Mission and Strategic Focus
“Word and deed are equally necessary, mutually interdependent and inseparable ministries, each carried out with the single purpose of the spread of the Kingdom of God” (Ministries of Mercy, The Call of the Jericho Road, Timothy Keller, p. 115)
“There was so much need, it seemed as of the reservoirs of suffering were never empty, and no matter what progress was made there would always be people for whom there was no job, or no place to live or have enough food” (In the Company of Cheerful Ladies, Alexander McCall Smith, p. 135)
Mission Statement
The mission of the Urban Ministry is to extend God’s love to the diverse population of Hamilton’s Inner-City through friendship and practical help, and inviting them to worship God with us.
Strategic Focus
The major focus is on refugees and new immigrants, more specifically:
- Welcoming and befriending refugees / new immigrants, bridging economic, generational, cultural and religious barriers; and
- Proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ through word and actions, serving refugees / new immigrants in their spiritual needs
Programs
New2Canada Cooking & Crafts
Cooking and craft classes for new Canadians occur on the second and fourth Thursday each month from 5-7 PM. The classes are a great way of developing friendships among women from various ethnic and religious backgrounds, who often have limited understanding of English. The cooking class is limited to 15 ladies selected by SISO who are very new to Canada. The craft class is open to all women to learn new crafts, work on their own crafts or just come and practice English and make new friends. This program partners with SISO as well. It can always use volunteers to sit and share with ladies. Child care is provided by Redeemer students and church volunteers.
Since its start in 2006 the program has been well received as evidenced in the words of one of the participants:
“I like this program because we work together. I am so happy and I learn many food things. Today is Christmas dinner. So many women are invited for dinner. Everyone is making different kinds of food. And have lots of fun and skills. I do it for my children. My children was happy that I do new things for them. All I thank for this program.”
Contact: Lorraine Jordan / Lois Montgomery
New2Canada Conversational ESL classes
In fall 2010 we will offer again bi-weekly ESL (English as a Second language) classes for immigrants and refugees. These ESL classes are intended to be complementary to the institutional ESL classes; they focus on conversational English covering everyday topics and responding to questions that are important to newcomers. Similar classes were held from 2004-7 with the number of ESL students grown to almost 30. Students at that time came from mostly from Asia: China, Philippines, Korea, Myanmar, etc.
The classes will be held every two weeks on the alternate Thursdays (5 -7 p.m.) when there are no cooking / craft classes. Everyone is welcome, irrespective of gender, ethnic or religious background. There is no Bible teaching unless a participant asks specifically for it after the lessons.
Contact: May Marr / Leny van der Mark
Sport Outreach
Many refugee / new immigrant men do speak little. Most of them are interested in sport and welcome friendships with others beyond their own ethnic communities. The Monday evening soccer program provides opportunities for men to play indoor soccer and share about their lives in Canada. Some 20 to 30 men are currently playing every Monday evening at 7:30-9:30 p.m. from September to May. The program is quite popular but needs more volunteers.
Contact: Edu Pallek
- Cycling – Ride for Refuge
The annual Ride for Refuge is to increase awareness of refugee issues in our churches and raise funds for refugee programs / projects. The cycling routes are 25 km, 50 km or 100km on low traffic volumes roads in the rural areas of Hamilton. In 2010 there are several cycling trips planned in advance of the Ride for Refuge event on Saturday October 16.
Contact: James Dean
Neighbourhood Outreach
A variety of programs are aimed to bring cheer to people in the neighbourhoods around the church at specific times during the year:
During the winter, from November through March, volunteers provide hot chocolate and cookies to street people who drop by on Monday evenings (6:30 to 8:00). On Monday evenings in July and August volunteers provide cold drinks and cookies. Chairs are provided for enjoyable conversation.
Contact: Valerie Byron
Each Christmas hampers are given to shut-ins and families in the community. These hampers contain food for a Christmas meal, extra groceries and gifts for the children
Contact: Church Office; Phone (905)-527-4802
Angel Tree is a Prison Fellowship ministry that reaches out to the children of prison inmates and their families. It seeks to reconcile inmates with their families and God. Over the last five years, Philpott has brought Christmas cheer by giving presents to more than 200 local children and their families.
Contact: debi Fusilier
Come from Away
The “Come from Away” group consists of adults of diverse ethnic/cultural backgrounds, including refugees / new immigrants from non-English speaking countries and/or from countries with no exposure to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Together we explore, in every day language, the essentials of the Christian faith.
The group meets on Sundays from 11:15-12:30, September to June. For more information see Large Groups.
Contact: Leny and John van der Mark
Community Resource Links
True City is an emerging movement of churches in the Hamilton area working together for the good of the City.
Contact: phone (905)-296-1426
www.truecity.ca
The Ride for Refuge is a way to increase awareness of refugee issues.
Contact: phone (905)-541-2509
www.rideforrefuge.org
Micah House, situated east of downtown Hamilton, provides shelter and assistance for newly arrived refugees who would otherwise have been homeless upon their arrival in Hamilton.
Contact: phone (905)-296-4387
www.micahhouse.org
Living Rock Ministries is a non-profit, Christian outreach offering youth-at-risk a place of belonging, safety, and a bridge to the community.
Contact: phone (905)-528-7625
www.livingrock.ca
Calendar – Upcoming Activities in Fall 2010
September 2010
09 Cooking Class, 5-7 p.m.
12 Welcome Sunday
13 Men’s Indoor Soccer, 5:30- 7:30 p.m.
16 Conversational ESL 5-7 p.m.
19 Start - Come from Away, 11:15-12:30 p.m.
20 Men’s Indoor Soccer, 5:30- 7:30 p.m.
23 Craft Class, 5-7 p.m.
27 Men’s Indoor Soccer, 5:30- 7:30 p.m.
30 Conversational ESL 5-7 p.m.
October 2010
04 Men’s Indoor Soccer, 5:30- 7:30 p.m.
07 Cooking Class, 5-7 p.m.
11 Thanksgiving
14 Conversational ESL 5-7 p.m.
16 Ride for Refuge
18 Men’s Indoor Soccer, 5:30- 7:30 p.m.
21 Craft Class, 5-7 p.m.
25 Men’s Indoor Soccer, 5:30- 7:30 p.m.
28 Conversational ESL 5-7 p.m.
November 2010
December 2010
