March 2022 - Doorways Into Our Community
Welcome to a new month and a new Deacons Corner.
Turning the page of our calendars to March often brings a sense of renewed energy. The winter starts to feel quite long by the end of February, but March brings with it new hope. Perhaps that’s due to temperatures that start to warm up, or the days being longer, or maybe it’s because of a much-needed March Break. This month also brings with it Lent,a time where we create space for God, and focus on our spiritual journey with Christ before we are able to celebrate his death and resurrection.
How humbling to remember we are all sinners, but that the precious blood of our Lord and Saviour was shed for each and every one of us. What a celebration that is! May God bless you this month as you give up your burdens and allow the Holy Spirit to fill you.
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We must take a pause before highlighting what is going on. There is the extreme political unrest and horrific and scary things going on in our world. We know that God is in control, that he has a plan and that he is a good and faithful God.
The situation in Ukraine changes daily and the needs are great. For those of you who wish to donate to relief efforts relating to the war going on in Ukraine, please click on the following links. We have chosen to highlight two organizations that we support who are aiding efforts overseas.
1. To give through World Renew please click on the following link:
Ukraine Response (clickandpledge.com)
If you’d like to give through World Renew but do not have access to technology to give online, or would prefer to send a cheque, the cheques can be forwarded with fund code: 210236: IDR-Ukraine Conflict.
2. The government is also matching donations made to the Red Cross Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis Appeal for donations made between February 24 and March 18. A link to a news article can be found here.
Federal government says it will match donations to Red Cross Ukraine campaign | CBC News
To donate through Red Cross to ensure the matching program is utilized, please access this link:
Donate to the Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis Appeal - UHCA MWF Don (redcross.ca)
Stay tuned for our next Deacons Corner on March 20th.
A Chance to connect with our new Missionary!
It’s March! Every even year the Deacons help to promote our local organizations through our Doorways into the Community event, and in odd years, we focus on Doorways into the World. This year, we have the opportunity to highlight local organizations.
Typically, we would invite the organizations to come out and set up a table in our gym so that we can meet them in person and hear “live” the wonderful ways their organizations support our community, both at home and in a broader sense. As congregating after the service isn’t quite an option, we are hosting a virtual Doorways event this year. In order to highlight as many organizations as possible, we will be having TWO Deacons’ Corner posts this month.
The Fort
The FORT has been continuing our mission of supporting youth throughout the pandemic by providing programs and services for youth ages 11-18 both online and in our centres. The FORT helps youth with homework, job applications, applying for post-secondary education, and provides a safe space where youth can learn new skills and meet new friends. We also assist youth in crisis by helping those suffering from mental health needs, homelessness, or addictions. We provide all of our services free of charge so all youth can benefit.
For more information, go to: www.thefortyouthcentre.com
Elisha House
Effective January 1, Elisha House is no longer directly offering crisis pregnancy services or Biblical Counselling. For counselling, Elisha House is referring to a new organization called Insight Biblical Counselling. This ministry is essentially identical to who we were in the past, but it is a new organization seeking charitable status, continuing the work of Biblical counselling for individuals, couples & families.
For the pregnancy options ministry, Elisha House has entered into a partnership with a new organization called Clarity Pregnancy Options. This organization is offering identical services as Elisha House, but is a non-profit instead of a charity.
For more information on how this organization is serving the community, visit them online at Elisha House (Niagara Life Welland Centre)
The pandemic has left so many of our RCK families struggling with anxiety and mental health. We can see it in the faces of our kids, our youth, and in the faces of their parents and caregivers. Children thrive on routine and structure, yet they have been in and out of school this year, kind of living in the world of unknowns. Volunteers and staff from Rose City Kids have faithfully been visiting and checking in on our families regularly to be an encouragement and support in this season. We have been able to continue our home visits and porch drop offs, one on one tutoring, mentorship and youth drop in evenings.
We had new initiatives through COVID that included curbside pick-up (where families could drive by and pick up a free meal or snacks). We had also started a "Walk with us" program where pairs of volunteers took children for hour long walks in their neighborhoods. Our doors have never been closed in this season. This fall we completed an outdoor sports court to offer the youth more physical activity and social and community bonding. We were able to open up the court for ball hockey and basketball this past fall and we turned it into an ice rink for the winter. This has been an amazing experience for everyone! We have also just recently started a children's choir as well we hired a part time inhouse student therapist
Through many of these programs we have cried alongside so many of our children hearing about the struggles they face day to day. Many of them had been spending days in front of screens for hours-online school, video games and social media. This has also affected many of our girls who have expressed to us that they have been victims of cyber bullying. Parents reached out to us and shared stories of domestic abuse and parent separations in this season. We hear too frequently that some youth and parents are struggling with substance abuse. The condition of our kid's mental health is not good, and we recognize that this is going to be a long-term battle.
We recognize that Jesus is the best anchor in a storm, so we are also committed to offering our families hope in the form of prayers and by dropping off biweekly devotions. We see the need and we are ready to do what we can, with what we have, where we are. We are in this together start to finish. We are a family! To access additional information on their website, please click the following link: Rose City Kids | Welland | Non-Profit Organization
World Day of Prayer
You may recall seeing a link in emails or on our website to join participants from across Canada to watch the World Day of Prayer 2022 Virtual Service.
World Day of Prayer (WDP) services have been held in Canada for almost 100 years. The 2022 service was written by the WDP committee of England, Wales, and Northern Ireland inspired by the Biblical theme “I Know the Plans I Have for You”
Jeremiah 29: 1 – 14.
In 2022, service options have again been expanded. Due to COVID guidelines and protocols, WICC is encouraging the use of the online WDP service, produced by the Women’s Inter-Church Council of Canada to help keep people safe.
Go to wicc.org after March 4th to watch this free one-hour recording featuring participants from across Canada. There will be a well-marked button on the website to click.
Donations received for services not only support the World Day of Prayer movement but provide generous grants that support social justice projects in Canada and the world. We are encouraging online donations. This supports COVID-19 precautions and requires less processing of funds by coordinators and WICC staff.
Individuals can use the DONATE button on the WICC website (www.wicc.org/donate). Or go to wicc.org on a smartphone and click DONATE BY TEXT (647 953-5557.
Cheques can be mailed to:
WICC (Women’s Inter-Church Council of Canada)
47 Queen’s Park Crescent East Toronto, ON M5S 2C3
Please make sure that any cheques include a mailing address as tax receipts will be provided for donations of $20 or more.
For more information on Mountainview’s involvement in this event, please contact our coordinators:
Christina Pleizier 289-235-8509; pleizier@cogeco.ca
Liz Meijer 905-945-9374; lizmeijer55@gmail.com
Rose Cottage
Hello Friends,
We have an exciting new way for you to support Rose Cottage Visiting Volunteers this growing season. We’ve partnered with BigYellowBag, a local company that delivers high quality garden products in a neat, clean bag, straight to your door.
As we are all getting into the planning for our spring/summer gardens, BigYellowBag has offered to donate $10 to Rose Cottage for each bag purchased using our unigque code ROSE22.
As an added bonus, YOU save $5 on your BigYellowBag purchase, and orders placed before March 31st will also qualify for an additional $20 discount for you!
So if your in need of soil or mylch to get you lawn and garden going this year, keep us in you thoughts. Order online through BigYellowBag: www.bigyellowbag.com. Feel free to call our office with any questions. 289-566-9599. Thanks for your support!
