ELUCO Winter Newsletter 2018

Siloam United Church supports several meal programs and food banks through contributions of food and volunteer time.

To find out how you can participate, please contact the church office for the name of the appropriate resource. 519-455-9201 [email protected]

For a list of all meal program and food bank locations in the City of London, please click here.

 

As many of you know, for nearly three years, we received funding from the wider courts of the United Church to initiate new ministries in North East London.  For our third and final year of funding in 2016-2017, we received $38,320 to pay for staff and programming costs for such dynamic ministries as Soul Groove Choir, the Joyful Noise program, the Fairly Good Samaritan Band, Messy Church, the Open Mic Coffee House, Hops and Hope Pub Night, and the Illumin8 Faith Podcast.

Beginning in the fall of 2017, we need to begin to support these dynamic ministries through a combination of congregational giving, partnerships with local businesses and not-for-profits, and development of revenue streams from a summer student garden project that we have applied to have funded by the Canada Summer Jobs program.

While the Canada Summer jobs program will enable us to cover employment costs for our students, we are also excited to enrol your financial and in-kind support in helping to obtain items such as rain barrels, soil, garden tools, and seeds to make this garden project a success.  We also invite you as a congregation to plant seeds of your own in your home garden or patio pot so we can raise 160 baskets of produce over the coming summer to donate to support local food banks in London.

Together as a Siloam Community we can continue to build vibrant ministries for young people in Northeast London.

2017 Local: Habitat for Humanity – habitat.ca

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2017 International: Canada Food Grains – foodgrainsbank.ca

Project Impact: The amount raised for Canada Food Grains through the generous donation of Siloam Members is $2,016.25.  This is a tremendous accomplishment for our Congregation and even more so when we remember that the Canadian Government matches this and multiplies the amount by four times!  This means that our efforts at Siloam will result in $8,065.20 going directly to people in Countries where food security and sustainability are most at risk.  Thank you to everyone for your generosity!

The Project: This year Siloam is raising money to support Canada Food Grains. This is the longstanding Canadian project which raises funds for people in developing countries to engage in sustainable farming and food security programs.

March 5, 2017 is the kick off for this campaign. There are two ways to give to Food Grains

• special envelopes in the pews throughout Lent (and an income tax receipt can be issued)
• placing your loose change in a basket at the coffee table in the Narthex following worship.

Food Grains pens will be available at the coffee table for those in the Congregation who wish one.

For more information or make a direct donation, go to the Canada Food Grains website at foodgrainsbank.ca

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2016 Local: The Oneida Language and Cultural Centre – www.oneidalanguage.ca

The United Church of Canada has committed to live into the Spirit of the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. We have an opportunity to make a tangible contribution to these recommendations through supporting preservation of Indigenous Language. Recording equipment to preserve the Oneida Language: Mary Elijah, Director of the Oneida Language and Cultural Centre states: “These are recording equipment upgrades needed to capture the Oneida speakers voicing the language. We are down to our last 52 remaining mother tongue speakers in our community (out of 65 left on the planet). Recording authentic speech has become an urgent priority. This equipment will improve our sound quality immensely and we are so grateful for your offer to raise money to provide this for our work at saving our disappearing language!” Total for this campaign is $900.00. Envelopes will be available in the pews during Advent so you can contribute to this important Language preservation project.

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2016 International: Peace in a Bottle

The United Church has a long history of relationship, dialogue, and action with partners to support a just peace in Israel/Palestine. For over 10 years, Canadians working for a just peace in Israel and Palestine have been purchasing and distributing Zatoun olive oil and other products (soap, herbs, embroidered craft items). Zatoun is a distributor in Canada of fair trade olive products from Palestine (Zatoun is the Arabic word for “olive”). By purchasing Zatoun olive oil products, we support Palestinian farmers and help Palestinians in their struggle for economic justice. As part of the Unsettling Goods Campaign, the Church in Mission Unit has partnered with Zatoun to put together an Advent Peace Box. Siloam has purchased the Peace Box and these items will be available for sale after church during Advent.

Thank you for your support! ~Outreach Committee