Across Northern Canada, Indigenous ministers are serving communities where grief is a constant presence. They walk with families through loss, often leading funerals for young people, holding space for pain that has no easy words. It is sacred work, but it is also heavy work. And too often, it is carried alone. In many of these communities, distance and isolation make support hard to find. Ministers are expected to be present for others in moments of deep crisis, while having few places for themselves to turn for rest, understanding, or care.
For the past two years, through Mission and Service, something small but powerful has taken place. Northern Indigenous ministers have gathered for a retreat. The retreat is a space for Northern Indigenous ministers to step back from having to lead and give, and step into receiving care and connection. In Fall 2025, 16 ministers came together with facilitators for five days of rest and renewal. They shared meals and stories, sewed and beaded, and participated in ceremony. These moments provide space to breathe, grieve, and to be among others who deeply understand the weight of this work. One minister reflected on how meaningful it can be to simply sit in a room with others who know that reality. What it means to not carry everything alone.
That is what the Northern Indigenous Ministers Retreat offers. Not a simple resolution, but something just as important: space. Space where burdens can be shared, even for a little while. Space where healing can begin. Scripture reminds us to “bear one another’s burdens.” At this retreat, that call becomes real, through presence, community, and care. This year, a third retreat is being planned at Fisher River Cree Nation, and retreat facilitators hope to welcome even more ministers into healing. The need continues, as does the opportunity to respond.
Through Mission and Service, our gifts help make this possible. They help cover travel, support facilitators, and create space for rest and healing. When we give, we remind Northern Indigenous ministers that they are not alone.
– Thank you-
Refugee Project
Nov 17, 2022
As we watch with disbelief a war waging in the Ukraine and over 600,000 being displaced in under one week fleeing the bombs, we appreciate the greater need that exists to welcome refugees. Our faith calls us to respond and through this ministry, we try to answer this call. Our Lenten Project for this year was our St. Paul’s Refugee Campaign, to raise funds for our work with refugees. As you know, we are working with St. Mark’s Anglican/Lutheran Church to sponsor a family from Syria who just last week arrived here in Canada. We are also working with a local Afghani family in co–sponsoring six members of their family who have fled Afghanistan and the have now arrived. With the invasion of Ukraine, we know that there are now many more refugees who have fled their homes and we have no idea if they will be able to safely return to their own country or not.
To donate to our Refugee fund, please make your cheque payable to St. Paul’s United Church and clearly mark on the memo line of the cheque that is for the Refugee Fund. If you are making an e–transfer or donation online through our website, then please indicate that it is for this fund. Thank you
Scott Warnock, Executive Director of the Huronia Community Foundation, presents a cheque for $2,000 to Ken Woods, of St. Paul’s Refugee Committee.
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St. Paul’s United Church in Midland is in the process of sponsoring a family from Afganistan, and is also assisting St. Mark’s Anglican – Lutheran church as they are sponsoring a family from Syria.
St. Paul’s has a long history of sponsoring refugees going back to the 70s with the sponsorship of a family fleeing Vietnam after the war.
All funds raised will be used to cover the costs of supporting the refugee families once they arrive in Canada, for the sponsorship period of 12 months.
Refugee Programs
We asked Rev Martin Giebel, from St. Mark’s, for an update on the Ismail and Maghrebi families which is included here.
The Ismail family (from Syria): all the children are in school, enjoying it and making progress both in English and academically. The father is employed. Regarding the son who is still in Germany, his application is now at the Vienna visa office – it’s progressing.
The Maghrebi family (from the Ukraine): everyone doing well. They are now in their own apartment.
The Maghrebi family are in touch with the Ismail family and Rev. Martin visits both regularly. The two mothers, Jihan and Svitlana, are forming a friendship even though both hardly speak any English – they ‘understand’ each other.
Everyone takes ESL lessons. Rev Martin is trying to establish in-person ESL in Midland.
We have a Travel Date for the family from Afghanistan; for now, it is for late October (no names and dates are included for their safety). We are making efforts to bring them to Canada as soon as possible as the situation where they are is very dangerous; we are very concerned.
We are all grateful for the safe arrival of all refugees; please pray for those who are still waiting to travel to Canada, and safety.
This family has arrived and more information will be forth coming.