December 13, 2024 Newsletter
UPDATE ON OUR UKRAINIAN FAMILY
We are pleased to hear that Fairview Baptist church, sponsor for Snizhanna and Ivona, will continue to support them for one more year.
We at St. Andrew’s, will continue to assist Fairview in ensuring this little family has suitable accommodation.
Snizhanna has asked that I express her appreciation for all the acts of kindness and financial aid and for all the folks who hired her to help in their gardens.
As her Master’s degree is in agronomy, she is trying to find employment in that field.
She is taking courses to further her qualifications, volunteering in Ivona’s school, and actively working through Immigration Canada to try to bring her husband here and to gain permanent residency.
Please pray that these things will happen for her.
Dianne Dalton, Outreach & Missions
WINTER WARMTH FOR THOSE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS
During the winter months, A Place Called Home and The City of Kawartha Lakes Human Services Department administer a few different programs for those experiencing homelessness.
The shelter facility capacity has recently been increased permanently, taking us from 19 beds to 30, allowing us to make a greater impact on the community. In conjunction with our shelter facility, APCH offers a daily drop in where those experiencing homelessness can come and do laundry, grab a meal (at least one a day), have a shower, or use the bathroom, make phone calls and most importantly, connect with staff and work towards housing solutions.
We also offer an Out of the Cold Program in which hotels are organized and triaged on days when the temperature drops to -10C or below and the shelter is full. This specific program is offered across the region for both City of Kawartha Lakes and County of Haliburton residents and operates from December 1 to March 31. A further avenue for those living in the shelter who are stable and ready to move forward is a longer-term hotel stay. APCH and CKL staff work together to assess and identify those who require a light touch or minimal assistance on their housing journey and relocate them into longer-term hotel stays to help free up space in the shelter for folks requiring more robust services and guidance to attain permanent housing.
It is our goal to ensure that everyone has access to housing that meets their needs and that becomes of the utmost of importance during our cold winter months. During that time, we strive to ensure that all bellies are filled, hands and feet are warm, and folks feel safe and supported while accessing our services.
If you happen to run into someone experiencing homelessness, looking for a meal or having trouble meeting their financial needs, please direct them to A Place Called Home. We are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and trained and dedicated staff are always here and happy to help.
Contributed by Nicole Bryant, Shelter Manager, APCH
LOOKING FOR MUSICIANS & SINGERS
If you are interested in being involved with music in our Sunday worship services, either singing or playing an instrument, please speak to Paul Mason after the service.
BOOTS AND SHOES FOR KIDS
OCCASIONAL VOLUNTEERS NEEDED IN THE CHURCH OFFICE
We’re looking for volunteers to provide occasional help in the church office, approximately one day per month. Duties involve answering the phone, opening the door and talking to whoever stops by. There is no computer use involved.
Full orientation would be provided. If you are interested or have questions, please contact Mary Jeffrey, Tuesday - Friday, 10-2.
Whenever a room or area of the church is required for a meeting or event, it must be booked with Dawna Mahood at least three weeks in advance. This can be done by filling out the form on the church website https://www.standrewslindsay.com/bookings, or a hard copy found near the photocopier beside Mary’s office. For a change in plans, it is equally important to contact Dawna at standybookings@gmail.com or 705-324-4842. Dawna is generally at the church on Wednesdays, 10:00am - 2:00pm, if you would like to speak with her. Please remember that all kitchen use by outside groups must have supervision provided by a St. Andrew’s member or adherent.
CHRISTMAS TEA, LUNCHEON & BAKE SALE
The Women’s Groups would like to thank our congregation for the tremendous help we received on Saturday, December 7th with our Tea, Luncheon and Bake Sale. The donation of baked goods, as well as the gift of the bakers’ time was very gratifying and greatly appreciated. We were fortunate to also have help from the Kawartha Male Chorus.
Wishing everyone a blessed Christmas!
