Stewardship Thoughts: Sponsorship of refugee family.
I grew up in the United church, as did my life partner…. Same for my parents & hers. So there are no big events of conversions or visions ……. I’d describe my time as experience and learning ……. One more step, one more step … and so on.
My present view is very much contained in the opening lines of The New Creed: “ We are not alone, we live in God’s world..” our 2016 world is God’s world and our world too!
Two memories from my very early years often return to my thoughts – usually prompted by some event, experience or decision to be made.
My live-in grandfather was “an Orangeman” He beat his drums in the early dawn on every July 12. It was many years until I understood the “Orange “significance. I eventually decided that it was something to be remembered but not something I needed to follow. That view was solidified decades later when the world news often featured Rev. Ian Paisley vs the IRA ……. The hate and atrocities in N. Ireland still reflect in my mind …… even as the ISIL (S) events of post 9-11 world are the horrors of the present.
Grandmother left me with a different image. When I was in the 7 to 11 age range a school chum of my age & myself used to visit each others’ homes for a 2 or 3 day stay. My friend was from a very large family, with limited resources. Grandma had the habit of giving each of us a little “treat money” when he was visiting – his was usually double what I got --- but I understood clearly her intentions.
Those are 2 contrasting but very informative memories. Date is circa 1950.
My view of “church” ( or being a Christian) has evolved from the early learnings of rules “Thou Shall!! …… Thou Shall NOT!!! to the view that Christ’s teachings – the most important ones, at least are found in the summary statement of “Love God, Love yourself and your neighbour”
A few New Testament stories parables- in which I find lessons for living are The Good Samaritan and Jesus & a Woman at the Well.., the Loaves & Fishes story …… they all relate to the “oneness” of people. Equality of people is important! I did not fully grasp that concept until very much later.
Following the Berlin Wall events of 1989 & the dissolution of the USSR – Soviet Union – shortly after …. I was blessed with a chance to be in a Canadian farm delegation to the former Soviet Union … Russia in 1993 and the Ukraine in 1995.
My “image” of this part of the world up to that time had been heavily influenced by the western political & media portrayal of communism as a very evil force or ideology. A major revelation of my ‘post Soviet Union’ experience was that – to my mind – the problem was corruption.
The “ordinary citizens” were just like us in Canada. The main difference being that the “Communist” empire of the USSR had become so corrupt – so prone to bribes & crooked activities in Political and Economic realm – that wealth, political influence and human rights were available only to those “on the inside”.
All of the above may seem unrelated to stewardship and mission…………. ….. but to me the experiences reflect the fact that people who have a real empathy and respect for others are a really valuable asset to society in general.
(now on to Refugee Sponsorship)
In 2012-2013, members of the Partners in Mission committee began raising the possibility of (Syrian) refugee sponsorship. Could it be done by a congregation? by a group of churches? What were the government rules about sponsoring a family? What would the financial costs be? What sort of work and organisation would be needed?
Many questions.
Over the months of 2013, interested people joined Partners in Mission in discussions & fact finding. By June of 2013, we had a Chairperson and a committee with a plan to present to S.V. P. Budget estimate was “at least $30,000 “ in order to sponsor “a family of 4 people” (hopefully, Mom, Dad & school age children.) This skeleton proposal was pondered over the summer months. In September, SVP (a court of our churches) said “Yes”.
Within minutes of that decision’ the first 3 financial donations were in hand… $500.
With around 40 congregations in Presbytery, a variety of fund raising were under way in the larger community.
The enthusiasm of a variety of United Church people caught the eye of others and money came in from citizens, a community square dance club and a community coffee club.
By year end, we had approximately $10,000 ‘in the bank’ –so to speak.
One of the key responsibilities for the project was Treasured & related financial records – in order to comply with Revenue Canada requirements - the task was taken on by Doris Hart, in addition to her (then) role of Treasurer for Williamsburg congregation.
Another major “up-front” task was completing Government of Canada application forms a) by the to-be-sponsored and by Presbytery as the sponsoring group. That task was taken on by Ruth Bradley - St Cyr … . at the time, she was Chesterville rep on the Committee.
Rev. Kathy Petrie, Victoria United & Roebuck United.. was Chairperson and leader of the project. She has put in the largest time allotment … and continues to do so.
The United Church of Canada – I mean our National Church office- played a very important role. UCC has worked on helping Canadians to sponsor and settle refugee peoples ever since the East Asian influx of people about 40 years ago.
Our United Church, along with some other denominations, have a pre-existing agreement with Government of Canada for sponsorship so all our application work was guided, reviewed ,and eventually supported by UCC. Our application began in Nov. of that year and was “complete” by Jan of 2015. Application went to government by Feb. 2015 and was deemed acceptable by Easter of that year. Our suggested waiting time was 18 to 24 months.
By Dec.10, 2015, that wait time had changed ….. they would be expected before end Jan of 2016.
By Dec. 28, the message was “meet them at Ottawa in New Years Day, Jan 1, 2016.
December and January of were hectic for the Committee and helpers …… but our family moved into “their” apartment in Cornwall by mid-Jan. Children were in school in a matter of 2 weeks.
The whole process has been educational, sometimes emotional and above all personally satisfying.
Our official sponsorship project is now winding down, as the “official “one year of support is reached in January of 2017
At the same time, many of us will continue to be available to them –as friends, not as official sponsors.
They still have to find employment and a place of their own to live.
It has been rewarding to Gladys & I to have come to know them as friends; to have learned about some of their favourite customs and foods; to have helped with school arrangements; to have offered friendly support & suggestions in dealing with medical concerns (a pediatrician has taken on the children as patients, the adults have a ‘family doctor’). Dad is a very careful & determined food shopper but Mom is the cook!!
They have many hurdles ahead as they move forward socially and financially with a new life in Canada. But on the other hand, their home situation was untenable due to the lawless conditions outside of Damascus
My hope is that, in giving them a helping hand towards a start in Canada, they will build a satisfactory life for themselves and their children here. I hope they sense that they are not and will not be alone. That Canada can be part of God’s world where they can live their lives in safety and have a sense of accomplishment like they had expected for Syria at the time they were married about 12 years ago.
They are people just like us. Love God & Love your neighbour as yourself.
(Gord Garlough)
I grew up in the United church, as did my life partner…. Same for my parents & hers. So there are no big events of conversions or visions ……. I’d describe my time as experience and learning ……. One more step, one more step … and so on.
My present view is very much contained in the opening lines of The New Creed: “ We are not alone, we live in God’s world..” our 2016 world is God’s world and our world too!
Two memories from my very early years often return to my thoughts – usually prompted by some event, experience or decision to be made.
My live-in grandfather was “an Orangeman” He beat his drums in the early dawn on every July 12. It was many years until I understood the “Orange “significance. I eventually decided that it was something to be remembered but not something I needed to follow. That view was solidified decades later when the world news often featured Rev. Ian Paisley vs the IRA ……. The hate and atrocities in N. Ireland still reflect in my mind …… even as the ISIL (S) events of post 9-11 world are the horrors of the present.
Grandmother left me with a different image. When I was in the 7 to 11 age range a school chum of my age & myself used to visit each others’ homes for a 2 or 3 day stay. My friend was from a very large family, with limited resources. Grandma had the habit of giving each of us a little “treat money” when he was visiting – his was usually double what I got --- but I understood clearly her intentions.
Those are 2 contrasting but very informative memories. Date is circa 1950.
My view of “church” ( or being a Christian) has evolved from the early learnings of rules “Thou Shall!! …… Thou Shall NOT!!! to the view that Christ’s teachings – the most important ones, at least are found in the summary statement of “Love God, Love yourself and your neighbour”
A few New Testament stories parables- in which I find lessons for living are The Good Samaritan and Jesus & a Woman at the Well.., the Loaves & Fishes story …… they all relate to the “oneness” of people. Equality of people is important! I did not fully grasp that concept until very much later.
Following the Berlin Wall events of 1989 & the dissolution of the USSR – Soviet Union – shortly after …. I was blessed with a chance to be in a Canadian farm delegation to the former Soviet Union … Russia in 1993 and the Ukraine in 1995.
My “image” of this part of the world up to that time had been heavily influenced by the western political & media portrayal of communism as a very evil force or ideology. A major revelation of my ‘post Soviet Union’ experience was that – to my mind – the problem was corruption.
The “ordinary citizens” were just like us in Canada. The main difference being that the “Communist” empire of the USSR had become so corrupt – so prone to bribes & crooked activities in Political and Economic realm – that wealth, political influence and human rights were available only to those “on the inside”.
All of the above may seem unrelated to stewardship and mission…………. ….. but to me the experiences reflect the fact that people who have a real empathy and respect for others are a really valuable asset to society in general.
(now on to Refugee Sponsorship)
In 2012-2013, members of the Partners in Mission committee began raising the possibility of (Syrian) refugee sponsorship. Could it be done by a congregation? by a group of churches? What were the government rules about sponsoring a family? What would the financial costs be? What sort of work and organisation would be needed?
Many questions.
Over the months of 2013, interested people joined Partners in Mission in discussions & fact finding. By June of 2013, we had a Chairperson and a committee with a plan to present to S.V. P. Budget estimate was “at least $30,000 “ in order to sponsor “a family of 4 people” (hopefully, Mom, Dad & school age children.) This skeleton proposal was pondered over the summer months. In September, SVP (a court of our churches) said “Yes”.
Within minutes of that decision’ the first 3 financial donations were in hand… $500.
With around 40 congregations in Presbytery, a variety of fund raising were under way in the larger community.
The enthusiasm of a variety of United Church people caught the eye of others and money came in from citizens, a community square dance club and a community coffee club.
By year end, we had approximately $10,000 ‘in the bank’ –so to speak.
One of the key responsibilities for the project was Treasured & related financial records – in order to comply with Revenue Canada requirements - the task was taken on by Doris Hart, in addition to her (then) role of Treasurer for Williamsburg congregation.
Another major “up-front” task was completing Government of Canada application forms a) by the to-be-sponsored and by Presbytery as the sponsoring group. That task was taken on by Ruth Bradley - St Cyr … . at the time, she was Chesterville rep on the Committee.
Rev. Kathy Petrie, Victoria United & Roebuck United.. was Chairperson and leader of the project. She has put in the largest time allotment … and continues to do so.
The United Church of Canada – I mean our National Church office- played a very important role. UCC has worked on helping Canadians to sponsor and settle refugee peoples ever since the East Asian influx of people about 40 years ago.
Our United Church, along with some other denominations, have a pre-existing agreement with Government of Canada for sponsorship so all our application work was guided, reviewed ,and eventually supported by UCC. Our application began in Nov. of that year and was “complete” by Jan of 2015. Application went to government by Feb. 2015 and was deemed acceptable by Easter of that year. Our suggested waiting time was 18 to 24 months.
By Dec.10, 2015, that wait time had changed ….. they would be expected before end Jan of 2016.
By Dec. 28, the message was “meet them at Ottawa in New Years Day, Jan 1, 2016.
December and January of were hectic for the Committee and helpers …… but our family moved into “their” apartment in Cornwall by mid-Jan. Children were in school in a matter of 2 weeks.
The whole process has been educational, sometimes emotional and above all personally satisfying.
Our official sponsorship project is now winding down, as the “official “one year of support is reached in January of 2017
At the same time, many of us will continue to be available to them –as friends, not as official sponsors.
They still have to find employment and a place of their own to live.
It has been rewarding to Gladys & I to have come to know them as friends; to have learned about some of their favourite customs and foods; to have helped with school arrangements; to have offered friendly support & suggestions in dealing with medical concerns (a pediatrician has taken on the children as patients, the adults have a ‘family doctor’). Dad is a very careful & determined food shopper but Mom is the cook!!
They have many hurdles ahead as they move forward socially and financially with a new life in Canada. But on the other hand, their home situation was untenable due to the lawless conditions outside of Damascus
My hope is that, in giving them a helping hand towards a start in Canada, they will build a satisfactory life for themselves and their children here. I hope they sense that they are not and will not be alone. That Canada can be part of God’s world where they can live their lives in safety and have a sense of accomplishment like they had expected for Syria at the time they were married about 12 years ago.
They are people just like us. Love God & Love your neighbour as yourself.
(Gord Garlough)