You are Cordially Invited!

LATE----------------BREAKING-------------------NEWS



40 tables have just been added to the Souls Harbour RESCUE Mission Love Your Neighbour Fund Raising Banquet!


Thanks to the Conexus Arts Centre for adding 350 more seats to our event!

We already have more than 800 people confirmed in their attendance to this wonderful evening.

Plate service Prime Rib Dinner

Celebration of merger of two ministries:
Souls Harbour and Regina Rescue Mission.

Concert by Steve Bell

LifeChange Graduation Ceremony
See and hear the stories of former homeless and addicted men, women and children as we celebrate their graduation from our one year program.

Please come and bring friends! Tables seat 8.

To register, please call Michelle Porter at 543-0011. Seats are $5.



Wednesday, May 9th, 2007
Conexus Arts Centre
6:30 p.m.

Hope Begins with a Meal

The Souls Harbour RESCUE Mission Adopt A Plate (tm) Program now has 188 members!! It's a monthly partnership program which reduces mailing costs and allows the Mission a regular stream of income to count on each month.

About 3000 people who give regularly, but not on the program, have recently been mailed to ask if they would switch to our Adopt-A-Plate Program. Here's one couple's response:

Dear Rev Ken Porter,

Received your letter the other day, it touched my heart. Not only are you looking after the body, but the soul, too. God bless all of you that are working there. I am sure God is very proud of you. It is not easy working in a place like that.

If I was not tied up at home looking after my confused husband, I would offer my service to help you people. but I think right now my job is looking after him.

But I am sending you the right to take $25.00 each month to help your cause. And I pray that you will lead many a person to God and help them to look after themselves.

If by chance to come into more money we will update your amount of money that will come your way.

You and your people are in my prayers every night.

Yours in God,
G.

The Purpose of an In-Tray, by Michelle Porter

Dear Staff,

The purpose of an “in-tray” is to put things you receive BEFORE you have time to look at it and deal with it. Looking at it and dealing with it are supposed to be the same action.

If you let it be the place to collect stuff you are procrastinating for, or waiting for further information or contact from someone, then you are not using your in-tray properly, efficiently, or wisely.

To expedite clutter and “to do” items, you need to handle papers once. That means, if there is an action-item involved, spend time working on it until completion. If you are waiting for a reason other than procrastination, or you just don’t have time to deal with it at the moment, you need to set yourself a deadline for that particular task, and make separate files for this purpose.

You can have a weekly file dated Monday to Friday where you have scheduled time to do a certain task, and therefore it goes in that file.

Another idea is to have a file for each project, and as something comes in for that particular project, you can just pop it in the folder until you have time to work on the project. I have found this system works well for me, personally.

You can simply have a second tray for things to be filed.

And a third tray for things “to do.”

But keep the inbox, or in-tray specifically empty as your “desktop mailbox.”

Speaking of mailboxes, please do not use your mailbox as your in-tray. Fully empty it as often as you can, preferably daily, but at least twice weekly.

I know I am just learning here too, so let’s all learn to work more efficiently and effectively, and take this Mission to the next level!

Thanks to all of you!
Michelle


PS. If someone is away, the person filling in for them needs to make it part of their job to check their messages and staff box. They can then transfer the items that can wait for the staff member on vacation, to that person’s office in-tray.

Psalm 19

The heavens declare the glory of God;
and the firmament sheweth his handywork.

I took this picture in Edmonton last summer.

Day unto day uttereth speech,
and night unto night showeth knowledge.

There is no speech nor language,
where their voice is not heard.

Their line is gone out through all the earth,
and their words to the end of the world.

In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun,
Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber,
and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race.

His going forth is from the end of the heaven,
and his circuit unto the ends of it:
and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.

The law of the LORD is perfect,
converting the soul:
the testimony of the LORD is sure,
making wise the simple.

The statutes of the LORD are right,
rejoicing the heart:
the commandment of the LORD is pure,
enlightening the eyes.

The fear of the LORD is clean,
enduring for ever:
the judgments of the LORD are true
and righteous altogether.

More to be desired are they than gold,
yea, than much fine gold:
sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.

Moreover by them is thy servant warned:
and in keeping of them there is great reward.

Who can understand his errors?
Cleanse thou me from secret faults.

Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins;
let them not have dominion over me:
then shall I be upright,
and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.

Let the words of my mouth,
and the meditation of my heart,
be acceptable in thy sight,
O LORD, my strength,
and my redeemer.

If I was in charge of Earth Day

Why don't the churches take Earth Day more seriously? If I was in charge I would cancel church on Earth Day and go with my congregation to clean up the litter and paint grafitti. You could get a lot done in one hour!!

I would bring tracts along, and give them out to people who wonder why I am skipping church to pick up litter. In my tract, I would have Scripture from the book of Genesis, where God implores us to take care of the earth. Some have even dubbed it "Creation Day."

Sure, it's not our permanent home, but it is where we hang our hat until Heaven. So, why not help out a little? Why not put deeds to our corporate faith for one out of fifty-two Sundays. People skip church for much less.

If I was in charge on Earth Day, this city would be a lot cleaner. If I was in charge of Earth Day...

May the Lord richly bless
both you and your children.
May you be blessed by the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.
The heavens belong to the Lord,
but he has given the earth to all humanity.

Psalm 115:14-16

Up with the Birds

4:00 Wake-Up
4:45 Leave for work - It's nice out!
4:50 Buy cream and a protein shake at 7-11
4:55 Pick up mail
5:00 Greet Grant and Larry
5:05 Make coffee, open window, boot computer
5:06 Dry flower Heather gave me
5:07 Light a buttercream scented candle
5:08 Write Vicki & Mel a note
5:13 Read and respond to E-Mail
5:30 Listen to birds while blogging and drinking protein shake
5:41 Get cup of Starbucks coffee
5:43 Publish Blog

Wal-Mart Willy

For Immediate Release

Regina Wal-Mart Store Donates $1000 to Souls Harbour RESCUE Mission on Behalf of Shining Star Associate Will Walters.

At an awards ceremony in Toronto on February 12, 2007, Wal-Mart Canada honoured 12 Shining Stars from stores across the country. Regina's own Will Walters, the Wal-Mart People greeter known as "Wal-Mart Willy," was among one of the 12 to receive this coveted award, and although will was not able to attend the ceremony in person, he was nonetheless recognized for his outstanding efforts. In honour of Will's recognition, the Regina store will donate $1000 to one of Will's favourite charities, Souls Harbour RESCUE Mission. The donation will be made in Will's name.

The Shining Star Award appreciates and acknowledged associates who have been recognized for success in demonstrating Wal-Mart's basic values. Wal-Mart Canada received over 40,000 nominations for its second-annual Shining Star awards. Some 70,000 Canadian associates from Wal-Mart stores were asked to nominate fellow associates who best demonstrate the company's three basic beliefs: Respect for individuals, Service to customers and Striving for excellence. Each of the 289 stores submitted one name to be further narrowed to the 12 finalists.

Peers who nominated Will for the Shining Star award say he is a team player who truly cares about others. "Will's colleagues nominated him for this award because he truly demonstrates our company's core beliefs every day. He has a passion for our customers and our community, and it is reflected in his enthusiasm and customer service," said Brian Osika, Regina Wal-Mart store manager, who attended the ceremony in Toronto. "Will goes above and beyond to take care of our customers and associates each and every day."

Why I Love Corporate America

I found myself hailing corporate America the other day. You have to be careful where you say that. I was in an independant toy store, in a quaint touristy area of downtown Omaha. The manager was complaining, "Starbucks is trying to get in here but we're all fighting it pretty hard."

"Why?!" I exlaimed. "I LOVE Starbucks! I love corporate America!"

He looked shocked, like he'd never heard of such a notion.

I continued on to say, "That's the beauty of free enterprise. Everyone started somewhere. You can't fault a person for doing their job well. For having goals and attaining them. The American dream is based on the hope of capitalism. People are giving corporate America a bad rap. If you think about it, the opposite is communism."

And so, I drink my Starbucks Coffee, I roll up my rim to win, (I keep losing but Grant keeps winning and giving me his freebies!) I enjoy Toonie Tuesday once in a while, and I shop at Shoppers Drug Mart.

Well, he thought that was food for thought. I am just thankful I live in a free country that allows us to worship and trade freely!

Now that's just weird

Yes, I have been officially tagged. I am supposed to tell you six weird things about me.

Weird is defined:
1. suggestive of the supernatural.
2. strikingly odd or unusual; strange.
3. Archaic - fate or the Fates.


So, here are the Big 6 in my life:

1. Before Grade 8 I moved 8 times.
2. Both my parents have been married 3 times.
3. I was inducted into a secret society.
(no longer affiliated)
4. I love bluegrass... & classical.
5. I toilet trained my cat.
6. My pinky fingers won't straighten out.


Lisa, Andrea, Jordon, Rick - Tag, you're it.

More Garbage

To my faithful blog fan at SaskEnergy:

Why do I post things like the "Garbage Guidelines" for the world to read? Partly, because I think it's hilarious. And partly, because it gives people a feel for our corporate culture. Can you imagine that memo, with Oscar the Grouch and all, going down the pipeline of TransGas?!

So, yes, my humour might sound "bitter" at times, but you should know, the staff were laughing hard at my memo! It's a hoot around here, and no one feels particularly rebuked regarding trash.

But, perhaps you are wondering, "Why?" Well, the why is threefold:

1. Kate Fischer, in the Core, is always complaining that we don't empty our dumpter enough at the Soup Kitchen. She has been helping me by taking pictures of litter and our dumpster. I told her I would send an internal memo about her concerns.

2. A work group from Manitoba put out some furniture for give-a-way in the alley of our Campus location. Unfortunately, they forgot to put signs on it, which said "free." No one took it, and then it snowed. So, now we're doing spring clean-up. As well, it has been mentioned that this is a bad example in our neighbourhood, although we spend hours shovelling and picking up litter for our neighbours, and reporting crime, drug-selling, and gang activity in some of the houses on our block.

3. When we first moved in, our neighbours were leery of us, and put in a couple complaints that we were filling the entire dumpster ourselves in a day. There were also complaints that we left our interior lights on at night. Oh, and let's not forget the one about our one-time yard sale! However, this being said, these same people are now our friends and they have written us notes and baked us cookies to thank us for our work in the neighbourhood. However, the city garbage people still have those old complaints on file, so when we went to apply for a dumpster for our new Women and Family Home, it came up again. These complaints are over three years old!!

Neighbours, if you are reading this, I implore you to re-write the city and revoke your complaint! Tell them we are good! Help! Help! Help!

Have a nice day.

Happy Easter Dinner!

OUR COO, DONOVAN, GREETS OUR GUESTS!



WAITING FOR DINNER



CHRIS, OUR CHEF FROM MELROSE PLACE NORTH, ENJOYS THE MOMENT WITH HIS SON, GEORGE



TIRED STAFF CHILLING OUT

CHILDREN LOVED THE EASTER GIFTS!

KIDS HAVING A BLAST AT THE DINNER!

Watch Global & CTV tonight!

Today, with the help of 100 volunteers, we served 500 people a fantastic Easter Dinner at the former Sacred Heart Church! Here's the announcements I made before the meal:

Announcements:

Welcome to the Annual Easter Dinner of the Souls Harbour RESCUE Mission! We’re glad you’ve come to be our guest. In the past, we’ve been at various locations, but we have recently purchased this building, so you can be assured dinners will be held here for years to come!

This is a functioning church called the Good News Chapel. If you are looking for a church home for yourself or your family, please come tomorrow and celebrate Easter Sunday with us! The service starts at 11:00 a.m.

Note to Mission Musing readers: there is a pot luck Easter lunch after the service so please join us!

I want to just tell you a few practicalities before we ask the blessing on the food.

1. Please do not go onto the stage or piano areas as we need to keep them clean for church tomorrow.
2. Washrooms are located downstairs, so you have to go back to the FRONT of the church to access them. George will guide you once you’re there.
3. Smoking is ONLY permitted in the large parking lot behind the building.
4. We want you to enjoy your visit, so please don’t rush out. Take time to meet and greet those at your table, listen to the the MusicMan, and eat your dessert.
5. We have gifts and a Gideon Bible for everyone, so please pay attention to the ushers once you leave. You will be exiting through a different door to pick up your special Easter gift.

Speaking of gifts. I want to talk to you for a few minutes, about an even Greater Gift.

John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whosoever believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life.”

Whosoever! That’s you and me! Eternal life. We would all do well to think about where we might go if we were to die today. There are only two choices: Heaven and Hell.

The Bible says, “For the wages of sin is death, (that means Hell) but the gift of God is eternal life (that means Heaven) in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Rom 6:23)

And there’s that gift again.

Easter is a special time of year, because it celebrates Christ’s death AND resurrection! Remember the words of the angel, who said, “He is not here! He is risen, just like He said.”

You know what? Jesus Christ is Risen from the dead! And that means He is alive today! If you want to receive Him into your heart and life, I want you to come forward and pray with Chaplain Bill.

You won’t miss a meal. We have enough food for 600 people! But Chaplain Bill would love the opportunity to talk to you further, and to help you make sure you are going to Heaven to be with Jesus.

Alter Call & Thanks:

While some of you might be making your way up to the front row, and just before Chaplain Bill thanks God for the food, we want to also thank some of our partners who have helped to provide, cook, and serve the meal:

Melrose Place North
Board Members, Staff & Volunteers of Souls Harbour RESCUE Mission
Ken Rodenbush, our MusicMan for the dinner downstairs
Delores Pinter & her daughter who are playing the baby grand piano while you waited in the sanctuary here
Weyburn Free Methodist Church Clean Up Crew
Gideons
Chef Leo Pantol of Conexus Arts Centre
Executive Chef Adam Sperling of La Bodega
Chef Ryan Katchuk
Chris Perentes from Stapleford Pharmacy
Canadian Progress Club of Regina Wascana
Regina Multicultural Council
Multicultural Council of Saskatchewan
CJ Katz


We have a special guest, His Worship Mayor Pat Fiacco, this afternoon, and we have asked him to bring greetings from the city of Regina. Now, let’s show him our appreciation because we all love Regina, right!

Men, please remove your hats while Chaplain Bill says Grace.

[Bill prays]

Alright, in an orderly fashion, I want you to go behind the pianist, and head down the stairs to the Hall. We have ushers to guide you along the way, so please watch them. We are going single file from the first rows to the back.

Garbage Guidelines

Garbage Memo:

It has been brought to my attention that we are forgetting our Garbage Rules. Some of you are saying, “What? We have Garbage Rules?” Well, yes, we do indeed have Garbage Rules.

• All garbage must be bagged and tied. No loose items in the bin.


• All milk, cereal and other box-type cartons must be flattened.


• Boxes may be left in the garage to put loose donations in for transport.


• Do not put any garbage outside of the bin.


• Yardwork clippings, building supplies such as boards, etc. and household items from donations, sorting, etc should be brought to the dump. If a large project is going on, plan to do a dump run. We only take VERY full loads to the dump, so see Donovan for the truck and surplus stuff, and Michelle for surplus donations and larger items, to fill a load.
  Surplus items such as clothing and household goods which are not broken, often be picked up by a local Indian Reservation. See Larry for details if we have a van or truck load.


• It is the responsibility of Heather, who checks Campus Chores, to make sure residents are following these guidelines. If you see an infraction, please speak to her and she will issue appropriate demerits.


• It is the resposniblity of Aaron, the Kitchen Manager, to make sure these guidelines are being looked after at the Shelter.


• It is the responsibility of Larry, Men’s Resident Manager, to have a monthly neighbourhood clean up to keep the neighbours happy about our being in North Central.
• It is the responsibility of George, Shelter Shepherd, to have a monthly neighbourhood clean up to keep the neighbours happy about our being in the Core.


• The Shelter and Campus chore person on Grounds should pick up loose litter daily.


• Fine Options Helpers can be utilized to keep our neighbourhood clean. They broke the law. It’s the least they can do.

Easter Bunny

We live across the street from a park. Well, it's a patch of grass, but they call it a park. Charmaine would call it a "greenspace."

A rabbit lives in our park. Every night when I drive by the park, the rabbit hops away. Every time I see the rabbit hop away, I smile. Why do I do that?

10 Things I Know about Aaron

1. He's a former champion boxer.
2. He loves Jesus.
3. He's a recovered addict.
4. He has a missionary heart.
5. He is our Kitchen Manager.
6. He has a business diploma from Siast.
7. He has a heart for youth.
8. He thinks the idea of a staff sleepover is weird. "what?"
9. He wants to drive a camero so he can dress like a cheesebag.
10. He has a building named after him.
Cross Place is a small transitional house for single men operated by the Mission.

April Fools!

I never thought I'd see the day

Due to unforseen circumstances, I will be stepping down from my leadership position at Souls Harbour RESCUE Mission for for the next several months. After learning that our Kitchen Manager, Aaron, has a business diploma, I am putting him in charge of my duties. I will return in January of 2008 with a little boy or girl! (Tell the Womens Auxillery I don't want a shower!)