White Gift Sunday

White Gift Sunday is a special service during Advent when members of the congregation give their gifts to support special needs and causes within the community and beyond.

While in the historical past these gifts were of a tangible nature wrapped in white paper, today we pin envelopes with money donations on an evergreen tree while we sing the carols of the Christmas season.

The Kirk Session approved the distribution of funds raised this year to the following places:

International:

$450 to support our foster child Wendell de Jesus Lopez. We have supported Wendell for a number of years, and in 2007 Rev. Ted and Judy Tomkins had the opportunity to meet him. He is a friendly, shy young man, who enjoys playing soccer. His mother Karla really appreciates all of our support.
$300 to Presbyterian Cropshare which is part of the Canadian Food Grains Bank. The money is used to grow crops which are sent to parts of the world in need of food aid. The government of Canada matches all donations at a ratio of 4:1 allowing our money to go further.
$750 towards the Presbyterian World Service and Development (PWS&D) - Pakistan flood recovery

Local:

$500 to support the ongoing work of Safe 'N' Sound which is a homelessness initiative in our community.
$350 to support the programs of G & B House which is a Residential Support and Recovery Home that provides support to men who have substance abuse problems. They offer individual and team skills to support and encourage residents to empower themselves in becoming responsible for their own personal recovery.
$200 to Union Place (CMHA)
$200 to support the Crisis Pregnancy Centre which provide practical, emotional and spiritual support to those in distress as a result of a crisis pregnancy. Support is provided during and following the pregnancy to new mothers, fathers and families.

Any additional funds raised will be distributed evenly between the projects listed above.