Minute for Mission
Prayer for Wildfire-Affected Communities
Creator,
Wildfires are engulfing homes,
leaving us vulnerable, exposed, open:
We come to you, broken, seeking wholeness…
In our time of need provide for us those things
that will bring restoration to all of creation,
the gifts of the spirit
and the gift of each other.
Above all, remind us always of
your steadfast and abiding love.
Amen
– Thank you –
At Brock University in St. Catharines, Ontario, the Ecumenical Chaplaincy is responding to student food insecurity with a practical ministry of care. Supported by Mission and Service, local church volunteers prepare homemade meals that are stored in freezers at the Faith and Life Centre. The ecumenical chaplain distributes the meals to students who ask for them, ensuring nutritious food is available when it’s needed. As students prepare to return to campus for a new academic year, many are looking forward to new classes, new friendships, and new opportunities.
For some, however, the start of the semester also brings financial pressure as they balance tuition, rent, textbooks, and rising grocery costs. All these added and rising costs mean many students have little left in their budgets after paying for essentials. For some, skipping meals or relying on inexpensive, less nutritious food becomes part of getting through the semester. The homemade meal program helps fill that gap. Volunteers cook meals in their own kitchens, package them in take-away containers, and replenish the freezer throughout the year. Their commitment means students can access nourishing food when they need it, helping ease one of the many pressures that can come with university life.
A homemade meal doesn’t solve every challenge a student faces, but it makes a meaningful difference. Good nutrition helps students concentrate, engage in their studies, and make the most of the opportunities that are presented to them. We help sustain this work through Mission and Service, by supporting the cost of ingredients and containers, making it possible for volunteers to continue preparing meals for students experiencing food insecurity. Together, congregations, volunteers, and the chaplaincy are responding to the growing need with practical care.
As another school year begins, this ministry reminds us that care takes many forms. Sometimes it looks like a listening ear. Sometimes it’s a place to belong. And sometimes it’s a homemade meal waiting in the freezer.
As students return to campus, our gifts to Mission and Service help ministries like Brock University’s Ecumenical Chaplaincy provide practical support when it’s needed most. Together, we can help ensure students have access to nutritious meals and a caring community throughout the academic year.
– 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.