Page 4 - Presbyterian Connection, Spring 2020

4 SPRING 2020
PRESBYTERIAN
Connection
PRESBYTERIAN SHARING
presbyterian.ca
Thank You!
By Karen Plater, Associate Secretary, Stewardship & Planned Giving
EveryyearPresbyteriansacrossCan- ada generously and faithfully suppor t the mission and ministry of The Pres- byterian Church in Canada through their gifts to Presbyterians Sharing. ThePCCisgratefulforthe$8,389,514 that came from congregations, indi- viduals, Women’s Missionary Society, Atlantic Mission Society, foundations and others in 2019.
These gifts are helping to renew and expand congregations, accom- pany international partners, support theological students, encourage youth, implement justice initiatives, support Indigenous ministries, work toward healing and reconciliation, equip congregations—and so much more. Supporting Presbyterians Sharing is one way that we partici- pate in God’s kingdom. When we put our gifts in God’s hands, God does remarkable things.
PCC staff accompany international mission partners. The Rev. Dr. Paul McLean is helping to translate Bibles into minority languages in Taiwan.
The Blanket Exercise helps promote understanding as part of healing and reconcilia- tion between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Peoples.
Mission trips encourage international partners through learning and solidarity.
Events like the Stewards by Design and Transform conferences give congregational leaders skills for change.
“We thank God for the gifted servants who are helping to translate and publish the Bible so that everyone can share the good news in their own mother tongue.”
—The Rev. Dr. Paul McLean, Bible Translator, Taiwan
“One of the most exciting and moving moments in reaching out to new immigrants is to see how Christ is at work in the midst of our outreach.”
—The Rev. Sampson Afoakwah, Montreal West PC, Montreal, Que.
“The Fellowship Centre offers
a place of belonging and has an understanding of the people we serve. We walk with them with sincerity, compassion and acceptance.”
—Yvonne Bearbull, Executive Director, Kenora Fellowship Centre, Kenora, Ont.
Congregations like Montreal West Presbyterian Church are finding ways to reach out to newcomers.
“I saw God at work in the people. Despite all they’ve been through and go through every day, they maintain their faith, their hope, their commitment to non-violence.”
—Jim Evans, St. Giles, Calgary, 2019 Middle East mission trip
“We have improved our reporting, our thinking, our grassroots involvement and our opportunities to give. Inspired by Dr. Callahan and mentors, we realize the important link between generosity and mission.”
—The Rev. Dr. Karen Dimock, on Stewards by Design
Affected by Brain Disorders
Claire Huene’s ar ticle regarding sen- iors and dementia (Cover story, Winter 2019 edition) was excellent. Dementia is only one of many brain disorders— Parkinson’s Disease and epilepsy are others that can affect anyone at any age, not just seniors.
Epilepsy is a seizure disorder of the brain, often mistaken for dementia, drunkenness or being drugged. Sei- zures vary: petit mal (person caught
in a sudden “daydream” lasting sec- onds) and a grand mal seizure, also known as tonic-clonic (person falls, loses consciousness and body goes into a shaking spasm lasting seconds, minutes or more). Epilepsy varies with each patient.
Excellent neurologists and medica- tions, good diet and sleep have al- lowed me to live an active, productive life for over 36 years, freelancing as a dressmaker, magazine writer and
designer (I was the typesetter/produc- tion assistant for the Presbyterian Re- cord magazine for five years).
My active community service in- cluded Toronto Police School Cross- ing Guard for over 16 years and volun- teer service on numerous community boards. My epilepsy was accepted, and co-workers went the extra mile to learn about it and how to handle a seizure should it occur. I thank them.
An estimated 250,000 Canadians
are affected by epilepsy. Children of- ten outgrow seizures as the brain de- velops. Others, however, require risky brain surgery.
Please ask a person about their con- dition and do research before judging. Sadly, some label people with epilepsy as “drunk,” “drugged,” and I have even been accused of “faking” a seizure.
Regardless of what people think, dementia, epilepsy and countless oth- er brain disorders will always be with
us. A (deceased) friend I helped care for had Parkinson’s Disease, a physi- cally disabling illness that trapped a strong, capable mind in a useless, wasted body that grew weaker every day as she aged. Surrounded by four children, a loving husband and nu- merous grandchildren, she passed away quietly in her sleep. Love defeat- ed the agony caused by Parkinson’s Disease. I was honoured to know her. —Ida Fedor-Baan, Toronto, Ont.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR