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Connection
MISSION AND OUTREACH
Welcoming the Most Marginalized
32
PRESBYTERIAN
SPRING 2023
presbyterian.ca
  Amanda at The Raw Carrot.
By Diane Talbot-Schoenhoff, Director of Communications and Outreach at The Raw Carrot Soup Enterprise
Amanda was a friendly 13-year- old who loved to play with kids and volunteer in the church nurs- ery. She was loyal, punctual and reliable. She also had a mild intel- lectual disability and couldn’t read past a Grade 3 level. It seemed she was headed straight into the social services system like her parents.
When Amanda was completing high school, a concerned adult mentor at church, Rebecca, in- quired on her behalf about an em- ployment training agency that of- fered job readiness skills. Rebecca drove Amanda to the program twice a week for six months. At the endoftheprogram,Amandahad three interviews, but no job mate- rialized.
There were a number of peo- ple like Amanda at the church— people who were marginalized because of intellectual or mental health challenges, or physical dif- ferences—some who had to ac- cess the church benevolent fund to make ends meet. While they had the potential and expressed a desire to work, they faced mul- tiple employment barriers in the
traditional workplace. Moved by compassion, Rebecca and Colleen created a social enterprise out of the church kitchen to fill the em- ployment gaps.
Breaking down employment barriers Previously suppor ted by a bequest from The Presbyterian Church in Canada, The Raw Carrot Soup En- terprise is breaking down employ- ment barriers by providing per- manent, par t-time jobs for people with disAbilities. The organization believes every person who wants to work should have the oppor- tunity for a “hand up,” instead of only a handout in life. It partners with churches and nonprofits across Ontario to create delicious, handcrafted gourmet soups that are sold in local stores, markets and online.
Imagine living your entire life on the fringe of society because of your differences—not feeling accepted in schools, restaurants, workplaces and even in some churches. Sadly, that’s the reality for many people with disabilities. “In their lives, some have been mocked because of their ‘disabili- ties’ or made to feel they aren’t good enough, or have nothing to offer,” said Jennifer Klassen, The Raw Carrot, Kitchener.
The global pandemic com- pounded these challenges. Fear of illness, loss of income and so- cial isolation amplified their barri- ers. But, for The Raw Carrot staff, the pandemic brought a renewed sense of significance and belong- ing. “Because of the pandemic, they were told that they are es- sential workers (supporting food manufacturing) so were able to work. Can you imagine what that message can do for someone?” said Klassen.
The Canadian Survey on Dis- ability reports that 22% of Ca- nadians aged 15 and older have a disability, while 50% of people who are food insecure have a dis- ability. According to the Canadian Human Rights Commission, 86% of Canadians reported Canada is doing a poor job promoting the rights of people with disabilities.
While Canada is one of the world’s wealthiest countries, mil- lions live on the margins. Many have physical or mental limita- tions, are functionally illiterate, or grew up in families of abuse and neglect. Those who are ex- cluded from the paid workforce and community life suffer from poverty, social exclusion and a harm to dignity. Despite these impairments, the differently abled are just as much a part of our communities as anyone else and deserve the same opportunities to flourish.
A biblical response
A scan of the Bible reveals at least 75 verses related to disabilities alone and over 2,000 references to the poor. From the beginning, Genesis 1:27 teaches us that eve- ry person is made in the image of God and is worthy of love, respect and dignity. “I praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm139:14).Throughoutthe scriptures, Jesus shows no par ti- ality and models perfect compas- sion to the outcasts and disabled (Galatians 3:28). In fact, God’s law demands that we “Love your neighbour as yourself” (James 2:8) and Micah 6:5 compels us, “To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
In a recent interview with Dwayne Milley, Christian Horizons Vice President of Operations, he
shared his hear t for disability the- ology. He points out that 1 Corin- thians 12 speaks to the body being one and having many members and that the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispen- sable, “...but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honoured, all rejoice together” (1 Corinthians 12:25-26).
Dwayne also reminds us of Luke 14:13–14, “But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crip- pled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they can- not repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”
“If one in five or 22% of Ca- nadians have disabilities,” said Dwayne, “that means in a church of 100 people there would be at least 20. And everyone in your congregation knows at least someone with a disability. If these people aren’t included, the church is missing out on their gifts and talents, along with those of their families.”
How is your church showing inclusion?
By taking the initiative to show compassion and promote inclu- sion, the church can play a vital role in creating a more equitable andjustsociety.Areyouawareof the disabled in your midst, keeping in mind that most disabilities are invisible or many people with dis- abilities may be unable or too in- timidated to attend church? Aside from providing accessible parking, ramps and washrooms, does your church foster a welcoming attitude towards people with physical and intellectual challenges?
Pastor Paul Mar tin, Senior Pas- tor at Grace Fellowship Church in Toronto, teaches on the necessity
of welcoming the weak in a series for the Gospel Coalition Canada. He says that many churches struggle to understand how to serve and be served by those with disabilities. He offers biblical and practical advice to ensure the whole body of Christ can worship and serve alongside one another.
As for Amanda, she still likes her job: “It’s pretty happy in The Raw Carrot kitchen,” she said. Being able to work has changed her life by giving her money to help with bills, food, pets, groceries and buying things for her mom.
You can learn more about The Raw Carrot’s work by visiting therawcarrot.com; Christian Ho- rizons at christianhorizons.org. For biblical teaching on disability, visit thegospelcoalition.org and theguildelight.org. For poverty rights, visit maytree.com. Statis- tics Canada for Canadian Survey on Disability, statscan.gc.ca. The United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, ohchr.org. For latest research on employment barriers for people with disabilities, visit cardus.ca.
    104th Ringing of Peace Bell in Kincardine
By Mike Chreptyk, elder, Knox Presbyterian Church in Kincardine, Ont.
On November 11, 1918, the bells rang out throughout Canada, an- nouncing the end of World War I and the restoration of peace and freedom in our world. This was the first ringing of the “Peace Bells.” On November 11, 2018, the bells rang out again across all of Cana- da for the 100th Anniversary of the
ringing of the “Peace Bells” and Knox Presbyterian Church in Kin- cardine, Ont., par ticipated.
In fact, for the past four years, on November 11, Knox Church Kincardine continues to ring their “Peace Bell” to acknowledge the sacrifice made by the tens of thousands of young Canadians who never returned from the bat- tlefields. In 1914, the population of Kincardine was about 2,000. Many of our citizens volunteered
to serve our country in World War I—36 of those volunteers never returned.
In Nov. 2022, the ceremony was accompanied by music appropri- ate for the occasion. The Kincar- dine Secondary School Choir sang “A Wish for Peace.” Our soloist, John Low, sang “Hallelujah,” and our Scottish Pipers, accompanied by the church organ, did a stirring rendition of “Highland Cathedral.” The presence of six Kincardine Le-
gion Flag Bearers made a positive impact on the ceremony. Veterans and children from our community rang the “Peace Bell” 104 times with poppies flowing throughout the church. The Rev. Dan West closed out the ceremony with prayer.
The ceremony was held on Fri- day, November 11 from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. Everyone in the com- munity was invited, and it was well attended.
 



























































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