St. John's Outreach
As a church we financially support Alongside Hope (formerly Primate's World Relief and Development Fund), a relief and development fund run by the national church. The money is used to further ongoing programs throughout the world, including some in indigenous communities in Canada. These projects include drilling wells, assisting small farmers with seed and livestock and providing start-up funding for cottage industries. When needed contributions are made for disaster and refugee relief. Our congregation contributes financially to the diocesan outreach organization FaithWorks which directs funding to programs that aid marginalized people.
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In the recent past we have sponsored two refugee families; one from Iraq living in a camp in Syria, and the second from Liberia living in a camp in the Ivory Coast.
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We also support local programs that minister to marginalized people in our community and in Peterborough (e.g., Millbrook Food Share, Street Hope, One City, One Roof Diner). This support is both financial and as volunteers.
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In addition, a couple in our congregation operate a ministry in Belize that assists families and communities by financing children’s education, food programs and local agricultural initiatives. We also save pop cans for “The Can Man” who sells them for their value as aluminum. The money is donated to Sleeping Children of the World to buy bed kits.
What can I do to help?
Emergency Appeal
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In Cuba, Hurricane Melissa brought destruction, leaving flooding, power outages, and heavy damage to homes and infrastructure. The storm forced the evacuation of thousands, with more than 181,000 people already receiving emergency food distributions while sheltered. Many Cuban communities remain isolated and without basic services, which is complicating rescue and recovery efforts. Despite these challenges, international and local partners continue to work together to deliver aid to those most affected by the hurricane’s impact.
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Alongside Hope has provided $15,000 solidarity grant to the Episcopal Church in Cuba in response to the deadly and devastating impact of Hurricane Melissa. A longtime partner in the country, the ECC is well placed to support people with the greatest needs in finding safety and emergency supplies.
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On October 20, after days of anticipation and repeated deferrals of the expected landfall, Hurricane Melissa struck Jamaica as a category five hurricane. Alongside Hope has been monitoring the situation and is in contact with the Anglican Church in Jamaica. Naba Gurung, Alongside Hope’s Humanitarian Response Coordinator, reports that discussions are underway to mount a response in Jamaica with the Anglican Alliance, of which Alongside Hope is a founding member.
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Please pray for the people of Jamaica and other parts of the Caribbean who were affected by Hurricane Melissa.
You can support Alongside Hope’s Emergency Response Fund directly through the Alongside Hope website, or by donation through St. John's. Simply place your donations in the offering plate, designating your givings to "Hurricane Melissa."
CHRISTMAS COOKIES!
Christmas cookies are now available for sale in the parish hall
to raise money for One City, Peterborough.
The cost is $10 for a baker's dozen!
We ask that you please remember those in our neighbourhood having difficulties keeping food on the table by donating food items. Place any donations in the giant basket by the coatracks in the parish hall entrance. Donations support Millbrook Foodshare and the Omemee Food Bank.
