"Being in Touch"
In keeping with Canon Claire’s theme of “Staying in Touch”, I thought it would be interesting for everyone to share pictures, stories, poems, prayers, etc. of the time of the Covid-19. It would be most interesting to see what everyone is doing to pass their time at home or wherever you happen to find yourself. I will be editing and approving whatever goes on this page. |
Just had to share this picture of Mike Scott's grandson doing a "face plant"
Thanks Mike, Keep safe. |
Arrival - Pearson Airport, 2019 With the Grandparents 2020 Happy 2nd Birthday
ROAD2 SPONSORSHIP ENDS October 3, 2020
This has without a doubt been an interesting year in refugee sponsorship. As of October 3rd, 2020, the ROAD 2 (Refugee Outreach Alliance in Durham) will no longer be meeting. It is the official end of our sponsorship of the Khatib family) now known as Hatib thanks to the Turkish translators.
ROAD1 began meeting in 2014 with the Aldibo family arriving in 2016. Then ROAD2 began meeting in 2018 to bring about the reunification of the family by bringing Abdullah and Feryal to Canada with their two daughters. St. George’s Memorial, Oshawa; All Saints, Whitby; St. Thomas’ Brooklin were then joined by St. Martin’s Bay Ridges and St. Paul’s Uxbridge.
The funds that were raised by the 5 churches with assistance from a few other churches including St. John’s Port Whitby and Church of Ascension, Port Perry amounted to $59,627.41. Of that amount, approximately $10,000. came from ROAD1 and with a budget of approximately $50,000. It was expected that there would be a residual amount. Gordon Longman, Treasurer of St. Thomas, with the assistance of the Finance Committee, set up a budget process with Sharon Taylor of St. Paul’s Uxbridge and the further assistance of an excellent bookkeeper, Phyllis Parr of St. Thomas’. With a very knowledgable finance committee, they capably steered ROAD2 through many financial hurdles. The aim was to keep the family at a level of income that could be maintained once they were no longer receiving our financial assistance – so at approximately the level of social assistance by the end of the year. Despite the fact that rent increased and prices of food in addition to other prices increased during the pandemic, the family has been well maintained and will move into the next year with a good start of first and last months rent if they wish to move. Financial statements are available as needed.
The support of Nancy Bugg, St. Thomas’ Church, throughout the almost six years cannot be praised more highly. She has been a tower of strength and knowledge to both families and they still turn to her for guidance in all manner of things from the purchase of cellphones to the choosing of an apartment. I include here her last report on the Hatib family.
KHATIB FAMILY REPORT
The Hatib Family has maintained a very tight bubble since mid-March, as a result of Covid 19. They have interacted with their family in Whitby and me. Only Abdullah has gone out shopping, Feryal and the children have stayed home or visited in parents’ home. Recently, they returned to Dentist appointments, but only because IFHP expires at the end of September.
Both Abdullah and Feryal continued online ESL classes with the Welcome Centre to the end of June. In July, Abdullah began a 7-week online Foundations English class, with Durham College. He successfully passed the course and is now enrolled in their 14-week, Grade 12 English class. Following the completion of this course, he will continue with their Math and Science program in 2021, with a plan to apply to Centennial College for their Pharmacy Technician program, when he is completed. Feryal is registered to return to the online ESL classes, at the Welcome Centre, at the end of September. Abdullah plans to attend the ESL classes, in addition to Durham College. In July, Abdullah completed his in-class G2 driving course. We are waiting for a driving instructor to be available for his in-car lessons.
Abdullah is working part-time to try and start his own business in vinyl window restoration. He is a very capable worker who made vinyl windows when in Turkey and is hoping that the business will take off in the new year when he has his driver’s licence.
They were looking forward to participating in swimming lessons this Spring but that is on hold for now.
Recently Abdullah has taken up fishing. He goes out at least once a week fishing, Sometimes Feryal and the children will accompany him to the park here in Ajax for fishing and a picnic. Other times he accompanies his father-in-law to lakes in the area. His trips have contributed to the family’s dinner table. He is looking forward to the upcoming salmon season.
In June, we celebrated Meryem’s 3rd birthday. The Committee gave her a tricycle. In August, we celebrated Ahlam’s 2nd birthday. She received a smaller tricycle. Ahlam has moved out of her crib. We will put it in storage for future use, along with toys and clothes she has outgrown. The children are both very happy and very healthy. They both love BBQ’s. It is the only way Meryem will eat meat now.
We have recently issued a request to IRCC to correct the spelling of Meryem’s last name from Hatip to Hatib. In the event our request is declined, we will request a name change through the Ontario Government process, after the 1 year waiting period, October 3, 2020. There will be a charge of $137 for the change request, plus the cost of changing the SIN and Health card. The parents made a decision to keep the spelling of their names to avoid additional costs to the ROAD 2 committee.
I am confident this family will be successful settling into Canada. They have a plan and are working very hard to achieve it. Without a doubt COVID 19 has been a setback and will continue to restrict their activities but they are prepared to wait and be safe.
Last Meeting
The final meeting of ROAD2 was held on September 15th in the backyard of the St. Thomas’ rectory with social distancing. At that meeting, the representatives of each of four of the churches made decisions on the finances of the family through to the end of September and to October the 3rd. Following that, they were asked to decide on the recommendation of the Finance Committee as to the residual amount of funds in the refugee account. Since none of the churches wished to continue as the lead church in a ROAD committee, AURA was asked to advise.
That the funds be used to:
1- Make an entire sponsorship possible (as opposed to contributing towards one);
2- Help a refugee abroad;
3- AND significantly help a refugee newcomer here.
At the present time, AURA has one sponsorship pending – a reunification of a Syrian family in the Ukraine and Lebanon. One sister had had to come to Canada by herself and AURA is anxious that she receive support of family.
The motion that passed on Sept. 15th was "That the remaining funds from the ROAD2 account, approximately $22,000. be transferred to AURA for the express purpose of sponsoring Maram's family members. If the person does not immigrate to Canada the funds will be returned to St. Thomas' refugee account. Then, the Finance Committee of ROAD2 will make a recommendation to the clergy of the five sponsoring churches of ROAD2 re: the fund's final dispersal."
Motion approved.
The funds will be transferred to AURA for the express purpose of assisting this refugee. The committee will have no responsibility.
The Finance Committee has not been let “off the hook” just yet but are expecting that they may have to meet in the future.
Because of the Covid pandemic we were sorry that the churches and even some of the representatives on the committee could not meet the refugee families. It was put forward that the committee should meet in a year’s time and celebrate the success of both families in Canada. We will definitely try to arrange such an occasion.
A short update on the Aldibo family of 2016 – Mohamad and Ahlam took English lessons through the Welcome Centre and are quite fluent and expect to continue to work toward their Canadian citizenship. Mohamad’s mother, Diba, has not learned English but she has had one knee replaced, and her cataracts removed. One of the greatest expenses was dental and we are grateful to private citizens for their contributions in this area. There were four children – they have all made progress in English. The youngest are unfortunately losing some of their Arabic understanding. The oldest is enrolled at Durham College’s English program, while the second eldest boy is in his last year of high school expecting to go to Durham College next year. They have done exceedingly well in upgrading their math skills thanks to the continuing work of Tom Eschle of St. Thomas. Mustafa who had kidney problems now has his condition under control with the help of continuing visits to Sick Children’s Hospital and is in Grade 8. They are all looking forward to becoming Canadian citizens.
The ROAD2 Committee members have appreciated the assistance of all congregations whenever they were asked to contribute. We have also learned a lot from these two families about strength and resilience under adversity. They came through so much violence and hardship and yet they have not let go of their values, their appreciation for their families, their children and their religion. Working with these families has brought us greater respect and appreciation for the Muslim religion. They pray to the same God that we do and thank the same God for their safe deliverance.
St. Thomas’ Brooklin will continue to assist refugees by holding funds for the reunification of families. These funds are held until the refugees arrive and then they are dispersed to the families. The only responsibility of the church is the efficient dispersal of the funds to the families. Presently, two groups are expected – Eritreans from Ethiopia and The Sudan and another family from Turkey. We pray for their safe arrival.
Respectfully submitted,
Heather Beveridge, Chair of ROAD2
October 3, 2020
This has without a doubt been an interesting year in refugee sponsorship. As of October 3rd, 2020, the ROAD 2 (Refugee Outreach Alliance in Durham) will no longer be meeting. It is the official end of our sponsorship of the Khatib family) now known as Hatib thanks to the Turkish translators.
ROAD1 began meeting in 2014 with the Aldibo family arriving in 2016. Then ROAD2 began meeting in 2018 to bring about the reunification of the family by bringing Abdullah and Feryal to Canada with their two daughters. St. George’s Memorial, Oshawa; All Saints, Whitby; St. Thomas’ Brooklin were then joined by St. Martin’s Bay Ridges and St. Paul’s Uxbridge.
The funds that were raised by the 5 churches with assistance from a few other churches including St. John’s Port Whitby and Church of Ascension, Port Perry amounted to $59,627.41. Of that amount, approximately $10,000. came from ROAD1 and with a budget of approximately $50,000. It was expected that there would be a residual amount. Gordon Longman, Treasurer of St. Thomas, with the assistance of the Finance Committee, set up a budget process with Sharon Taylor of St. Paul’s Uxbridge and the further assistance of an excellent bookkeeper, Phyllis Parr of St. Thomas’. With a very knowledgable finance committee, they capably steered ROAD2 through many financial hurdles. The aim was to keep the family at a level of income that could be maintained once they were no longer receiving our financial assistance – so at approximately the level of social assistance by the end of the year. Despite the fact that rent increased and prices of food in addition to other prices increased during the pandemic, the family has been well maintained and will move into the next year with a good start of first and last months rent if they wish to move. Financial statements are available as needed.
The support of Nancy Bugg, St. Thomas’ Church, throughout the almost six years cannot be praised more highly. She has been a tower of strength and knowledge to both families and they still turn to her for guidance in all manner of things from the purchase of cellphones to the choosing of an apartment. I include here her last report on the Hatib family.
KHATIB FAMILY REPORT
The Hatib Family has maintained a very tight bubble since mid-March, as a result of Covid 19. They have interacted with their family in Whitby and me. Only Abdullah has gone out shopping, Feryal and the children have stayed home or visited in parents’ home. Recently, they returned to Dentist appointments, but only because IFHP expires at the end of September.
Both Abdullah and Feryal continued online ESL classes with the Welcome Centre to the end of June. In July, Abdullah began a 7-week online Foundations English class, with Durham College. He successfully passed the course and is now enrolled in their 14-week, Grade 12 English class. Following the completion of this course, he will continue with their Math and Science program in 2021, with a plan to apply to Centennial College for their Pharmacy Technician program, when he is completed. Feryal is registered to return to the online ESL classes, at the Welcome Centre, at the end of September. Abdullah plans to attend the ESL classes, in addition to Durham College. In July, Abdullah completed his in-class G2 driving course. We are waiting for a driving instructor to be available for his in-car lessons.
Abdullah is working part-time to try and start his own business in vinyl window restoration. He is a very capable worker who made vinyl windows when in Turkey and is hoping that the business will take off in the new year when he has his driver’s licence.
They were looking forward to participating in swimming lessons this Spring but that is on hold for now.
Recently Abdullah has taken up fishing. He goes out at least once a week fishing, Sometimes Feryal and the children will accompany him to the park here in Ajax for fishing and a picnic. Other times he accompanies his father-in-law to lakes in the area. His trips have contributed to the family’s dinner table. He is looking forward to the upcoming salmon season.
In June, we celebrated Meryem’s 3rd birthday. The Committee gave her a tricycle. In August, we celebrated Ahlam’s 2nd birthday. She received a smaller tricycle. Ahlam has moved out of her crib. We will put it in storage for future use, along with toys and clothes she has outgrown. The children are both very happy and very healthy. They both love BBQ’s. It is the only way Meryem will eat meat now.
We have recently issued a request to IRCC to correct the spelling of Meryem’s last name from Hatip to Hatib. In the event our request is declined, we will request a name change through the Ontario Government process, after the 1 year waiting period, October 3, 2020. There will be a charge of $137 for the change request, plus the cost of changing the SIN and Health card. The parents made a decision to keep the spelling of their names to avoid additional costs to the ROAD 2 committee.
I am confident this family will be successful settling into Canada. They have a plan and are working very hard to achieve it. Without a doubt COVID 19 has been a setback and will continue to restrict their activities but they are prepared to wait and be safe.
Last Meeting
The final meeting of ROAD2 was held on September 15th in the backyard of the St. Thomas’ rectory with social distancing. At that meeting, the representatives of each of four of the churches made decisions on the finances of the family through to the end of September and to October the 3rd. Following that, they were asked to decide on the recommendation of the Finance Committee as to the residual amount of funds in the refugee account. Since none of the churches wished to continue as the lead church in a ROAD committee, AURA was asked to advise.
That the funds be used to:
1- Make an entire sponsorship possible (as opposed to contributing towards one);
2- Help a refugee abroad;
3- AND significantly help a refugee newcomer here.
At the present time, AURA has one sponsorship pending – a reunification of a Syrian family in the Ukraine and Lebanon. One sister had had to come to Canada by herself and AURA is anxious that she receive support of family.
The motion that passed on Sept. 15th was "That the remaining funds from the ROAD2 account, approximately $22,000. be transferred to AURA for the express purpose of sponsoring Maram's family members. If the person does not immigrate to Canada the funds will be returned to St. Thomas' refugee account. Then, the Finance Committee of ROAD2 will make a recommendation to the clergy of the five sponsoring churches of ROAD2 re: the fund's final dispersal."
Motion approved.
The funds will be transferred to AURA for the express purpose of assisting this refugee. The committee will have no responsibility.
The Finance Committee has not been let “off the hook” just yet but are expecting that they may have to meet in the future.
Because of the Covid pandemic we were sorry that the churches and even some of the representatives on the committee could not meet the refugee families. It was put forward that the committee should meet in a year’s time and celebrate the success of both families in Canada. We will definitely try to arrange such an occasion.
A short update on the Aldibo family of 2016 – Mohamad and Ahlam took English lessons through the Welcome Centre and are quite fluent and expect to continue to work toward their Canadian citizenship. Mohamad’s mother, Diba, has not learned English but she has had one knee replaced, and her cataracts removed. One of the greatest expenses was dental and we are grateful to private citizens for their contributions in this area. There were four children – they have all made progress in English. The youngest are unfortunately losing some of their Arabic understanding. The oldest is enrolled at Durham College’s English program, while the second eldest boy is in his last year of high school expecting to go to Durham College next year. They have done exceedingly well in upgrading their math skills thanks to the continuing work of Tom Eschle of St. Thomas. Mustafa who had kidney problems now has his condition under control with the help of continuing visits to Sick Children’s Hospital and is in Grade 8. They are all looking forward to becoming Canadian citizens.
The ROAD2 Committee members have appreciated the assistance of all congregations whenever they were asked to contribute. We have also learned a lot from these two families about strength and resilience under adversity. They came through so much violence and hardship and yet they have not let go of their values, their appreciation for their families, their children and their religion. Working with these families has brought us greater respect and appreciation for the Muslim religion. They pray to the same God that we do and thank the same God for their safe deliverance.
St. Thomas’ Brooklin will continue to assist refugees by holding funds for the reunification of families. These funds are held until the refugees arrive and then they are dispersed to the families. The only responsibility of the church is the efficient dispersal of the funds to the families. Presently, two groups are expected – Eritreans from Ethiopia and The Sudan and another family from Turkey. We pray for their safe arrival.
Respectfully submitted,
Heather Beveridge, Chair of ROAD2
October 3, 2020
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| prayers_and_thankfulness.docx |
