For Thamesford and Area News and Information check out
http://www.thamesford.org/
http://www.thamesford.org/
REFUGEE SPONSORSHIP
April 5, 2016
Tidings of Great Joy!
The Oxford Presbytery Sponsorship Committee is pleased to announce that we are sponsoring a Syrian family of five.
The husband (35) and the wife (33) understand a bit of English but Arabic is their spoken language. The husband has experience in painting and carpentry.
There are three daughters - ages ten, eight and 5 months. The older girls were learning English.
The Ingersoll house at 141 King Solomon Street is still available and we will be moving the furniture in shortly. If you have household items to donate, please contact the “Stocking Committee” - Peggy Miller 519. 290.1203, Linda Holdsworth 519.539.1749, Virginia Andrews 519.537.7960
We will continue our shared fund raising efforts throughout Oxford Presbytery. Please make donations through your local church. Your church treasurer will then send a lump sum Refugee Sponsorship to donation to St. David’s.
The St. David’s United Church treasurer reports that as of Sunday April 3, 2016, $40,824.50 has been donated to Oxford Presbytery Refugee Sponsorship.
The Refugee Committee will now be working in high gear as we make preparations for the arrival of the family. We have to complete the paperwork and have not been told the expected arrival date. It should be approximately 4 - 6 weeks after the paperwork has been approved.
Once the family arrives, we hope that the congregations of Oxford Presbytery will continue in their support as the family adjusts to their new life in Canada.
Sincerely,
Cheryl Gregory, (St. David’s United Church)
Chair, Oxford Presbytery Refugee Committee
April 5, 2016
Tidings of Great Joy!
The Oxford Presbytery Sponsorship Committee is pleased to announce that we are sponsoring a Syrian family of five.
The husband (35) and the wife (33) understand a bit of English but Arabic is their spoken language. The husband has experience in painting and carpentry.
There are three daughters - ages ten, eight and 5 months. The older girls were learning English.
The Ingersoll house at 141 King Solomon Street is still available and we will be moving the furniture in shortly. If you have household items to donate, please contact the “Stocking Committee” - Peggy Miller 519. 290.1203, Linda Holdsworth 519.539.1749, Virginia Andrews 519.537.7960
We will continue our shared fund raising efforts throughout Oxford Presbytery. Please make donations through your local church. Your church treasurer will then send a lump sum Refugee Sponsorship to donation to St. David’s.
The St. David’s United Church treasurer reports that as of Sunday April 3, 2016, $40,824.50 has been donated to Oxford Presbytery Refugee Sponsorship.
The Refugee Committee will now be working in high gear as we make preparations for the arrival of the family. We have to complete the paperwork and have not been told the expected arrival date. It should be approximately 4 - 6 weeks after the paperwork has been approved.
Once the family arrives, we hope that the congregations of Oxford Presbytery will continue in their support as the family adjusts to their new life in Canada.
Sincerely,
Cheryl Gregory, (St. David’s United Church)
Chair, Oxford Presbytery Refugee Committee
On Fossil Fuels and Living into Decisions
Read news from our Moderator: On Fossil Fuels and Living into Decisions
12 January 2016
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
The United Church’s New Creed affirms our commitment to live with respect in creation. How we do that is not always clear. However, we have different approaches to how we live out these shared values. In our diversity, it is inevitable that our church will make choices that some of us find hard to accept.
This summer the General Council voted to sell our investment holdings in the 200 largest fossil fuel companies. We made this decision out of our deep desire to “participate in God’s work of healing and mending creation.” Many in our church celebrate this decision, seeing it as one way that we can live out our commitment to climate justice.
At the same time, for those faithful United Church members whose work is connected to the fossil fuel industry, this decision has been a source of pain. At a time when many are experiencing layoffs and employment uncertainty due to low oil prices, this action may have felt like their own church kicking them when they are down. Some of our brothers and sisters have also felt judged by the tone of the discussion surrounding this decision.
The United Church of Canada stands with them in this time of economic uncertainty. As another proposal at the General Council meeting noted, while the church is encouraging investment in renewable energy and energy efficiency, we also want a “just transition for workers and communities” affected by the shift away from oil.
And of course the issues go well beyond the fossil fuel companies and their employees. Each of us wrestles with the complexity of living in a social and economic system that is dependent on fossil fuels. Every day I am confronted by all the ways my life and my choices contribute to climate change. Although I try to embody my faith commitments in how I live my life, I always do so imperfectly. It is the same for all of us.
The church is certainly not alone in pushing for energy alternatives. The world’s first comprehensive climate agreement, signed in Paris last month, should breathe new life into the green energy sector. Here in Canada, both the federal and Alberta governments have expressed support for this transition, as they know it will create many new job opportunities as the renewable energy industry grows and expands.
There are no simple answers when it comes to our warming climate. While I celebrate each small step our church takes that shows respect for creation, at the same time I grieve with those who feel alienated by our decisions. I find hope in knowing that even at difficult times and with difficult decisions, God is with us.
So whether you are celebrating the choice our church has made about fossil fuels, or fearful for the direction in which we are heading, may you know that you are not alone.
The Right Reverend Jordan Cantwell
Moderator
The United Church of Canada
This message has been sent to all Conference offices and pastoral charges for which the General Council has an e-mail address. To ensure that all pastoral charges receive this message, we also ask presbytery secretaries to circulate to their e-mail distribution lists. Although this may result in some receiving the message more than once, we hope this will be less of a problem than if you were not to receive the message at all.
Copyright © 2016 The United Church of Canada.
Read news from our Moderator: On Fossil Fuels and Living into Decisions
12 January 2016
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
The United Church’s New Creed affirms our commitment to live with respect in creation. How we do that is not always clear. However, we have different approaches to how we live out these shared values. In our diversity, it is inevitable that our church will make choices that some of us find hard to accept.
This summer the General Council voted to sell our investment holdings in the 200 largest fossil fuel companies. We made this decision out of our deep desire to “participate in God’s work of healing and mending creation.” Many in our church celebrate this decision, seeing it as one way that we can live out our commitment to climate justice.
At the same time, for those faithful United Church members whose work is connected to the fossil fuel industry, this decision has been a source of pain. At a time when many are experiencing layoffs and employment uncertainty due to low oil prices, this action may have felt like their own church kicking them when they are down. Some of our brothers and sisters have also felt judged by the tone of the discussion surrounding this decision.
The United Church of Canada stands with them in this time of economic uncertainty. As another proposal at the General Council meeting noted, while the church is encouraging investment in renewable energy and energy efficiency, we also want a “just transition for workers and communities” affected by the shift away from oil.
And of course the issues go well beyond the fossil fuel companies and their employees. Each of us wrestles with the complexity of living in a social and economic system that is dependent on fossil fuels. Every day I am confronted by all the ways my life and my choices contribute to climate change. Although I try to embody my faith commitments in how I live my life, I always do so imperfectly. It is the same for all of us.
The church is certainly not alone in pushing for energy alternatives. The world’s first comprehensive climate agreement, signed in Paris last month, should breathe new life into the green energy sector. Here in Canada, both the federal and Alberta governments have expressed support for this transition, as they know it will create many new job opportunities as the renewable energy industry grows and expands.
There are no simple answers when it comes to our warming climate. While I celebrate each small step our church takes that shows respect for creation, at the same time I grieve with those who feel alienated by our decisions. I find hope in knowing that even at difficult times and with difficult decisions, God is with us.
So whether you are celebrating the choice our church has made about fossil fuels, or fearful for the direction in which we are heading, may you know that you are not alone.
The Right Reverend Jordan Cantwell
Moderator
The United Church of Canada
This message has been sent to all Conference offices and pastoral charges for which the General Council has an e-mail address. To ensure that all pastoral charges receive this message, we also ask presbytery secretaries to circulate to their e-mail distribution lists. Although this may result in some receiving the message more than once, we hope this will be less of a problem than if you were not to receive the message at all.
Copyright © 2016 The United Church of Canada.
Refugee Crisis - What you can do
Fadia, who escaped fighting in Aleppo, Syria, stands with three of her children in front of her family’s shelter at a refugee settlement in Lebanon. Two of her children were killed in Syria’s civil war. Credit: Paul Jeffrey/ACT Alliance
http://www.londonconference.ca/
The Moderator of The United Church of Canada, The Right Rev. Jordan Cantwell, is urging your participation in a church-wide appeal for Syrian refugees who are seeking relief from protracted civil war in their country. In her first letter as Moderator to the church’s members, she writes:
We are called at this particular time to witness in a concrete way to our Christian faith in response to the needs of millions of desperate people seeking refuge and compassion. Donations received and designated “Syria Relief” will be applied directly to support United Church Mission & Service partners and associates in this work. Funds donated to the appeal will be distributed to ACT and MECC. The Canadian government will match, dollar for dollar, donations made between September 12 and December 31, 2015.
Note: As part of the United Church’s Emergency Response Fund, 85 percent of your donation will go directly to Syria relief, while 15 percent will be used to support emergencies that do not receive intense media coverage and response. No administration fees will be deducted from your donation. Regular donations to the Mission and Service Fund enable the United Church to absorb staffing and administration costs of emergency response work.
Pray
Canadian Government Matching Donations
For every eligible dollar donated by individual Canadians to registered Canadian charities in response to the Syria refugee crisis, the Government of Canada will set aside one dollar for its Syria Emergency Relief Fund (dollar for dollar match). The government will use this fund to provide assistance through international and Canadian humanitarian organizations.
Registered charities, including the United Church, will be eligible to apply for this fund to augment relief projects in Syria and neighbouring countries (there is no guarantee that any project or charity will receive contributions from the government’s matching fund).
At this time the federal government is matching funds donated by individual Canadians only for use in support of Syrian refugees in the Middle East region. No program to match funds in support of Syrian refugee resettlement in Canada has been announced.
For more information please visit this link:
http://www.united-church.ca/communications/news/response/150911
The Moderator of The United Church of Canada, The Right Rev. Jordan Cantwell, is urging your participation in a church-wide appeal for Syrian refugees who are seeking relief from protracted civil war in their country. In her first letter as Moderator to the church’s members, she writes:
We are called at this particular time to witness in a concrete way to our Christian faith in response to the needs of millions of desperate people seeking refuge and compassion. Donations received and designated “Syria Relief” will be applied directly to support United Church Mission & Service partners and associates in this work. Funds donated to the appeal will be distributed to ACT and MECC. The Canadian government will match, dollar for dollar, donations made between September 12 and December 31, 2015.
- Online via our secure donation page.
- Phone 416-231-5931 or toll-free 1-800-268-3781 and use your Visa or MasterCard.
- Send a cheque, money order, or Visa or MasterCard information with donation amount to:
- The United Church of Canada
Philanthropy Unit - Emergency Response
3250 Bloor Street West, Suite 300
Toronto, ON M8X 2Y4
Please be sure to note "Emergency Response—Syria Relief" on the face of your cheque.
- The United Church of Canada
Note: As part of the United Church’s Emergency Response Fund, 85 percent of your donation will go directly to Syria relief, while 15 percent will be used to support emergencies that do not receive intense media coverage and response. No administration fees will be deducted from your donation. Regular donations to the Mission and Service Fund enable the United Church to absorb staffing and administration costs of emergency response work.
Pray
- Pray for the millions of Syrians facing conflict and displacement.
- Pray for the host communities in the region who welcome those seeking refuge from the conflict.
- Pray for United Church Mission & Service partners and humanitarian relief agencies working to meet the needs of those affected.
- Pray that regional governments and the international community will work together to address the current crisis, end the conflict, and help bring peace to Syria and the region.
Canadian Government Matching Donations
For every eligible dollar donated by individual Canadians to registered Canadian charities in response to the Syria refugee crisis, the Government of Canada will set aside one dollar for its Syria Emergency Relief Fund (dollar for dollar match). The government will use this fund to provide assistance through international and Canadian humanitarian organizations.
Registered charities, including the United Church, will be eligible to apply for this fund to augment relief projects in Syria and neighbouring countries (there is no guarantee that any project or charity will receive contributions from the government’s matching fund).
At this time the federal government is matching funds donated by individual Canadians only for use in support of Syrian refugees in the Middle East region. No program to match funds in support of Syrian refugee resettlement in Canada has been announced.
For more information please visit this link:
http://www.united-church.ca/communications/news/response/150911
Find us on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kintore-United-Church-and-Brooksdale-United-Church/150005878421607
https://twitter.com/RevDouglasPeck
http://pinterest.com/kintoreknitting/
Oxford Coalition for Social Justice
The Oxford Coalition for Social Justice invites you to join us in
“I raise my voice not so that I can shout, but so that those without a voice can be heard”
― Malala Yousafzai
The Oxford Coalition for Social Justice invites you to join us in
- education
- awareness
- action
“I raise my voice not so that I can shout, but so that those without a voice can be heard”
― Malala Yousafzai
London Conference of the United Church of Canada
HELP SYRIAN REFUGEES
Moderator, Right Rev. Jordan Cantwell, is urging United Church members to help in any way possible, "Syrian refugees who are seeking relief from protracted civil war in their country." The situation is dire with millions displaced and tens of thousands of UN camps. Resources are scarce.
Go to the secure donation page to donate online, or click on the photo for other options, including how to sponsor refugees to resettle in Canada.
HELP SYRIAN REFUGEES
Moderator, Right Rev. Jordan Cantwell, is urging United Church members to help in any way possible, "Syrian refugees who are seeking relief from protracted civil war in their country." The situation is dire with millions displaced and tens of thousands of UN camps. Resources are scarce.
Go to the secure donation page to donate online, or click on the photo for other options, including how to sponsor refugees to resettle in Canada.
Founded in 1829, The United Church Observer is the oldest continuously published magazine in North America and the second oldest in the English speaking world. It has won international acclaim for journalistic excellence and garnered more awards for writing than any other Canadian religious publication. Editor David Wilson says of his mandate for the publication in contemporary Canada: “We seek to offer the United Church and Canadians generally a church magazine that exceeds people’s expectations of church magazines. As we move forward into a new era and style of faith-based publishing, we are constantly mindful of the traditions into which we are anchored.”
For a link to The Observer, click on the image.
If you are interested in receiving the Observer through Chalmers United Church in Kintore please contact Noretta at 519-283-9888.
For a link to The Observer, click on the image.
If you are interested in receiving the Observer through Chalmers United Church in Kintore please contact Noretta at 519-283-9888.
Mandate is a quarterly magazine for United Church congregational leaders, both lay and order of ministry.Mandate provides tools for use in all areas of congregational life, including spiritual growth and discipleship formation, justice and advocacy, worship, stewardship, outreach, and Mission and Service Fund awareness.
Click on the image to find out more.
Click on the image to find out more.
Kintore Community
We are parents organizing to defend AJ Baker School in the Thames Valley District School Board Accommodation Review Committee to close AJ Baker School in Kintore.
www.saveajbaker.com
With a new website to be launched in 2013, this project recognizes the many individuals from the Township of Zorra who have served our country from the 1860's to present day. Whether a relative, friend or neighbour, every one of us has been touched by the realities of war. This website will become
a unique resource for all of us.
a unique resource for all of us.
http://www.heroesofzorra.ca/
Wondercafe is the home of open-minded discussion and exploration of spiritual topics, moral issues and life's big questions, brought to you by the people of The United Church of Canada. You'll find lots to talk about in ourDiscussion Lounge, and you'll get your very own Profile Page for telling others a little about yourself, starting a blog, or sending and receiving WonderMails. So click on the logo, pull up a chair and join in.