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Wednesday, December 25, 2013

The Weekly Wire for Christmas Day

 

Merry Christmas from your 

Canada West Mission Family.

Greg, Darrell, Lisa and Debra.

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This Week…in the Weekly Wire

Caretakers for HOP

Nurturing Spirit Weekend at Samish Island

What’s Up…In the CWM online

World Accord Update

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What’s Up…In the CWM is available online

in full color throughout.

Whats-Up-Oct-2013_thumb4_thumb_thumb

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NSW-2014_thumb5_thumb_thumb_thumb

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Live at Hills of Peace!

Caretaker Job Opportunity

IMG_2765_thumb2_thumb_thumb_thumb_th[1]

The Caretaker of the Hills of Peace Campground is responsible for maintaining the grounds, buildings, and services of the Hills of Peace Campground in a safe and attractive condition for the benefit of all users. For a complete list of duties, go to Caretaker Job Opportunity. Accommodations, utilities and a small remuneration are included.

Please send your application to Courtney Znak at courtneynhaley@hotmail.com

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Merry Christmas

 

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Weekly Wire for December 18, 2013

This Week…in the Weekly Wire

Caretakers for HOP

Nurturing Spirit Weekend at Samish Island

What’s Up…In the CWM online

World Accord Update

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7 Sleeps until Christmas!

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What’s Up…In the CWM is available online

in full color throughout.

Whats-Up-Oct-2013_thumb4_thumb

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WA-logo-horiz-RGB_thumb1

World Accord Update

by Lorna Webster

WA said goodbye to Nelson who was married this fall, is living in London, & unable to continue at WA. He is greatly missed by all, & our best wishes go to him for his new life. 

The new program ccordinator is Farrah Ali-Khan who has over ten years of experience working on environmental programs/initiatives, complemented by a deep commitment to environmental sustainability and social justice within Canada and abroad.  She brings experience in relationship building/project coordination and knowledge of international development issues - Farrah has provided this summary of her WA experiences.

"It's been an interesting journey & I feel like half a year has gone by rather than just three months since I moved to Kitchener, & started work at World Accord.  I have traveled to Central America where we "did" 3 countries in 3 1/2 weeks, then was off to Independence where I presented our funding proposal to our largest donor, World Hunger Fund. It's been an absolute whirlwind, many times stressful, sometimes amusing, but overall, extraordinarily enriching. 

World Accord, an international development non-profit, supports projects implemented by our partners in Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Haiti and Asia. They do this so people can meet their basic needs but have a long-term commitment to ensure communities are walked with & supported through their journey. What I really love about World Accord's approach is its deference and advocacy for local development, which is why we work through local partners who have been around for decades and are close to the communities with whom they work. Visiting Central America reaffirmed my decision to work with World Accord. Even though it felt like we were trying to see all the projects and partners at breakneck speed, the incredible value and significance of their work deeply resonated with me. Amazing work done by such few resources and iron-steel commitment re-invigorated my faith in humanity. 

Stories of all kinds were told: in El Salvador, our partner provides micro-credit funds/ongoing follow-up to poor women so they can start up various small businesses, feeling empowered in the process. One participant told us about how she had gone from being a destitute mother of 4, suffering a brutal divorce & cancer, earning $5/day at a factory to becoming a business-lady, selling health/wellness products out of her home - earning enough to put extensions on her home and send all her children to school. She is an incredible person of strength and fortitude & gave me the sense that anything is possible.

In Honduras, one of our partners for over 30 years, works with farmers who often earn only $0.25/day doing back-breaking labour. They encourage these farmers to form groups & then provide micro-loans so they can purchase their own land. They also provide technical advice so these farmers can experiment and develop a local seed variety that is best-suited to their micro-climate. These farmers go from being historical "underdogs" of an unjust system, suffering months of hunger, to producers of their own food/researchers. It's an amazing story of true emancipation and food sovereignty. One of the farmers groups was musically inclined & had formed a band & written songs about their work. One afternoon in the mountains, as the sun was setting, we had the opportunity to hear them play their songs about the seed varieties they had developed & environmental values that flow through their work. This brought tears to my eyes. Seriously.

In Guatemala, one of our oldest partners "Women in Action" primarily works in the Guatemalan highlands. Among the many initiatives they advance they advocate/teach sustainable agricultural practices to women. One of these includes using a specific kind of compost, enriched through a special bacteria only  harvested from virgin forests. They have developed the compost production using this bacteria to a fine art & have a 5-year plan to ensure that this becomes a feasible business where they can sell it as an organic product to the national market. This compost is pretty amazing, because it has been proven to restore soil depleted after generations of chemical use - within months.  When I asked a lady if she was afraid that someone would come along & patent this process, she simply replied that it would be ok, because all they want is the restoration of the soil, not profit. I was absolutely touched by that response - not a business lady, but a humanist and environmentalist to boot!

Anyways, the learning and fun don`t stop. David and I are off to Haiti in mid-December to see one of our partner's projects down there - supporting the establishment of agricultural cooperatives and seed cultivation and distribution in Haiti. - Farrah

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NSW-2014_thumb5_thumb_thumb

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Live at Hills of Peace!

Caretaker Job Opportunity

IMG_2765_thumb2_thumb_thumb_thumb_th[1]

The Caretaker of the Hills of Peace Campground is responsible for maintaining the grounds, buildings, and services of the Hills of Peace Campground in a safe and attractive condition for the benefit of all users. For a complete list of duties, go to Caretaker Job Opportunity. Accommodations, utilities and a small remuneration are included.

Please send your application to Courtney Znak at courtneynhaley@hotmail.com

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Merry Christmas

 

Thursday, December 12, 2013

The Weekly Wire for December 9, 2013

This Week…in the Weekly Wire

Caretakers for HOP

Nurturing Spirit Weekend at Samish Island

What’s Up…In the CWM online

Christmas Tree or Holiday Tree?

World Accord Update

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

What’s Up…In the CWM is available online

in full color throughout.

Whats-Up-Oct-2013_thumb4

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

WA-logo-horiz-RGB

World Accord Update

by Lorna Webster

WA said goodbye to Nelson who was married this fall, is living in London, & unable to continue at WA. He is greatly missed by all, & our best wishes go to him for his new life. 

The new program ccordinator is Farrah Ali-Khan who has over ten years of experience working on environmental programs/initiatives, complemented by a deep commitment to environmental sustainability and social justice within Canada and abroad.  She brings experience in relationship building/project coordination and knowledge of international development issues - Farrah has provided this summary of her WA experiences.

"It's been an interesting journey & I feel like half a year has gone by rather than just three months since I moved to Kitchener, & started work at World Accord.  I have traveled to Central America where we "did" 3 countries in 3 1/2 weeks, then was off to Independence where I presented our funding proposal to our largest donor, World Hunger Fund. It's been an absolute whirlwind, many times stressful, sometimes amusing, but overall, extraordinarily enriching. 

World Accord, an international development non-profit, supports projects implemented by our partners in Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Haiti and Asia. They do this so people can meet their basic needs but have a long-term commitment to ensure communities are walked with & supported through their journey. What I really love about World Accord's approach is its deference and advocacy for local development, which is why we work through local partners who have been around for decades and are close to the communities with whom they work. Visiting Central America reaffirmed my decision to work with World Accord. Even though it felt like we were trying to see all the projects and partners at breakneck speed, the incredible value and significance of their work deeply resonated with me. Amazing work done by such few resources and iron-steel commitment re-invigorated my faith in humanity. 

Stories of all kinds were told: in El Salvador, our partner provides micro-credit funds/ongoing follow-up to poor women so they can start up various small businesses, feeling empowered in the process. One participant told us about how she had gone from being a destitute mother of 4, suffering a brutal divorce & cancer, earning $5/day at a factory to becoming a business-lady, selling health/wellness products out of her home - earning enough to put extensions on her home and send all her children to school. She is an incredible person of strength and fortitude & gave me the sense that anything is possible.

In Honduras, one of our partners for over 30 years, works with farmers who often earn only $0.25/day doing back-breaking labour. They encourage these farmers to form groups & then provide micro-loans so they can purchase their own land. They also provide technical advice so these farmers can experiment and develop a local seed variety that is best-suited to their micro-climate. These farmers go from being historical "underdogs" of an unjust system, suffering months of hunger, to producers of their own food/researchers. It's an amazing story of true emancipation and food sovereignty. One of the farmers groups was musically inclined & had formed a band & written songs about their work. One afternoon in the mountains, as the sun was setting, we had the opportunity to hear them play their songs about the seed varieties they had developed & environmental values that flow through their work. This brought tears to my eyes. Seriously.

In Guatemala, one of our oldest partners "Women in Action" primarily works in the Guatemalan highlands. Among the many initiatives they advance they advocate/teach sustainable agricultural practices to women. One of these includes using a specific kind of compost, enriched through a special bacteria only  harvested from virgin forests. They have developed the compost production using this bacteria to a fine art & have a 5-year plan to ensure that this becomes a feasible business where they can sell it as an organic product to the national market. This compost is pretty amazing, because it has been proven to restore soil depleted after generations of chemical use - within months.  When I asked a lady if she was afraid that someone would come along & patent this process, she simply replied that it would be ok, because all they want is the restoration of the soil, not profit. I was absolutely touched by that response - not a business lady, but a humanist and environmentalist to boot!

Anyways, the learning and fun don`t stop. David and I are off to Haiti in mid-December to see one of our partner's projects down there - supporting the establishment of agricultural cooperatives and seed cultivation and distribution in Haiti. - Farrah

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

NSW-2014_thumb5_thumb

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Live at Hills of Peace!

Caretaker Job Opportunity

IMG_2765_thumb2_thumb_thumb_thumb_th

The Caretaker of the Hills of Peace Campground is responsible for maintaining the grounds, buildings, and services of the Hills of Peace Campground in a safe and attractive condition for the benefit of all users. For a complete list of duties, go to Caretaker Job Opportunity. Accommodations, utilities and a small remuneration are included.

Please send your application to Courtney Znak at courtneynhaley@hotmail.com

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Christmas Tree or Holiday Tree?
The White House referred to Christmas Trees as Holiday Trees for the first time this year which prompted CBS presenter, Ben Stein, to present this piece.  The following is an excerpt of what Ben Stein wrote and recited  on his CBS Sunday Morning Commentary.

My confession:
I am a Jew, and every single one of my ancestors was Jewish. And it does not bother me even a little bit when people call those beautiful lit up, bejeweled trees, Christmas trees. I don't feel threatened. I don't feel discriminated against. That's what they are, Christmas trees.
It doesn't bother me a bit when people say, 'Merry Christmas' to me. I don't think they are slighting me or getting ready to put me in a ghetto. In fact, I kind of like it. It shows that we are all brothers and sisters celebrating this happy time of year. It doesn't bother me at all that there is a manger scene on display at a key intersection near my beach house in Malibu . If people want a crèche, it's just as fine with me as is the Menorah a few hundred yards away.
I don't like getting pushed around for being a Jewish, and I don't think Christians like getting pushed around for being Christians. I think people who believe in God are sick and tired of getting pushed around, period. I have no idea where the concept came from, that America is an explicitly atheist country. I can't find it in the Constitution and I don't like it being shoved down my throat.
Or maybe I can put it another way: where did the idea come from that we should worship celebrities and we aren't allowed to worship God ? I guess that's a sign that I'm getting old, too. But there are a lot of us who are wondering where these celebrities came from and where the America we knew went to.
In light of the many jokes we send to one another for a laugh, this is a little different: This is not intended to be a joke; it's not funny, it's intended to get you thinking.

My Best Regards, Honestly and respectfully,
Ben Stein

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Weekly Wire for December 4, 2013

This Week…in the Weekly Wire

Caretakers for HOP

Women’s Christmas Breakfast Vancouver

Nurturing Spirit Weekend at Samish Island

What’s Up…In the CWM online

Quote of the Week

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What’s Up…In the CWM is available online

in full color throughout.

What's Up Oct 2013

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Women’s Christmas Breakfast in Vancouver

Guest Speakers Jeri Shumate from Vancouver Washington and Cheryl Melder from the Surrey Women’s Centre.

051058

025037044059

The City Soul Choir Sang for us!

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NSW-2014_thumb5

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Live at Hills of Peace!

Caretaker Job Opportunity

IMG_2765_thumb2_thumb_thumb_thumb_th

The Caretaker of the Hills of Peace Campground is responsible for maintaining the grounds, buildings, and services of the Hills of Peace Campground in a safe and attractive condition for the benefit of all users. For a complete list of duties, go to Caretaker Job Opportunity. Accommodations, utilities and a small remuneration are included.

Please send your application to Courtney Znak at courtneynhaley@hotmail.com

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“If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door.”

~Milton Berle~

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Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Weekly Wire for November 27, 2013

This Week…in the Weekly Wire

Support for the Philippines and India

Fishermen Helping Kids with Cancer

Caretakers for HOP

Women’s Christmas Breakfast Vancouver

Nurturing Spirit Weekend at Samish Island

Quote of the Week

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Upcoming Events at a Glance

November 30 Women’s Christmas Breakfast in Vancouver

November 30 Fishermen Helping Kids with Cancer

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At 11am this Saturday there will be a special presentation establishing 3 Children including Vancouver’s Coley Eidsvik as honorary Captains of the Fishermen Helping Kids with Cancer Herring Sale.

Fishermen Helping

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WA-logo-horiz-RGB_thumb_thumb

World Accord accepting donations for the

Philippines

I wanted to let people know that while World Accord does NOT not have a partner currently on the ground in the Philippines, we do have a long history of helping there so we will accept donations from any who would like us to find a trustworthy organization to support in the field.  We will ensure the report is filed with the Canadian government so the funds are matched according to their new matching process.   People can call the office to make donations over the phone. 

1-800-535-3545 or at Canada Helps https://www.canadahelps.org/services/wa/dnm/en/#/page/15824

for Peace and Prosperity
David Barth

David-Barth_thumb2_thumb

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Friends,

The church has sent $15,000 to India and $15,000 to the Philippines “so far” to assist victims of the ongoing disasters. We sent the funds out of the Abolish Poverty End Suffering funds. There will be more sent as soon as we get more information. These funds are all going to members of the church affected by the storms. Most have lost their homes and we are rebuilding peoples’ lives. There will be an official announcement coming out of communications department but I wanted you to know that we are already assisting and that members in Canada should be encouraged to support Abolish Poverty End Suffering on their envelopes.

Counselor to Presiding Bishop
Bishop For Canada
Jim Poirier

[staff/JimPoirier.jpg]

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Women’s Christmas Breakfast in Vancouver

Last Chance to RSVP!

start time changed to 9am

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NSW 2014

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Live at Hills of Peace!

Caretaker Job Opportunity

IMG_2765_thumb2_thumb_thumb_thumb_th[1]

The Caretaker of the Hills of Peace Campground is responsible for maintaining the grounds, buildings, and services of the Hills of Peace Campground in a safe and attractive condition for the benefit of all users. For a complete list of duties, go to Caretaker Job Opportunity. Accommodations, utilities and a small remuneration are included.

Please send your application to Courtney Znak at courtneynhaley@hotmail.com

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

2013 Event Calendar

November 30 Women’s Christmas Breakfast in Vancouver

November 30 Fishermen Helping Kids with Cancer

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I always wanted to be somebody,

but now I realize I should have been more specific.

~Lily Tomlin~

 

Thursday, November 21, 2013

New Band Showcase in Vancouver

If you’d like to hear some of the music that was shared at our New Band Showcase in Vancouver last weekend, here it is.  I’ve included a performance by ‘Rayne’ featuring Krisha, Jordan Thipthorpe, The Gospel Jam Choir, and Webb of Life.  It was recorded on my Sony Handicam so it’s not the best quality but you’ll get a good idea of how the day went and how much fun we had.

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Weekly Wire for November 20, 2013

This Week…in the Weekly Wire

Support for the Philippines and India

Camp Director needed for Samish Island Fine Arts Retreat

Prince Albert Celebrations

Music Weekend in Vancouver

Caretakers for HOP

Women’s Christmas Breakfast Vancouver

Encounter World Religions Event

Quote of the Week

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Upcoming Events at a Glance

November 30 Women’s Christmas Breakfast in Vancouver

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Prince Albert Celebrations

These pictures were taken at the Prince Albert Armories, where the Remembrance Day Parade was held.  The photo shows a wreath being laid in memory of Spr. Edwin L. Cheeseman, who was killed during W.W. 11; Laid by his great grandson Flight Corporal Lucas Mitchell, and daughters Lois Simpson & Gloria Stanton. 

Mike Mitchell also laid a wreath in honor of all those who gave their lives, on behalf of the Prince Albert Chamber of Commerce.  (no photo)

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Ina Buck was baptized by Elder Linda Klughart;  The confirmation is not shown, but was done by Elder Linda Klughart, assisting Elder Mike Mitchell. 

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Our Pot Luck supper, held at Margaret Ferguson’s home.  Prince Albert congregation and guests.

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Music Weekend in Vancouver

Saturday November 16th

We started by putting our donations for the food bank in boxes

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Then we ate our fill at the All Day Dessert Bar

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“Rayne” featuring Krisha

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The Sound City Lights Band broke up, but that didn’t stop Jordan Thipthorpe from coming out and performing solo.

Jordan Thipthorpe

Our CofC Gospel Jam Choir sang between sets

Webb of Life, from the Seattle area gave us a ‘teaser’ of what to expect for our Sunday music Worship Service

2013-11-17_CoCBandShowcase 039

We had a great weekend filled with music, food and good conversation.

2013-11-17_CoCBandShowcase 0092013-11-17_CoCBandShowcase 027

Thank you to everyone who helped make the New Band Showcase a success.

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WA-logo-horiz-RGB_thumb

World Accord accepting donations for the

Philippines

I wanted to let people know that while World Accord does NOT not have a partner currently on the ground in the Philippines, we do have a long history of helping there so we will accept donations from any who would like us to find a trustworthy organization to support in the field.  We will ensure the report is filed with the Canadian government so the funds are matched according to their new matching process.   People can call the office to make donations over the phone. 

1-800-535-3545 or at Canada Helps https://www.canadahelps.org/services/wa/dnm/en/#/page/15824

for Peace and Prosperity
David Barth

David-Barth_thumb2

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Friends,

The church has sent $15,000 to India and $15,000 to the Philippines “so far” to assist victims of the ongoing disasters. We sent the funds out of the Abolish Poverty End Suffering funds. There will be more sent as soon as we get more information. These funds are all going to members of the church affected by the storms. Most have lost their homes and we are rebuilding peoples’ lives. There will be an official announcement coming out of communications department but I wanted you to know that we are already assisting and that members in Canada should be encouraged to support Abolish Poverty End Suffering on their envelopes.

Counselor to Presiding Bishop
Bishop For Canada
Jim Poirier

[staff/JimPoirier.jpg]

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Women’s Christmas Breakfast in Vancouver

Last Chance to RSVP!

clip_image002_thumb3_thumb

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New-Picture-52_thumb_thumb

Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/encounterworld

and twitter @encounterworld

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Live at Hills of Peace!

Caretaker Job Opportunity

IMG_2765_thumb2_thumb_thumb_thumb_th

The Caretaker of the Hills of Peace Campground is responsible for maintaining the grounds, buildings, and services of the Hills of Peace Campground in a safe and attractive condition for the benefit of all users. For a complete list of duties, go to Caretaker Job Opportunity. Accommodations, utilities and a small remuneration are included.

Please send your application to Courtney Znak at courtneynhaley@hotmail.com

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

2013 Event Calendar

November 30 Women’s Christmas Breakfast in Vancouver

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“Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination
and life to everything.”

Plato