Chapel Review for Week Ending February 10

Faith and Life

Lisa Isaak, Dean of Women, shared in chapel on February 2.  She related stories from her time as a student at RJC, and some lessons from her world travels since.

Lisa

Aboriginal storyteller Chad Solomon visited chapel on February 3.  He shared traditional stories through his puppets, and introduced students to the cultural importance of storytelling. 

Chad

The ALSO 2015 theme was introduced in chapel on February 4.  The theme, A Golden Opportunity, is based on the golden rule: “Do to others as you would have them do to you” (Luke 6:31).  Students have signed up for service opportunities in Saskatoon, Calgary, High River, Alabama, and Guatemala.

Grade 12 students Renee J. and Brandon J. shared in chapel on February 5.

Rennee

Brandon

Scott Kim, Dean of Men, spoke in chapel on February 9.  Scott has studied conflict resolution, and shared some of his wisdom through a humorous and educational slide show. 

Scott

On February 10 the student body celebrated “China Day” in recognition of the season of the Chinese New Year.  This is an important event for many of our international students.  Students wore red and learned about some of the traditions surrounding the Chinese New Year.  We truly have much to learn from one another.  

Toby

Richard

Vesley

Vincent and Ivan

Lucky Red Envelopes

Submitted by Ryan Wood

Chapel Review Week ending Jan 23rd

Faith and Life

Abe Buhler, Pastor of Zoar Mennonite Church in Langham, shared in chapel on January 21.  He spoke of the ‘Kingdom of God’ as a present reality in our lives, a living, thriving presence that touches us if we let it.  The students appreciated his relational, story-telling approach. 

The Faith and Life Committee kicked off its annual fundraiser on January 22.  The ‘Have a Heart’ campaign will run through March 20 and raise money for a variety of local and international charities.  Students eagerly participated in the first fundraising event on Friday, January 23, a dress-code free day for a toonie. 

On January 16, RJC students traveled to Saskatoon to "takeover" the Wildwood Youth Group in Saskatoon.  Students led group games, devotions, and chatted over delicious snacks from the RJC kitchen.  Much fun was had by all!  

Chapel Review Week Ending January 16th

RJC Faith and Life Report

Friday, January 16, 2015

The Faith and Life Committee used one of their first chapels of the year to ‘rap’ the Psalms.  Student volunteers were assigned Psalms, which they performed for the student body with the aid of a beat-boxer.  It was a fun and entertaining way to engage with the bible.  Mikayla N. also accompanied Dayna G. in leading a hymn.  

Ryan, Karalee and Brandon

Dayna and Isaac 

Dante and Alexa 

Robert Koop visited chapel on January 9.  Mr. Koop is working at the University of Saskatchewan campus with the Navigators, a Christian discipleship group.  He invited the students to continue with bible study while they are at university. 

On January 14 our driver instructor Naveed Anjum shared in chapel.  Naveed is a practicing Muslim, and he spoke about his faith.  He delivered a message of tolerance and acceptance and reminded the student body that the vast majority of Muslims are nothing like the terrorists often seen in the media. 

On January 15 it was ‘Mexico Day’ at RJC.  International students Sergio L. and Alejandro A.  planned a special chapel where they shared a short history of Mexico, showed pictures of their hometowns, and had a trivia contest.  A highlight was Sergio leading the student body in a karaoke sing-a-long of a popular Mexican folk song.  Sergio and Alejandro also reminded students that Mexico is not as violent or lawless as it is often portrayed in the media. 

On January 16 Madi B. and Emmanuel P. kicked off our annual Grade 12 chapel series.  These sharing times have become some of the most anticipated chapels of the year.   

- Ryan Wood

Chapel Review for Week Ending December 12th

Faith and Life

Principal Jim Epp shared in chapel on December 8.  He related some stories from his recent trips to Guatemala and shared how these experiences have shaped him as a person, and as a teacher.

Jim

On December 10 RJC hosted a Ten Thousand Villages fair-trade Christmas sale.  Gifts purchased from Ten Thousand Villages support all the workers in the distribution cycle with fair pay for their services and production.  Over $1500.00 was raised. 

Myriam Ullah, representing Mennonite Central Committee Saskatchewan, spoke to the students on December 11.  She focused on the work of MCC at home and around the world and highlighted programs for young people.  She also drew attention to the persistent problem of hunger in our world.

On December 12 students lit the Joy candle in the Advent wreath.  The candy cane was used as an object lesson, and the Faith and Life Committee distributed a candy cane to each student.  Anticipation of the holidays is palpable in the hallways and the dorms as we take one step closer to Christmas. 

Chapel Review Week Ending Dec 5

RJC Faith and Life Report

Friday, December 5, 2014

Science teacher Karalee Kuny shared in chapel on Monday, December 1.  Kuny gently challenged students to take responsibility for their own spiritual development.  She compared the discipline needed in athletic pursuits, like her commitment to an aerial hoop class, to the discipline needed in the pursuit the Kingdom of God.  She included some amazing video clips of her aerial hoop class.  Go Karalee! 

On Wednesday, December 3 Ryan Wood encouraged students to consider their Christmas shopping habits, and reminded the student body about the upcoming 10,000 Villages Fair-Trade X-mas sale next Wednesday.

On Thursday, December 4 The Faith and Life committee lit the second candle in the Advent wreath, the Peace Candle.  International students read scripture in their native languages, and Kylee K. shared a meditation.  Students were encouraged to pursue peace in their world.

Kylee lights the candle.

Sergio reads in Spanish.

Miriam reads in German.

On Friday, December 5 the SRC held a Pep Rally for the Basketball and Football teams.  This was to get the student body pumped up for the Home Basketball Tournament this weekend!  Students cheered on their teams and participated in some ‘athletic games’, which included accurately throwing Cheezies on the whipped-creamed faces of our team captains!  ARRRRR – JC!

- Ryan Wood

Chapel Review for Week Ending November 28

Faith and Life

English teacher Emily Dueck shared in chapel on Monday, November 24.  She related some life lessons that she learned on her recent pilgrimage to the Santiago Compostela in Spain and France.  She invited students to remember, “happiness is not a destination, but a way of travel.”

Students recognized the achievements of their teammates from the fall sports season in chapel on Wednesday, November 26.  Each team and team member from the soccer, football, volleyball, and cross-country teams was recognized for their contributions to the athletics program at RJC.

The Faith and Life committee lit the hope candle, the first candle in the Advent wreath, during chapel on Thursday, November 27.  A carol was sung, scriptures were read, and thoughts were shared.  Advent has begun!  Let us each prepare a manger in our hearts.   

Principal Jim Epp presented RJC’s ‘Do More. Be More.’ capital campaign to the students in chapel on Friday, November 28.  Over $150,000 has already been raised for this five-year plan, $5000 of which came from the RJC SRC.  Stay tuned for more details about this exciting initiative.     

Chapel Review for Week Ending November 24

Canadian Mennonite University’s Admissions Director, Janelle Hume, was in chapel to talk to our Grade 12 students about post-secondary opportunities on Friday November 7.  Over the years many RJC grads have attended CMU, and participated in the school’s ‘Outtatown’ program.   Hume is positive about the connections between CMU and RJC, and has been impressed with the quality of students that she has seen attend the school.  Hume noted that RJC students “are not fearful to engage in tough conversations…they have a sensitivity to care a lot about things that matter, which is refreshing and a sign of maturity.”  Interested RJC students will travel to CMU for an Open Campus Day on November 27. 

On Thursday, November 13 the Faith and Life Committee played ‘Relationship Jeopardy’ in chapel, boys versus girls style.  Question headings included topics such as ‘marriage’, ‘stats and facts’, and ‘social media’.  This was an extension of a ‘Pursuing Healthy Relationships’ session from our Deeper Life Days from the previous week.

Rock Paper Scissors decides who goes first!

On Friday, November 14, students reflected on their learning from Deeper Life Days, and completed surveys to help plan for next year’s event.  Students also signed an over-sized ‘Get well soon!’ card for an RJC student in the hospital.