The Freeway literally has the best volunteers in the world. We have so many dedicated and amazing people who make things happen for the coffee house and the church community throughout the year. Well, on Monday, April 19th at 5:30pm we are hosting a volunteer appreciation event at the coffee house in order to celebrate all the fine folks that make up our volunteer community. This event is for all the people who have volunteered regularly with The Freeway in 2009.

We will have a potluck dinner, some presentations, and a really good time. Please drop Natasha Tilley (our volunteer coordinator) a line if you are interested in coming: natasha@frwy.ca

The Freeway hosts many different events at our coffee house during the year. Many are not planned by us, but we provide the atmosphere, hospitality, etc. for other people/groups/organizations to have a successful event.

However, occasionally we do host our own events at the coffee house as well. One of those events that I get excited about is a learning party that we’ve been doing basically twice a year since 2005: Cultivate Gathering. It’s for those who are interested in creating and developing new and evolving forms of missional church in Canada.

We already have a pretty full house for the upcoming Cultivate Gathering on Saturday, March 20th, 2010 but if you sweet-talk us, we may be able to fit in a few more people. Check out the website for more details: www.cultivategathering.com

We will be “live blogging” the event here in this space with some guest bloggers, so be sure and tune-in on March 20th. And in case you miss it, we will be videotaping the presentations at the event as well and posting highlights here eventually.

The Freeway is part of a great city-wide network of churches called TrueCity… “churches together for the good of the city.” Every year right around this time we gather together for a conference to celebrate what God is up to in our midst in Hamilton. This year the conference is happening on February 19 and 20 and there are basically three components to our gathering together:

1. “Stories & Song” – Celebrating God’s active presence in our city. (This takes place at Philpott Memorial Church on Friday evening.)
2. “Prayer” – A time to connect with God’s heart for our city through prayer. (This takes place at Philpott Memorial Church on Saturday morning.)
3. “In Concert Coffee House” – Great music and art and conversation. (This takes place at The Freeway on Saturday evening.)

In addition, there will be a 24/7 prayer room established at Philpott for one week: February 19 to 26. If you are interested in registering (or volunteering) for any of the events of the conference, please drop me a line: pernell@frwy.ca

Help-Portrait is a world-wide movement of photographers joining together to use their skills and resources to give back to those in need this holiday season.
 
On Saturday December 12th photographers will set up in studios, community centres, coffee shoppes, and churches to take quality portraits of individuals or families who generally do not have access to professional photography. Each participant will be able to pick up a free 8×10 or 5×7 of themselves the following week.
 
It’s been a hard year for a lot of people in our community. We want to make them feel beautiful.

www.helpportrait.com

This coming Saturday is The Freeway’s annual Christmas baking day. Good times.

Simply show up at the Goodyear’s place around one o’clock in the afternoon with $5, bake your favourite recipe, have a terrific time, and go home with an assortment of goodies.

Every year we judge the baked goods (I love that job) and give away prizes for the best. Hope to see you there.

Since its inception in 2002, The Freeway has had a spiritual retreat weekend twice a year. These are always very spiritually, as well as community, forming. On November 6-8 we will be gathering at a cottage near Parry Sound to share meals, laugh, encounter God in a fresh way, enjoy nature, engage in some spiritual practices, and have some deep and meaningful conversations with each other. The cost is $35 per adult and $15 per child under 12. If you have been around The Freeway for a long time, or if you are just getting your feet wet with this community, you should come.

( More Information )

You should come.

We have three gatherings happening this Easter:

Good Friday – 10 am
We will share a time of reflection focusing on the events leading up to and including the crucifixion of Jesus.

Holy Saturday – 6 pm
We will have a corporate memorial service. We will spend some time together remembering those we love who we have lost.

Easter Sunday – 6 pm
We will have a celebration of the resurrection of Jesus.