Presbyterians Sharing
We Are Presbyterians Sharing – on YouTube
Through Presbyterians Sharing, we are making a difference in Canada and around the world. Our gifts help create, sustain and renew congregations in Canada. Together, we support inner city, native, refugee, urban, remote and chaplaincy ministries. We equip church leaders for Christian education, worship, evangelism, mission, stewardship, youth ministries and justice work. We train ministers and lay leaders through our theological colleges. We recruit and send mission personnel to serve our partners around the world, facilitate exchange visits and work with other churches in ecumenical partnerships. Together, we speak on issues important to us at national and international forums. Through Presbyterians Sharing, we make mission and ministry happen!
Mission Capsules
MALAWI: Worshipping together
Our gifts to Presbyterians Sharing support Mike and Debbie Burns as they serve the Blantyre Synod of the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian in Malawi. Debbie shares, “While we enjoy worshipping in St. James’ main church, we look forward to Sunday worship at one of the three prayer houses and weekly Wednesday evening services at the different mulagas (cottages). These services provide an intimate time for prayer, praise, study and fellowship, something that is difficult to obtain in a sanctuary filled with 700 people!” Let us pray for Mike, Debbie and the people of St. James as they share the good news of the gospel in Malawi.
CANADA: Supporting university students
Our gifts to Presbyterians Sharing help chaplaincies across Canada to support and reach out to students. McMaster University’s Ecumenical chaplaincy provides counseling, advocates for students in difficulty, and offers Christian worship. It also provides opportunities for students to get involved in social justice, anti-violence, poverty and prayer groups. McMaster’s Ecumenical Chaplain, The Rev. Dr. Carol Wood, is a Presbyterian minister. She enjoys the diversity of the McMaster community and the opportunity to walk with students through the challenges of their university experience. Let us pray for McMaster’s ecumenical chaplaincy as it provides a Christian presence on campus.
YOUTH IN MISSION: Transforming lives
Our gifts to Presbyterians Sharing support Youth in Mission. YIM allows youth to accompany Presbyterian mission partners in Canada and internationally through shortterm mission experiences. As these young people share in the mission of the church, they enhance their personal growth, learn skills and grow in their faith. In 2012, YIM is offering mission experiences in Taiwan, Israel/Palestine, the mission track at the Canada Youth conference, and the International AIDS Conference in Washington, DC. Let us pray for our youth who are leading in mission!
ROMANIA : Sharing the gift of language and music
Our gifts to Presbyterians Sharing support Brian Johnston as he serves the Theological Seminary of the Hungarian Reformed Church in Romania. Brian teaches English to first and second year Reformed and Lutheran students, with an emphasis on theological language. He has also established a choir of seminary students that travels extensively in Romania, sharing the good news through music and helping to strengthen the ties between Romanian and Hungarian communities. Let us pray for Brian as he works with upcoming leaders who are sharing the good news in Romania.
Hummingbird Ministries: Promoting peace, reconciliation and healing
Our gifts to Presbyterians Sharing support Hummingbird Ministries in Richmond, British Columbia. Through Hummingbird Ministries, First Nations people are reclaiming the sacred tradition of the healing Circle, restoring hope, freedom and justice for First Nations’ social, political and spiritual healing. Hummingbird Ministries encourages the spiritual healing of all people, including those alienated from the church. The ministry’s Peace through the Arts Project uses a diversity of arts – dance, singing, drumming, fabric – to provide the opportunity for both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal artists to establish relationships and promote peace, reconciliation and healing between First Nations communities and church communities.
PWS&D Bulletin Bit
Supporting Small-Scale Farmers with Seeds and Tools
Give a farmer seeds… and he can grow food to feed himself. Give a farmer tools… and she can feed her family. Give a farmer fertilizer… and he can feed the community. Give a farmer all three… and we can help change the world! PWS&D is helping small-scale, flood-affected farmers in the Swat region of Pakistan recover from devastating floods by providing seeds, tools and fertilizer in order to boost agricultural production and feed their families. You can help overcome hunger and poverty today with a gift of only $130 to support a farming family in need.
A Chance for Children in Afghanistan
It’s not easy being a teacher in Afghanistan, a country with a youth literacy rate of only 34%. Since PWS&D’s partner began working in the area, head teacher Mohammad has seen a substantial increase in the number of children attending his school. Students receive textbooks and supplies to reduce the costs for families, teachers receive training and program staff raise awareness in the community of the importance of education. Mohammad is thrilled to see how the school has been a positive influence on the lives of so many. This Advent season, you can help children around the world build brighter and more peaceful futures through support of PWS&D.
Thank You for Supporting East Africa
Presbyterians in Canada have once again responded with gifts of hope during a time of crisis. Over $650,000 has been raised for PWS&D’s East Africa drought appeal in support of life-saving programs in Somalia, Kenya, Ethiopia and Tanzania that are providing food, shelter, clean water, hygiene kits, agricultural training and psychosocial support to refugees and affected communities. Please continue to keep East Africa in your prayers. On behalf of the hundreds of thousands of people being supported by your gifts—thank you for your generosity. www.presbyterian.ca/pwsd
Canadian Christians Invited to “Fast for Change” on World Food Day – October 16
Global food and economic crisis have caused an unprecedented 1 billion people in the world to suffer from chronic hunger and malnourishment. You are invited to participate in the Canadian Foodgrains Bank “Fast for Change” to stand up against this kind of inequality and injustice. Taking time to fast from food or other forms of consumption offers us an opportunity to reflect on why some people in the world will be forced to go to bed hungry tonight. Learn more about these issues with PWS&D’s Fast for Change resource kit, with activities for your church, small group, youth group and Sunday school.
Government of Canada Calls for Iraqi Refugee Sponsors
Since the Iraq conflict began in 2003, more than 6.5 million Iraqis have been uprooted from their homes. Outside of their homeland, they lack legal status, have limited access to employment and education, and face uncertainty and threats of violence. The Canadian government is offering resettlement to Canada for some of these refugees, and your congregation can help! Some refugees already have family members living in Canada and wish to join them. To learn more, contact Carolyn Vanderlip, PWS&D’s Refugee Program Coordinator (1-800-619-7301 ext. 249 or [email protected]).
Committed to Success in Malawi
Through years of dedicated teamwork and long-term development programs, PWS&D and overseas program partners are committed to helping impoverished communities become more self-sufficient. As a young leader, mother and farmer in northern Malawi, Florence Shawa understands the value of commitment. Through a PWS&D program in her area, Florence is discovering how to overcome chronic food shortages and malnutrition by learning the importance of vitamins, crop diversification and how to increase yields. Florence’s commitment to applying her knowledge has been invaluable in improving the lives of her family members. You have the opportunity to participate in these life-changing partnerships by making monthly contributions from your bank account or credit card through PWS&D’s Direct Share monthly giving program. Visit www.presbyterian.ca/pwsd/givemonthly to learn more.
Samaritan’s Purse Canada
is the Canadian arm of a nondenominational evangelical Christian organization that has been providing spiritual and physical aid to hurting people around the world since 1970.
One of the avenues of contribution is through Operation Christmas Child, a fun and easy way to make a difference in a child’s life at Christmas time. The collection centre for these Christmas shoe boxes for the regional area of Argenteuil, is at the Margaret Rodger Memorial Presbyterian Church.
