INTERGENERATIONAL FAITH Formation

Jesus says to some teenage fisherman, whom he meets while walking on the beach, "Come with me. I'll make a new kind of fisherman out of you. I'll show you how to catch men, women, and kids instead of perch and bass." Founded on the banks of the Fraser River, TLC community is rooted in the fishing business.  


Somehow caught in the fishing nets of grace and love, we continue to discover what Jesus meant by catching people. The faith journey is lifelong; in Christian community we discover what it means to be in life-giving relationship with God. As Christ followers, we trust the God revealed in Jesus Christ is a God of love, seeking the common good. But ultimately, God remains a Loving Mystery, who calls us to ventures of which we cannot see the ending. Whoever you are, wherever you are at in life, you are welcome to journey alongside the TLC community as we discover God's amazing love at work in the world.


The Way: Is an intentional, lay-led, adult faith formation process over nine months, which allows for a process of discernment, listening for God’s call to become Christ followers. 


The Way is necessary as we have welcomed and continue to invite folks unfamiliar with the Christian way of life to be part of our worshipping community or those who’ve been absent from a faith community for most of their adult life after being confirmed as teenagers. Emphasizing an experience of belonging before believing a set of doctrines is central to The Way process, which in a well-established community like TLC, is important because without such a process, people say it can take decades to feel like one belongs here at TLC. The Way process allows inquirers to build authentic relationships, sharing joys and struggles, wonderings and doubts, as they discern God’s call. 

 

The Way is a divided into four stages with 4-8 week segments of small group gatherings. These small groups explore one another’s faith stories, the scriptures, Christian life and teachings. Each Inquirer is either a candidate for baptism or affirmation of baptism, who explores what this means for them alongside a Companion (TLC member), who participates in the small group with them. Companions are active TLC folks who become fellow pilgrims, seeking to know and follow Christ alongside one another.


Sundays 9:3-10:15AM Unpack the Bible: What does it mean to be a follower of Christ? How does following Christ impact our daily life? What are some tools for interpreting the Bible? Pastor Jennifer facilitates a lively dialog with ancient texts that apply to everyday joys and struggles.


FISH (Faith Intergenerational SHaring): FISH is integrated each week in worship as we unpack the Bible story with conversation, skits and activities that spark our imagination!


Another part of our intergenerational faith is Confirmation Camp (youth ages 13-18) and

TLC Kids Camp (kids ages 6-12).   For more information on these two fun opportunities, please click here.

sunday morning kids in worship

Kids of all ages are welcome in worship each Sunday morning. Parents/grandparents are encouraged to whisper in church in order to come alongside kids as they learn the rhythm of worship. In September, intergenerational learning will occur in addition to worship each Sunday morning. Kids are welcome to visit the worship corner to pick out a worship bag, Spark Bible, and kids bulletin, all designed to engage them during intergenerational worship. The TLC community seeks to equip families to nurture faith at home, trusting that faith is passed on through personal, trusted relationships. This journey involves baptism, participating in FISH (Faith Intergenerational SHaring), confirmation, getting acquainted with our interfaith neighbours, serving our neighbours and growing together in Christian community.


Young people are integrated into the intergenerational faith community; they participate in the worship life of TLC, serving communion, ushering, playing in the worship band and reading scripture. They also engage in intergenerational service such as Las Posadas Christmas Caroling and the Coldest Night of the Year walk for hunger and homelessness.



For connecting with Pastor Jennifer regarding baptism and finding out more about Splash Ministry, which follows baptism, please click here.  For information on Youth Faith Formation and registration for Kids' Camp, please click here.