|
Focus on duty of care It’s been several years in the making and is now available for all: UCC Community Ministry Standards and Best Practices. The workbook available online at: Community Ministry Standards covers everything from health & safety, media, office management and property issues to professional boundaries and relationships, and so much more.
SCH Trish Murphy & Emilie Jacques, MCM Paula Kline, UCC Bev Oag & SCH Tom Kingsbury
|
|||
|
Under girding these codes of conduct is a duty of care to the communities we serve and to ourselves. St. Columba House and MCM have been involved from the outset on the national level to help develop these standards, and so it was only fitting that we spend a day together last May to review the final product and discuss ways we are currently getting our respective organizations up to standard. Many thanks to our community ministry colleagues throughout Canada, former national church staffer Jim Marshall for jumpstarting and guiding the process and current staffer Bev Oag for her commitment to making the standards a reality throughout the land! Paula Kline The Every Kid Choir Spring notes
EKC & the Yellow Door Choir with director Eleanor Stubley Our ambassadors of peace had a busy spring season before taking a much earned vacation break. Singing with the highly acclaimed Yellow Door Choir at the Unitarian Church was not only a thrill but also an occasion to raise money for the day camps at St. Columba House and Montreal City Mission. Over 1,000. $ was raised from tickets and a bake sale to help fund camp outings this summer. Our two great camp directors, Debra Militzer (St. Columba) and Jen de Combe (MCM) organized a wonderful evening. Many thanks as well to Eleanor Stubley, the YDC director, & to the Yellow Door Choir for supporting our work with kids.
The second spring venue was Le Parc des Portugais (corner St. Laurent and Marie-Anne) for the annual Peace Festival organized by our Mennonite colleagues. Project Refuge residents, sporting the Peace Festival t-shirt, were happy to lend a hand as festival security guards. Despite a spattering of rain, the choir drew enthusiastic applause from all present. A Bach solo by EKC guitarist Ben Gilbert as well as a moving duet by Abby and Simone singing Dona Nobis Pacem had folks crying out for more. Who knows – maybe Leonard Cohen whose house overlooks the park - will join us for a song next year! Paula Kline Youth without borders The group from Beaconsfield United was caught in traffic and my colleague Sylvain was delayed at a refugee hearing. I thought perhaps our meeting would have to be postponed for another time. And then all of a sudden there we all were, sitting around the kitchen table at MCM, listening to Yussuf tell his story. A story of flight from war at the age of 12, being separated, reunited and then separated again from his family throughout his teens, surviving in the forest and in refugee camps. Now in his early twenties, his new family is the community at Project Refuge. His unassuming manner and gentle smile won us all over and we felt privileged to witness this incredible journey – so removed from our own. The young folks also had their stories to tell – every single one knew of someone who had committee suicide. We listened to these stories as well and tried to makes sense of the pain present in these two very different worlds. What did make sense was what we shared: personal reflections, heavy burdens, smiles, kindness and an openness to listen. We also share a common humanity and as sisters and brothers are called to look out for one another in whatever way we can. Paula Kline
Rev. Shaun Fryday, Yussuf, Paula Kline & Beaconsfield UC youth group
From the edges of the city An international forum on poverty, homelessness, mental health and refugee issues
Sylvain Thibault & two participants What voices are not being heard in our cities? And what can we do to break down the walls of silence? Individuals from Lyon, Montreal and Quebec gathered in Dawson Hall at St. James United recently for 2 days to provide some of the answers to those questions. Part of MCM’s response is of course Ici Radio Refuge. And what better way to make our point than by bringing the radio studio on site and taping one of our weekly shows at St James. UQAM professor Jocelyne Lamoureux ended the conference with some incisive reflections: a compassionate listening ear is not good enough but must be accompanied by concrete actions to make a difference; in this way testimonies will not be ‘used’ to simply illustrate academic theories but rather as a way of expanding the vox populi and transforming the way we speak, listen and act. Many thanks to Francine, Karoline, Jocelyne, Lourdes and all who contributed to making this conference a resounding success. Paula Kline On the trace of refugees
Paula & Sylvain from MCM with Anne-Marie Kabonga from Refuge Juan Moreno
What’s it like
to live in a refugee camp? Most of us will never know. But we do need to be
aware of the struggle to survive facing
millions of refugees in the world today. To that end a conference - On the
Trace of Refugees – was organized in May by Rights and Democracy at
Université du Québec à Montréal.
A 24 hour
‘refugee camp’ was erected in downtown
Paula Kline World Refugee Day at St. James United Did you know that in 2007 the number of refugees and displaced persons increased by 2.5 million? There are now 25.1 million refugees who share one common desire: to rebuild their lives in safety and dignity.
On June 20th the St. James United Church took great pride in hosting World Refugee Day. Staying true to its history, the church opened its doors wide in order to welcome the hundreds of people who demonstrated an interest in acquiring a greater understanding of this population. The images speak for themselves.
Host Alfredo Lombisi dancing to Peruvian music
UNHCR Denise Otis & friend singing Amazing Grace
Special Guest Boucar Diouf ‘Under the Blue Sky: From Land of Exile to Land of Asylum’ Did you know that in 2007 more than 647,200 refugee claimants asked for protection in 154 countries? This is a 5% increase from the numbers recorded in 2006. Amongst them 5.1% asked for protection in Canada.
Through the multi-media exposition ‘Under the Blue Sky: From Land of Exile to Land of Asylum’ displayed in Dawson Hall, visitors were made aware of the difficult realities that are faced by those asking for protection. Between June 20th and June 27th , over 300 visitors experienced this unique event. In the fall the exhibit will travel to various locations throughout Quebec with the goal of increasing awareness on the subject. Many thanks to our various funders - especially the United Church Kelley Trust fund - for making this expo possible. Sylvain Thibault
More franchises than Tim Horton’s No, this was not a marketing seminar but rather a United Church Conference in Toronto in June, bringing folks together from coast to coast to envision ideas for renewal and transformation. The arts, community action and worship were interwoven throughout the 4 days as we sang, danced and debated as one community. Many Voices, One Vision was the title of the MCM workshop that explored our learning/action model of team synergy, and community involvement. One curious note – a persistent individual who seemed to be on a mission – kept popping up in workshops and plenary sessions requesting that the word ministry replace congregation, when speaking of the church, to include all branches of church witness. Hmmm…. an interesting thought as we break down those walls that divide and strive to create a community where God is at once guest, host and home. Paula Kline
Jen with participants |
|||
|
PR first BBQ Our monthly ‘spaghetti diners’ have been transformed into BBQ nights consisting of great food and great company. Our first BBQ was a great success, and over 60 of our (ex) residents attended. It is always great to see them and to catch up on their news (whether good or bad).
Moustapha & Lamine at PR first BBQ Over the summer we will celebrate the second anniversary of PR’s new location in Little Burgundy. To mark this special event we will repaint the house with brand new colors. Attention all painters who are interested: we need your help! Sylvain Thibault Welcome to summer students ! Our summer law students are already well immersed in numerous cases at the Just Solutions Clinic. What would we do without them! We extend a hearty welcome to Lissa Greenspoon, Alex Dearham and Natalie Drolet and wish them all the best in their work over the next two months. Welcome also to political science student Gabriella Lindsay, the assistant director of Camp Cosmos this year.
Alex
|
|||
|
Ode to Presbytery By Paula Kline Presbytery chair Only 2 years They said the job was a snap But I soon discovered As tasks I uncovered Twixt fiction and reality was a gap
As I sought my pace Through those first meetings I raced One eye on the clock and the gavel But when Trish Murphy said SLOW DOWN An inner peace I found And my nervousness began to unravel
But life is not fair More crosses I would bare I was soon given a test that I failed For just when things were jelling Up jumped Roger Snelling And with an amendment to the amendment I was nailed
But I need not dread For to the rescue came Fred To ensure Robert’s Rules were respected With his vast knowledge and sharp wit His advice usually fit And proper procedure was rarely neglected
And as work continued growing We cut the break and just kept going To guarantee all business was finished Thanks to Monique, Shirley and Kent Whose assistance to our meetings they lent To ensure information flow was not diminished
A special mention for our presbytery administrator To count her talents we would need a calculator She has made my job a delight Integrity, wisdom and caring Collegiality, humour and sharing Lynda, in the darkness you are a light
And finally my thanks to executive and the court To all of you for your gracious support Your expertise and kindness have been such a gift Let us move forward as sister and brother In dialogue and respect for one another So the ministry of Christ – in a changing Quebec - we can truly uplift.
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
|
|
||
|
|
|||
|
|
|||
Jen de Combe giving a workshop
Natalie & Lissa