JOURNEY FOR HOPE  September 23, 2023: Join the team!

 Presbyterian World Service and Development (PWS&D) is hosting the Journey for Hope again this year with teams from Presbyterian churches across Canada participating.

St. Andrew's Kitchener is teaming up with Knox Waterloo to raise funds supporting PWS&D food security projects around the world. 

We've planned a route on our local bike paths for our team to cycle out to the Waterloo Farmer's Market and back again, with the start and end point at Knox Waterloo. Again this year, we'll have a "bail-out" option halfway through the ride.

There has also been some interest shown in having a walking group, possibly around the recently renovated pathways in Waterloo Park. If this is your preference, please sign up on the team page and we'll work out the route.

We hope to have a good turnout this year!  To join the team or donate, go to St. Andrew’s (Kitchener) - Presbyterian World Service & Development.  Note:  you can donate at the link provided or at the church office (please specify Journey for Hope on any donations).  

Any questions, please give Terri Whiffin a call at 519-998-9392. 

We’re thrilled to have Lorri Detta, Executive Director of Food4Kids Waterloo Region, as our guest speaker.

Lorri brings over 20 years of non-profit career, governance, and direct volunteer experience working with many large and grassroots organizations focused on the mental, physical, and social well-being of at-risk children and youth. She is passionate about ensuring that no child goes hungry, especially during the nine weeks of summer break when vulnerable kids face the fear of being without food support.

During the service, Lorri will share her inspiring journey and shed light on how Food4Kids Waterloo Region is helping to feed the hungry children they support.

Remember to bring snack foods or a jar of peanut butter - your contribution will help ensure that these children have access to the nutritious meals they need during the summer break. Donations can be left just outside the chapel door.s

After the service, Lorri will be available in Iona Hall to answer any questions you may have and provide further information about Food4Kids Waterloo Region's mission.

Join us Wednesday, May 31st at 5:00 p.m.

Camp K is a day camp ministry at St. Andrew’s for kids of all abilities and backgrounds. Campers and counsellors have been building community for 29 summers, exploring nature, learning new skills and having fun! Our May 31st BBQ is an excellent opportunity to help with the costs of running the camp and making it accessible to all.

Not only will you contribute to a fantastic cause, but you’ll also enjoy a delicious menu with hot dogs, sausages, burgers, vegetarian options, Jackee’s famous Caesar salad, PLUS a make-your-own sundae dessert.

The Earth Day Community Clean-up has been rescheduled for Tuesday, April 25th at 1:30pm.

Bring your gardening gloves, pruners, and a rake if you have them, and we'll provide the rest. Let's work together to make our community a cleaner, greener place!

On the Sunday after Easter, our worship service will focus on Meeting God in Creation.  The hymns, prayers, readings, anthems, children's time, and messages will all encourage us to experience God in the natural. world. Several members of the Mission Committee and others will be participating .in the leadership of worship that day. The hand bell choir will be playing two beautiful pieces.  It is sure to be an uplifting and inspiring service. And there is a special activity planned for the Coffee Hour following the service. The children especially are encouraged to come and participate. Please consider wearing something BRIGHT that day, even if you are worshipping via television or live-streaming.  We do this to remind ourselves that the joy of the resurrection continues. The celebration of Easter is not limited to one Sunday only.

About the Event

The Coldest Night of the Year is a winterrific family-friendly walk to raise money for local charities serving people experiencing hurt, hunger, and homelessness. For the fourth year in a row, St. Andrew’s is joining this cause and raising funds to support one of our local mission partners - Ray of Hope. Join us on February 25, 2023 - team up, fundraise, walk, and gather for good... because it’s cold out there.

We’re Supporting Ray of Hope

The Ray of Hope Community Centre is a place of refuge for people in the Kitchener/Waterloo area who are experiencing homelessness or living in poverty. The hope you bring to Mark by supporting the Community Centre is found in a warm meal, a food hamper, a shower, a haircut, laundry facilities, and friends like you who are willing to demonstrate the love of Christ. Come walk with Mark and bring the peace and well being that you know so well to the life of someone who struggles with poverty and homelessness.

Schedule

4:00 pm: Meet Check-in opens

5:00 pm: Move Opening remarks + send-off

6:00 pm: Munch Light meal served

7:00 pm: Mosey Goodbye + Go Home

What to Bring

A cell phone for emergencies (recommended but not required)

Good waterproof shoes/boots for walking

Warm coat and mitts/gloves

Extra snacks if you have allergies or food sensitivities

Your own water bottle

A passion for the charity you're walking and fundraising for!

Details

Rest stop: Keep an eye out for opportunities to rest and refresh with yummy snacks along the route.

Signage: All routes will be well-signed with our bold blue CNOY signs.

Route Support: Route marshals, rest stop hosts, and support vehicle drivers provide support along the route.

12 and under walkers must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times.

Pets: We love our little furballs like you do, but pets are not permitted at the Coldest Night of the Year except for approved and trained service animals.

The Route

There are two route options 2km and 5km. When our team is finalized we divide into groups based on route preferences.

Join Us Tuesday, December 6th at 7 p.m. for an info night with Extend-A-Family Waterloo Region.

St. Andrew’s has the opportunity to participate in a legendary mission that could impact our community in a big and meaningful way. Together let us consider how we can partner with Extend-A-Family Waterloo Region to create a ministry for adults and children with physical and developmental challenges.

About the Event
Time: Tuesday, December 6th at 7 PM in the Elizabeth Room
What to Expect: Extend-A-Family Waterloo Region will present an overview of their missions and show a short video about the history of the organization. We’ll consider how we can support families within our congregation who have children or adults with challenges, and we will explore the concept of a buddy family program. After the presentation, there will be time for questions and answers.

Why are we hosting this event? St. Andrew’s has a long history of serving the needs of those in downtown Kitchener and the surrounding areas. Through our visioning in 2018 and 2021, we committed to a vision for St. Andrew’s, where we experience God through worship and engage Jesus in the streets. Part of this engagement has been reaching out to community partners and hearing their needs and dreams for their ministries. Through the work of the Roy Street Task Force, we learned that a need exists for children and adults who live with physical and developmental challenges. Needs include space for programs and events as well as affordable housing. The congregation met on Sunday, October 6th and approved the first step in this process by adopting a motion that would employ the work of an architect for the planning review and site analysis of our property for development (this would not affect our sanctuary or other historically designated areas), and also begin a dialogue with community partners like Extend a Family and Elmira Community Living. Hosting the event on December 6th will be another small step towards a potential partnership with St. Andrew’s and Extend A Family Waterloo Region. We hope you will come and explore this beautiful opportunity!

Zoom Meeting Details for Extend-A-Family Presentation
Date: Tuesday, December 6th at 7:00 p.m.

Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88467698234?pwd=OEZCN0FYKzY5a3FReWhMenQyYzFqQT09
Meeting ID:884 6769 8234
Passcode:612120

Dial by Location:
+1 438 809 7799 Canada
+1 587 328 1099 Canada
+1 647 374 4685 Canada
+1 647 558 0588 Canada
+1 778 907 2071 Canada
+1 780 666 0144 Canada
+1 204 272 7920 Canada

Join us for a conversation with Andy Harrington, Executive Director at Canadian Foodgrains Bank. Andy will talk about his recent trip to Ethiopia, the current world hunger crisis, what the Foodgrains Bank is doing, and how you can help make a difference.

Our Faith Climate Justice Team invites you to join in on a FREE screening for Hometown Habitat presented by Reep Green, The City of Waterloo and the Waterloo Public Library.

About this event

We tend to think of nature as something separate from our daily routines, however it is time to challenge this notion. Our cities are also home to a wide variety of birds, bees, insects and all manner of wildlife when we foster their natural habitat. Get inspired on native plant choices and learn how to enhance habitat for pollinators and wildlife in the city.

Join us for a screening of Hometown Habitat - Stories of Bringing Nature Home . This 90 minute documentary emphasizes the critical importance of planting natives for the survival and vitality of local ecosystems. This documentary is on a mission to make natural landscaping the new norm. It shares the inspiring stories of communities coming together to naturalize landscapes, support habitat for wildlife, and foster natural beauty.

The screening will be followed by a Q&A session with Reep Green Solutions and Waterloo's Pollinator Working Group. 

We hope to leave you inspired and equipped to take action and bring nature home in our community.

St. Andrew’s is supporting the Honorary Crosswalk for Every Child Matters. Over the last several months volunteers have been ‘planting footsteps’ in orange paint along the path of Victoria Park. 

This visionary project was born out of the heart of local indigenous leader, Sheena Merling, and has grown to include support from The Orange Shirt Society.

Join us on September 16th for the unveiling of the crosswalk in Victoria Park and a time of reconciliation, listening, and community building.

How you can Participate:

• Save the date for September 16th so you and your family can attend the event

• Donate to the Orange Shirt Society or the “St. Andrew’s Orange Footsteps Project”

• Buy your Orange Shirt from the church office

• Volunteer to help at the event: everychildmatter.crosswalk@gmail.com

• Follow the @Honorarycrosswalkforeverychildmatters on Facebook

How St. Andrew’s is supporting the project:

There will be lots of volunteers needed for the event, and St. Andrew’s has agreed to raise approx. $15,0000 toward the project. If you can contribute, please mark it as the “Orange Footsteps” project.

Order Your Orange Shirt
Complete the form below to your shirts, and then send an e-transfer to accounting@standrewskw.com or pay at pick up.

Help Foods4Kids Waterloo Region feed food insecure children for the 9 weeks of summer break. No child should be worrying about where their next meal is coming from. Did you know that summer holidays can be tough for children living with chronic hunger? The thought of being without food support and away from daily in-house school food programs causes fear in many of our vulnerable kids. Food4Kids WR is here to help.

For the month of June, St. Andrew's will help Food4Kids by collecting some of the most needed items from the following list.

Bins will be near the chapel doors to drop off your items.

You can make a financial donation by cheque or e-transfer through St. Andrew's Church. Please add Food4Kids in the memo line.

Help Foods4Kids Waterloo Region feed food insecure children for the 9 weeks of summer break. No child should be worrying about where their next meal is coming from. Did you know that summer holidays can be tough for children living with chronic hunger? The thought of being without food support and away from daily in-house school food programs causes fear in many of our vulnerable kids. Food4Kids WR is here to help.

For the month of June, St. Andrew's will help Food4Kids by collecting some of the most needed items from the following list.

Bins will be near the chapel doors to drop off your items.

You can make a financial donation by cheque or e-transfer through St. Andrew's Church. Please add Food4Kids in the memo line.

Help Foods4Kids Waterloo Region feed food insecure children for the 9 weeks of summer break. No child should be worrying about where their next meal is coming from. Did you know that summer holidays can be tough for children living with chronic hunger? The thought of being without food support and away from daily in-house school food programs causes fear in many of our vulnerable kids. Food4Kids WR is here to help.

For the month of June, St. Andrew's will help Food4Kids by collecting some of the most needed items from the following list.

Bins will be near the chapel doors to drop off your items.

You can make a financial donation by cheque or e-transfer through St. Andrew's Church. Please add Food4Kids in the memo line.

Help Foods4Kids Waterloo Region feed food insecure children for the 9 weeks of summer break. No child should be worrying about where their next meal is coming from. Did you know that summer holidays can be tough for children living with chronic hunger? The thought of being without food support and away from daily in-house school food programs causes fear in many of our vulnerable kids. Food4Kids WR is here to help.

For the month of June, St. Andrew's will help Food4Kids by collecting some of the most needed items from the following list.

Bins will be near the chapel doors to drop off your items.