by Bill Steadman

During the Stewardship Focus in October, we will be looking at various ways that  we now support the ministry of the church, and the mission that we share with God in the world through our Mission and Service Fund.

All that we do is based on our essential understanding of the faith.  For those of us in the United Church, one of the guiding documents of our faith is “A New Creed” which begins:  “We are not alone; we live in God’s world.”

Many local churches in Canada receive support, including isolated churches such as Oxford House at the northern extreme of Lake Winnipeg in Manitoba, where the Rev. John Thompson has been the local minister for many years.

These ministries, along with several others, are highlighted in the video above.  As you watch, remember that your gifts to the Mission and Service Fund help to make all of these outreach activities happen.

Through the Mission and Service Fund of the church, we also work with partners in Canada, South and Central America, and indeed throughout the world. Here are some  brief stories about several of those partners.

St. Matthew’s-Maryland Community Ministry in Winnipeg has an active outreach program that serves meals, helps people seeking accommodation who are leaving abusive relationships, and supports individuals new to the community.  Thanks to United Church M & S Funding, they are able to provide support to people on the margins in the core of Winnipeg.

The Karl Lévêque Cultural Institute in Haiti is a long-time partner of the United Church.  Though Roman Catholic in its sponsorship, the Institute provides essential support to people living in the hilly terrain north of Port au Prince, where agriculture is essential to their income, but the farm land is marginal at best.  Through the Institute, new farming skills are taught, as well as land conservation skills.

The Cordillera People’s Alliance of the Philippines supports the aspirations of indigenous people in the western regions of the Philippines, while the Asian Rural Institute trains people from all over the world in farming techniques for those growing food on small acreages.

Other programs support language skills and educational opportunities in remote areas of Africa and Central and South America.  The support of schools in Haiti is a major focus of our partnership with the Methodist Church of Haiti.  Their bishop, the Rev. Gesner Paul, was one of the ecumenical guests at this summer’s General Council meeting.

When you support the Mission and Service Fund of the United Church of Canada your gifts make these outreach activities a reality.