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The Father‘s House John Keizer lifts the lid on some of the specialty baking available at the Father‘s House Cafe and Bakery on King Street in Waterloo. An interesting combination of church and cafe, the congregation is holding a special free community brunch this Saturday to celebrate Easter. The goal is to builder closer ties to the community, especially to those less fortunate. reaking bread with B thase in need is part of the mission of a new Waterloo cafe that doubles as a church on weekends. Called the Father‘s House, the King Street bakery and cafe offers sweet confections for those looking to make confessions. The homeâ€"spun interior is warm and inviting, with an open concept to draw people inside. The softâ€"hued decor and some lilting music add to the calm of this new house of worship. And although the glassedâ€"in display cases might conjure up thoughts of an altar, the only serving done on it is for the cusâ€" tomers who have discovered they just might be tasting the best pie in town. A nonâ€"denominational Christian church, members were looking at a way of reaching out to the commuâ€" nity, particularly to those in need. They chose a King Street storefront to give their effort some high visibility as well as serving as a central meeting place for the church‘s congregation. The cafe is staffed by church _ volunteers _ and members of the local comâ€" munity, who serve up a slice of pie and a cup of java at a price that varies depending Bos VrsaNac Chronicle Staff "We‘re run on a donation basis, so although we have suggested prices, people don‘t have to pay those prices," said â€" Ruthanne Thiessen, manager of the cafe. "If someone comes in and can‘t afford it, we give away food, or they can pay what they can afford to pay." on what the customer can pay. That difference is made up by regulars, including local university students who sometimes leave more than what is suggested as a donation to the coffee house that helps bring up spirits in a nonâ€"traditional way. "It all works out," said Thiessen. Those donations help fund the church‘s communiâ€" ty outreach program to help the less fortunate, while also helping to fund the church‘s other ministries and misâ€" sions. Open since last Septâ€" ember after a joint venture with Ears to Hear wound down, Thiessen said news of the good works of this speâ€" cial ministry is already startâ€" ing to tricke back to the church. She talked about a recent experience with a local unemployed man who was down on his luck and lookâ€" ing for a new start. The church was able to help him furnish his apartment and gave him some clothes to help him get back on his feet. "We try to help out with their very practical needs," said Thiessen. "When peoâ€" ple come to us, we help them out with moaney for rent and things like that." Thiessen found out thase efforts have already helped out in that man‘s case, after he returned to the cafe for a surprise visit last week. "He came into the cafe last week all clean shaven and upbeat â€" I didn‘t even recognize _ him," _ said Thiessen. "He‘s got a new job and has been able to really turn his life around." In an effort to reach more of the community, the Father‘s House cafe will be hosting a free community brunch this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to help celâ€" ebrate Easter. "We want to do more, and that‘s what the commuâ€" nity breakfast is about," said Thiessen. "We thought we‘d give some free food away to as many people as we can feed." The brunch, at the 89 King St. N. location, will feaâ€" ture free hot coffee, panâ€" cakes and sausages to celeâ€" brate Easter. It will also celeâ€" brate the holiday message of making sacrifices for one‘s fellow man. "We‘re having lots of opportunities to minister to people, to talk to people, to reach out to people," said Thiessen. "We want to build relationships and build bridges with people â€" that‘s one of our main goals." The cafe is becoming a community meeting spot, hosting local musicians at an open house once a month. "We‘ve developed quite a following the first Saturday of every month," said Thiessen. The cafe also caters celeâ€" brations in addition to its regular Sunday church serâ€" vice and Sunday school. Staffing the cafe last Saturday was volunteer John Keizer, who belongs to the church along with his wife Tracey. A few regular customers staked out their usual spots as he talked about his expeâ€" rience helping out. "It‘s neat to meet some of the people who‘ve come in, and neat to see some of their reactions to the different things that we sell," Keizer Keizer â€" believes _ that change in perception comes about because of the church‘s mission to reach out to the community. "We‘ve met some really cool people," he said. "It‘s just a great place to hang out." "They‘re surprised that it‘s run by a church, and that the church actually meets in "Most of them come away thinking that it‘s pretty cool, as opposed to someâ€" thing that‘s strange." A:: 11 â€"week selfâ€"help program intended to help sepâ€" rated and divorced persons understand the process of ending a marriage relationship will take place starting April 25 at the Resurrection Centre, Westmount Road North, in Waterloo. The program will help a person work through the divorce process faster and with less emotional pain. Program offers support to divorced/separated persons Topics include letting go, selfâ€"concept, grief, anger, friendships, trust, singleness and children, and are included in The Healing Journey through Divorce â€"A Journal of Understanding and Renewal, which is used throughout the program. Program hours are from 7:30â€"9:30 p.m. The cost to attend is $45. For more information, call 885â€"4370. An information evening for individuals of all ages with special needs and their families will be held April 25 in the Subscriber‘s Lounge at the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium Complex. "It‘s about your future" will feature over 30 agencies from the Waterloo region presenting displays on topâ€" ics of interest to individuals with special needs and their families. Topics will include vocational/employment, health, education, housing/living, recreation and leisure and children‘s services. Visitors will be able to talk with agency representaâ€" tives and will receive a helpful resource booklet on all programs and services available in the region for those with special needs. The session is sponsored by the Waterloo Catholic District school board and the Waterloo Region District school board, in partnership with the Developmental Services Access Centre and the City of Kitchener comâ€" munity services department. For more information, call Val Millen at 578â€"3660, ext. 325. Aganel made up of a parent, an adolescent and an dult will share their experiences in dealing with a learning disability at a special discussion being held April 19 at 7:30 p.m. Called Voices of Experience, hear how dealing with a learning disability has changed their lives, focus and awareness. Understand what they went through, their thoughts, and how they acquired knowledge about learning disabilities and what keeps them moving forâ€" ward. For location of the discussion, or to reserve a seat, call 743â€"9091. There will be a $2 donation to the Learning Disabilities Association of Kâ€"W requested at the door. The Waterloo Regional Heritage Foundation has put a call out for nominations for its 2001 Awards of Excellence and the Sally Thorsten Award of Excellence. These awards are intended to recognize outstandâ€" ing contributions by individuals, institutions and organizations to heritage preservation in the Waterloo region. The Awards of Excellence focus on such areas as archaeology, architecture, archive, culture, education, genealogy, history, individual, literary, media and nature. The Sally Thorsten award was created in 1998 in honour of the former commissioner of planning and culture for the Region of Waterloo. The award may be presented to only one person in a year who has demonstrated in the course of at least 10 years of their professional lives an outstanding commitment to heritage concerns. Each nomination must be accompanied by a comâ€" pleted nomination form that states clearly the categoâ€" ry of award to be considered. All nominations will be received in confidence. For more information, contact E. Orth, corporate secretary at the Region of Waterloo, at 575â€"4400 Information session aids special needs families Nominations sought for awards of excellence Panel to discuss learning disabilities