d like to share the bouquets!

We would send roses to Penny and Lea at Leapenhi paper store, for so wonderfully helping us market our

art cards. They are prominently displayed, and we know that the

ladies market them on our behalf.

Carnations to Mr. Leung, from Leung’s on fifth street, for also

marketing our cards. Our friend Donald Taylor had a working

relationship with Mr. Leung, and set that up. Thank you Donald.

Lillies and daffodils for the membership and friends of the Cumberland Legion, who, with Joe Lacourse’s enthusiasm, are

selling cards from there.

And, lastly, but never the least, we give a huge bouquet of tulips to Annette at Poppers on 4th street. They have coffee on every day, and serve up a free refill! To all

these folks, we extend our thanks.

by reminding us that Henri often spoke of how connected we are to the Eucharist. She explained that there are four key action words used during the Eucharist. These words are: TAKEN, BLESSED, BROKEN, GIVEN.

Henri talked about the fact that we are NOT what we do, or what others say about us, or even about what we have, we are instead, beloved children of God. God said so, “On you my favour rests.” God celebrates each one of us, simply because we were born! Sue went on to explain that these four action words remind us how beloved we are.

In our lives, we can see that we were taken (CHOSEN) by God. Our identity stems from that fact. We are beloved of God, EVEN if we never do anything particularly amazing! You have been chosen for the life you have been invited to live.

Once we realize we’ve been chosen by God, we can also recognize how we are BLESSED in this life. Can you hear God’s voice, reminding you how blessed YOU are?

Now, we all know, that when things are going fairly well, maybe, just maybe, we’ll be faced with a challenge. This would be where we might even be broken by our experiences. When we are in control, things just bubble along. Then one day, we lose control, we are BROKEN, and we may be struck by any manner of disaster. We may experience illness, the loss of a job, the death of a pet or loved one, the loss of our home, or any other case. Instantly we are thrust into a messy, untidy life, trying to figure it all out. It is not our fault. We do not deserve it, but there w e a r e , l e a r n i n g t h r o u g h o u r brokenness to become more fully human. Can we learn to live our suffering under a blessing, rather than a curse? Can you accept your life as you are called to live it?

So, when we have come through our brokenness, are we ready to share our experiences and GIVE back to the world around us? Do we extend compassion when presented with

opportunities? Are we able to live life being fruitful, rather than productive? Can we just be, instead of constantly doing?

Henri Nouwen believed strongly that his vocation was to “come home (to Jesus) and to bring others with me”. Sue Mosteller encouraged us to live our lives as Henri did, being always open and ready to share our experiences, to help bring others home with us.

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Message from our Board Chair -continued from page 1

The Governor of Bengal, a grandson of Mahatma Gandhi, will be addressing the conference. There will also be a pilgrimage to the house where Gandhi was staying when he fasted in 1947 to stop the riots between Muslim and Hindus. We will also visit the famous writer Tagore's birthplace.

There will be workshops we can attend on subjects like Inculturation, Fund raising, Belonging and A theo log ica l unders tand ing o f community.

The conference is being held during a big celebration in honour of Durga, the goddess of Kolkata. We will most likely watch some of the goings on! And certainly hear it! The conference is being held in the school where Mother Teresa taught before she started her ministry amongst the poorest of the poor. We will all be staying in the compound of the school, so hopefully no body will get lost.

I will write a full report on my experiences in the next newsletter. I am sure it is going to be a most inspirational and uplifting time and I a m l o o k i n g f o r w a r d t o t h e opportunity to see and experience L'Arche on an international level.

Rachel Reynolds, Board Chair

Sue Mostella Talks on Henri Nouwen

An enthusiastic group from L’Arche Comox Valley drove to Victoria this month to attend a lecture by Sue Mosteller. Sue is a sister of St. Joseph, who is a member of L’Arche Daybreak, in Toronto. She has served in a variety of roles, both in Canada and internationally, for over 30 years. She is currently the literary executor for the works of Henri Nouwen.

This week, she gave a lecture, entit led, THE LIFE OF THE BELOVED, sharing her reflections of Henri Nouwen’s writings. She began

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