The Justice and Outreach committee designates where the Advent and Lenten Appeal donations go. It usually addresses a combination of local and international needs.
Advocacy
The Justice and Outreach Committee receives scores of requests for help and intervention. The Committee chooses which to support on the basis of a vision process completed in late 2007. Some of the issues supported in early 2007 include: water conservation and related issues, Help Lesotho, refugee families, Beef Connection, Welcome In Drop-In Centre, Saturday Night Suppers and Food Shelf, Friday Fare Share, Canadian Ecumenical Anti-Racism Network. Habitat for Humanity, Queer and Christian Without Contradiction, and Affirm United.
Amnesty International
We will be reviving Amnesty International Activities this Fall if there is sufficient interest. Please contact Anne via email or 519-780-1685 if you would like to participate in letter writing or organizing petitions etc. There is no previous experience needed just enthusiasm and courage to act! Time and place will depend on the number of people willing to give their support to this project. Be Radical...make a Difference !
Chalmers Food Shelf
and Saturday Night Suppers
Harcourt actively supports the downtown work of the Chalmers Community Services Centre. The Food Shelf is open every Friday morning when homeless, unemployed and low-income people are able to pick up basic food necessities, toiletries, and clothing. Harcourt has a large box in the Narthex where food items can be dropped off.
Over 18 Guelph Faith Communities participate in the Saturday Night Suppers. J & O organize the donations of food and the 15 volunteer servers for 5 suppers per year. On average 115 people who would not get a warm meal otherwise are served at these suppers. These include homeless and unemployed people, and low income families
Drop-In Centre
The Centre is located in the Guelph downtown area and is operated by Sister Christin. It is a place where homeless and unemployed people and low-income families can come and eat for a nominal fee where they can afford it. It is a place where they meet, socialize and provide moral support for each other. There are also referrals to the various social services agencies available in Guelph. Harcourt volunteers serve at the counter, help in the kitchen and on the Board.
Masai for Africa Campaign
A local doctor, Anne-Marie Zajdlik, who operates the HIV/AIDS clinic in Guelph, is raising funds to support the Tsepong HIV/AIDS Clinic in Lesotho. Her goal is $1,000,000. Harcourt has already assisted with the Lenten appeal and the sale of friendship bracelets, and a full day extravaganza of entertainment called "Guelph Cares II", on June 23rd 2007. This event was started by Monica Moore, our past Minister, who ran "Guelph Cares" a similar event for the victimes of Tsunami in Asia. This event raised over $12,000.
Uganda Project
Ben and Norma Fear have established the Norben Student Sponsorship Fund. Money is held in this Fund, with Harcourt as the charity, exclusively for this program. The Justice and Outreach Committee has established two sub committees: the Norben Students Sponsorship Fund Committee to administer the fund in Uganda and Project Uganda Sub-Committee to administer funds in Guelph.
Periodically funds in this account will be forwarded to an account in Mbale, Uganda. This account is currently at Barclays Bank (Mbale branch) in Mbale, Uganda. It is used exclusively for the Norben Student Sponsorship Fund. Three designated local individuals manage the funds in this account and two of the three must sign for withdrawals. Money withdrawn from this account is used exclusively for school fees and expenses of qualified students selected by the Norben Student Sponsorship Committee. Donations to The Uganda Project may be made any time during the year. Payable to: Harcourt Memorial United Church designated for Uganda Project.
45 students have been selected on a basis of need and scholastic ability. Their performance is reviewed each term and changes are made if required. Members of the Committee visit Mbale, at their own expense, to meet with the students and the committee.
Refugee Sponsorship
The Harcourt community reaches out to refugees with a great deal of
compassion and care. Our first experience started with the arrival of
refugees from Vietnam. We have been a stepping stone for people from
many countries since then. Recent sponsorships were from Bosnia and Sierra
Leone. These opportunities provide us with a glimpse into the lives of
people from distant countries and different cultures. We grow in
appreciation of the diversity that exists around us. Some of us become
lifetime friends with these people. We recently sponsored a family from Searra Leone, but the family was denied admission. We are currently looking for a family to sponsor.
United Church Mission & Service
At Harcourt we give generously to the Mission and Service Fund of the United Church of Canada. We thus participate in the local, national and international activities of the larger church.
University of Guelph Ecumenical Campus Ministry
The Anglican, Presbyterian and United Churches sponsor the Ecumenical Campus Ministry. Harcourt along with other local churches provides financial and moral support to this important ministry in our midst.
Water, a Sacred Gift
The Justice and Outreach committee would like to draw your attention to
the opportunity we have just now in our community to express our opinions
regarding our stewardship of the gift of water.
Globally the ecological water crisis has developed because:
| 1. |
We are depleting our water supplies. |
| 2. |
We are moving water massively through pipe lines and bottling it,
never to return to its source through the water cycle.
|
| 3. |
We are polluting water.
|
In Canada only 6 - 7 % of our water is truly accessible and useable.
You have probably been reading about the current issue of Nestles'
request for a renewal of its water-taking permit from the Ministry of the
Environment, as of May 11, 2007, to take out 3.6 million liters of water
daily in Aberfoyle over the next 5 years.
As with all issues there are pros and cons. These issues are complex
and may affect us all differently in the short term. But we need
discussion so we can work towards solutions made with foresight
and good stewardship.
This is greater than just one issue, whether you are for or against this
request. Now is the time to make your voice heard.
The Justice and Outreach Committee has an educational mandate and
over the past four years, we have brought the theme of water to the
attention of the people of Harcourt.
