Montreal City Mission

WORLD REFUGEE DAY

Let’s clap our hands in the sanctuary!  And that’s exactly what we did as People’s Gospel Choir belted out that great refrain.  It was  June 20th - World Refugee Day -   and the launching of MCM’s centennial. Joining ‘People’s’, were the St. James and Every Kid Choirs which made for a wonderful musical celebration. Project Refuge Residents recited poetry punctuated by the powerful Tam Tam.  Rev. Arlen Bonnar and Paula Kline spoke of the past 100 years of MCM history.

The celebration continued on St. James Square where the classical notes of Trio Festivo accompanied the over 100 guests who took in the MCM history display, silent auction and went for a spin in a Ford  model T. Rwandese dancers finished the festivities with a swirl! 

Many thanks to our cherished partner UNHRC for their participation & to their representants Ms Denise Otis & Mr. Hy Shelow; to M.P. Marc Garneau, Mr. Albert Deschamps from Citoyenneté & Immigration Canada, M.P. Thierry St-Cyr,  Mr. Frantz Benjamin for Ville de Montréal, & the representant for M.P. Yolande James; and of course to MCM staffers Sylvain Thibault & Julie Potvin and their team for creating a moment of magic. Century numero dos here we come!

FREE THE M43

From left to right  Maureen, Paula, Audrey, Beth (Vancouver UCC), Shaun and Julie.

Free the M43 was the message from a delegation of Filipino human rights activists in Montreal last August.  43 doctors, nurses and medical personnel working in poor rural areas are being arbitrarily detained. The delegation addressed Canadian Parliamentarians and the Canadian public nation wide on this and other human rights violations in the Philippines.  They are themselves on watch lists and some have been jailed in the past. Rev. Shaun Fryday from Beaconsfield United was part of an international observation team during last May’s elections there, and Beaconsfield United raised over 4,000$ to help sponsor the visit of this delegation to Canada.  For more info: http://cap-cpc.blogspot.com

RIDE FOR JUSTICE IN SUPPORT OF JUST SOLUTIONS!

On Saturday, September 4^th, McGill law students participated in a 50 km bike ride in support of MCM's Just Solutions Clinic! The students were riding in memory of “access to justice” activist Dugald Christie, a lawyer from British Columbia who was killed as he cycled across Canada in his own awareness-raising ride for justice. Just Solutions was chosen as the beneficiary of this year’s event; reflecting the importance of MCM’s ongoing collaboration with  McGill University. A big thank you to the riders, who braved the elements on a showery Saturday to raise over $5,000!  Bravo!

A CENTENNIAL GATHERING - September 15th

The afternoon began with a privileged moment of story telling between seven Project Refuge residents and United Church Moderator Mardi Tindal. The residents shared some of their personal experiences, worries as well as hopes for a new life in a new land. Moderator Tindal offered words of thanks and encouragement and answered questions on UCC theology and the role of women, in both English and French.

“Please take our words of thanks back to the United Church of Canada for your wonderful hospitality and good works”  “Thank you” replied Moderator Tindal “for your courage, perseverance and solidarity that are already teaching us so much.”

Hattie & Posie from the Every Kid Choir, recruiting the Moderator for MCM's new project - the Every Seniors Choir! Everyone over 30 was approached by the kids!

And then on to the 5 à 7 to meet more members of MCM’s community. While the Divine Dawes Duo (MCM staffer Andrea and father David all the way from  Westbrook United in Kingston) provided sweet background notes, a delicious buffet organized by Rev. Shaun Fryday and Cindy Casey (Beaconsfield United) was prepared and served by members from the MCM Board and St.James United.  Guests had a chance to view the MCM history exhibit while connecting with colleagues and friends.

Shirley Stark, Mardi Tindal, Shaun Fryday, Lynda Ecott & Sheila Snelling

The Moderator Mardi Tindal & MCM Director Paula Kline

The Ladies, MCM Board, Val Shannon, Phyllis Smyth, Susannah Feeney & Cecily Lawson-Smith

At 7,  the the tam tam called us into the sanctuary where we lifted our voices in joy, lament and hope for a new dawn. A few EKC songsters had us ‘marching in the light of God’ while the walls of St. James echoed to the rousing notes of the MCM Centennial Singers  (100 members came from United, Anglican, Presbyterian and Catholic congregations). Kudos to  music directors Julia Budd, Lynda Jean Coffin and  Alison Carpenter and all those great voices and instrumentalists. What a wonderful gift for our centennial!

In keeping with the theme of hospitality, Moderator Tindal shared the inspiring story of a remarkable woman whose life long struggle against discrimination has informed her tireless efforts to help others:  Dr. Ngozi.

Former MCM directors Bill Jay, Arlen Bonnar, Janet McGregor and Roger Snelling presented the Bible As a Refugee Handbook, and Project Refuge residents recited their experience through poetry, once again to the beat of the ancient tam tam. Words and images from Camp Cosmos kids sent us into the night with hope for the future.

Many thanks to all who made this special day possible, in particular Martha Nell Thompson for organizing the service, Arlen Bonnar and St. James staff and members,  Project Refuge residents, MCM board, staff and centennial committee, and last but not least ‘Her Holiness’ (inside joke!) the incomparable Moderator Mardi Tindal.

 ROJEP CELEBRATES MCM'S 100th!

On September 13th, 2010, the members of ROJEP (ecumenical justice and peace network) , led by David Fines and Renaude Grégoire, marked the 100^th anniversary of the Montreal City Mission.  In this photo, Gwenda Wells and  David Fines look on as Paula Kline receives three gifts: a tablecloth, representing hospitality; a tree to plant, symbolizing growth for the next 100 years; and a fair-trade agenda for MCM’s 101^st year.  Thank you MCM for your inspiration!

VIVA CAMP COSMOS!

Two campers with Molly Churchill, environemental programm coordinator

Another fun filled and stimulating summer for forty children at Camp Cosmos. Thanks to a generous grant from the Aisenstadt Foundation, the camp now runs six weeks. Discovering the city, the environment, each other and themselves is what camp is all about. Fifteen languages could be heard as the young campers played sports, went on outings and prepared their own Olympic Day. New partnerships with St. Columba House and Tyndale St. Georges Community Centre helped us better train counselors and organize trips. Exciting plans for next year are already in the works! Vive Camp Cosmos!

 CONGRATULATIONS!

Congratulations to our colleague Jen de Combe & her husband Sébastien Lacroux for the birth of their second boy, Benoit!

Congratulations also  to Yolaine Williams & Peter Shams for their recent wedding. We are wishing you years of love, laughter & happiness.