Look For The Helpers

We’ve all heard this advice from Mr. Rogers. When things are bad or bad things happen or even if we just wonder how to cope with some accident or disaster these words echo in our memories.

This week we finally got to our budget meeting. It’s been postponed because of various “winter conditions” for several weeks. So I’ve had a bit more time to think about our process. Here’s what’s different about our congregation’s budgeting philosophy. We used to start with our fixed expenses. How much for heat and hydro and telephone and security and insurance and yard maintenance… Then how much is left over for helping our kids go to camp, or buying new candles for Advent or Lent, or ordering resources for classes or preaching? Oh, and let’s put out a jar for spare change so we can support the food bank.

This year, our first full year without a building our process was quite different. We started with our mission plan. What did we mean to do as a congregation? One big thing was to be a force for good to our neighbours. We want to get serious about the mission to “abolish poverty and end suffering.” But really, what can a small group of mostly seniors do to work on the clear problems of the homeless and food insecurity of families and children growing up in those families?

Answer: Look for the helpers!

So our budget shows clearly what we found. Our budget swelled in the areas of support for the Children’s Foundation who run serious breakfast programs, summer vacation food for families, referrals for counseling services for mental health needs, parenting classes and new parent support. We continue our support for music for young children because we know how music education enriches the lives of children and their families.

Our Jan-uwear-y, Feb-uwear-y project to collect much requested new underwear for the homeless is a case in point. We didn’t then go in search of recipients. We delivered them to Hope House because they have the means and the relationships already to get them to the people who need them. They’re the helpers we found when we looked.

Some of the underwear contributed during Feb-uwear-y

I know many congregations put energy into attracting children to their churches. I know this because we did it too. “How can we attract families with children?” we used to ask. We still love it when children come to our activities, but we also realize that our job is to consider the long game. How can we contribute to making life better for all the children in our community? What do all the children need and who is working on that?

Even what causes are our children involved in that we can support? It's why we’re interested in climate protests, soccer tournaments, hockey, horses, youth orchestra performances and gardening. Who knows what we’ll be interested in next? We’ll let you know.

Pretty Quiet in the Foyer

Things are pretty quiet in The Foyer these days. We’ve been dealing with viruses and snow. Trying to keep warm and get healthy. Hopefully we’ll be back together this Sunday because we have a budget to pass. More than that we miss everybody!

Maybe next week we’ll have more to share.
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We have received this encouraging note from Carman T.

Dear Guelph/Elora friends,
I want to express my appreciation and admiration for your efforts to improve the lives of people in your community. While we often think and talk about making a difference, you are actually doing what you can. Well done!

Our little Kitchener group also has a sock program, etc. but we never thought about collecting underwear. What a good idea! We sponsor and support a Young Peacemakers program for children and a Coffee and Congregation group which is well attended and appreciated by people looking for meaningful connection with others, but we still struggle with what else we can do.

I find your efforts inspiring and encouraging and just wanted to send a note to say thank you.
Blessings to each one,

Carman

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Some of the underwear donated during our Feb-uwear-y project.

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Feb-uwear-y

Here comes another storm!

I got out this morning ahead of the predicted snow to buy another bag of underwear. Do you remember “socktober”? We all gathered up socks to donate to our unhoused neighbours. Then as the weather worsened we assembled mitts and hats and scarves and overcoats. Things are not much different for people seeking shelter beds or places to get out of the weather.

They don’t have showers, or washers and dryers or places to store their “extra changes of clothes.” Imagine for a minute what life is like not to have those things.

So we have declared February to be “Feb- u wear -y”. If you’ve got the means to buy some new, clean underwear (the “u-wear” in February) for men or women, get it to church on Sunday or take it directly to one of the places handing these donations. Underwear and socks are still the most requested clothing items. Any donations that come to church will be donated on your behalf. And someone, whose life is unimaginably hard will at least have something clean and new to start the week.

Because next week it will still be winter. And those people are still our neighbours.

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Message From Carmen

Today I’d like to share with you a message from Carmen who teaches the early childhood music classes we sponsor. 

As a reminder, here is a link to our
>> October 22 Music Excursion << 

Carmen says “Happy New Year to you! The new term of the baby and toddler program did start again this week. We are thrilled to again have three classes running per week-Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.

Some of the students from the fall are continuing, and there are also several new students joining. I’m also excited to see that a few students that had taken the class either last winter, spring, or in one case actually two years ago have returned to class after a break. It’s so nice to see that while we might not have worked in their schedule for some time, they did keep us in mind, and come back when it was possible”

She goes on the say that so far this year Eight families are benefiting from the bursary money we provide. And that, she says, is very exciting!

We are invited to visit again and we will plan another “music excursion” sometime after Easter.

How great to hear this good news about our music project—a bright spot in the middle of a cold winter. Join us in supporting our 2025 budget coming soon. That meeting is currently scheduled for February 16. See what we’re planning to spend money on, now that we’re not maintaining a building.

And join us in one of the most fun things we do. Watch for our invitation to visit later in the spring. Meet Carmen and the little children and parents enjoying the benefits of music in their lives.

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