March 12, 2025 Announcements

With support from Presbyterians Sharing, Tyndale St-Georges Community Centre in Montreal, QC offers a March Break Camp and Summer Day Camps that are more than just fun and games; they are vital avenues for learning, growth, and community connection. These programs provide a safe and engaging environment where children not only enjoy exciting activities and real-life skills, but also enhance their literacy skills through initiatives like the Literacy Camp in the summer. Beyond the immediate joy, these camps play a crucial role in fostering social and skills development, teamwork, and personal confidence.

Wednesday, March 12 We pray for Presbyterian certified candidates at Vancouver School of Theology preparing for ordained ministry and supported in their studies by St. Andrew’s Hall.

Thursday, March 13 We pray for international students at the Presbyterian Colleges who are far from family and friends. We pray that they sense God’s presence in a special way during times of grief and sadness.

Friday, March 14 We pray for the Rev. Dr. Ary Fernández Albán in his first year as Rector of Seminario Evangélico de Teología in Matanzas, Cuba.

Saturday, March 15 We pray that the staff and faculty at Knox College will find joy in their work.

Sunday, March 16 (2nd Sunday in Lent) We pray for the March Break Camp at Tyndale St-Georges Community Centre, which provides a safe, fun, and empowering environment for children in the Little Burgundy community of Montreal, Quebec.

Monday, March 17 We pray for blessing and strength for those who raise awareness and support for people in need through PWS&D.

Tuesday, March 18 We pray for scholars and teachers serving God’s gospel: “Let love be genuine, outdo one another in showing honour, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord.”

Wednesday, March 19 We give thanks for the new Presbyterian Church Heritage Center in Carlisle, Ontario, for God’s continued blessings on Marilyn Repchuk’s devoted service, and for Ian Mason as he carefully curates the church’s artifacts.

Thursday, March 20 We pray for members of the Atlantic Mission Society as they continue to glorify God and support, with prayer, study and service, mission endeavours through the PCC.

Friday, March 21 (International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination) We pray for an end to racial discrimination and for the Spirit’s guidance to seek the kinds of changes needed to eliminate racism from our church and our society.

Saturday, March 22 (World Water Day) We pray that all people have access to clean safe drinking water, which is a common good, and for the protection of watersheds and the ecosystems they support.

Fundraising Concert … Help sponsor a Syrian-Palestinian refugee family by attending a fundraising concert on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, at 7 pm at Christ Church Cathedral (Entrance from Quadra St.) Admission by Donation – doubled with matching funds!

A Multi-Faith Collaboration of Congregation Emanu-El, Christ Church Cathedral and the Muslim Community. Enjoy an evening of peace and solidarity, Arabic, Celtic & Jewish Music. Featuring Sari Alesh (violin) and Dave Conway (guitar) Kvell’s Angels Klezmer Band. Middle Eastern Delicacies served during intermission.

Sari Alesh (violin) and Dave Conway (guitar)

Sari Alesh, a classically trained violinist from Damascus, toured internationally with the Syrian National Symphony Orchestra before settling in Canada in 2016. He has since performed at the Canadian Embassy in Geneva and the United Nations Global Conference on Human Rights.

Dave Conway, a seasoned musician and songwriter, has spent decades teaching and performing across B.C. The duo has been playing together since 2016, blending diverse cultural influences into their unique sound.

Kvell’s Angels Klezmer Band

Formed in 2022, Kvell’s Angels celebrates the rich tradition of Eastern European Jewish klezmer music. Their repertoire includes rare pieces from the Kiselgof-Makonovetsky Digital Manuscript Project—forgotten klezmer tunes rediscovered in a Kyiv library basement. The band features Julia Herzog (flute), Laura Rosenberg (concertina), Rick Kool (bass), Nejama Ferstman (guitar), and Lucy Nerenberg (mandolin).

Refugee Sponsorship Project

R. is a Syrian-Palestinian widow currently living with her two teenage daughters as refugees in a “third country” where they are very vulnerable and at risk.

The family has recently been accepted by ICA (the Inter-Cultural Association here in Victoria) for sponsorship through our committee. We have the support and resources of both Congregation Emanu-El and Christ Church Cathedral to help us to offer tax-deductible donations etc. Due to the recent changes in the federal immigration situation, we were fortunate to be given this opportunity.

We only have till the end of March to raise the initial $30,000 in funds required to submit a completed sponsorship application to the IRCC in this short window.

Our Sponsorship Team includes Muslims, Christians, and Jews and we welcome participants from any background to join us in this “big tent” effort. Please follow the instructions below to donate to R. and her family’s sponsorship. All donations will go towards refugee settlement costs.

Donations through Congregation Emanu-El

 This link will take you to the synagogue’s donations page and to the account for R’s family.  Cheques can also be written to “Congregation Emanu-El” with “Refugee Sponsorship CE25”  in the notes section.

Donations through Christ Church Cathedral:

1. Cheques made out to Christ Church Cathedral with ‘Refugee Support’ in the memo line.
2. Credit card transactions can be made at the office (930 Burdett Ave, Victoria).  Please ensure that Refugee Support is mentioned to the person completing the transaction so the funds are appropriately booked.
3. E-transfer at [email protected]. In the memo box type in Refugee Support.

Please contact us via: [email protected] if you have any questions. Your generosity brings hope to the family, and we deeply appreciate your support.

–  The Sponsorship Team