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Chandler Mowat Update
Greetings Gathering Church Community We miss seeing you and joining in corporate worship with you. Lingering over a coffee and conversation at the end of our worship services will be a treat when we come out of Covid 19. This Sunday after online worship we are going to try a virtual meeting space where we can have “coffee together”. Stay tuned for more details. We hope that you will join us! As we continue to abide by the rules of staying home, please know that the staff and leadership teams are praying for you and are here for you to support you in whatever ways we can during these times. In these times we may have to ask for things which we would not have in the past. That can be a request for a phone call, prayer or support with finances or a need. Though we journey separated from each other, we are not alone. Please reach out. The Gathering community remains faithful and full of kindness in this time. Many of you have asked how our friends in the Chandler Mowat community are doing. We rejoice in our church’s depth of care and concern for those most vulnerable. The purpose of this letter is to provide you with an update on what The Gathering and various partners of the Chandler Mowat community are doing to offer support and care in these times. Staff has been in touch with our City and our House of Friendship partners. We have been intentional in letting them know that we as a church would like to support the community as much as possible during this time. The House of Friendship has been able to continue their weekly Food Distribution in the Chandler Mowat Community Centre parking lot. They have seen an increase of 50% in people coming for food. The Food Bank brings a truck with food for distribution. The food is put into packages and guests receive a package. People do not get to choose what they would like as they did pre-Covid. The House of Friendship happily reported that the guests are participating with understanding about the guidelines, they are thankful for the opportunity to “gather” as community even as they social distance and are acknowledging that it is good to see others in their community on a weekly basis. The House of Friendship will continue with weekly Food Distribution until the Centre re-opens. They are not able to welcome volunteers at this time. The Gathering is participating in Food Distribution by providing grocery gift cards to the guests. These grocery cards allow for the guests to choose products that they are unable to get at the Food Distribution. The Gathering has committed to providing $10,000 of grocery cards during Covid. Thank you church for caring for our neighbours in this most practical way. A generous friend of The Gathering has contributed more craft kits for the CM community. We are delivering these to children who attend Build A Lunch and to others in the community who are in need. These craft kits not only provide an activity for children but also help with supplies needed for online learning. Nutrition for Learning is a not-for-profit organization that supplies healthy snacks for children in many schools across our Region. The schools that the children from CM attend relied on Nutrition for Learning to feed many children. During Covid, Nutrition for Learning has moved to “Pop Up Snacks” where they send a van to a variety of lower income communities on a weekly basis and distribute healthy snacks. This program is present at CMCC parking lot on Wednesday mornings at 9:30. Folks we have spoken to have said that the snacks are a gift as kids seem endlessly hungry. I know that some of you can relate to the multiple requests for snacks throughout the day. We are trying to spread the word of this great initiative throughout the community. Nutrition for Learning is also unable to welcome volunteers at this time. Many of the partners of Chandler Mowat are seeking to be present through online programming. The Neighbourhood Association, Our Place, ArtShine, Carizon, Board of Education and Pathways are all trying to be in touch with past participants to welcome them into a new way of being in community. We can pray that people hear about these programs and find community and support through them. The teachers of the children and youth in Chandler Mowat are also working diligently to find ways to support learning and to provide technology where needed. From the beginning of The Gathering’s call to Chandler Mowat, the church has desired to be the hands and feet of Christ. We have been a presence of Peace and Love. In this time I know many are feeling saddened by our inability to be amongst the community. We wonder how to pray in a meaningful way. Please know that many in the community and amongst the partners know of the church’s love and care. They also know that this time demands us to be apart. It is good to celebrate the many partners who are joining in caring for the community in new and creative ways. We continue in hope that the goodness of God extends beyond the restrictions of Covid. Thanks Gathering for your ongoing care and concern for those in need. If you have any questions or thoughts, please be in touch with staff or leadership. God’s peace and strength to each of you, Catherine On behalf of staff and leadership. |