Author Archive: bmcknight
Spring Update from SAMS Canada
Dear Friends:
Easter has just passed but we rejoice with you at the good news of Jesus’ death and resurrection!
Please find attached the latest edition of our Prayer Calendar, which is full of news from Latin America. Read it to get the news and concerns and please hold up the work in the various countries in your prayers.
A special thank you to those of you who have continued to support Kara and Nelson through the Diocese of Fredericton*. They are almost half way through the three year agreement with the Diocese. Their financial support in 2016 ended up slightly short of what is needed. Please pray that their financial support will stay firm and increase enough to cover their needs.
Thank you, too, to those of you who continued to support the ongoing work in Chile and other initiatives in Honduras through the Latin American Mission**.
Lastly, we can’t emphasize enough how much we appreciate those of you who continue to support the work of SAMS Canada through your prayers and giving. We estimate that we need about $7,500 this year to enable Arlene and our Comptroller to complete their work; as you will appreciate, this is significantly less than our costs in previous years.
With our best wishes for God’s blessings on each of you who receive this note and the attached prayer calendar.
Sincerely,
Arlene Heale Ruth Lee Denys Reades
Administrator Co-chair Co-chair
10 New Lay Ministers in Belize
Give praise to the Lord with David and Mary Beth Alenskis in Belize for the ten new Lay Ministers who were licensed last week for their churches, in particular, a handful of young men (ages 17-20) who have real possibilities for a lifetime of leadership and service to Christ. Mary Beth and David have spent time nearly every week developing a relationship with them and mentoring with them, and they’re excited, anticipating them being deployed in ministry in the coming weeks and months.
The Annual Country and Bluegrass Gospel Show
Saturday, May 13, 7:30 p.m. The Annual Country and Bluegrass Gospel Show, in support of the work of Canon Paul Jeffries at Bishop McAllister College in Uganda, will be held at St. Mary’s Anglican Church (780 McEvoy Street, Fredericton). The lineup of entertainers features Copper Kettle Bluegrass Boyz, Eagles Rise, Duane Drost, Valerie Donovan, and Millen Anderson & Veronica. Admission is $10 at the door.
Letter from St. Hilda’s School in Belize
The following is a recent letter sent to Beverly Morell by Ms. Jane Martinez, the principal of St. Hilda’s School, in Belize.
Greetings Mrs. Bev,
I am glad to hear that the fundraising was a success. Your donations are what makes it possible for us to provide materials needed for the classrooms and other school improvement. There has been many changes through God’s blessings. We are working on making our school environment more child-friendly and welcoming. Our children have come a long way in respecting the school property and taking ownership for what we have.It was a wonderful experience making the video. It gives people an opportunity to see the success of their investment. I am also looking forward to seeing you on your next visit. Hopefully, it will be soon. We have already bought some school supplies for teachers. We have also made costumes for our children for the annual Festival of Arts. The competition was held today and we won two gold certificates and one silver ! Yeah!!! The groups that got the gold will represent the school at Golden Awards night in May. I will be sending pictures to you as soon as Mrs. Bennett emails them to me.I thank you for your continued support. Greet your family and church family on our behalf.Blessings,Jane
Rectors Newsletter March 2017
Dear Friends,
Greetings from Bishop McAllister College and Anglican Seminary! It has been a long time since ive been able to get a newsletter out, but a shout of thanks goes out to Teacher Ainebyoona Annibo who made this possible. Annibo is busy rebuilding the school web site for which we are greatly appreciative.
We are now comfortably into our new school year, having opened a few weeks back.
Students reported in large numbers, building on last years surge in enrolment, we are now almost a thousand students. All very exciting and encouraging. The increase is largely due to the consistent academic performance (2nd in our local school district) and the good discipline of our students. We are very grateful to our faithful teaching staff who have made this success possible, often working in difficult conditions. But we know well, that all things are possible with God.
We are very thankful for all the blessings of 2016. Some of the highlights were …
- Enrolment increased by 20%
- For the beds and desks for all the new students.
For many years we have struggled with having enough water for our growing population. Going from crisis to crisis in 2016 we were able to connect to the the national water supply. i think for the students that wat was one of the highlights of our development. Probably also a highlight for the Headmaster who on many times days was driving back and forth to a nearby town carrying water.
For construction of a new girls dorm consisting of a staff apartment, tow dorm rooms, baths and toilets in the primary section.
For the completion a new room for boys replacing the former chapel they were using (a mud structure)
And for the finishing of the classroom blocks we had constructed some years ago.
The school is a busy place now. New students have settled in to their new school, for some their first boarding school. While many are looking forward to the annual Rectors “Resurrection Race” part of our Lenten activities as we make our way to Jerusalem, some very dedicated staff and students gather each morning at 6:30 am for a lenten bible study. They are studying the Gospel of Mark this year.
After being out of touch for so long, there is to much to share and to give thanks for in one news letter.
But these are a few of the highlights. As we begin this new school year we are still faced with some challenges, some of which are pressing. Of an increase in enrolment means there is a further need for more beds and desks. At present we need 50 sets of bunk beds, 25 triple desks and 30 single desks.
We are also facing a big challenge in the computer program. Our aging computers are few in number and no longer adequate for the job. So we are faced with replacing the existing computers and increasing their numbers. At present we have about 25 computers about 15 years old, shared amongst 250 students. In the first phase we are looking to instal 13 System units, each unit accommodating six students at separate stations. Already we have been able to install one unit, and it is working great.
But the most pressing challenge of all is accommodation for girls. The girls have far surpassed the numbers their dorm can accommodate. To reduce the congestion and to prepare space for new students in 2018 we are faced with the urgent challenge of constructing 1-2 rooms for them.
Please join us in giving thanks for all our tremendous blessings, and praying for us as work to address the challenges of 2017. Please check out our Chaplains Prayer Letter.
We continue to be so grateful for all your prayers and financial support. May God bless you and keep you!
God bless!
Paul
Rev. Canon Paul Jeffries
Rector
Bishop McAllister College & Bishop McAllister Anglican Seminary
Newcomer Family Visits Stanley
The following is a note from Archdeacon Patrica Drummond regarding a recent visit by the Weah-Gmah family to the Parish of Stanley.
We attended the service in Stanley this morning – Anglicanism at its most informal. The Parish of Stanley has been a strong supporter of our family.The service was in the basement hall, with the congregation sitting in a circle and was followed by a delicious pot luck lunch. Two men carried Esther down into the basement on a chair.
Everyone was most welcoming and there was even a birthday cake for Phillip – his second – as many of us gathered at the apartment on the actual date (the 15th). Arene did not attend as he was very tired after dancing up a storm at until after 10 p.m.at Africa Night at UNB last night.The Rev’d Canon Bonnie LeBlanc welcomed us and Pat and Phillip both spoke to thank the Parish. Phillip was given a most generous gift certificate for groceries, and the family took home the remains of the cake and donuts.
PWRDF Workshop
Saturday, May 27, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Christ Church Parish Church will host a PWRDF workshop. More details soon.
Jesus to the Nations 2017
Jesus To The Nations is Atlantic Canada’s Missions Conference. This annual conference features special plenary speakers and exhibitors who have answered God’s call to go to the ends of the earth or to reach people in cross-cultural opportunities. Through the plenary sessions, workshops and resources available at the missions’ displays, we get to observe how God is moving in different communities around the world, and how we may play a part in God’s plans and purposes today! We encourage you to mark your calendars, and join us in Halifax, Nova Scotia, March 24-26. Admission is free. All are welcome!
The Missions Committee has supported members of the congregation in attending this conference in the past and hope to do so again this year. If you are interested or have any questions, please contact Brad McKnight or any member of the committee.
