News

The United Church of Canada Haiti Relief Response

From The United Church of Canada

On the morning of Saturday, August 14, Haiti was struck by a severe earthquake. The extent of the damage is still unclear. Haitians and the international community are working hard to rescue people trapped under the rubble. But the number of deaths is rising. Many homes and community buildings have been destroyed. Hospitals have also been damaged, and acutely injured and traumatized people are struggling to find help. And what’s more, Tropical Storm Grace hit Haiti on August 16, making an already bad situation worse.

The United Church of Canada is in contact with Mission & Service partners in Haiti to find out how we can support their communities. Today, people in Haiti need emergency shelter, clean water, and food. Make a gift right now to support the people of Haiti.

Thank you for your generosity.

Donate Now
Online via our secure donation page:
https://www.gifttool.com/donations/Donate?ID=1955&AID=2274&PID=6332

Phone: 416-231-5931 OR toll-free: 1-800-268-3781 ext. 2738 and use your Visa or MasterCard.

Send a cheque or money order to:

The United Church of Canada
Philanthropy Unit – Emergency Response
3250 Bloor Street West, Suite 200
Toronto, ON M8X 2Y4
*Please be sure to note “Emergency Response—Haiti” on the face of your cheque.

The United Church of Canada Supporting Indigenous Communities

The United Church of Canada is making funds available to support the work of Indigenous communities for the identification of unmarked graves, knowledge gathering, and ceremony to honor the children who did not return home from its fifteen residential schools. This is an act of reparation and responds to Calls to Action 73–76 of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada.

“The United Church of Canada was an active participant in a system that ripped Indigenous families apart by forcibly removing the children from their homes,” says the church’s Moderator, Richard Bott. “We have written to Indigenous leaders of the communities where thirteen United Church-run residential schools were located, and in the case of the other two, communities whose children were taken there. We have let them know we have made funds available so the work of bringing home the children does not solely rest on their shoulders. We played a critical role in this and we as a church need to be more action focused in our commitment to reconciliation.”

The Moderator also released a wider statement to the residential school survivors, their families, and communities. A special meeting of the General Council Executive on July 20th, 2021 approved three million dollars to fund this work, which also includes archival research and providing communities access to documents. The United Church turned over all its existing records to the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation Commission and continues to send records that come to light. The General Secretary, Rev. Michael Blair, notes, “Our history as settlers is a ‘we can fix this’ attitude. Clearly, we have been very wrong. We need to listen before we act, and support communities as they define their needs.

Annual Report 2020

Diversity 2020: Getting the Words Out

As part of our Diversity Fair we would like to share with you this video which discusses stuttering and the stigma that goes along with it.

Katelyn Mayo, a member of our congregation, helped with the production of the video!

Diversity 2020

Diversity goes Digital!

This year diversity goes virtual!

St. James United Church presents its annual Diversity Fair in a virtual environment. Join us online from Wednesday, September 27th (Orange Shirt Day) to Sunday, October 11th (Thanksgiving).

Solve puzzles to learn more about the groups making a difference in our community. Hear diverse music with our international hymn sing. Listen to interviews which present real-life stories of local people who face challenges regarding their ability to be included in our society, and hear them speak about what has changed, and what still needs to change. Get involved!!

Diversity Word Search

Diversity Crossword Puzzle

Diversity Matching Game

Answers:
Diversity Word Search ANSWERS

Diversity Crossword ANSWERS

Matching Game Answers

Greetings from Minister for Justice and Mission, Laura Hunter

Greetings from Minister for Justice and Mission, Laura Hunter.

Please select the button below to review her letter.

Download

Extreme Weather Information

During periods of extreme weather, a committee consisting of Council Chair, Property Chair and the Clerk of Session (or their designates) in consultation with
the Ministerial staff will determine if it is not reasonable to open for Sunday worship. Notification to the Congregation will be via VOWR, other radio stations, the website and the recorded telephone message by 8:30 am on the Sunday in question.

A telephone contact sheet consisting of other key people to receive early notification will be maintained. This list includes, but is not restricted to the chief usher, musicians, and choir.

Burry Heights Summer Camps

Burry Heights summer camps offer an unforgettable experience for ages 9-11, 12-13, and 14-15.

Registration is $275.00 – $75.00 due at time of registration.

Fees are payable by email transfer to or by mail by cheque made payable to Burry Heights Camp and Retreat Centre to the following address Burry heights, 320 Elizabeth Avenue, St. John’s, NL., A1B 1T9

Summer programming inquiries may be made to Megan Stead at or by visiting www.burryheights.com.

For registration or website issues contact Andrew Howell at

Miranda Ramjattan voted NL Young Humanitarian of the Year

NL Young Humanitarian of the Year – Canadian Red Cross

Miranda Ramjattan

From an early age, Miranda Ramjattan has demonstrated interest and commitment to helping those in need locally and globally. At age 12 she was named top fundraiser at the Leary’s Brook Junior High School’s World Vision 30-Hour Famine, raising thousands of dollars for the charity.

At 16, she became involved with the Asper Program, raising awareness about human rights, racism and the Holocaust. Most recently she has become a fundraising volunteer ambassador with the Canadian Red Cross.

Ramjattan strives to improve the lives of youth including those with disabilities. She’s been honored by the Autism Society of Newfoundland and Labrador (ASNL) as its 2013 volunteer of the year and continues to give time at its Elaine Dobbin Centre as well as fundraising and awareness events and weekly participation in its Social Thinking program for children six years and older.

She volunteered in 2014 with Big Brothers Big Sisters’ Go Girl program that helps girls improve their understanding of topics like nutrition, fitness and positive self-image.

Ramjattan is a 2014 graduate of Memorial University with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. While studying at MUN, Ramjattan was an English as a Second Language conversation partner helping newcomer students practice their English, and spent her summer in 2011 as a volunteer English teacher for children ages six to 14 in Quito, Ecuador. She also served as the second year representative in MUN’s Psychology Society.

Ramjattan is also a long-time volunteer at St. James United Church in St. John’s including with its Sight Restored band that has also performed at senior citizens’ residences, youth forums, for inmates of Her Majesty’s Penitentiary, as well as fundraisers for organizations such as War Child Canada. She now serves as the youth representative on the church’s executive board.