Social Action Opportunities
We continue our support for our “Partners in Mission” – which has meant, with some other Winnipeg congregations, helping out
- Project Peacemakers,
- Oak Table,
- St Matthews-Maryland community ministry.
- Our regular Tin for the Bin (thanks to all donors!) provides badly needed food supplies for the programmes of the inner city ministries.
- Some of our members are regular volunteers at Oak Table and others help out for special events.
- Invited speakers from those ministries share a Sunday worship with us so we might all learn and connect.
- White Gift donations were directed to the latter two agencies. The annual garage sale, a massive recycling and fund-raising project also raised over $6000 in 2011 - our best year ever!
1Hope Winnipeg
With these and other city ministries we are helping support the Winnipeg Presbytery initiative called One Hope Winnipeg which is aiming to create broad public support for all our city ministries. Groups like Siloam Mission have shown us that we can appeal to all Winnipeggers our in the care and service of others. Check out 1hope Winnipeg.
Refugee Sponsorship / Support
Over the years we have worked with individuals and families to flee from several of the world's most challenging locations to make a new life in Canada.
- Currently we have organized a group and put in an application for a government sponsored refugee.
- The government provides funding and we help the family find housing, furniture,etc and meet needs such as medical, schooling, and finding work.
- The category we are currently seeking is "special needs families."
- These include such situations as multi generation large group or people with special needs.
- These applications are publicized and arranged very rapidly. Our committee is preparing to act on a moment's notice.
The Clothes Closet
One of our FGUC members (Cathy Kinsman), along with South Winnipeg Family Information Centre, founded the Clothes Closet and was named Winnipeg Citizen of the Year for the inspiration.
Fort Garry United Church provides space and logistical support to this community program. The service is run as a store in order to provide the highest level of respect and independence to our customers.
New and like-new women's business-style clothing is constantly gathered (often from retailers who are making room for new stock, and householders making room in their closets). Full outfits from shoes to hats are sorted and displayed in our boutique-like store. These items are sold at profoundly discounted prices to women who have had to flee violent circumstances.
Use is by social service agency referral only.
Educational Activities
Committee members participate with The Zone activities - for example, members spent 4 Sundays in the past season helping kids (and ourselves!) learn more about the realities of managing on food bank supplies.
The Aboriginal Friendship committee has worked tireless to help inform congregation members about Aboriginal issues and relationships. Primarily through the work of Bob Glendinning, this group has developed and maintained, and recently handed over to Aboriginal partners a much in-demand resource book called Aboriginal Organizations in
Community Projects
Congregational members regularly join in occasional community projects and programs as needs arise, and as part of our integration with our neighbourhood.
Habitat for Humanity regularly receives our volunteers to building sites in Winnipeg, including, most recently, several of our members to an all female crew for the Women's Build.
Similarly, the church provides leadership and support for community events.
For example, the church has been a hub for local flood relief efforts (volunteers, fund raising, food, cleanup) in the region.
Similarly, meeting space and supports have been made available to larger public meetings dealing with community concerns, such as the Victoria Beach Cottage Owners.
