St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Cambridge was featured in a recent CBC News article about community gardens.
Credit to Cameron Mahler, CBC News.
Spotlight
St. James Red Shed Event
“We did it AGAIN!!!!
What a wonderful successful event! Thank you everyone – the committee, all the volunteers and those who attended. We visited, laughed, listened to wonderful music by Jason Lamont, played in the bouncy castle ( well some did) and of course we were all well fed. Some even played in the rain and got soaking wet. All the while the rest of us kept dry in our wonderful Red Shed!
Ryan Erb from United Way attended and helped us understand the program we were supporting, Thank you all!!! Thanks to all of our volunteers from age 6 to 80ish we raised over $4000 to assist the Stratford Connection Centre under the umbrella of the United Way Perth Huron. “The Connection Centre is a housing-based program staffed by Housing Stability and Peer Outreach Workers and supported by well trained volunteers. Workers collaborate with community partners to provided wrap-around supports including trauma-informed care, substance use and mental health counselling, as well as basic needs for those experiencing homelessness or who are otherwise vulnerable.”
In fewer words, this centre is Voluntary empowering participants with dignity and choice, Client-centred focusing on access to basic needs and building trust with participants and Housing Focused with the goal to return people to permanent accommodation as quickly as possible.
The following is a note from one of our members/volunteers:
“Last night’s red shed fundraising meal at St. James Perth East was a ton of fun. So many hands made it such a special night, and it was wonderful to hear Ryan Erb from the Huron Perth United Way speak about where the proceeds of our event would be put towards.
We raised funds for the Stratford Connections Centre, heard beautiful music from the very talented Jason Lamont, and enjoyed a delicious pork and corn roast dinner. So much love and care was involved in the preparation and facilitation of this special event, and I’m so proud to be part of such a caring and loving community. Well done everyone!!”
Submitted by Beth Schlueter
2SLGBTQI Unity Statement
As we come to the conclusion of #pridemonth2023, Bishop Michael Pryse has shared the following video.
How does God feel about Queer People?We asked ministers from denominations all over Canada to find out. Here’s what they said: God loves Queer People. The idea that all Canadian churches are hostile to the queer community is simply false, as these ministers and Moderators of the major denominations make clear. So what can you do? Contact your local politicians and let them know you do not condone hatred against queer people. Share it on social media and post this video to your church website. Let the world know that God is love, and God loves people of all sexualities and genders.
This video was produced after a Unity Statement was signed by over 800 Christian Leaders from every province, the Northwest Territories and the Yukon, in support of our 2SLGBTQI community members. You can read the statement here: https://shiningwatersregionalcouncil.ca/equity/affirming/ecumenical-christian-unity-statement/
New Director of Public Policy & Service Ministries
Bishop Pryse is delighted to announce that Rafael Rodriguez will serve as our next Director of Public Policy and Service Ministries effective July 1, 2023. Rafael is a member of Redeemer, London, and is passionate about the work of racial justice, reconciliation, and environmental stewardship! He will be working in a 25% time position and providing staff support to social justice ministries previously overseen by Rev. Christie Morrow-Wolfe, Assistant to the Bishop.
In accepting this position, Rafael remarked, “As a young adult, I have grown up in relatively tumultuous times, and that in turn created a passion for studying issues related to social justice and the policy options available to remedy them. To be able to transition from merely understanding these issues to being in a position to work with the Eastern Synod to support its member congregations in tackling these challenges we all face is a dream come true for myself, and I cannot wait to get to work. My hope is to bring a fresh set of eyes and ideas to this position, and to support all congregations in taking the Synod to the forefront of the fight for justice. I am sure our community of faith is capable of this task and can be a part of the change that is needed right now.”
Of this new appointment, Bishop Michael said, “I am so very pleased to welcome Rafael Rodriguez to the Eastern Synod staff team. Rafael is deeply committed to advancing our church’s social justice initiatives and encouraging us to be more engaged in ministries that can impact our broader communities. As a young adult lay leader, I am hoping he will give voice to new perspectives that have not been given enough attention in the past. Rafael’s leadership within the life of our synod is a refreshing sign of hope!”
Please join us in welcoming Rafael to this new role. He can be reached at rrodriguez@elcic.ca.
St. Paul’s, Listowel Digital Archive Request
Plans for St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Listowel’s 150th Anniversary as a congregation are now underway, and a committee is being formed to share ideas and begin the planning process for this special time (2024-2025) in the history of the congregation
We Need Your Help!
Our 150th anniversary plans include building a digital archive of events and special moments in the history of Listowel’s congregation. To do this, we need members past and present to help by providing us with photos of weddings, baptisms, confirmations, church meetings, picnics and any other events hosted by St. Paul’s Listowel. Other items that would be appreciated would be copies of certificates for our records especially baptism and confirmation and certificates. If you have scanned copies of these items, please send them to stpaul150listowel@yahoo.com
We ask that you share the above request and information to family, friends, neighbours or others who may have been a member or associated with St. Paul’s Listowel over the years so we can gather as much information and documentation as possible to share as part of our 150th celebrations.
The Red Dress Journey
The Eastern Synod’s Circle for Reconciliation and Justice has been working on a project to engage the entire Synod in awareness, action and a deepening understanding of the impact of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two Spirit People (MMIWG2S+).
The Red Dress Journey is an interactive display that will be making its way around the Synod to as many congregations as possible where it is the hope that you will invite others to engage in meaningful ways with the art and red dress, worship resources and other suggestions and opportunities which will come to you in a resource binder.
We recognize that many people are in different places along the journey of reconciliation. The opportunities and resources which are carefully articulated in the accompanying resource binder are meant to give each congregation a meaningful way to engage, dialogue, think, pray and act around the ongoing tragedy of murdered and missing Indigenous Women and Girls and Two Spirit People which continues to plague this country.
It is our hope that congregations and individuals will listen, reflect and then act to be voices of advocacy and change. If you would like to see the contents of the resource binder to begin your own planning and preparation for hosting the Red Dress, please see the attachments below.