Page 20 - Presbyterian Connection

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PRESBYTERIAN
WINTER 2021
presbyterian.ca
The Raw Carrot van loaded for a soup drop.
Raw Carrot Soup Lunches Bring Fellowship
By Myra Coene, Knox Presbyterian Church in Bobcaygeon, Ont.
In early August, the “Quarantine Quilters” from the Knox Frocks sewing group at Knox Presbyterian Church in Bobcaygeon, Ont., once again packed up four boxes with 39 quilts and shipped them to Cariboo Presbyterian Church in B.C. We also sent 20 quilts to our local pregnancy centre in Lindsay, Ont. We’d been given a beautiful large tablecloth, but when we unfolded it, we found it had a couple of large candle burn holes in it. So, we decided to make a small tablecloth and several table runners from what we could salvage to donate to the store for women’s resources in Lindsay.
Because we were all busy with summer activities (limited as they were), we did not quilt over the sum- mer, but we trust that, once again, we will soon be able to gather at the church to continue sewing together. If that’s not possible, we will con- tinue to make quilts at home, as we did last winter.
Our sewing group is made up of approximately 10 women (in pre- Covid times), making clothing for kids
The Quarantine Quilters at Knox Presbyterian Church in Bobcaygeon, Ont., (l–r): Donna Simon, Myra Coene and Kathleen Morningstar.
By Rebecca Sherbino, the Raw Carrot
Are you looking to engage your con- gregation members in some post- Covid fun (those in person and those who’ve not yet returned to church)? Why not host a soup lunch?
Through cooking handcrafted, de- licious gourmet soup, the Raw Car- rot Soup Enterprise provides jobs for marginalized individuals who strug- gle with barriers to employment, who have experienced poverty or who are living with a disAbility.
Over the past few months, we have had a number of churches plan a communal soup lunch. Here’s how it works: Each participating individual or family orders soup, a pick-up day is planned, and then after the meals have been taken home, everyone eats their soup together (over Zoom or in person, depending on the cir- cumstances). While eating soup, you can learn more about the Raw Carrot staff members and how pur- chasing a bowl of soup can change individual lives through the dignity and income of work. We also have a few short videos that we you might be interested in seeing.
We all need meals in the freezer and these meals make a difference to people in need of a hand UP (in- stead of a handout) in life. One hun- dred percent of the sales of soup go back to supporting jobs, dignity and the message of hope that Jesus brings, for people in local communi- ties. This is a fun, intentional way to be in touch with church members, to support a local ministry and to have a few extra meals in your freezer...all through the connections that come through food.
Email elena@therawcarrot.com to start planning. It’s fun, easy and impactful.
Soup lunch!
in developing countries: pillowcase dresses and shorts. We have a well- organized selection of a variety of do- nated fabrics in a room in the lower level of our church, complete with several sewing machines and a serg- er. Some of the fabric was not suitable for dresses, so quilting became our focus. Winnipeg Inner City Missions
and Cariboo Presbyterian Church in B.C. became recipients of our quilts. We welcome anyone into the group who is interested in sewing or helping in any way...cutting, measuring, as- sembling or making tea!
We trust our quilts have become a blessing to show God’s love for those in need.
Connection
MISSION & OUTREACH
Quilting in Bobcaygeon
In Motion in Saskatoon
By Laura Van Loon, Pastoral Care Nurse, St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Saskatoon, Sask.
Running, jogging, walking, swim- ming, skipping and so many more activities keep us in motion. Getting from here to there is imperative, but there are people who have short-term and chronic disabilities that affect their mobility. Understanding this, the Pastoral Care team at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Saskatoon, Sask., strives to help members of our church and mission communities.
A few years ago, our committee wanted to replace the old, makeshift wheelchair we had. The church gave me, the Pastoral Care Nurse, per- mission to buy a new one. I visited the showroom of MEDIchair and we discussed the wheelchair I wanted in exchange for the one I brought from the church. Their generous donation of the balance of the cost has pro- vided our church with the safe, new wheelchair that we use today. This company moved and changed their name but kept our information.
About a month ago, I received a call from the newly located MOTION
(formerly MEDIchair) and they had two wheelchairs and a walker that they wanted to donate to St. Andrew’s church family. I accepted immediately and, with the help of the Rev. Roberto, we delivered these refurbished items to PCC-supported Saskatoon Native Circle Ministry (SNCM). At that time, Executive Director Dylon Nippi was not too sure when, or if, they would be used. However, within about a week, one of the clients limped in using a creatively fashioned stick to suppor t one of his hips. Dylon looked at him and said, “I have just the thing for you,” and wheeled the walker out for him. There was great joy,” Dylon said, “as this gentleman took that walker, did wheelies right there and was so happy with the gift that improved his mobility and lessened his pain.”
A couple of days later, another cli- ent limped into the SNCM doorway and Dylon looked at him and said, “You need to get that leg looked at.” The client, who was very hungry and wanted some lunch, had liter- ally hobbled from his apartment, stopping traffic in order to cross the street. His caregiver was away for a week. Dylon said he was a very
large man and knew that the oversize wheelchair would fit him. During their discussion, Dylon said that he would ask his assistant to push this per- son up the hill to St. Paul’s Hospital Emergency Room. Since then, I have found out that this man was admitted to hospital where he was treated for a week and has now returned home.
There are needs in our commu- nity that we just have no idea about. Helping citizens to keep in motion by seeking par tnerships in the city has benefited those who now have an improved accessibility to the world around them.
The Gathering Place at Saskatoon Native Circle Ministry in Saskatoon, Sask.
Gifts to Presbyterians Sharing help support the Raw Carrot’s ministry.