Latest News
Ready to get involved at the Vineland location?!?!
Calling all former Vineland MB folks, Southridge Lincoln residents, and anyone who is planning to attend our new Vineland location in the spring! It's time for us to begin forming Sunday morning ministry teams that will serve alongside one another to support the launch of this location.

To that end, on Monday night we will be hosting a Vineland Volunteer Event where we can come together to hear about opportunties to get involved, meet ministry leaders, and sign up to be a part of a team.

I'm really looking forward to this event and it will be …
Website Login... the Long Story
Over the last few weeks, you may have heard that we've added a login feature to southridge.cc.

You may have been asked to sign up so you could continue to receive 24/7 Resources by email. You may have read about it in the Magazine, or heard about it during Southridge Now.

But even if you're up to speed on all of this so far, you probably haven't had a chance to sit down with Drew Unruh or myself to hear about what exactly we're up to with the website, and why we would ask people to …
"Life Keys" Leadership Development Opportunity
Have you ever wondered why you are the way you are?  Or what specific ways God might want to use you to make a difference in the world?  What gifts and talents he's given you?  Maybe "Life Keys" will help.

"Life Keys" is a weekend-long workshop that is all about helping you understand the unique way that God has wired you along with the specific gifts, values, passions and personality that he's blessed you with in order to be used by Him.

The next "Life Keys" Workshop is happening …
Reflect: Conversation Starters (Feb 19, 2012)
When you hear the sermon on Sunday do you ever wonder how you can draw some of its ideas or challenges into your day-to-day life? Come and explore the spiritual exercises presented here to reflect on how you can physically walk the sermon out this week.  Read through the suggestions and try one or more. Or, better yet, let them inspire you to create something even more in tune with how you personally meet God. Either way, use this space to become more deeply engaged with Christ, as you open up to the love of God, and listen to …
Conversation Starters: feedback@southridge.cc
On Sunday, we were challenged to engage in spiritual conversations with our friends. As a first step, Jeff encouraged us to ask our friends, 

"What would a church have to talk about for you to be interested in coming?"

Perhaps your friends have questions about God, faith or the church. Or maybe they are passionate about a certain subject or issue and would love to hear what the Bible says about it. Whatever the question, issue or topic, email it to us at feedback@southridge.cc. We want to take their questions and suggestions and turn them …
One Child At A Time
 

It’s incredible to see what God can do in a year!  Feeling that God was clearly leading us to put all of our “anchor cause” energy into the amazing ministry of Rose City Kids, we jumped into action one year ago this month.  This meant launching a new Parents Night that was aimed at creating a fun and healthy community where the Rose City Kids parents can learn and grow together.  It meant creating a Junior Leadership program that was aimed at making sure that the kids who “graduated” from …
Southridge Now: February 19, 2012
Here's what's happening at Southridge Now for Sunday, February 19th, 2012.
Talk: Conversation Starters (Feb 19, 2012)
It has been said that, "Thoughts disentangle themselves through the lips and the fingertips." That's the spirit of this weekly post, to provide the kinds of questions—the conversation starters—that can help us delve more deeply into the ideas and implications of our Sunday conversations. Use these questions to stimulate your own personal reflections, or use them to start a conversation with your family, friends and especially your Life Group, to walk with each other into becoming more fully devoted followers of Jesus, individually and as a community. You've experienced the service, now …
Read: Conversation Starters (Feb 19, 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 February 19-25, 2012
Faithfully follow this reading plan in 2012 and by the end …
Family Skate
Rick Zwiers
Kids
February 17th
With Family Day scheduled for Monday, February 20, we wanted to create an event to celebrate the gift of our families and the gift of community.  What better than a Family Skate!  Join us at the Seymour Hannah Sportsplex in St. Catharines from 2:15 to 4:15.  It's a great opportunity to lace up the skates, enjoy some hot chocolate, and meet some new people.  Everyone is invited!  

In lieu of admission, we encourage all participants to bring some non-perishable items for our Homeless Shelter.  Thanks in advance and we'll see you on the rink!

 
RIOT February Update
Hello R!OT and R!OT Parents!

 

It has been an exciting winter! We kicked off the New year with a fun filled weekend at Deep Freeze (Camp Crossroads) together. We're looking ahead to another month of great activities as well as learning through our new Sunday series "Mimic", what it looks like to be more like Jesus. 

At our Midweek events, we have had the chance to hear teaching from our very own youth leaders, using our LIVE curriculum. We have been inspired by what God has placed on their hearts to share with …
Resources: Exploring Scripture
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 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 1987, I attended a weekend men’s retreat …
Moving From Attending to Participating
Written By Debbie Burns 

While volunteering last Sunday at the front desk, I entered into casual conversation with Tim Arnold during the 2nd service.  I was sharing my experience over the last 5 years at this church and one thing lead to another and the next thing I know I am being asked to put my experience on paper in the hopes that it might inspire others to get involved.

To fully appreciate this journey I must take you back to October 2006 when I first arrived at a Sunday Service with the encouragement of friends who obviously thought I …
Official Magazine Launch this Sunday!
I can't tell you how excited I am to announce the official launch of Southridge magazine issue 2 this Sunday, February 19th. On Sunday morning, the new magazines will be available at the Welcome Centres in each of our locations and you will want to be sure to get yours!

This issue is full of amazing stories of what God has been up to in the life of our church over the last few months and also provides a look at where God is taking us in some key areas of ministry in the season ahead. As well, we hope …
It's Valentines Day
There is no doubt that this day sparks emotion.  For the romantics in the crowd it is a high point in the year offering a great excuse to shower love on their partner.  On the other extreme many do not buy into the hype and wonder why all the fuss.  (Just don’t forget the card and chocolates).  Still others actually loathe this day as it triggers emotions of regret or loss.  There is no question that Valentines Day can be packed with emotion.

At Southridge we have committed ourselves to being a transformative …
Reflect: Friendship First (Feb 12, 2012)
When you hear the sermon on Sunday do you ever wonder how you can draw some of its ideas or challenges into your day-to-day life? Come and explore the spiritual exercises presented here to reflect on how you can physically walk the sermon out this week.  Read through the suggestions and try one or more. Or, better yet, let them inspire you to create something even more in tune with how you personally meet God. Either way, use this space to become more deeply engaged with Christ, as you open up to the love of God, and listen to …
Talk: Friendship First (Feb 12, 2012)
It has been said that, "Thoughts disentangle themselves through the lips and the fingertips." That's the spirit of this weekly post, to provide the kinds of questions—the conversation starters—that can help us delve more deeply into the ideas and implications of our Sunday conversations. Use these questions to stimulate your own personal reflections, or use them to start a conversation with your family, friends and especially your Life Group, to walk with each other into becoming more fully devoted followers of Jesus, individually and as a community. You've experienced the service, now …
Read: Friendship First (Feb 12, 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 February 12-18, 2012
Faithfully follow this reading plan in 2012 and by the end …
The Early Bird Gets the...Discount
Brent Esau
Action
February 9th
Just a quick reminder about something that Southridge is doing this summer and about the upcoming early bird deadline for applications:

Family 360 is a 3-day missions 'trip' right here in Niagara that is designed to help families to include our kids in some of what we're learning about poverty. Family 360 will take place from June 30-July 2 and we'll stay in a hotel locally here and learn about poverty and serve others together as families.

To learn more, check out www.southridge.cc/family360 or email questions to family360@southridge.cc.

Submit your application by March 1, to take …
Good $ense - Get Help Managing Your Finances
 

The Good $ense Ministry will equip you with the tools needed to be financially free, and live a life of generosity and significance.  Our team would love to partner with you in getting your finances under control, managing debt, planning for the future, and giving with a generous spirit.

Whether you’re at a place where your struggling to make it to the end of the month, or you’re wondering how you can give to those in need, or anywhere in between, we invite you to take advantage of our free financial coaching. 

To …
Southridge Now: February 12, 2012
Here's what's happening at Southridge Now for Sunday, February 12, 2012!
Vineland Location Update
Hey Everyone,




It's so exciting to see the progress we're making as we prepare to launch our Vineland location together.  With all of the changes in the facility as well as a Catalyst Team retreat this weekend (building community among the core group), God is really forming this new work in awesome ways!

I just wanted to everyone that we're asking for Future Development Fund commitment cards to be submitted to Welcome Centres TODAY - Sunday, February 12.  So far we've just had a trickling of initial commitments - about 2 dozen cards totaling ~$130K …
Resources: Reflections on John 4
This post is the first of a new feature of our 24/7 tools, a blog called Resources. Resources is intended to be 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 was composed by Ron Esau, a longtime member of the Southridge community and Bible teacher in a variety of contexts.

As we heard this past Sunday, in John 4 Jesus decided to do the unthinkable as a Jew and headed straight through &…
Rose City Kids Continues to Grow
STATISTICAL LOOK BACK ON 2011

GREW from 300 registered children to 452 registered children (460 as of 2012)

ENLARGED our volunteer base from 63 to 93 volunteers

EXPANDED our route from 3 buses to 4 buses (5 buses as of 2012)

CHANGED the format of the JR Leadership program and mentored over 15 youth

LAUNCHED our tutoring program that has educated 43 kids

INTRODUCED the Parent's Night which has offered time for parents to connect

PARTNERED with R!OT to offer a weekly event for youth in Welland

HOSTED five family events, four fundraisers and one training event

RAN 16 Saturday Programs

INCREASED …
Smiling Faces, Skill Saws, Paint Fumes, and Brownies!
These are the sights, sounds, and smells that I experienced tonight as I walked through the renovation at our Vineland location. It's absolutely unbelievable to see how much work has been accomplished during the last 4 weeks thanks to many volunteers and trades people from our church community contributing their time.



But there is still a lot to do and...     WE NEED YOU!

With our target launch date of Easter weekend less than 2 months away, we've got a tonne of work still to do and there are many ways for you to get involved and be …
Vision Night This Sunday!
Three years ago we created an experience called Vision Night that gathered our community together to dream about where God was taking us and imagine who He wanted us to become in the future. It was at our first Vision Night that we introduced the idea of becoming a multi-site church, existing as one church in multiple locations, each tackling our own local anchor cause of compassion unique to our part of the Niagara Region.

Three years later, these Vision Night events have become so much more than just imagining the future. As one church in multiple locations, the opportunities …
Budget Meeting Tonight at 7:00PM
Tonight we will host our third and final budget development input meeting for the 2012 Operating Budget in preparation for our Annual General Meeting happening this Sunday night. So far in the process we have had two previous input meetings reviewing last year's budget and year end results, and discussing this year's plans and projections.

Tonight we will present a draft of the 2012 Operating Budget for affirmation. If you're interested in being a part of the financial conversation we invite you to come to the Glenridge location tonight at 7:00PM.

Hope to see you there!

http://southridge.cc/…
Reflect: The Power of Proximity (Feb 5, 2012)
When you hear the sermon on Sunday do you ever wonder how you can draw some of its ideas or challenges into your day-to-day life? Come and explore the spiritual exercises presented here to reflect on how you can physically walk the sermon out this week.  Read through the suggestions and try one or more. Or, better yet, let them inspire you to create something even more in tune with how you personally meet God. Either way, use this space to become more deeply engaged with Christ, as you open up to the love of God, and listen to …
En Route to Thailand
Brent Esau
Action
February 6th
Jason and Corina Reimer as well as their boys Jesse (5) and Chase (3) are on their way to Asia for the next 3 years to help transform a community in Thailand. The Reimers will be working in a poor fishing village, focusing their efforts at an orphanage, called The Abundant Life Home, for HIV/AIDS affected children, as well as supporting a new church, called The Friendship Centre. Their assignment at the orphanage will include maintenance and oversight of construction projects, administration, hospitality and respite for the "house moms." They have just completed a 3 1/2 month training program and are currently …
Southridge Now: February 5, 2012
Here's what's happening at Southridge Now for Sunday, February 5, 2012!
Recent News
coming up




RIOT: Egg Drop (Welland)
Feb 22nd, 7:00pm
Skill Sunday
Feb 26th
Other News
Inspiration Deepening our relationship with God.

Connection Strengthening our relationships with each other.

Action Engaging in relationships with those in need.

Participation Unifying our relationship as a church family.

Students Investing in our students from Grades 6-12.

Kids Investing in our kids from pre-school to Grade 5.

Southridge Now Stay in the loop on events and activities with weekly video news.

Twitter The current buzz about Southridge in Twitterland.

Prayer Wall Updates from our community Prayer Wall