OUTSIDE OUR CHURCH DOORS
OUR COMMUNITY OUTREACH
Our ACW focuses on many projects within our own community and in our broader community. In the last few years the ACW have presented a variety of different workshops: Women at Risk, Building Compassion; Stepping Outside the Shadow to learn more about domestic violence; and a Women's Wellness Day that focused on cultivating self compassion and inspiring inclusion. As part of these endeavours, donations were made to Wetaskiwin and District Victim Services, the Camrose Women's Shelter, the Ermineskin Women's Shelter, and other local organizations.
Our Reconciliation and Indigenous Committee has worked on ways to help our church respond to some of the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission as well as on reconciliation of all groups within our community. Activities have included participation in the Orange Shirt Day Walk – Every Child Matters, developing and maintaining a Heart Garden on the church front lawn as an act of remembrance for those children who did not return from Residential Schools, Red Dress Week in remembrance of MMIWG2S, various informational talks, a ribbon skirt making workshop, and initiating a collection of books for an Indigenous resource library.
The Immanuel Reconciliation Team is committed to raising awareness of the ongoing crisis of Murdered & Missing Indigenous Women, Girls, & 2 Spirit People. For the last few years, in the last week of April, we have been hanging red dresses in Diamond Jubilee Park in Wetaskiwin. On May 5, The National Day of Awareness for MMIWG2S, we invite the community to join us and we take some time and gather at the Peace Cairn to pray and remember. Please see the news report from Christina Max, of Wetaskiwin Times, for more information: https://www.wetaskiwintimes.com/news/recognizing-red-dress-day-in-wetaskiwin-maskwacis
Food Bank - Our church community has dedicated the second Sunday of every month to recognize the needs of those in our community with food insecurity and we collect food and/or financial donations for our local food banks.
As well, we collect donations of personal hygiene products for women and these items are accepted at any time throughout the year and are given to Wetaskiwin FCSS to distribute to those in need.
September $5 Fundraiser for Buyè
Immanuel participates in a Diocesan fundraiser to assist seniors in our sister Diocese of Buyè, Burundi, Africa. Each Sunday during the month of September, parishioners are encouraged to donate $5 for a cup of coffee for an initiative of the Buyè Mother’s Union to provide seniors with much needed medical cards. This is a visible sign of God's work and Immanuel is excited to help.
More information can be found at: https://edmonton.anglican.ca/news/companion-partnership-nurtures-physical-and-spiritual-wellbeing-in-buye-diocese
OUR WORLD OUTREACH
- ALONGSIDE HOPE (previously called PWRDF - Primates World Relief Development Fund) – Alongside Hope is the Anglican Church of Canada’s agency for sustainable development and relief. Since 1958, it has worked hand-in-hand with trusted partners in Canada and around the world on a journey of positive change. Together, they are improving health, food security and livelihoods where needs are greatest. Alongside Hope receives donations from people across Canada – Anglicans as well as non-Anglicans – and also receives funds from other sources, including Global Affairs Canada and institutional donors. Monetary donations can be given to help support the ALONGSIDE HOPE goals of helping communities and individuals around the world to build a better future. We have information at the church about Alongside Hope or you can click on this link to learn more: https://alongsidehope.org/