Bringing the community together

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This article was published 14/09/2018 (2736 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

What better way to get to know your neighbours than by throwing a party?

That’s the idea behind Crosspoint Community Church’s fall ‘kick off.’ Following the 10 a.m. service on Sun., Sept. 23, the church will be hosting a party in the parking lot of 554 Marsden St.

“During the summer, a lot of people are gone, enjoying lakes and warm weather, so our kick off is a way to launch into our fall ministry,” said Shane Brothers, who has been the pastor at Crosspoint for the past 12 years.

“We want to be a part of the community, to know our neighbours and for them to know there’s a place for them to come if they want to come to church or take part in different activities,” said Jan Stuyck, a longtime member of the church and who is on the events organizing committee. 

The kick off will start at 11:30 a.m. and runs until 3 p.m., and has a number of activities for kids and adults, including a barbecue, bouncers, crafts, face painting, a dunk tank and more. 

“There are different people who will be dunked, and I have heard that I will be dunked,” Brothers said with a laugh. “I’m hoping for wonderful warm weather for that day, and maybe a wet suit.”

There will also be music throughout the day, performed by church members.

“We’ve been blessed with some good musical talent here, so we’re going to bring them outside and let them play,” Brothers said.

Opening the doors to and connecting with neighbours is a vital part of what Crosspoint does with its ministry.

“Too often in society, we live in close proximity but don’t know our neighbours,” Brothers said. “As a community church, we want to be good neighbours and provide an opportunity for people to come together.”

“Hopefully, with this event, we’ll get our neighbours out and everyone can have a good time and learn what the church is all about,” Stuyck said. 

Along with services and programs within the ministry, Crosspoint is also involved with nearby Sherwood School. The church sponsors a photography club and, in partnership with St. Saviour’s Anglican Church, provides three meals a week for the school’s breakfast club.

“We also help supply students with winter and spring clothing, should they need it,” Brothers added. “We want the children of our community to feel loved and cared for.”

Crosspoint Church runs a depot for Winnipeg Harvest, which assists 25 local families.

“One of our desires, as a community church, is bringing the community together,” Brothers said. “We’re trying to do that in practical ways.”

Visit www.crosspointcommunitychurch.ca for more information.

Sheldon Birnie
Community Journalist

Sheldon Birnie is a reporter/photographer for the Free Press Community Review. The author of Missing Like Teeth: An Oral History of Winnipeg Underground Rock (1990-2001), his writing has appeared in journals and online platforms across Canada, the U.S. and the U.K. A husband and father of two young children, Sheldon enjoys playing guitar and rec hockey when he can find the time. Email him at sheldon.birnie@freepress.mb.ca Call him at 204-697-7112

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