Category: News

Keep up to date on our latest news.

A Ribbon Cutting

Posted by on Friday, May 6th, 2016 in News

Yesterday (Thursday) was Food Bank day. We had some fun cutting the ribbon on our brand new freezer.

A BIG SHOUT OUT to Nelson Aggregates & Jonas Appliances for your generosity in providing the freezer (and delivery).  This will be a huge help for us to be able to continue to reach out to our community to provide much needed help.
Over 30 families in the Hespeler community are served every other week, with more new people coming each Food Bank day.
Thank you to everyone who helped to make this possible.




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Alberta Fires

Posted by on Thursday, May 5th, 2016 in News

Responding to the Alberta Fires

Smoke fills the air as cars line up on a road in Fort McMurray, Alberta on Tuesday May 3, 2016 in this image provide by radio station CAOS91.1. At least half of the city of Fort McMurray in northern Alberta was under an evacuation notice Tuesday as a wildfire whipped by winds engulfed homes and sent ash raining down on residents. (CP)
Fort McMurray in northern Alberta under an evacuation notice Tuesday. Image provided by radio station CAOS91.1.
The PCC national office has heard from The Rev. Lisa Aide, minister at Faith Presbyterian Church in Fort McMurray (link to message). The people from the congregation have all made it safely out of the city, though they are scattered north and south. They are waiting to hear about the status of their homes, manse and the school where they worship.
Donations to support immediate relief and long-term rebuilding for people affected by the fires may be made to Presbyterian World Service & Development for “Alberta Fires”. Funds will be used in consultation with presbyteries and local congregations to support Presbyterian, ecumenical and other relief efforts. Watch for more updates at presbyterian.ca

Donate now

  • Give Online and indicate “Alberta Fires”
  • Call 1-800-619-7301 to donate with a credit card
  • Mail a cheques to PWS&D at 50 Wynford Dr. Toronto, ON M3C 1J7 Indicate the gift is for “Alberta Fires” on the cheque memo line.

Update from Faith Presbyterian Church in Fort McMurray

Thursday May 5, 2016
Thank you for your thoughts and prayers, right now everyone is safely out of Fort McMurray, but we are scattered north and south of the city, so we’re giving thanks for social media which has been a wonderful tool to help people stay in contact. We at Faith church greatly appreciate all the prayers and support that we have received via email and text messages, it is wonderful to know that we are not alone during this time of trial. We know that at least two members have lost everything to the fire, and the rest of us are still waiting on news, one way or the other. So far the manse and the school that Faith worship at seem to be safe from the flames but we won’t know until were able to return home what is waiting for us.
We are also asking for prayer for all of the first responders and everyone else who is in the city trying to save what they can, for we know that it is going to be a hard and stressful battle, so please hold these brave men and women up in prayer, for they need it most of all.
Thank you once again for all of the prayers and the support that has been shown to the people of Fort McMurray, it means a lot to know that we are being lifted up in the prayers of God’s people. The next few months are going to be hard but we know with God’s help we grow stronger, for our city is strong and we know that we are not standing alone. If anyone would like to get in contact with me please feel free to contact me via Facebook.
Thank you once again for everything.
Blessings,
The Rev. Lisa Aide
Faith Presbyterian Church Fort McMurray

Prayer

We are deeply saddened by the fires of Fort McMurray. We cannot begin to imagine the stress and panic that many must be feeling as they sit helplessly watching these unfolding events. We are also mindful of the exhaustion firefighters on the front lines must be feeling. Our prayers are clearly with everyone facing these challenges. May God’s strength uphold all those seeking to cope with this tragedy and may the desperately needed rains come quickly.
The Rev. Karen Horst
Moderator, 2015 General Assembly
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The Rev. & Mrs. Gentle

Posted by on Thursday, April 28th, 2016 in News

For those who remember having Rev. Gentle as our minister, his widow,  Margaret Gentle has passed away.  Condolences can be left at Smith's Funeral Home in Burlington.
We are keeping the Gentle family in our thoughts and prayers.

Obituary for Sara "Margaret" Gentle 

GENTLE, Margaret (nee Hanna) -

Passed away peacefully at Appleby Place Retirement Residence, Burlington, on Tuesday, April 26, 2016, at the age of 95. Loving wife of the Rev. Stanley W. Gentle (deceased October 1995). Predeceased by brothers; Stanley Hanna (late Mary) and Irvin Hanna (late Jean), and sister-in-law; Betty Nancekivell. Cherished aunt of nieces; the Rev'd. Canon Marni Nancekivell (Ralph Malashevsky) of Oakville along with their daughter Amanda Malashevsky, Margaret Ann Childerhose, Heather Hanna, and Norma Jean Edgecomb. Aunt of Russell Hanna (Marilyn) and Lloyd. Margaret will also be missed by cousins and other great nieces and nephews. Margaret's long life is celebrated by extended family and her many friends from Appleby Place, Burlington East Presbyterian Church and other churches where Margaret and her late husband served in ministry. The family wishes to thank Dr. Amanda Jerome and staff from Appleby Place Retirement Residence for the excellent care that was provided to her. Private cremation has taken place. Visitation will be held at Burlington East Presbyterian Church, (505 Walkers Line, Burlington), on Tuesday, May 3, 2016 from 10:00am until the time of Service of Remembrance beginning at 11:00am, with reception to follow in the church hall. Interment at Woodland Cemetery, Hamilton. If desired donations in Margaret’s memory to Sleeping Children Around the World or Burlington East Presbyterian Church Memorial Fund would be sincerely appreciated by the family. (Arrangements entrusted to SMITH’S FUNERAL HOME, BURLINGTON, 905-632-3333).
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Election of Elders and Deacons

Posted by on Friday, April 15th, 2016 in News

On May 1, 2016, St. Andrew's Hespeler will be holding an election of deacons and elders for the congregation. We have been working hard this week to prepare packages for all the members to facilitate this process. Thanks to everyone for your help in preparing the elections. In particular I would single out for thanks to our temporary roll clerk, Joni Smith, who did her very best to make sure our roll was up to date and nobody was left out and Isabelle who was wounded in the line of duty with a paper cut!


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Second Session / Youth Challenge April 10

Posted by on Monday, April 11th, 2016 in News

On April 10, our Youth challenged the session of St. Andrew's Hespeler to a "friendly game" of Heads Up.

 A fun time was had by all.

Both teams played an excellent game.

 The score was close.

 The competition was fierce!





But in the end the Youth won the day.








We'll get you guys next time!
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One of the things that makes Hope Clothing so awesome

Posted by on Saturday, April 9th, 2016 in News

Hope Clothing is a key ministry at St. Andrew’s Hespeler and a wonderful resource for our community. Open three days a week on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, we are there to give out clothes, accessories and footwear to every member of the family. We carry a wide range of sizes for babies, children, men & women. If we don’t have something in stock we do our best to find whatever is needed. In the winter we have a good selection of winter coats and boots.

One of the things that makes Hope Clothing great is that it is not a work that stands alone. It is a part of a much larger circle of hope and care that provides a powerful way for us to Live in Christ and Share His Love. This circle includes:
The Thursday Night Supper and Social: From mid-October to the beginning of April, every Thursday evening, we serve a wonderful, nutritious, home made meal to anyone in the community who would like to enjoy some good food and a safe place to visit with friends. This meal helps people in our community stretch their budget while enjoying a friendly and supportive time of fellowship.
The Cambridge Self-Help Food Bank: St. Andrew’s Hespeler hosts the food bank on every second Thursday. Recently the Food Bank did a survey of its services and the Hespeler site received an extremely high rating because of the ways in which Hope Clothing and the other ministries at St. Andrew’s work in synergy with that service. Thanks to this excellent review, the Hespeler site will be receiving more resources to better meet the growing needs of our community.
A-A, Al-Anon, Al-Ateen: St. Andrew’s is the only site in Cambridge where all three groups meet together which offers another wonderful mutually supportive circle.
Cambridge and North Dumfries Counselling: Being able to provide professional counselling to those in need of it one day a week is a wonderful addition to this all-around ministry.
Hope Clothing is maintained with a minimal budget and is not directly supported from the general funds of St. Andrew’s Hespeler. We are definitely on the lookout for ways to continue to support this work, financially and otherwise, to maintain its viability into the future.

Visit standrewshespeler.ca for more information about Hope Clothing and Hespeler's Place of New Hope and to find out how you can help to sustain it.
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