Locations: Florenceville-Bristol, NB; Fredericton, NB
Date: Saturday, June 4, 2016
Time: 9:30 AM – On-site registration; 10:00 AM – Opening ceremony
Run for the Word (R4W) is a fundraising event held in New Brunswick since 2013. This annual event aims to connect the Canadian Bible Society (CBS) friends and supporters together to raise funds for the Bible work in Canada and around the world. Participants join by committing to run or walk from 1km to 5km and to raise funds for the various Bible translation, distribution and engagement programs of the Canadian Bible Society.
to register, read stories,support a runner and for more resources
Making the Bible available for Canadians
This year, Run for the Word is raising funds for Bible translation, distribution and engagement programs in Canada. CBS partners with over 100 churches and organizations to distribute God’s Word to those who need it. Through partnership with various ministries in Canada, CBS is able to bring God’s Word to
Men and women in prison
Children and youth in summer camps
New refugees/migrants
Canadian soldiers
First Nations communities
The Visually-impaired
And more!
Every year, CBS receives hundreds of requests from organizations who have identified the Scripture needs of people they minister to. CBS partners are able to determine what Bible version or format (e.g. print, audio, Braille) would be best for those who receive them. They are responsible for making sure that the Bibles produced by CBS end up in the hands of people who hunger and thirst for God’s Word.
Through the generosity of supporters, CBS is able to produce these Scriptures year after year. As a result, people are able to read the Bible in their heart language and lives are transformed.
Ronald Rolheiser’s The Holy Longing is a modern classic. It has been read and endorsed by clergy and lay people across the Christian world. Essential reading for those seeking to understand and deepen their practice of Christian spirituality, this book explains the complexion of one’s personal spirituality and how to apply it to our worship, and our day-to-day lives. This book is for folks with questions about what Christians believe and what it means to actually live life by faith, following the example of Jesus and the Saints. It unpacks the key ingredients of an attractive, authentic spiritual life.
Rolheiser probes this question: “What is spirituality?” He writes about the confusion that can surround this subject amid the wide assortment of spiritual beliefs and practices of our day. With great sensitivity to debates and challenges swirling around the faith-life, he explains the “Nonnegotiable Essentials,” including the importance of community worship, the richness of ritual, the imperatives surrounding social justice, peacemaking, sexuality, the centrality of the Trinity, and more. The book presents an outline of Christian spirituality that reflects the continuing search for meaning at the heart of the human experience. Rolheiser writes about the search for love and wholeness in language accessible to all.
Ronald Rolheiser is a Canadian. He hails from Cactus Lake, Saskatchewan. He is a Roman Catholic priest and member of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate. He serves as President of the Oblate School of Theology in San Antonio, Texas, is author of the several books The Restless Heart, Forgotten Among the Lilies, The Shattered Lantern, AgainstAn Infinite Horizon, and Sacred Fire: A vision for a Deeper Human and Christian Maturity. He is a community-builder, lecturer and writer, and his weekly column appears in more than 90 Catholic publications. Rolheiser received an honorary doctorate from Fredericton’s St. Thomas University in 2005. A substantial selection of his articles and reflections are available online at ronrolheiser.com
Selected quotes from Ronald Rolheiser’s The Holy Longing:
“Becoming like Jesus is as much as about having a relaxed and joyful heart as it is about believing and doing the right thing, as much about proper energy as about proper truth.”
“In this life, all symphonies remain unfinished. Our deep longings are never really satisfied. What this means, among other things, is that we are not restful creatures who sometimes get restless, fulfilled people who sometimes are dissatisfied, serene people who sometimes experience disquiet. Rather, we are restless people who occasionally find rest, dissatisfied people who occasionally find fulfillment, and disquieted people who occasionally find serenity.”
“Spirituality…is about being integrated or falling apart, about being within community or being lonely, about being in harmony with Mother Earth or being alienated from her. Irrespective of whether or not we let ourselves be consciously shaped by any explicit religious idea, we act in ways that leave us either healthy or unhealthy, loving or bitter. What shapes our actions is our spirituality.
“Write a book,” he told me, “that I can give to my adult children to explain why I still believe in God and why I still go to church—and that I can read on days when I am no longer sure why I believe or go to church.”
N.T. Wright is a widely-read British Bible scholar and retired Anglican bishop. According to Time Magazine, Wright is one of the most formidable figures in the world of Christian thought. He served as Bishop of Durham between 2003 and 2010. Currently he is Research Professor of New Testament and Early Christianity at St Mary’s College, University of St. Andrews in Scotland. Some commentators have referred to him as a modern C.S. Lewis.
His writing actually opens up the Bible so that it can “speak” into the down-to-earth realities of one’s life. Wright offers fresh perspectives on how to approach Scripture; how readers can be nourished by the Bible day by day. He presents good reasons to ponder and pray through sections of biblical text. His insights encourage readers to ask important questions about how to go deeper in their faith-journey.
The 12 chapters of this book present a collection of N.T. Wright’s essays and talks — case studies that explore how and why the Bible speaks to some of the most pressing contemporary issues. There are interesting surprises between the covers of Surprised by Scripture. Some chapter titles follow:
Can a Scientist Believe in the Resurrection?
9/11, Tsunamis, and the New Problem of Evil
Idolatry 2.0
Our Politics Are Too Small
Selected quotes from N.T. Wright’s Surprised By Scripture:
“The question for us, as we learn again and again the lessons of hope for ourselves, is how we can be for the world what Jesus was for Thomas: how we can show to the world the signs of love, how we can reach out our hands in love, wounded though they will be if the love has been true, how we can invite those whose hearts have grown shrunken and shriveled with sorrow and disbelief to come and see what love has done, what love is doing, in our communities, our neighborhoods:”
“science takes things apart to see how they work, but religion puts things together to see what they mean.”
“But from the start the early Christians believed that the resurrection body, though it would certainly be a body in the sense of a physical object, would be a transformed body, a body whose material, created from the old material, would have new properties. That is what Paul means by the “spiritual body”: not a body made out of nonphysical spirit, but a physical body animated by the Spirit, a Spirit-driven body if you like: still what we would call physical but differently animated.”
“The church is not simply a religious body looking for a safe place to do its own thing within a wider political or social world. The church is neither more nor less than people who bear witness, by their very existence and in particular their holiness and their unity (Colossians 3), that Jesus is the world’s true lord, ridiculous or even scandalous though this may seem.”
“Here is the challenge, I believe, for the Christian artist, in whatever sphere: to tell the story of the new world so that people can taste it and want it, even while acknowledging the reality of the desert in which we presently live.”
Members of Bishop and Chapter met this past Monday evening, 24 April, with 8 of 13 members present. Vice-chair Catherine Schmidt chaired. John 14:1-7 was read and the Chapter reflected on Jesus’ words: “I am the way, the truth and the life.” Minutes from the 14 March meeting were adopted.
Business Arising
Memorial Hall chair lift – the lift has been repaired and is in working order at a cost of about $5000.
Music Director position – the Search Committee reports having completed interviews. The position has been offered and has been accepted pending the incumbent attending to details in preparation for a move. We continue to thank Sharon Pond as interim organist
Christian Formation Committee chair – there has been no progress to date. This is a Bishop and Chapter leadership role very important to church life and health
Member visitation – visitation has begun with the hope of visiting all by the end of May. About 40 visitors for over 400 identified households
Parish Nurse – initial reports are that the pledge campaign goal of $11,000 per year over five years has been reached. After final confirmation of those totals, the Health and Pastoral Care Committee (Health Ministry Team), on behalf of the Chapter, is asked to give consideration to details required to move forward
From the Dean
Monthly special care facility Communions, hospitals visits.
Confirmation preparation continues with 6 Cathedral students participating and in partnership with the Parish of New Maryland and a tentative date for confirmation of 19 June.
Baptism preparation for the Day of Pentecost requests for baptism must begin soon.
The Dean spoke briefly about the need for a change in church culture regarding how we are all shaped and continue to grow in the Faith (formation). While we, for the most part, see formation as “continuous and terminal” there is need to move to an approach and widely held understanding of being “intentional and life-long” regarding Christian Formation. (ReadFr. James Mallon)
Items for Decision
Steeple repair – it has been determined that necessary repair to roofing on the Cathedral steeple is covered by insurance minus a deductible at a cost of about $13,000. The Property Committee will initiate the work being completed as soon as possible.
Organ repair – the Cathedral organ requires maintenance by way of some replacement of parts (contacts and leathers) at a quoted cost of about $3000. Sharon Pond will coordinate getting this work done.
Discussion
Cathedral grand piano – The grand piano at the Cathedral is on loan. The owner has determined the need to sell, preferably by 31 May. Appraisal value $16,000. Asking price is $12,000. The chapter will need to determine our course of action, if any.
Up-coming
The Day of Pentecost (15 May) worship and luncheon at 10:30 a.m.
Ordination 26 June (Sunday) at 4:00 p.m.
Next Meetings
Monday, 30 May 2016, 7:00 p.m.
Monday, 20 June 2016
A community without volunteers wouldn’t be much of a community.
That’s the opinion of Doug Wright who has been a volunteer on a cathedral team at the Fredericton Community Kitchen for about 10 years.
“I think people have to go further than just sitting in the pews,” he said as he chopped broccoli for a salad one recent evening at the soup kitchen.
Working nearby, Wayne Phillips agreed. “It’s good to give back to the community,” he said. “Too often, the church is about money and politics, not about helping people.”
“I think people have to go further than just sitting in the pews …”
Wayne is a 17-year veteran at the kitchen, but newcomers feel the same way.
Rebecca Butler and Kurt Goddard joined a cathedral team this year. “I see it as another form of mission,” Rebecca said, thinking of the third Mark of Mission which is to respond to human need by loving service.
She and Sarah Petite wiped down tables in preparation for dozens of supper guests who would soon line up for turkey rice casserole, beets, vegetable soup, juice, coffee and sweet treats donated by a local “big box” store.
The cathedral’s Outreach Committee co-ordinates four teams who help the chef at supper time on Saturdays year-round. (The kitchen serves supper and lunch daily as well as breakfast on weekdays.) Duties include preparing and serving food, doing dishes, and cleaning up after the evening meal.
Each team has more than a dozen members, and four-to-six are expected to cover the two-hour shift which runs from 4 to 6 p.m. Ideally, it should mean one’s turn comes up every other month, but it varies in reality.
The guests stream in from the homeless shelters, rooming houses or shabby little apartments. A few are living on the street or are transients passing through due to unemployment, addictions, mental illness, poverty in general. Sometimes there are children.
“The people who come here are so grateful for what they receive and what we do.”
“It’s not a tough job,” said longtime volunteer Wayne Burley as he rinsed and stacked plates. “The people who come here are so grateful for what they receive and what we do.”
Jason Parsons stepped up a couple years ago. “I’m busy with my work and my three children, but it’s is a small commitment of time. It really gives all of us a chance to be the hands and feet of God in our city,” he said.
In recent years, the cathedral has not been able to provide enough volunteers to fill four teams. Currently, teams have non-cathedral members serving as volunteers which does add a nice social aspect to the work. If anyone is interested in finding out more, please contact Doug Milander from the Outreach Committee.
Christ Cathedral Church
168 Church Street
Fredericton, NB E3B 4C9
Dear Father G. Hall and Congregation;
The Fredericton Shelters and its staff members recently took the much needed time to remember and recognize the tremendous support that it receives from its many generous donors. You are receiving this letter because you are one of those giving, selfless community members who cares about helping those in need. Upon reflection, we realize that we could not do anything to help our homeless men and women without your contributions, and we want to thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
The Shelters continues its daily functions of providing a safe, stable, caring environment to approximately 35 homeless individuals each month. As of October 2014, we have been under the leadership of a new
Executive Director who, like his staff, possesses a great deal of empathy for the people that we serve. Our energy has been renewed, and we are hoping to do everything we can to increase the potential of the shelter, staff and most important, the residents.
In the past, efforts like yours have kept the doors open so that we did not have to turn away anyone who was in need of warmth and a good night’s rest. Without maybe realizing it, you also have played a significant role in lessening the loneliness of isolation, and you have helped many people know that despite their circumstances, people do care about them.
Our homeless men and women still need your help. We hope that you will stay connected with the shelters as we continue to count on people like you so much.
Again, we thank you and appreciate everything you have done.
At present the Cathedral does not have a practicing Parish Nurse. Isabel Cutler held this role and calling for the last 11 years, and she retired in December of 2015.
What the Parish Nurse does for our Cathedral Congregation (In-reach)
The Parish Nurse:
ministers to us at a grass roots level on a daily basis when we are in crisis, or when we need a helping hand
coordinates obtaining assistance for us, whether it be providing meals and arranging for rides or accompanying us to office visits arranging for prayer shawls to be given to us or our family members who needed them and always upholding us in prayer completing home assessments i.e. arranging and planning for assistance in the home
assisting us to navigate the health care system
referring/partnering with physicians, Social Development and other services to obtain needed health care and home services, and
filling in the gaps in the health care system
Client Contacts in 2015:
380 contacts with congregational members
102 hospital and home visits
167 telephone visits/consultations
worked 773 hours, on call 24/7
organized events where 830 clients attended, and
coordinated the many volunteers in the Health Ministry
Confidentiality: Much of the care and ministry that the Parish Nursing team offered was confidential. There are strict privacy standards and provincial legislation to protect the privacy of our personal health information. In a faith community this can be a challenge, but the Parish Nurse has upheld this standard.
Comments from members of the congregation:
“Your kindness and thoughtfulness have been appreciated by Mom in her tough
journey.”
“The shawl has been such a comfort. It is as though God is wrapping His loving arms around me and filling me with His Peace and Love.”
“The comfort it gave me to know that I could call Isabel and ask for help. All I had to do was make one phone call, and help was there, in the form of a prayer shawl, meals, and more importantly prayer!”
“Isabel saved my life.”
What the Parish Nurse does for our Wider Community (Outreach)
The Parish Nurse has:
made partnerships with the wider community to draw people into our community and to Christ
established growing partnerships with Horizon Health Authority and Social Development
developed partnerships with Community Health Clinics, including the Downtown Clinic
collaborated with UNB Nursing students to participate in the Monday Morning Outreach activities
assisted in providing space in the Hall and support for Prenatal Classes and a Breastfeeding Support Group, and
was anticipating providing space for Social Workers and Counsellors to meet with clients in the Hall.
Why do we need to continue this ministry?
Congregational trust, expectation and reliance: The members of our congregation
• have developed trust and expectation that we will continue to support them when needed, and
• are relying on the Parish Nurse and the Health Ministry Team.
Christian Witness: What better example of Christian ministry and discipleship to the Diocese could we offer? We may be able to work with other parishes in supporting their congregations to develop this ministry.
Professional community partnerships: This is an opportunity to draw people into our community, to draw them into the love of God, while at the same time allowing us to reach out to them in love and service. We do not want to lose this momentum that the Parish Nurse Ministry has established.
What will we lose without a Parish Nurse?
No Parish Nurse to minister to us as noted above.
No Coordinator for the Health Ministry Team.
The Monthly Teas and the Prayer Shawl Ministry will continue as the volunteers are able to support.
The Helping Hands and the Cathedral Visitors will eventually cease if there is no coordination (also the Blood Pressure Clinics, Health Information Sessions, Fit Club, etc.).
No expansion of community partnerships i.e. outreach to the wider community
Funding: Bishop and Chapter supports the concept of hiring a Parish Nurse, but at the moment sufficient funds are not available. Money is the issue. Bishop and Chapter has endorsed a Pledge Campaign to support the funding for a salaried part-time Parish Nurse position.
We have a long-time congregational member who has undertaken the Parish Nursing Certification Training (funded by the Cathedral) and feels she has a vocation to this ministry. She is willing to take on this role.
A Pledge Campaign to financially support the Parish Nurse position
at Christ Church Cathedral
The positive/immense value of the Parish Nurse to the members of the Cathedral congregation has now been well documented and appreciated.
The Health Ministry Team, with the consent of Bishop and Chapter, is holding a Pledge Campaign in April to financially support a part-time, salaried position of a Parish Nurse at the Cathedral for at least the next 5 years. From April 10 -24, we will be accepting pledges to raise a minimum of $11,000 each year for the next 5 years.
We are asking you to prayerfully consider contributing to this campaign – whether it be a few dollars a week/month for the next 5 years, or perhaps if you are able, much more than that.
We are very grateful that, without even being asked, 3 members of the congregation have already each offered $1,000 or more for each of these 5 years.
It is important to note that the Bishop and Chapter requires that pledges made to support the Parish Nursing position be in addition to regular giving commitments.
Can you help? If so, please contact: Jaye Hawkins <jwh.hawkins at gmail.com> (506) 455-5519 Jaye and Barb Toole are co-chairing the Pledge Campaign
Preparation for confirmation by 6 students from each of Christ Church Cathedral and the Anglican Parish of New Maryland continues. Confirmation is scheduled for June of this year.
Each participant has an adult mentor who is walking through the process with them. The programme includes nine group meetings of instruction punctuated by 9 meetings with mentors. The meetings are scheduled between the Cathedral and Holy Trinity, New Maryland.
PROGRAMME OVERVIEW
In the Anglican Church, we are all about making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. We have the great privilege to help our young people and students take the next step in their relationship with Jesus, and we are excited by the work God is doing in their lives. One of the ways we are able to help students develop spiritually is through the Sacrament of Confirmation and the meaningful preparation for it.
Through the process of confirmation preparation, students are encouraged to take ownership of the faith that their parents/guardians/sponsors at Baptism have passed on to them. The confirmation program seeks to launch students into the life of a disciple and member of the Body of Christ in the Anglican Church.
PROGRAMME STRUCTURE
Through individual study, Bible reading, group discussion, projects, prayer, and mission/field trips, and mentor sessions, students are led to a point of personal decision. They are presented with an opportunity to make a public response to God’s grace, the reaffirmation of the baptismal covenant and proclaim faith in Jesus Christ.
PROGRAMME OUTLINE
Parent Mentor Training
UNIT 1: The Faith Through Scripture and Worship
Memorize: The Lord’s Prayer
Class 1 – Expectations/Initiation
Session – Getting Acquainted
Class 2 – Worship and Prayer
Session 2 – Holy Baptism
Class 3 – The Holy Bible
Session 3 – The Gospel of Luke
Mission Field Trip
UNIT 2: The Faith Through Doctrine
Memorize: The Ten Commandments
Class 4 – God/Creeds/Doctrines
Session 4 – God/Jesus/Holy Spirit
Class 5 – Ministry/Structure
Session 5 – The Body of Christ
Class 6 – Commandments/Rule
Church Visit / Interview
UNIT 3: The Faith Through Symbol and Sign
Memorize: The Apostles’ Creed
Class 7 – Symbols and Seasons
Session 6 – Spiritual Life
Cathedral Guided Tour – Cathedral
Class 8 – The Sacraments/Eucharist
Instructed Eucharist
Session 7- The Journey Continues
Saturday, April 2nd at 7 PM, Christ Church Cathedral, 168 Church Street, Fredericton
A concert to raise funds for my new full-length album, “Calming Trust and Coming King,” slated for release in the late spring. A freewill offering will be received.
Friday, April 1st: Becka deHaan at the Light Spot Cafe, 294 Westmorland Road, Saint John, 7:00-9:30 PM.
“If you had told me last April 1st that in exactly a year I would play a beautiful Christian cafe here in New Brunswick called The Light Spot, I’d have thought you were telling me an April Fool, because I never knew the place existed. Well it does, and it’s wonderful. Thanks to Dorothea for welcoming me so enthusiastically among the great talent that performs there regularly. So, come out on a Friday or Saturday night and have a tea or coffee while enjoying some great Gospel music. And if the Friday you come happens to be April 1st, see you there!” Becka deHann
And if you miss those, another such concert is in the works for the evening of Friday, April 22nd, at St. John’s the Evangelist Anglican, Main Street in Fredericton.
Diocesan Archdeaconry of Fredericton Refugee Sponsorship Meeting
Held at Cathedral Hall
Thursday, March 10, 2016 at 1:00 p.m.
The third meeting of the Diocesan Archdeaconry of Fredericton Refugee Sponsorship Project was held at the Cathedral Hall in Fredericton, NB on March 10th beginning at 1:00 p.m. The meeting was chaired by Archdeacon Pat Drummond. Numerous handouts were distributed to the attendees. Specifically:
Guidebook for Sponsoring Syrian Refugees Through the BVOR Program
Settlement Preparation
Furniture and Equipment “Wish List” for Sponsored Family
A copy of the Bishop’s letter in last week’s Diocesan e-news requesting volunteers
Application for Criminal Record Check
The various areas of need were outlined with a view to designating specific people who would be responsible for assisting our refugee family in each area of need.
Generally speaking, the family will need basic life-skills training re:
apartment regulations
use of appliances
use of a telephone, including 911 and an emergency contact number
use of public transit: bus stops, transit routes, bus schedules, etc.
small-group orientation
Chair and liaison with all parishes involved in the project – Pat Drummond
Application/Liaison with ABC – Kelly Humber Kelly
Note: Ann Deveau to assist Pat and Kelly as necessary with their tasks
Treasurer: Dave Blacklock, Christ Church Parish Church, 457-2894
Kelly agreed to compile an Orientation Binder including:
photos of the contact people
Tele-Help services at 811
maps
bus schedules
immigration documents that need to be completed
Accommodations: Sonya Solven of Considerate Property Management will find the accommodations for the family. Contact Info.: <[email protected]>
Cell Phone: 260-0442. Pat Drummond and Kelly Humber Kelly will assist if need be.
Furniture: Doug and Ann Deveau will oversee the acquisition and storage of furniture. Doug also volunteered to help with moving. E-mail: <amdrm at nbnet.nb.ca>
Medical/Dental: The Fredericton Downtown Clinic has been designated to serve the incoming refugees. Kelly has the list of dentists that may be willing to offer their services. In the meantime, the refugees are covered under an Interim Federal Health Program. Nancy Wiggins will be asked to oversee this area. Sally Grace offered to help. <sgrace68 at gmail.com>
Household Items: Nancy will e-mail an updated list of the Furniture and Equipment “Wish List” to reflect what items have already been acquired or offered.
Clothing: Value Village coupons are available and they are currently offering one free outfit for each family member. Pat explained the family will have to understand second-hand clothing is not an issue in Canada. Gail MacGillivray and Sasha Fetter agreed to oversee this.
Foods, Kitchen, Grocery Shopping: Betty Scovil and Gladys Lacey House have volunteered to oversee this. Elizabeth Hamilton will help. Some crossover with furniture assignment will be worked out.
Paperwork: Ann Buckland has agreed to oversee setting up a bank account for the family. They will require a direct deposit form, a debit card, a child-tax credit form, and a GST refund form. They will need an address in order to proceed. They will have already been issued S.I.N. numbers, but the paperwork they arrive with must be checked to make sure it is accurate. The Multi-Cultural Association has contact information. James McCarthy is able to speak Arabic and has volunteered to help with budgeting. Sasha Fetter and Anne Hewson will assist.
Contract for Phone/TV/Internet: Peter Jacobs has agreed to locate a computer and printer for the family and negotiate the hook-up contract for them. [email protected]
School Enrollment: Multi-Cultural Association will assess their current level of functioning for placement. They also do bridging with family and school. Anne Hunt and Anne Hewson will assist with this.
Language Training: There is an Arabic-English Bilingual Dictionary available at Westminster Books. They are currently on back-order but you can call and add your name to the list. Shipments come every two weeks. Language training sessions are being offered through the Multi-Cultural Association. The family will also require drivers to get to language classes. Anne Hunt and Sherry Pope will assist with this.
Bus System: Sally Grace and Kelly Humber Kelly will assist with this.
Orientation: The city is offering free recreation passes. It would be nice to take the family on a tour of the city. Kelly and Ellery Furlong volunteered to help with this.
Transportation: Gladys Lacey House volunteered to oversee this. We will require a driver schedule and a list of volunteers and phone numbers. Deanna McG. , Gladys L.H., Doug M., and Chris Fetter may help with this. A schedule will need to be developed.
Pat explained that a Criminal Record Check is required for all people who want to volunteer to work with children and vulnerable people. The completed application form should be returned to City Hall or the police station. You will require two pieces of I.D. including a photo I.D. Your passport and/or your driver’s licence along with your Medicare or S.I.N. card will do. It takes 2 to 3 weeks to process and they will call you when it’s ready for pick-up at the police station. Ask your parish minister to write a covering letter for your application. As you are a volunteer, the cost is $11.30.
Pat further explained that Muslim is pronounced Mu-slim rather than Maw-slem. The second pronunciation is offensive to them. Also, for religious and cultural reasons, please make sure to always have a woman from your sponsor group present when visiting the home and have the wife present whenever a female volunteer is interacting directly with the husband.
While we do not need all of our sponsorship monies up front, we are in need of funding to begin the settlement process. To that end, please let your parish know that they may make monetary donations through their Church Treasurer. Just mark the envelope “Refugee Sponsorship Fund” and your treasurer will issue you a receipt and forward the donation to the Treasurer at Christ Church Parish Church for deposit to the Refugee Sponsorship Account.
The meeting adjourned with The Grace at 2:10 p.m.
Sherry Pope
31 March Update
Committee of 11 parishes from the archdeaconry met again March 30th with six parishes in attendance.
Some have contributed money to the trust account, and others are currently doing fund-raising. Pat Drummond will contact others for status reports.
Criminal record checks are ongoing for volunteers.
Members have portfolios such as medical/dental; accommodations; education; language training; budgeting; food; furnishings; transportation; orientation. Some cannot accomplish much until the composition of the family is known and/or the timing of the family’s arrival, but are researching what to do. Donations of household goods are being collected.
For decision-making purposes between meetings, the executive committee comprises Archdeacon Patricia Drummond; The Rev. Rick Robinson; Kelly Humber-Kelly; Ann Deveau.
As a recent example of the need for rapid decisions, the Atlantic Baptist Convention asked if we would accept a Somali family on very short notice. The man is in his 70s, blind, in a wheelchair, illiterate and considered unemployable. His wife is younger and in better health but also illiterate with poor employment prospects. They wondered if we would take this family with high medical needs and do hands-on support for two years, not one as anticipated with a Syrian family. Furthermore, it would be in addition to a Syrian family to be chosen later! As unfortunate as the situation is for these Somalis, the committee discussed it, considered what we have ready for money, preparations and a team, and concluded we did not feel ready to handle such a heavy responsibility well beyond the scope of anything the vestries had agreed to do originally. The larger committee agreed that it was best to decline.
The committee continues to want to sponsor a Syrian family of four or five people. However, the Atlantic Baptist Convention reported to us last week that the whole process has slowed down considerably at the federal government level which has pulled back hundreds of temporary staff from overseas to their regular jobs in Canada. Also, they have several churches ahead of us waiting to choose families from the lists of refugees released periodically by the government. They say, realistically, it may be four to seven months before “our” family arrives in person.
