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FALL 2022
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 HEARTS for Haiti in Fergus
By Krista Hall, Committee Chair for HEARTS, a mission of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Fergus, Ont.
For over 30 years, the HEARTS Committee at St. Andrew’s Pres- byterian Church in Fergus, Ont., has been assisting in aid to Haiti, specifically around the city of Cap-Haïtien. Initially, this work began in the late 1980s with the church sending food, clothing and pharmaceuticals. In the mid- 90s that transitioned to support- ing schools and feeding children in the surrounding community. Now HEARTS (Haitians Educated And Ready To Serve) sends fi- nancial aid to four schools. Each school is run by a local principal and provides affordable education to students, a weekly food pro- gram, opportunities to write state exams, and job opportunities for educators and staff.
The funding that HEARTS pro- vides to the Haitian schools is made possible through ongoing monthly donations and various fundraisers. The largest fundraiser is the annual 5 km run/walk held in October. For the last two years, the event was held “virtually” with par ticipants running/walking on theirown,eitheroutsideoron theirtreadmill.Despitetheunusual conditions, it was still a successful event. The run/walk garners sup-
The 2021 run/walk was held virtually with dozens of participants completing their 5 km run or walk on their own time. Members of the HEARTS Commit- tee got together for their own 5 km walk along the traditional event route. Participants are (front row, left to right): Pam Starratt, Carolyn Woods, Sandra Woods, Krista Hall and Neal Shepherd. (Back row) Sarah deLange with sons Scott and Jackson, Annette Grasman, Carter Woods, Jane Cooper, Jim Hall and Erin Shepherd.
 por t throughout the community of FergusandElora.Localbusiness- eshelpadvertiseandoftendonate to the prize table. Corporate spon- sors cover more than the needed
costs of running the event, so that theentireamountofmoneyraised byrunners/walkersgoesdirectly to the schools in Haiti (and then some). Local citizens par ticipate
in the run, spreading awareness andsupportingthecause.The run/walkusuallydrawsin$9,000 to $12,000. This year, HEARTS is excited to host the event in person
once again.
More information about HEARTS and the schools they support can be found at standrewsfergus.com/haiti.
     The Rev. Robert Royal chatting with the “Sticker Station.” The puppy was SUE PHILLIPS
a mom while her daughter checks out also treated to a cookie. PHOTO CREDIT:
By the Rev. Rev. Robert Royal, St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Newmarket, Ont.
The “Lawn Chair Ministry” at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Newmarket, Ont., was conceived out of a need for churches to be creative with pastoral visits dur- ing the pandemic. For this rea- son, one of our ministers has been visiting with parishioners
outside on a lawn or patio. Yet as the pandemic continues, church- es have been closing, re-opening and closing again. What’s to be done?
In 2021, with Christ’s Great Commission leading the way, the “Chat & Prayer on Main Street” became an extension of the Lawn Chair Ministry. Thanks to a gen- erous member of the community, Brad Jones (who runs a karate
dojo in downtown Newmarket), we have been able to position ourselves and offer pastoral care for three hours on Newmarket’s Main Street every Saturday from May through October.
The purpose of this ministry is to better engage with the lo- cal community where they are. Many passersby have said, “Isn’t it nice to see the church takin’ it to the street.”
Chats & Prayer in Newmarket










































































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