Share the gift of God's love with needy children in the Americas, Africa, Asia and Eastern Europe by taking part in Operation Christmas Child. Everyone can participate by filling one or more shoeboxes. You might also include a Christmas card to send personal greetings. Our next campaign will be in October and early November 2005.
A little white house with a clay roof is set out in our Narthex each week to collect pennies. These pennies, and other designated donations are sent to India to aid small villages south of Madras in the building of houses and schools and to help with badly needed health, housing, and education programs.
Our 2005 Lenten campaign and donations after the tsunami amounted to $1815.00, which was recently sent to Savithri Devanesen (director of Roofs). Savithri expressed her thanks for our congregation's interest and support at a time when support and encouragement is badly needed. We are happy to be able to help an organization that is playing such a crucial role in the lives of needy people in this area not only in housing but in education and agriculture. Roofs’ Annual Report which gives us specifics of the activities supported and any correspondence are always posted on the Outreach bulletin board in the hall. Stop by and see what your donations have accomplished.
This picture shows the old and the new ..... what your pennies can do!!
We collect used eyeglasses and hearing aids and turn them over to LensCrafters for delivery to third world countries.
In December our congregation sponsors a blood donor clinic at the Glen Abbey Recreation Centre and offers not only donors but also volunteers who help with the organization and serve refreshments.
The Kerr Street Market is a place where local residents with physical, emotional or spiritual needs find warm and friendly support. Our church is involved three times a year by preparing and serving lunch to a group of physically disabled adults that meet weekly at this Kerr Street location. Members of the congregation are invited to participate by donating or preparing food or by helping serve and socialize during the luncheon.
The availability of food for those who cannot afford it is a growing increasing need. We encourage support for our local food banks on an ongoing basis and provide a grocery cart in our Narthex each Sunday to receive donations. To focus more attention on this need, we are encouraging our members to bring an item of food when they come to the monthly communion service, which is generally the first Sunday of the month. God feeds us spiritually and in turn we need to feed our neighbours.
Our community has two shelters that house women and their children fleeing abusive situations. Our church holds an annual Mother's Day collection of toiletries as well as new and gently used bed and bath linens for the shelter. We also offer donations of 'furry friends' (stuffed animals) collected as White Gifts at Christmas for the shelter as they like to give every child who arrives at their door a new stuffed toy that's good for cuddling.
On Father's Day each year, we collect necessities, used clothing this past year and toiletries the year before, for the men who are trying to turn their lives around at this residential treatment centre for males with addictions.
Furniture and appliances you no longer want can go to someone in need by calling St. Vincent de Paul @ 1 905 549-3902. They will pick up these items in Oakville on the last Wednesday of each month.
CareNotes
A display in our Narthex offers CareNotes booklets for anyone seeking help and hope for times when life hurts. There are comforting words to be found on such topics as:
| Finding God in Pain or Illness | |
| Overcoming Everyday Anxiety | |
| Struggling to Balance Work & Family | |
| ....and many others. |
This ministry provides casseroles for congregational families who are coping with illness or bereavement. The casseroles are donated by members of our congregation, are kept in the church freezer, and are delivered by our ministers when they are needed.