Page 18 - Presbyterian Connection

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PRESBYTERIAN
SUMMER 2024
presbyterian.ca
Celebrating Eid Al-Fitr in Hamilton
By Mark Lewis, Interim-Moderator, St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church in Hamilton, Ont.
The Sunday school rooms at St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church in Hamilton, Ont., are filled with chil- dren again. During my last visit, the children were in full celebra- tion mode. The boys and girls wore their sharpest clothes. The room was decorated with bal- loons and lanterns—all symbols of unity, compassion and faith. The laughing children celebrated with games, contests, crafts and, of course, the search for candy and chocolate. It was like the Easter mornings that I remember from my childhood.
But this was not Easter; it was a celebration of Eid Al-Fitr, the joyful breaking of the fast after the month of Ramadan.
In 2023, St. Paul’s became the home of the Al Amal Learning Centre, an after-school gather-
ing place for children newly ar- rived in Canada from Afghanistan and Syria. Al Amal supports the children in all subjects, particu- larly emphasizing the English lan- guage and Canadian culture. The school’s Director, Mayada Abu Shanab, confided in me that while the school is concerned with the children’s academic success, they are even more concerned with helping the children cope with the trauma of having wit- nessed war, death and violence in their home countries. In a world where ethnic hatred is becoming normalized, it is a joy and privi- lege for St. Paul’s to provide a safe and loving space for these children.
As the meal was finishing, Mayada told the children, “There can be no food wasted...there are people in the world who are starving.” Our moms told us the same thing, and we likely sighed or rolled our eyes, but these chil-
St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church in Hamilton, Ont.
Connection
dren received the message with great solemnity. Mayada is Pal- estinian; she knows about starva- tion. The children know that the hungry people are not unknown strangers but their own cousins, aunts and uncles.
It is a joy to speak with the children. Many have experienced so much suffering. Most have arrived in Canada without hav- ing attended school, but now they are filled with light, joy and
good ambitions. As the evening was closing, one of the little girls came to me and said, “Thank you for letting us be here; we feel safe here.” What a wonderful testi- mony to the value of a loving and open Christian church.
St. Paul’s Hamilton is dedicated to missional transformation. We no longer ask, “How can we get more people? How can we get more money?” We ask, “Who needs our help that no one else
is helping? How can we use our resources to build the Kingdom of God where every person is equal and the dignity of all is honoured?”
Outreach Grants Reaching the Community
By the Rev. Dr. Teresa Charlton, Knox Presbyterian Church in Vernon, B.C., and Clerk for the Presbytery of Kamloops
The Presbytery of Kamloops was one of presbyteries of the Synod of British Columbia who were recent benefactors of the former Presbyterian Extension Fund and the Presbyterian Innovation Min- istries, which were established to expand the work of the church in British Columbia. When the mon- ey arrived for the presbytery’s consideration, the Rev. Emery Cawsey suggested that the pres-
bytery use this unexpected wind- fall in a meaningful way that was different than the way the presby- tery currently distributed grants.
The presbytery decided that the money would be used to fi- nance larger outreach projects to help congregations kickstart their ministry and mission work in their respective communities. The money would finance a project or the hiring of a part-time person to engage the community in new way. Money could not be used to finance the church budget or an existing program.
At Knox Vernon, an Outreach
Grant was approved to support the hiring of a part-time individual to visit the many local retirement homes and long-term care facili- ties, offering hymn sings, coffee and conversation, and conducting special events. With the support of volunteers from Knox, the hope is that this program will continue to serve the most frail and fragile of our city and build bridges to welcome seniors and their fami- lies to the life of Knox.
In Kelowna, Mountainview Presbyterian Church has used a grant to employ an Outreach Worker to create small groups
The Rev. Dr. Teresa Charlton officially welcomed Don McCaig to the position of Outreach Worker at Knox Presbyterian Church in Vernon, B.C., during worship on St. Patrick’s Day. Don grew up at Knox, and while he currently worships with his family at another church in Vernon, he attends Knox once a month to pro- vide the congregation with an update on his activities, encouraging volunteers from the pews to join in his expanding work.
and build up small ministries alongside the existing congrega- tion. Hoping for four active small groups this year, the program has already expanded to six small groups.
And in Penticton, the recent closure of the United Church in
town left many seasoned wor- shippers at sea about their faith future. The hiring of an Outreach Worker to provide pastoral care to these individuals has meant a fill- ing of the pews at St. Andrew’s, as many now worship together with the existing congregation.
Find worship planners, lectionary resources, special prayers and seasonal resources at presbyterian.ca/worship