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The St. John’s Ecclesiastical District National Historic Site of Canada is pleased to announce that the 2023 Walking Guided Tours of the Historic District will be held Wednesdays and Thursdays, July 5th to August 31st, from 1:30pm to 3:00pm, starting from the steps of the medieval inspired English Gothic designed Anglican Cathedral.

The tour will also visit the Scottish Gothic Presbyterian St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church (The Kirk), the English Romanesque United Gower Street United Methodist Church, and the Italianate Roman Catholic Basilica. These churches are some of the most beautiful buildings to be found in our province, and together with their associated buildings and cultural landscapes they embody the National Historic District unique in all of Canada, dating from at least the 1699.

Visitors and families are welcome to participate in a tour that will also introduce you to the District’s amazing and internationally important stained glass collection from France, Ireland,

Scotland, England, Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador.

The cost for the Tour is $20 per person and $35.00 per family.

This year, the Basilica Parish will offer Afternoon Tea in the Basilica (tea/coffee with a delicious selection of freshly-baked goods) following the tour for $15 per person, tickets at the Basilica Visitors Desk.

To pre-register, visit the Ecclesiastical District Web Site. You can also call 754-2170 or visit the Ecclesiastical District Facebook Page, www.Facebook.com/DistrictToursNL.

Schedule: Tours will run on the following dates:

July 5 & 6, 12 & 13, 19 & 20, 26 & 27

August 1 & 2, 9 & 10, 16 & 17, 23 & 24, and 30 & 31

The Ecclesiastical District was designated a National Historic Site of Canada in 2008 by the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada. For the Parks Canada Designation of National Historic Significance for the District see: https://www.pc.gc.ca/apps/dfhd/page_nhs_eng.aspx?id=11843

The four churches of the St. John’s Ecclesiastical District National Historic Site of Canada are pleased to announce a new “Walking Guided Tour” of the District every Thursday at 1:00 pm. starting July 22nd.

The tours will run for approximately 90 minutes on Thursday afternoons until August 26th and are free to the public with voluntary donations accepted to support the conservation of the District.

Bridges to Hope Food Aid Centre is having its first food drive since the pandemic and they really need your support.

On June 27th, between 10:00 am – 1:00 pm, you can make a non-perishable food or financial donation at one of their drive thru locations at Wesley United Church in St. John’s or First United Church in Mount Pearl.

They will take every precaution to keep you safe. See you there!

Unfortunately due to low enrollment, there will be no scouting program taking place at St. Andrew’s this year.

Sunday School at St. Andrew’s will begin the 2018-2019 school year on September 9. Youth group for students in Grade 7 or higher will also be starting that day. Volunteers are needed for both levels of the program. If you are able to help out, even part time, please contact Jenny Pallard at jennpallard@gmail.com.

We are excited to say that the Beaver program will be returning to The Kirk as we relaunch the junior sections of the 1st St. Andrew’s Group at the Kirk. Parent Information Night and Registration will take place on September 18th, 2018 at 6:30 PM.

St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church “The Kirk” is honored to host a number of the Tuckamore Festival Recitals in August. More information at Tuckamore Chamber Music Festival website.

The wreaths are to be laid at our church memorials on Sunday, July 1st, 2018.

Paula Templeton will place the 2nd World War wreath and after the service, it will be taken to the Sergeants Memorial on Queen’s Road. Katie Parsons will lay the wreath for the Newfoundland Highlanders on the west side of the church. Following our service, it will be taken to the War Memorial on Duckworth Street. Bob and Carolyn Halliday have agreed to lay the 1st World
War wreath on the east side and they will take it to Bowring Park and place it at the Fighting Newfoundlander monument.

Thank you to those who purchased the wreaths and those who will lay them.

CHOSN NEWS:   The Al Hussein family are here at last!  Mostafa, Bahijeh, and their sons Mohammed (6) and Yassine (5) are thrilled to be here, in a safe and secure spot.  They want everyone to know how much they appreciate what our community is doing for them and others.  They were met at the airport by a large group from both congregations, including the Sunday School (with their own banner).  They were taken aback by the welcome, and it was great that everyone came out.

 The boys (including Derek and Mike G) were almost immediately out in the back yard with soccer balls, and they are energetic and happy little boys.  Mostafa is recovering from a broken leg, but is doing well.  Bahijeh has some medical needs, but those are being addressed efficiently by our medical group and others in the medical community  The family have settled into the apartment, and are very pleased. Grocery and clothing trips have been completed, and other initial startup tasks are being scheduled by the support groups that we have in place.

 We did learn that the family (and relatives) were bombed out of their village about 3 ½ years ago, and escaped to another town near Turkey, that was attacked subsequently.  They have been in Lebanon for the past 3 ½ years.  Mostafa works in construction, drafting, and as a shoemaker, and we’re hoping these skills will be in demand here as well.

 It has been heart-warming to see the tremendous help provided by Kassem Abouchehade, Moein Shawan, and others from the local Muslim and Arabic-speaking community.  I think they will be a true support for the family as well, and we will only be strengthened by the interaction and new friendships ourselves.

So all in all, off to a good start.  We need to keep the momentum of support up, while letting them grow into their new life.  We can only benefit from knowing and working with these courageous people.   It’s also been great to see the collaboration between volunteers from St. Andrew’s and St. David’s, and that will only grow as the mission proceeds.

We do anticipate another family sponsorship, through the same channels, but are told that this may take months to work through the system.  We will keep everyone posted, and thanks again for your support to date.  Financial contributions, through the church office or regular envelopes, are still much needed and appreciated!

Mostafa Yassine Ahmad Al Hussein (Father),
Bahijeh Al Moustafa (Mother),
Mohammad Ahmad Al Hussein born (6-Y), and
Yassine Ahmad Al Hussein, born (5-Y)