Justice and Outreach
Our mission, our passion is to respond and call others to action regarding community and global issues which influence the well-being of humans and their environment. We receive scores of requests for help and intervention. The committee chooses which to support on the basis of a vision process completed in 2007 (link to JNAC). There is much work to be done here in Guelph, in Canada and internationally. If you feel called to work towards justice, please contact our council member Stephen Norton, and his email is norton1227@gmail.com.
Advent and Lenten Appeal: In the United Church tradition there are special collections during the seasons of Advent and Lent and there are designated envelopes for these appeals included with Offering Envelopes and in the church pews. The Justice and Outreach committee at Harcourt designates the recipients (both local and international needs) of the Advent and Lenten Appeal donations. The recipients of the latest Advent and Lenten Appeals were Project Uganda ad Water Wells in India.
Project Uganda (Norben Student Sponsorship Fund)
Refugee Sponsorship: The Harcourt community has a long and well-established tradition of reaching out to refugees from troubled areas of the world. Our Refugee Sponsorship Program began with a Vietnamese family and has included families and individuals from Poland, Bosnia and Sierra Leone.
We are currently negotiating through the United Church of Canada Refugee Program Advisor to sponsor a family in the very near future
United Church Mission and Service Fund (M &S): (there is a logo on the U.C website , link to www.united-church.ca/funding/msfunding)The work of the United Church of Canada across the country and around the world is funded by the M &S Fund. The M & S Fund represents our collective way to be God’s presence in the world - to be the church, to love and serve, to seek justice , to live with respect in creation. It allows us a collective voice in advocating change, justice and peace, whether through the Canadian government or in work with our ecumenical partners.
The Harcourt community gives generously to the Mission and Service Fund and participates in local, national and international activities of the United Church of Canada.
KAIROS: (logo on website, www.kairoscanada.org)
KAIROS is Canadian Churches working together for justice and peace. KAIROS … Faithful action for justice and peace. In a time such as ours … KAIROS unites Canadian churches and religious organizations in a faithful ecumenical response to the call to “do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8) Informed by biblical teachings, KAIROS deliberates on issues of common concern, striving to be a prophetic voice in the public sphere. Inspired by a vision of God’s compassionate justice, KAIROS advocates for social change, amplifying and strengthening the public witness of its members.
KAIROS – GUELPH CHAPTER:
Look for local KAIROS events in UpComing Events on this website.Amnesty International: The Harcourt community has been involved in Amnesty writing campaigns, petitions, and Christmas Card writing initiatives as well as devoting time collecting signatures at the Amnesty table at the weekly Guelph Farmers Market. Most recently, Harcourt has focused on the Amnesty Stolen Sisters Campaign Anyone interested in bringing an Amnesty issue to the congregation, please contact this committee. Look for ways to participate through upcoming events and the weekly bulletin!
Anishnabeg Outreach Centre: While organising the Stolen Sisters Writing Campaign, Anne Melgaard made contact with Wendy Stewart of the Anishnabeg Outreach Centre in downtown Guelph. The Anishnabeg Outreach Centre is a non-profit organisation with the goal of assisting First Nation people in their search for employment, training and educational opportunities with access to culturally appropriate services.
Anishnabeg Therapy Fund: In the fall of 2008, Wendy Stewart from Anishnabeg Outreach (link to website www.anishnabegoutreach.org) approached the Justice and Outreach Committee asking for help in providing therapy for some of their First Nations clients who were in extreme need. Wendy spoke to the (see picture photo of Wendy speaking at the church) Harcourt community on life in Guelph for Aboriginal Peoples. (click to read Herald article Dec. therapy Fund sent as an attachment). During our Advent Appeal we raised over $ 3,200. which is currently being used to bring culturally appropriate assistance to six clients. Anishnabeg Outreach has also applied for funding for a men’s healing group and a women’s drumming group through the United Church Healing Fund. We continue to be open to opportunities to create healing and reconciliation with our First Nations sisters and brothers. Donations to the Anishnabeg Therapy Fund can be sent to Anishnabeg Outreach (Therapy Fund), at 40 Baker St., 2nd Flr., Guelph, ON (519)-763-5292.
Truth and Reconciliation: (link to website www.united-church.org)
Formal Apology by the United Church of Canada (link to UC website where the apology is written or in the doc. Therapy Fund there is also a copy)
United Church Healing Fund: (www.united-church.ca/funding/healing)supports many programs in Aboriginal communities that are helping people in the healing process
The Justice and Reconciliation Fund: enables regional events in support of reconciliation and relationship building initiatives between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Peoples.
Indian Residential Schools: www.united-church.ca/aboriginal/schools
Chalmers Food Shelf: Harcourt actively supports the work of both Chalmers Downtown (40 Baker Street, Guelph) and Chalmers West (Three Willows United Church) Food Shelves and Clothing Closets. The Downtown Food Shelf and Clothing Closet location is open every Friday morning to enable homeless, unemployed and under-employed people to pick up basic food necessities, toiletries and clothing. Mending services are available on site. In the Greeting Place at Harcourt there is a shopping cart where food, clothing, bedding, towels and household items can be dropped off
Saturday Night Suppers: Sixteen Faith Communities take turns preparing and serving Saturday Night Suppers at Royal City Evangelical Church (formerly Chalmers United Church) on Quebec Street in downtown Guelph. Jill Gill organizes the donations of food and the 12 volunteer servers required for each of the 4 suppers that Harcourt provides each year. On average, 140 people receive a warm, healthy meal that they would otherwise not receive. If you are interested in volunteering there is a sign up sheet on the bulletin board nearest to the front entrance, three weeks in advance of Harcourt’s date to participate, or you can contact Jill Gill (peter.gill@sympatico.ca).
Welcome In Drop In Centre: is located in downtown Guelph and is operated by Sister Christine Leyser. Here the homeless, unemployed and under-employed are serve and welcomed. It is a place where they can meet, socialize, receive something to eat (at a nominal fee; if they can afford it) and provide moral support for one another. Here people can also receive referrals to social service agencies in Guelph. Harcourt volunteers serve at the counter, help in the kitchen and on the board.
Habitat for Humanity: several Harcourt members volunteer their time to Habitat for Humanity projects in Guelph. Harcourt members along with other Faith communities provide meals for the volunteers.
University of Guelph Ecumenical Campus Ministry: The Anglican, Presbyterian and United Churches sponsor the Ecumenical Campus Ministry. Harcourt, along with other local churches provide financial and moral support to this important ministry with Margot Feyerer as the Chaplain.
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Must See Websites:
United Church of Canada – Social Justice : www.united-church.ca/justice
Anishnabeg Outreach www.anishnabegoutreach.org
Wellington Water Watchers: www.wellingtonwaterwatchers.ca
Wellington Habitat for Humanity: www.habitatwellington.on.ca
Out On the Shelf: www.outontheshelf.ca
Guelph Wellington Women in Crisis www.guelphwellingtonwomenincrisis.ca
KAIROS : www.kairoscanada.org
Mission and Service Fund:
Guelph Seminars:
Zatoun: www.zatoun.com
Affirm United: www.affirmunited.ca
Queer and Christian Without Contradiction: www.queerandchristian.org
Amnesty International: www.amnesty.ca
It’s Easy to be Green (with a frog icon): providing tips of living green, gov.
Inexpensive Meals: recipes of meals which are nutritious and inexpensive