March News 2023
45.4 lbs. of grocery items were brought to Chalmers Community Services in March. As always, they were very grateful. They have seen an increase in the number of clients accessing their services. Last week, 200 people came to their small centre on Willow Road. Heartfelt thanks from Chalmers and their clients!
World Renew is responding to Cyclone Freddy in Southern Africa. Their website describes the current conditions there: “We will be responding to support those left most vulnerable in the wake of extreme weather. Cyclone Freddy developed over the Indian Ocean more than a month ago and made landfall in southern Africa three times in the last few days. Cyclone Freddy, one of the longest-lived storms ever recorded in the Southern Hemisphere, if not the whole world, created havoc in Madagascar, Mozambique, and Malawi, killing and injuring hundreds of people with many others unaccounted for, and leaving tens of thousands displaced. The cyclone caused severe flooding and landslides that washed away roads which is now making it difficult for rescue teams to deliver much needed food and medical assistance to the displaced.” You can donate through their website https://worldrenew.ca/cyclonefreddy or through Water Street Church. Please earmark your gift for Cyclone Freddy.
This month, the Deacons sent a donation of $1,000. to support them in their work with 30 other Christian denominations to work towards ending world hunger. We have approved a benevolence policy which will serve as a guide as we respond to requests for support.
February News 2023
There have been some requests for rides to church, and congregants have responded wonderfully when asked to help out. However, it would be good to have a few people willing to help out if a regular driver is away or on the fifth Sunday of the month. If you can help with this, contact one of the deacons.
With the closing of the local Beginnings office, the deacons are now supporting Michael House. Their mission is to provide shelter and support to pregnant and parenting women and their children in need. Barb van de Hoef and Mary Blydorp visited their site on Bristol Street, and after a tour of the facility, they had an informative chat with Karen Kamphuis, their director, and Erwin Van Laar, director of stewardship.
This month the deacons will send a donation to World Renew for their general fund.
January News 2023
Sovann Neth who works for World Renew in Cambodia sent greetings for a blessed Christmas and New Year. Pray for Sovann as he works with his fellow Cambodians in the areas of food security, sustainable livelihoods, health, and other initiatives.
Jacynthe Vaillancourt is a Resonate Global Missions missionary who serves as the Mission Montreal coordinator. She expresses gratitude for the prayers of supporters. Youth Church was able to relaunch with teenagers and young adults involved in playing music, leading in prayer and serving the community under the guidance of engaged youth leaders. Mission Montreal worked with Christian network to organize a prayer walk before Christmas. Please continue to pray for Jacynthe and Mission Montreal as they show the light of Jesus in their neighbourhoods.
With our gifts as part of the Christmas offering, we were able to purchase 28 beehives. This gift will allow families to earn a steady income between harvests in addition to having honey year-round. Bees also increase crop production by pollinating fruits and vegetables around the hive. Gifts received for the Benevolence Fund will allow the Deacons to continue to meet specific requests from individuals either within our Water Street Church community or in the community of Guelph.
The deacons made a schedule for the gifts we make on behalf of Water Street Church to various ministries. With the Beginnings Centre in Guelph closed, we are now supporting Michael House.