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The Parish of St. Anselm celebrated with joy and thanksgiving our commitment to respond to our call to “love one another as I loved you” (John 13:34) by our Savior Jesus Christ. COVID-19 changed our world by throwing us into fear, isolation and helplessness, yet we celebrated the presence of living Christ among us.
During the worship service the video of the choir with Anne Murray & the “Men of deeps”, a Nova Scotian miners' choir singing 'We rise again”was played and the message was delivered regarding the work of The Primate World Relief & Development Fund. The Intercessory prayers were focused on the Presence of PWRDF in countries ravaged by natural and man-made disasters, including our province of BC., and seeking blessings over all our offerings to support this humanitarian work to continue.
After the worship service a simple Indian dinner of Veg. Biriyani, Cabbage stir-fry, yogurt & cucumber raitha ending with yummy PWRDF chocolate cake was prepared by Shirin and packed by Edwin, Thuy, Ruth, Heather & Kin was made available to pick up and go. Thanks for all the help rendered by each one as well as to all who ordered the food to support the work of PWRDF. Between 12:00 noon to 1:00pm people were able to drop by and pick up their order.
Your generosity makes me so humble for it indeed was 'beyond my asking or imagining'! We raised $1,325.00.
So here is what St. Anselm's was able to choose from the PWRDF's ' World of Gifts” this year: Yes! We bought “a whole farm” so that conservation agriculture can be supported by giving 5 goats, restoring seed supplies, setting up chicken farmers, feeding chickens and training dairy farmers in Bangladesh, Cuba, Colombia, Kenya, Malawi and Zimbabwe.
You supported St. Jude's Family project in Uganda to buy 100 Moringa tree seedlings, to restore the environment by providing fruits and shade as well as restoring the soil health. We gave toward supporting poultry feed production through the partnership of PWRDF and that National Council of Churches in Kenya by giving livelihood for the refugees in the Kakuma Refugee Camp, the largest refugee camp in the world. Three new baby starter kits which includes blankets, baby vests, jumpers,hats and a set of cloth diapers and 4 antenatal visits for the moms and babies in Lesotho.
In Maison Dorcas in the Democratic Republic of Congo, we were able to give the gift to provide textile kits or basket weaving kits to women recovering from sexual violence. We also gave fresh starts to 6 women by providing personal health kits which includes sanitary pads, soap, tooth brush and tooth paste, under wear, toilet paper etc. to enhance their recovery from sexual and gender violence and to restore their dignity and help in recovery. And finally. We gave toward the emergency response fund of PWRDF to ensure there are funds on hand for urgent humanitarian crises all over the world.
The Annual report of PWRDF for 2020-2921 says that 1, 041,860 was allocated to emergency relief and refugee response and $ 3, 808,267 was spent on development projects. Thanks to everyone for responding to the call to 'pay it forward' toward the vaccine equity fund to support people of India.
Through the newly formed PWRDF Indigenous Program Advisory Committee, we are committed to grants to support Indigenous-led programs to improve community health, address climate action, provide safe water and to encourage youth engagement in Canada, Peru and Mexico. PWRDF is actively seeking donations at present to address the emergency situation in BC.
Every dollar counts. So we shall continue to pray knowing that through the work of PWRDF we shall animate in God's work, changing lives, changing communities and changing the world.
Submitted by
Shirin Theophilus
Parish Representative for PWRDF