Missions we Support

CANADA: Presbytery of West Toronto

Our gifts to Presbyterians Sharing help support Stonegate Community Ecumenical Ministry in Etobicoke, Ontario. Stonegate ministers mainly to low income households and single parent families. Many have recently arrived in Canada. Stonegate is working to address the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of individuals and families, and to ensure that everyone in the community is treated with justice and Christian compassion. “Women’s Time”, a friendship and support, provides a safe environment where of all ages women can come together for a time of prayer, spiritual reflection, and emotional support. Let us pray for the important work that is being done through Stonegate, in the name of Christ.

Our gifts to Presbyterians Sharing support Flora House, part of Winnipeg Inner City Missions (WICM). The north end of Winnipeg is a challenging environment for families raising children. Gangs, violence, drugs, alcohol, gambling and bullying are just some of the issues faced. Flora House is dedicated to creating a safe place in the community where the special needs of children and youth are nurtured and supported. It offers an after-school program, a “learn and play” program for caregivers with young children, a summer camp, and a computer training program for older youth. It also offers drop-in services for adults, including free phone and internet access. Let us pray for Flora House as it reaches out to encourage, embrace and empower people in inner city Winnipeg.

Our gifts to Presbyterians Sharing support Murray Garvin as he teaches English at Yu Shan Theological College and Seminary in Taiwan. Yu Shan was founded by The Presbyterian Church in Taiwan in 1946 to train leaders within the aboriginal church. It was built on the side of a mountain by students, teachers and church volunteers. Students are still involved in the upkeep and maintenance of the school, learning skills such as gardening, cleaning and building rock walls. These skills keep them in touch with the life of the mountain villages where they will minister, and help them to supplement their incomes when they graduate. Murray has been teaching at Yu Shan for five years, and enjoys building relationships with his students. Let us pray for Murray and for the teachers and students at Yu Shan.

18 March, 2009: Warsaw: Hungarian church leaders have warned that their country faces violence and breakdown in the face of unemployment and dislocation brought by the current financial meltdown. “We were already in bad shape before this global crisis, and we are now affected more deeply than other countries in our region”, explained the Rev. Balazs Odor, ecumenical officer of the Reformed Church in Hungary, which comprises about one fifth of the country’s 9.9 million citizens.

‘Truth commission’ to examine poverty in Scotland – 19 Mar., Edinburgh: Scotland’s main Protestant church is to host a hearing on poverty, modeled after the post-apartheid Truth and Reconciliation Commission of South Africa. The Poverty Truth Commission will offer people with firsthand experience of the credit crunch an opportunity to talk about losing their homes or jobs with those who can only imagine what it is like to be truly destitute.

Our gifts to Presbyterians Sharing support Saskatoon Native Circle Ministry. Directed by The Rev. Stewart Folster, SNCM invites people from all walks of life to its healing circle and worship services, and provides a place of belonging for many who live on the margins of society. In November, SNCM moved into its new facility, and Stewart is excited that they can now offer a place where people of all nations can call home. The grand opening and dedication service is planned for April 26, 2009. Let us pray for those who find friendship, food and shelter at SNCM, and for the staff who are providing this vital ministry to those in need.

Our gifts to Presbyterians Sharing . . . support McMaster Campus Ministries in Hamilton, Ontario. When Kim first came to the Chaplaincy Centre in her first year of university, she was feeling lost, anxious and alone. This visit marked the beginning of a relationship that lasted for her entire university experience. Kim believes that the chaplaincy kept her in school. A committed Catholic, Kim expanded her horizons as she learned from the ecumenical and collegial environment at the Chaplaincy Centre. She made lasting friendships as she helped facilitate a discussion group, and volunteered with chapel services and exam hospitality. She has begun a Master of Divinity program. Let us pray for campus ministries across Canada as they offer a quiet space, a friendly welcome, and Christian hospitality to students.

Our gifts to Presbyterians Sharing . . . support the Rev. Edward (Ed) Hoekstra as he works with the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian (CCAP) as Associate Minister of St. Columba CCAP Church in Blantyre, Malawi. Ed is accompanied by his wife Jackie and two of their five children, Jacob and Nico. From September through December 2008, the Hoekstras studied the Chichewa language and visited and spoke in many churches throughout the Blantyre Synod. In January, Ed was inducted at St. Columba's, joining senior minister Rev. Thomas Maseya in ministry. Ed is involved in all areas of pastoral ministry at the church, but has special responsibility for the English language service. Let us pray for the Hoekstras as they adjust to life in a new country. Learn more by reading Jackie’s letters online at letters

Our gifts to Presbyterians Sharing support Mary Gorombey as she works with the Reformed Church in Hungary’s School Integration Program, helping refugee students integrate into life in Hungary. Her one-on-one tutoring helps the students succeed in school. She walks with both refugee and Hungarian students to help bridge the gap between cultures. By accompanying those with undetermined residency status to refugee hearings, she encourages them through the process and is there for them if the hearings end with a negative result. When students are sick, Mary accompanies them to health care facilities, translating and advocating on their behalf. She also spends time just having fun with them, going to movies and visiting museums and other places of cultural interest in Budapest – an important ministry for people who have too often only known pain and conflict. Let us pray for Mary as she cares for refugee youth in Hungary.

Our gifts to Presbyterians Sharing support Louise Gamble as she works with the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan teaching English at Tam Kang High School in Taipei. One of the earliest educational institutions in Taiwan, Tam Kang is a private Christian high school seeking to present a strong Christian image to all students. Louise teaches English conversation classes to all grades, and Biblical courses to senior classes. Let us pray for Louise as she shares her gift of teaching with students at Tam Kang.

Our gifts to Presbyterians sharing support Hummingbird Ministries in Richmond, British Columbia. Hummingbird Ministries seeks ways of walking with First Nations people to help them overcome unique challenges. It listens to what is important for people in ministry, incorporating into worship First Nations ways that are spiritually and liturgically meaningful. The ministry's Sacred Circle reflects the worldview of First Nations, and its inherent principles are in line with those of the Church - love and respect for one another, equality, living harmoniously in the community. The liturgy includes drums and prayer songs in both English and First Nations languages. As we support Presbyterians sharing let us pray for Hummingbird Ministries as it walks with First Nations people on a journey towards healing and reconciliation.

Mission: KENYA

Through Presbyterians Sharing we support Dr. Richard Allen, a community health physician working with the Presbyterian Church or East Africa (PCEA) in Kenya. Rick devotes most of his time to participating in HIV/Aids training programs, the emphasis of which is prevention. To date, 350 lay persons have completed a one month Trainer of Trainers course. They have then gone on to lead courses for over 17,000 community AIDS educators who in tern create awareness about HIV and AIDS within the church and community. Courses are also being held to educate ministers on the PCEA’s policy on HIV/AIDS. Because of these courses, there is an ever increasing recognition of the policy by ministers, elders and church members. As we support Presbyterians Sharing let us pray for Richard as he participates in this vital work with our partner church in Kenya.

Presbytery of Peace River

Through Presbyterians Sharing we help support Knox Presbyterian Church in Wanham, Alberta. Knox is a small, rural congregation that is moving forward in its ministry with strength, commitment and hope despite major financial setbacks that have come in the form of recent building repairs. The congregation is seeking outside resources to help them in their ongoing ministry. They have met with ministers from the Calgary presbytery to help them take a more focused look at what is happening in their congregation, and hosted Herb Gale in a workshop on Planned Giving.

Centre 507

507 Bank Street
Ottawa, ON K2P 1Z5
(613) 233-5626 Centre 507 website

Centre 507 is a adult drop-in program downtown Ottawa. We are dedicated to helping individuals who are homeless, or at risk of becoming homeless, as well as people who are socially isolated. Some issues that our participants deal with are; chronic unemployment, mental illness, addicitions, isolation, and homelessness.

At Centre 507 we provide many programs and services including; daily snacks, hygeine supplies, life skills development, crisis intervention, and outreach.

Links to 'Raising the Roof': ottawatoques@gmail.com ; Raising the Roof Website