Readings for Sunday 6th October, Pentecost 29
First reading: Job 1.1, 2.1-10
Psalm 26
Second reading: Hebrews 1.1-4, 2.5-12
Gospel: Mark 10.2-16
Psalm response: “Prove me, O Lord, I walk in faithfulness to you”
Livestream link for Sunday’s 10.00 am service:
Outreach
Outreach for October
Cherie reports that the Christmas Bale request for Kenora is no longer required.
Their community has been so generous with their donations that the store we are affiliated with,
“Twice is Nice”, has no more storage for our shipments.
They, and Cherie Laughlin, are very appreciative of your support over these many years.
(Cherie has been a powerful supporter of the Christmas Bale project for many years, and she, and
her helpers, deserve a big vote of thanks for that faithful and helpful work)
St. Paul’s Food Bank. Next Sunday, October 13th, is our next Food Bank Sunday. Thank you to
all who contribute to this outreach, and to the Fairbairns for so faithfully delivering our gifts to the
cathedral each month. As is usual, they appreciate Cereal, Pasta Noodles, Pasta Sauce, Baked
Beans, Tuna, Granola Bars, Canned Vegetables, Canned Soup, used containers, used grocery bags
and egg cartons.
Breakfast Program Update October 2024
Our grateful thanks to all who responded to our September Ministry of the Month call for
donations to our Breakfast Program! We are hopeful that with your support we can continue to
offer a quality breakfast to those in need in our community.
How do we measure the success of this outreach ministry?
– the numbers who come each week– between March and September of 2000, we served 539
take home breakfasts. This year, we served 1881 in the same time frame.
– the diversity of those who join us,
– come from across the city
– single unhoused youth, students from Fanshawe and Western, young families
– those with physical disabilities
– those with mental health challenges
– seniors
– newcomers to Canada and Indigenous residential school survivors
– multiple faith groups.
– keeping pace with the growth in numbers with the clothing, shoes, toiletries and household
items
– the number of volunteers– from 10 in 2000 to 50+ this year, several of whom are not affiliated
with St. Jude’s
– students, breakfast friends, community members who saw our sign
– financial support to maintain the quality, volumes, and variety in what we serve
– The very best measure of our success is to feel the energy and hear the voices in the hall on
Saturday mornings – multiple conversations between old and new friends, volunteers and
returning friends, laughter as our Barista offers the lame joke of the day
What are the challenges facing the viability of this ministry?
– Rising costs of food while continuing to offer high quality nutritious food
– Donor fatigue – there are competing demands from the community and the church for limited
funds
– Volunteer fatigue – some of the faithful volunteers who do prep and serve and also shop, bake,
manage the clothing and toiletries donations, and do inventory and ordering 2 or 3 times each
month
Actions taken to address the challenges:
– Take advantage of food sales
– Review the menu regularly for ways to make less expensive hot dishes. For example -deleting
ham with the protein rich casserole, looking for another option than wraps
– Limiting the number of bags sent home for family or neighbours
– Volunteers sign for the dates they can work and reminded to take time away when needed
– Seeing more volunteers from our breakfast friends who want to help as well as those who see
our signs and church services on-line
– Stop serving breakfast on the 5th Saturdays. There are now other places in the city serving on
those days, our savings will be roughly $2800 over the year, and less work for our volunteers.
– Return visits to ask local businesses to support the program
Your financial help is needed for us to face these challenges! Donations can be placed in the
offertory plate, added to your monthly givings or on-line at https://churchofsaintjude.ca/donate/
Thank You!
Breakfast program
Our next breakfast is this Saturday, October 5th, from 9-10:30 am. Please come on out and see
your financial support in action!
Fundraising and Social
FundScrip. Rick will be in the Narthex between the services this Sunday to take your card orders.
Men’s Coffee Hour. Next Tuesday, October 8th at 10:00 am in the Lloyd Cracknell Room.
Come one, come all, and bring a friend!
ACW monthly meeting is on Wednesday October 9th.
Bring a bag lunch, tea will be provided, and fellowship, all at noon. The meeting starts at 12:30 pm.
Come early, or stay after, to check out what the crafters are up to.
Everyone is welcome!
Ladies Coffee. Thursday October 17th is the gathering of the ladies monthly coffee at St Judes,
in the LGC room, 10:00-12:00. Coffee and tea provided – bring a snack to share ( optional).
Suggestion….bring a book ( or more) to exchange…share the joy of reading “Bring a book- take a
book.”
Already?? Well, yes, the Chancel Guild has 2025 calendars available for sale, at the still bargain
price of $10.00 each. Ask any Chancel Guild member.
An invitation, from the London Deanery.
On Saturday, October 26th between 4pm-6pm all the children of the Deanery are invited with their
families to drop over to St Martins in the Fields for some seasonal fun. Any and all are welcome,
so please plan on joining in the fun. Hoping to see you there!
Val Kenyon London Deanery Regional Dean
Learning Together
Anglican Fellowship of Prayer meeting via Zoom, this Saturday October 5th, 9:30 am to12:00 pm.
You can register now by contacting Ms. Susan Johnson, [email protected]. More information
on the poster in the Narthex.
Let’s Celebrate
Birthdays! This week, happy birthday to Cindy W., who celebrates her birthday on 4th October!