Thursday, February 9, 2023
Hello everyone
I am sure all of you are devastated at the images from Turkey and Syria flashing on our screens with respect to the earthquake that created destruction along a 500 km corridor. Feridah and her husband Mathias have a child and grandchildren living in Turkey. Right now they are okay, but there is chaos in Turkey and even more so in Syria. Please pray for this family in particular and for all those affected in this large region. As well, as you are able, please support the response of PWS&D to this humanitarian crisis. See below for instructions.
In church news, we had a meeting of those interested in the new Partners in Belonging initiative. It was a good meeting because we had a number of parents of children with differing abilities speak about their experiences and give their suggestions. Here is a summary of next steps:
To invite an organization which provides programming for people with differing abilities to offer programming here at St. Andrew’s
To encourage people within St. Andrew’s to participate in that programming by watching and learning
To explore partnering with an organization to host a meet and greet event for families who have children with differing abilities as a means of creating a social experience but also learning from families what needs they have that we might be able to offer
To work closely with organizations in potential training / equipping of people within St. Andrew’s who may be interested in getting involved in this ministry
To host a family social experience inviting both families with children who have differing abilities and families who don’t – simply creating community
Talking to youth and young adults who may be interested in partnering with children and young adults their age who have differing abilities – and providing training / equipping for those youth and young adults
Eventually working towards creating an activity here in the church where parents are given respite and have a ‘date night’ where they are served a meal and have some entertainment while their children or adult children are involved in a program in another part of the church. We are nowhere near being able to do this right now, but perhaps we can move towards it with an effective partner and with the necessary training and equipping of volunteers.
So, it was both hopeful and helpful meeting. People presently are looking at different options in terms of next steps and we will be meeting again in about a month.
The annual general meeting is coming up on Sunday, February 26 at 11:15. Copies of the 2022 annual report are now available in the church office.
This coming Sunday we will celebrate ‘Planned Giving Sunday’. The Rev. Dr. Herb Gale will be preaching. Actually Herb and I will have a short discussion first and then out of that Herb will speak about the power of giving as recognized in a passage from Luke’s gospel.
I think that’s enough for now.
Stay safe, stay dry and once again I look forward to worship on Sunday. Physical attendance on Sundays continues to increase and that is wonderful. Connection to services online and via CTV continues to be strong as well. It is all good news!
Take care everyone,
Marty
To support the response of Presbyterian World Service and Development, click on this link https://presbyterian.ca/pwsd/2023/02/07/syria-turkey-earthquake-response/ , call 1-800-619-7301, mail a cheque to the office or give through your St. Andrew’s regular giving’s (Indicate your donation is for “Syria-Türkiye Earthquake.”)