Outreach
What we do...
The Outreach Committee develops projects, promotions and programs that will enable the congregation to carry out Christ's message of service to the community locally and globally.
We achieve this by
» Meeting the congregation's commitment to the UCC Mission and Service fund, including World Development and Relief
» Promoting Local/Global donations to charities at Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas for the following organizations:
- Locally
- The Benevolent Fund
- Friends of Hospice
- Multifaith Housing Initiative (MHI)
- Minwaashin Lodge
- Tucker House
- Nelson House
- Ottawa Mission
- Elizabeth Fry Society
- Carlington Community Chaplaincy (CCC)
- Centre 507
- Ottawa West End Community Chaplaincy (OWECC)
- Globally
- Adopt-a-Minefield
- Canadian Food Grains Bank (CFGB)
- Plan Vietnam - Foster Child - Tran
- Plan Canada - School in Tanzania
- World Vision Romania - Foster Child - Ion
» Sharing gifts and money in lieu of gifts at White Gift Service before Christmas with the Chaplaincies and Centre 507.
» Providing an opportunity for the congregation to contribute to UCC Overseas Personnel and partners in times of natural disasters and to be involved in social justice activities.
Activities
Activities of the Outreach Committee include:
- Oversight of the BFC (Sara Surjadinata, BUC liaison)
- Oversight of the Barrhaven Non-Profit Housing Inc. (Tom Schwarzkopf, Chair)
- Coordinating Blood Donor Clinics (Ed Filby & Don Clinton, Co-Coordinators)
- Inviting guest speakers
- Facilitating workshops and display presentations
- Supporting social justice initiatives
- Promoting M&S through articles, guest speakers, children's time, Youth activities and Minute for Mission readings during worship
- Corresponding with the Romanian Foster child and encouraging the Sunday School to support the Vietnam Foster child.
Future
Our hope for the future is to encourage generosity towards those in need and encourage involvement by the congregation in social justice activities and caring for creation. We will continue to respond to calls for food and emergency aid as the need arises.
Bonnie Dillon, outgoing Chair
Committee Members - Sara Surjadinata, Mavis Mason , Chris Murray, Liz Nieman and Barbara Smith
Major Initiatives 2011
IN THE SPIRIT HEALING AND RECONCILIATION GATHERING
February 5, 2011, BUC partnered with Kateri Native Ministry of Ottawa, Good Shepherd Barrhaven and St. Joseph's Parish Healing & Reconciliation Circle to provide a one day symposium supporting the Truth and Reconciliation private statement-taking from survivors of the Indian Residential School experience.
Two truth-sharing panels of survivors led open discussion forums supported by Elders Irvin Sarazin and Mary Lou Iahtail.
The public gathering was attended by 170 Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people and closed with a traditional feast.
This is an effort to reduce poverty through safe affordable housing with 42 housing units in downtown Ottawa.
Our liaison person from the Outreach Committee attends meetings, volunteers on tenant relations and participates in fundraising and educational events.
This initiative mirrors the congregation's ongoing concern for affordable housing through the management of Barrhaven Non-Profit Housing Inc. located on site with 41 housing units of which 7 are home to the environmentally sensitive.
CANADIAN FOODGRAINS BANK - PROVIDING FOOD SECURITY TO OFFSET HUNGER IN THE WORLD
Climate change and political instability are increasing the need for global coordination of procurement and supply of food commodities, public policies and education activities to ensure food availability to impoverished nations.
The Bank collects grain and cash donations in this ecumenical ministry. The Federal Government matches funds with the CFGB so that our contributions go further to help those in need.
