january 2021 inside st ndrew’sa · 2020. 12. 30. · jo-ann urquhart 905-453-3245 mission...
TRANSCRIPT
INSIDE ST. ANDREW’S
A community loving God by loving our neighbours.
The Rev. Rosemary Doran was a “virtual” participant in our Christmas Eve Service
January 2021
January birthdays/Passages 2 Wayne’s World 3–4 News from the Pews 5 WMS 6 GRACE Notes 6 Treasurer’s Report 7 Testimonials from S-EAO Ministry 8-9 Mission 10 Food for Thought 10 Property Committee Update 11 Stewardship Corner Back Cover Call to Prayer Back Cover
Table of Contents This month…
At St. Andrew’s, Brampton, we: learn together to know God’s love through worship and study; put our faith into action by loving and caring for each other; use God’s gifts to go forth to bring others to Christ.
St. Andrew′s Presbyterian Church 44 Church St. E, Brampton ON, L6V 1G3
905-451-1723 www.standrewsrampton.ca
Of course, my brothers (and sisters), I really do not think that I have already won it; the one thing I do, however, is to forget what is behind me and do my best to reach what is ahead. Philippians 3:13 Good News Bible.
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BBIIRRTTHHDDAAYYSS
JJaannuuaarryy 1 Nicholas Jones, Frank Kar, Nabila Sadiq, Clarence Snieder 2 Lenore Armstrong, Richard Duncan 3 James McCoy, Lynn Wright 4 David Aleong, Brandon Roopchan, Lyndon Roopchan 5 Donald Wilson 6 Raquel Cabral 7 Sayyd Ali 8 Ray Scanlan David Vanderberg 9 Bea Embling, Tristan Huether, Ellen Stevenson 10 Wallace Gemmill 11 Faith Karkada 12 Nawaz John, Fatima Snieder 13 Mary Cation 14 Aster Emanuel, Valerie Martin 15 Justin Kelly-Boxe, Bruce Laird 16 Janet Katryan 18 Brigita Kar, Nancy Millar, Joseph Nobrega 19 Sandra Jackson, Matthew McKnight 20 Rob Brusso, Susan Jess 21 Carson Orrom 22 Christine Chatoor, Mary Nichol 23 Sadaf Basharat, Shirley Hancock 24 Erik Lopez, Amberlee Osborne 26 Nicole Aleong, Cheryl Ramoutar, Jozsef Tegzes 27 Gloria Brown, Mark Fure, Gabrielle Vanderberg 30 Kim Knox 31 Maureen Douglas, Verna Kester
FFeebbrruuaarryy 1 Evan Rae, Kaitlin Shepherd Katherine Tomlinson 2 Sarah Massy
“Virtual” Blue Christmas Service
During the Blue Christmas Service on December 17 Rev. Geoff and Clerk of Session Kim Shepherd took turns in reading the names of relatives of members of St. Andrew’s who had passed away in 2020. As each name was called Regan Ross lit a candle in their memory.
Eunice Boyd and family on the death of her husband John on December 14. James Stratton and family on the death of his maternal grandmother Muriel Minaker on December 14. Ian Jess, whose cousin Bob Baron passed away on December 25.
Eunice Boyd and family send a sincere thank you to our friends at St Andrew’s for their messages of sympathy and support on the passing of our beloved husband and father John.
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Church Office
905-451-1723 Ext. 0
Open Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays 9:30 am – 5:00 pm
Service Times and Location Ext. 50
Lead Minister Ext. 22 The Rev. Geoff Ross Cell: 647-524-1870
Minister Emeritus 905-450-2720 The Rev. Rosemary Doran
Minister in Association 905-456-1727 The Rev. Wayne Baswick
Music Director/Organist Ext. 0 Shelagh Tyreman [email protected] Senior Choir, Leap of Faith Band, Junior Music Makers
Office Administrator Ext. 0 Valerie Barrett
Church Officer Ext. 0 Henry Ettinger
Church Ministries
Congregational Care Ext. 0 [email protected]
Food Bank Ext. 55 Food Bank Committee Chair Gord Warren [email protected]
Sunday School Ext. 0 [email protected]
South-East Asian Outreach Ministry [email protected]
Pastor Babar Allahditta Cell: 647-779-8281
Wayne’s World
I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:14 New King James Version
Crossing the 2020 - 2021 Border
One of the limits that COVID-19 has placed upon us is the crossing of the border of our neighbour to the South, except for business and commerce and exceptional circumstances. For many who look forward to a good shopping spree, the adventure has been put on hold.
Amongst other questions posed to one seeking to cross the border, there are two which stand out, namely - Where are you going and what is the purpose of your visit? And upon our return, the question that makes us sit up and take notice - Do you have anything to declare? Brutal honesty is required here!
I think these are three good questions to consider as we cross the 2020 - 2021 border.
Where are you going - what is your destination? We are seeking to follow Him who said and says today, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:16). Our ultimate destination is to be with God the Father, the Creator and Giver of ALL life; to be with our God in and through His Son in our lives here and now, and in The Life which is ours beyond this life. As we did not know that the Pandemic coronavirus lay at our doorstep as we entered 2020, similarly we do not know what lies before us as we enter 2021, but we do know that our Lord has a way all mapped out for us; His way, and that He will be with us through thick and thin, the ups and downs to see us through to our destination. One might almost protest and say that this is a rather narrow way - and they are right for as Matthew tells us (7:14) Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, there are few who find it. The Christian journey is not for the faint of heart with its bumps and bruises along the way.
Continued on page 4
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Church Contacts Clerk of Session Kim Shepherd 905-457-2127 Deputy Clerk Jean Bradshaw 905-455-6573 Christian Education Committee Jean Bradshaw 905-455-6573 Congregational Care Team Felicity Alexander 905-791-0490 Envelope Secretaries Bea Embling 905-451-3954 Valerie Warren 905-456-3472 Food Bank Committee Gord Warren 905-456-3472 Helping Hands Valerie Martin 905-453-9864 Jo-ann Urquhart 905-453-3245 Mission Committee Eunice Boyd 905-455-8275 Newsletter Editor Ijeoma Ross 647-299-8877 Prayer Circle Sandra Jackson 905-459-4563 Prayer Shawl Ministry Florence Martin 905-454-7352 Property Committee Richard McMechan 905-455-8468 SALSA Women’s Group Pam Loree 905-459-0390 Stewardship Committee Helen Collins 905-450-6314 Treasurer May Jackson 905-301-0287 Usher Co-ordinator Paul Willoughby 905-457-4508 Visiting Committee Felicity Alexander 905-791-0490 Web Team [email protected] Women’s Missionary Society Kim Shepherd 905-457-2127 Worship Committee Colin Young 905-456-7224
Wayne’s World continued
And then we are asked the purpose for crossing the border; in our case the 2020 -2021 border. Some might say in order to get out of COVID-19, year 2020 and enter into the year 2021 COVID free! What we say is that our purpose is to follow ever more nearly The One whom we have believed and are persuaded that He is able to keep what we have committed to Him until that Day (2 Timothy 1:12). We too with the disciples as they responded to Jesus’ teaching would bring in the New Year 2021 with the firm purpose of a deeper Faith and trust in our Lord as we ring out “Lord increase our Faith!” (Luke 17:5)
And then on our return we are asked what do we have to declare? In this we must be brutally honest, and the fact is brutally honest we are! And this is what we declare with confidence and in humility - with confidence that God is Faithful to us who are called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. (1 Corinthians 1:9) - in humility in that if we are faithless, HE remains faithful. He cannot deny Himself (2 Timothy 2:13).
As we cross the 2020 - 2021 border, the questions are put to us which require our response - Where are you going? - What is your purpose? - What do you have to declare?
May Health, Fulfillment and Faith be yours in 2021.
INSIDE ST. ANDREW’S
PUBLISHED MONTHLY (except August) to inform our church community about activities within this congregation and the Presbyterian Church in Canada, and to provide inspiration to our readers.
Submissions can be made by email to [email protected], left in the office, or given to a newsletter committee member.
Newsletter Committee:
Felicity Alexander, Kennedy Jackson, Wayne Tedder, June Young
Additional Contributors This Month: Helen Collins, May Jackson, Sandra Jackson, Suzzy Kirkpatrick,
Richard McMechan, Ray Scanlan, Doreen Scott-Dunne, Kim Shepherd
Deadline for submissions for the February issue is January 22, 2021
This newsletter and St. Andrew’s office printing are done by:
30 Gillingham Dr. Suite 502 [email protected]
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There was some excitement around the church on the weekend of December 12. The Kevin Hart movie “The Man from Toronto” was being filmed in Brampton, turning the Brampton Train Station into “Yorktown.” If you had driven past the St. Andrew’s parking lot you might have thought you were in a different country. Through an arrangement with the Property Committee there were cars in the parking lot belonging to the “Virginia State Police” and the “Sheriff from Accomack County.”
The Christmas plant delivery took place on December 14 when 27 poinsettia plants were delivered to members of St. Andrew’s who are unwell, have lost a loved one, or are no longer as active as they once were.
The Congregational Care Team and Visiting Committee thank all the volunteers who assisted with this annual outreach to our congregation.
In light of the ongoing rise in COVID-19 cases – and the Peel/Brampton region in lockdown, the Session has regrettably decided to postpone in-person Worship until further notice.
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Epiphany 2021 under COVID-19
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HAPPY NEW YEAR
A NEW Year just beginning Who knows what lies ahead?
Will there be love and laughter Along the path we tread?
Will there be friends we’ve yet to meet
And happiness to find? Forgetting last year’s problems,
We’ll leave them all behind.
Will there be new excitement, A time when dreams come true? Step out toward tomorrow now;
It waits for me and you. Iris Hesselden
News from the
Pews
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St. Andrew’s-Pringle Women’s
Missionary Society
by Kim Shepherd It is with prayer that this newsletter finds all our WMS members well and staying safe during this crazy time of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is hard to believe that we have been away from the church for 10 months. It is with a heavy heart that our members be informed that our return to meeting is yet to be determined. The Session of St. Andrew’s, through lots of discussion and prayer, the decision was made to remain closed until further notice. We had a great turnout for our December meeting, although there were technical difficulties, it was good to catch up and see everyone and share together a short Christmas service.
It was decided that as we are meeting on Zoom, that we will be meeting Tuesday, January 5, 2021 at 7:00 pm. We hope that you can join us (either by video or phone). This year the WMS Council held a Christmas Service for all members on Wednesday, Deeceember 9, 2020. There was a total of 128 in attendance, on Zoom – can you believe it? Women from across Canada; PCC office staff; a visistor from Scotland, gathered together to read scripture, sing hynms and hear from Rev. Amanda Currie, Moderator of General Assembly, who delivered a messsage entitled “A Royal Birth Announcement.” If any of our members have any suggestions or enquiries, please send an email to: Kim Shepherd, President, ([email protected]). Let us close with the Mizpah Benediction: May the Lord watch between me and thee, while we are absent one from another.
by Doreen Scott-Dunne
L6T/L6P GRACE group met on December 17 for a pre-Christmas get together via Zoom.
Seven of us shared views of our various Christmas trees and we met a new member of Mark and Maggie Nichol’s family, a Boxer X Mastiff puppy named Dexter. We all sat in the glow of June’s blinking Santa hat as we compared various COVID shopping experiences. As usual there were a few technical glitches, but overall, we are getting better with the technology and enjoyed the chance to see and talk to one another and wish everyone a Merry Christmas. L6X/L6Y group met via Zoom on December 22 to share some stories and enjoy Zoom fellowship before Christmas. We have learned to log back in when we are cut off suddenly at the end of the first 40 minutes. Everyone was looking forward to Christmas and we all knew that our Christmas will be much simpler this year, not unlike the first Christmas which was very simple too, yet profound in that it marked God’s gift of Jesus to the waiting world. We hope to expand our GRACE Groups in the New Year. Please check the new St. Andrew’s Website for further details. We hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and we wish you a Happy New Year.
Shortfall Pie Chart
Jan 1 - Dec 19/20 Jan 1 - Dec 19/19
ContributionsOfferings 239,299.07 278,673.06 Other Revenue 28,507.25 42,646.29
Total Contributions 267,806.32 321,319.35 Expense
Education 3,162.68 3,862.31 Mission 9,371.50 9,039.16 Property 72,696.44 114,977.80 Session 7,129.29 - Stewardship 169,258.03 247,324.23 Worship 6,546.63 14,296.90
Total Expense 268,164.57 389,500.40
Net General Surplus (Deficit) (358.25) (68,181.05)
19,517.76 24,473.26 PWS&D donations* 4,768.26 6,621.61
45,035.18 43,046.40
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Presbyterian Sharing donations*
Food Bank donations*
* NOTE: Presbyterian Sharing, PWS&D and Food Bank are not included in the comparative
statement.
Church Finances
Contributions & Expenses ComparativeDecember 19, 2020
Purpose of this chart is to show in a graphic form the shortfall of contributions to expenses as of December 19, 2020
Currently offerings from January 1 to December 19
are down 14.1% from last year while Food Bank
donations have increased by 4.6% for the same
period. Thank you all for your generosity at this
difficult time.
You can contribute by credit card through our
website, mail a cheque, do an Interac e-Transfer or
go on Pre-Authorized Remittance (PAR).
To process an Interac e-Transfer: Go to your
banking website, select Interac e-Transfer, enter
the amount you wish to donate and in the message
area indicate your name, envelope number and
how you want the donation distributed i.e. amount
for general funds, Presbyterians' Sharing, PWS&D
and Food Bank. If you do not indicate a split your
entire donation will go to the general operating
fund, this cannot be changed later. It is vital
that you use the email
May the peace of Jesus Christ, our Lord and
Saviour be with you.
When we think of stewardship we start with the point that everything -
even the air that we breathe - is not ours,
it's given to us
267,806
-358
Contributions
Deficit
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Testimonials “Letters” from Members of the St. Andrew’s, Brampton’s South-East Asian Outreach Ministry Application
for the “Growth Grant” through the PCC’s New & Renewed Ministry Fund
[NOTE: These ‘testimonials’ are given in response to being asked if they wished to write something about their experience of the St. Andrew’s, Brampton South-East Asian Outreach Ministry. Each person who has submitted a ‘testimonial’ was eager to tell you about their experience. Please keep in mind that English is not the first language of most of the members of the S-EAOM: what you will read below has either been translated or transcribed on their behalf. NOTE: This testimonial is from Pastor Babar Allahditta, the Pastor of the S-EAOM, who wanted to write to you in gratitude for your generosity, and your support of the S-EAOM.] Hello, Greetings in the wonderful name of our LORD and SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST. I am very thankful to GOD that HE is using me as His servant to expand His Kingdom. He knows well where and how to use His people. No doubt, it seemed too hard to plant a new Urdu, Hindi and Punjabi Church, among many other churches who are already serving around GTA and especially in Brampton. But by the grace of GOD and with the help of the Holy Spirt, I, as Pastor and as congregation, have not only planted a new church, but GOD also provided us a platform at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Downtown, Brampton to worship there. They accepted us as part of at St. Andrew’s family and named us Urdu and Hindi afternoon service, that changed later to South- East Asian Outreach Ministry. Now S- EAO Ministry is serving under umbrella of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church Brampton. This service has been a blessing to me, my family and my congregation. I thank the LORD for this provision. Sincerely, Rev. Babar Allahditta
[NOTE: This testimonial is from Nabila Shahid, the Sunday School Leader of the S-EAOM, recounting a recent experience that came about as a result of her involvement – and leadership – in the S-EAOM.] Hello Sisters and Brothers in Christ, I just would like to take a moment to share my testimony. I hope this testimony means the Holy Spirit touches whoever reads this. Since my childhood I loved Jesus Christ. I got education in Muslim schools! And brought up in Muslim community. Even though we were a minority in Pakistan I never felt ashamed to admit that I am a Christian. I remembered when I was in grade five, whoever talked against Jesus Christ, I always stood up to stop them, by giving them the Bible references whatever I learned from Sunday school! I was always filled with enthusiasm to go to Church and attend Sunday school. Even though I grew up in Jesus Christ but still there was a lacking of Holy spirit, because I was used to dance on Indian songs and sing filmy songs a lot, and participate in other secular activities. Until, January 5th, I still danced in the parties and sang filmy songs. But the next morning on January 6th I felt a tremendous spiritual change in my body! Something was forcing me to stay in prayer. There was a shower of holy spirit that sprinkled me! Since that day I started to pray in the middle of night, till morning. I used to stay in prayer for around 15 minutes, not more than that! But with this flow of the Holy Spirit I started to pray for 1-3 hours each day.
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Before that I was always stressed full about my life and was never happy from inside. But after getting the holy spirit tongues I felt an amazing happiness and peace in my life. Since January till now I am in the same flow of holy spirit. I know this would be nothing to others but this means a lot for me because I am not in sorrow any more. And I never want to get apart from the Holy spirit because it keeps me warm and in connection with JESUS CHRIST. Thank you In Christ yours, Nabila Shahid
[NOTE: This testimonial is from Pastor Hanif Masih, a retired Pastor and member of the SEAOM congregation.] My Testimonial view as a Urdu service member. I hope you are doing well. I, Pastor Hanif Masih, as a member of St. Andrew Presbyterian Church (Urdu Meeting) want to share my opinion about the Urdu meeting, which used to take place at 44 church street between 2PM to 4PM, which is now been held online due to the pandemic we are all going through. This Urdu service meeting is in our mother tongue, we can understand it better. I want to thank Pastor Baber Allahditta for running this service every Sunday. He is a man of God and people who attend the meeting every Sunday are blessed abundantly. He provides us our spiritual needs. I also want to thank God for the amazing choir he has provided us with. I also want to thank the management team for organizing events every year for our betterment. Thank you, Ps. Hanif Masih
[NOTE: This testimonial is from Mr. Emmanuel John Bosco, a member and ‘Deacon’ of the SEAOM congregation.] Dear Pastor Ross. It is my pleasure to describe my wonderful experience with St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church Urdu service. As soon as I landed in Canada, I have referred to my church by one of my friends and since then I found everyone in the church loving, caring and blessed, especially our church, Pastor's Elders and congregation. Through this period, I was so blessed and impressed by Pastor Babar Allahditta, the way he deals the church family that marvellous. He is always ready to help the church family beyond his strength. Even if you don't have ride, he loves to give you pick and drop. Really, he is a man of God and the blessings and knowledge I gained through him I must say we are so blessed. And now I can claim that I have a true and wonderful Pastor's, and the uncountable blessings I am receiving through Pastor Ross and Pastor Babar Allahditta. Thanks, and may Lord bless my church. Emmanuel John Bosco
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by Suzzy Kirkpatrick
In late November, twenty-four “thank you” bags were delivered to the Sandalwood Parkway Paramedics by Suzzy and Robyn Kirkpatrick, representing the St. Andrew’s Mission Committee.
Picture above shows Suzzy and Robyn with some grateful paramedics Each bag held notebooks, pens, wet-naps, chap-sticks, juice boxes, gum, granola bars and hard candy. On the front of the bag was the St. Andrew’s logo and a message of appreciation. The paramedics were delighted that St. Andrew’s had reached out to them.
by Sandra Jackson
Most of us are happy to say goodbye to 2020, but we are looking into a positive future with the COVID-19 vaccines being rolled out across Ontario now. We have to remain hopeful that sometime in 2021 we will re-open our church sanctuary doors, and the Food Bank operations will then follow in a phased approach, as approved by Session. While the church building remains closed, we still have a small team of volunteers working with our partners at Regeneration Marketplace to serve our clients out of the 253 Queen Street East location in Brampton. On January 6, 2021 a small team of five Food Bank Committee members will sort the remaining 2021 food items left in our cupboards and deliver them to Regeneration. Gord Warren is onsite at Regeneration every week and sees where the gaps are in food donations, he places an order with Foodland at 456 Vodden Street E. in Brampton and arranges a pickup time a few days later. We cannot show our gratitude enough for the Owner-Manager Nehmat at Foodland. Throughout this pandemic he has been very generous in giving us items at his cost and then also donating more then we ordered. Please support this local small Brampton franchise owner if you are shopping in the Vodden and Hwy 410 area. Drop in at this store in the Lakeridge Plaza. Stay safe and thank you for your support of the Food Bank ministry of St. Andrew’s in 2020 – it was greatly appreciated.
Food… for Thought
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Property Committee Update By Richard McMechan
I am the church! You are the church! The church is not a building; the church is not a steeple;
the church is not a resting place; the church is a people.
That is a lovely hymn, however, the church building needs constant care and attention. That responsibility falls to the Property Committee which has been working hard to get ready for our eventual return to in-person church services. Here are some updates. • Church Security: The motion sensors have been
updated at all doors and an additional security camera has been installed by the doors off Church Street. There will be more motion sensors installed in the Education Wing and the outside flood lighting will be updated to LED lights in 2021.
• Sanctuary: TV screens have been mounted to the walls in the sanctuary, on either side of the organ pipes. The screens will be replacing the bulletin when we come together in person. The screens will be used during our online Facebook Live services.
• The Property Committee has received a donation to purchase blinds for the windows of the Education Wing. These windows are on the courtyard side, and the blinds will be installed in 2021.
• Online Upgrade: The Wi-Fi for the church has been upgraded. This has and will continue to assist in the live streaming of the services. An additional splitter-box has been purchased to assist with the streaming so that not only those who are speaking, but also Shelagh playing the music for the service, can be heard through the microphones.
• The yearly maintenance has been performed on the boiler system, and the three water recirculation pumps have been overhauled.
• COVID screens have been installed in the sanctuary.
• Significant repairs have been made to the organ
– a rebuild of the blower motor and a full tuning, finished just in time for Christmas.
• Even though the church is closed to in-person
services there is the ongoing large expense of heating the building and providing the necessary security.
• The members of the Property Committee conduct
weekly security walk-throughs of the Sanctuary and Education Wing.
• Entrance to Church Building: Permission must
still be received to enter the building. Requests are to be submitted, in writing, to the following persons: (Richard McMechan (Property Chair) Peter Shepherd (Property Member), Kim Shepherd (Clerk of Session), Jean Bradshaw (Deputy Clerk of Session) and Geoff Ross (Lead Minister). Approval for going into the building is granted when three out of the five persons agree to the admittance.
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The congregation of St. Andrew’s thanks the members of the Property Committee: Richard McMechan (Chair), Peter Shepherd (Vice Chair), Stan Loree, Barry Hutchinson, Bill Dewar, and Wayne Tedder, for doing a great job with all the extra responsibilities that the COVID-19 lockdown has placed on them.
Stewardship Corner
by Helen Collins
The Stewardship Committee hopes that you have had an enjoyable Christmas and we wish you a Happy New Year. We all hope and pray that this pandemic disappears, and that we can move on to the “new” normal. I am sure that 2020 will be a year that most of us would like to forget. We look forward to seeing everyone in Church again, as soon as it is safe to do so. As usual, thank you for the continued support of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church through PAR, mail in offerings, credit card and e-Transfer. 2021 offering envelopes are here. Due to the current lockdown in Peel/Brampton, the envelopes will not be delivered to you at this time. The possibility of a pick-up date in January 2021 will be discussed at the next Session meeting. God bless and stay safe and well.
We have researched alternatives to credit cards, so we have now also set up the ability to accept Interac e-Transfers. Go to your banking website, select Interac e-Transfer, and enter the amount you wish to donate. It is very important that in the message area you indicate your name, envelope number and how you want the donation distributed: i.e. how much to General Funds, Presbyterians’ Sharing, PWS&D and Food Bank. If you do not indicate a split your entire donation will go to the general operating fund, and this cannot be changed later. Another very important part is to use the email: [email protected] Also, for those who donate online through our website, you will receive your tax receipt from Canada Helps. It will not be included on your receipt issued by the church.
Call to Prayer by Ray Scanlan
For the past nine months we have been praying, virtually, every Friday for an end to this pandemic. Thousands have died and millions have been infected, causing untold calamity and grief to millions of folks around the world and here in Brampton, which this past month has been identified as the “hot spot” in Canada. This is the worst pandemic in 100 years and yet it was nowhere on our minds just twelve months ago. Never could we have imagined that our hospital system would reach the point that front line health care workers would be brought to their knees as new cases start to overwhelm the system, causing cancellation of elective surgeries with other tragic outcomes. Even among patients who have recovered, many are left with long term ailments and the projections for the next two months pose a foreboding outlook as we prepare for a third wave this Christmas. Fortunately, we pray to a big God and trust in our faith in Jesus as we have the hope of the Gospel to comfort us in a very trying time. This past month one of our most urgent prayers was answered, with the news that two vaccines have proven to be effective with over 95% effectiveness and that we can look for distribution beginning in December. A most welcome Christmas gift from our wonderful Saviour. Thank you, Jesus! We will continue with our Call to Prayer every Friday at 3 pm, virtually, until we can meet in person sometime in the New Year.