Outreach Beyond Brampton
Christ Church takes the Gospel imperative to serve the marginalized seriously through a variety of ministry partnerships that include: International Christian Voice, JFJ Hope Centre, Regeneration Outreach Community and Ste. Louise Outreach Centre of Peel. We support the extended hand of the Diocese of Toronto through our financial commitment to Faithworks and that of the national and international church through the Council of the North and Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund.
Responding to the earthquake We are always grateful for those who generously support the care of others. (posted Feb 10 23)
Christ Church is partnering with the Primate’s World Relief and Development (“PWRDF”) in offering assistance to those on the Turkish/Syrian border affected by the devastating earthquake on February 6. In just a few short days, the death toll has climbed to over 20,000 with thousands more injured or without shelter, food or water in a bitterly cold winter.
PWRDF is able to do so as it is a member of ACT Alliance which comprises 143 churches and church-related organizations that work together in humanitarian assistance and development. Through their membership in ACT, PWRDF is able to respond to disasters and relief efforts around the world. PWRDF has immediately allocated $35,000 to the ACT Alliance to support its members working in the area. ACT member the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East-Department of Ecumenical Relations and Development (GOPA-DERD) is providing food, blankets, mattresses and medical aid in affected communities in Aleppo, Hama and Latakia. Plans are underway from other ACT members to supply winterization materials, ambulances, and other needed supplies as the extent of the need is known.
What Can You Do to Help? Please keep the people affected by this devastating earthquake in your prayers. You can help making a financial donation and clearly marking it “PWRDF”. It will be included in your 2023 your tax receipt. Offerings will be blessed on Sunday, March 26 and forwarded to PWRDF for immediate use. Donations can be dropped off at the church, e-transferred, mailed or pick-up. For more information please contact Martha Whittaker at 416-420-3765 or via email at: christchurchbrampton@bellnet.ca
Please consider sharing this appeal with your family, friends and neighbours.
* The Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund (PWRDF) is the Anglican Church of Canada’s agency for sustainable development and relief. More information about the Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund can be found here: https://pwrdf.org/
Annual Fundraising Dinner
Friday, March 3, 2023 @ 6:00 pm
Location: Chateau Le Jardin, 8440 Hwy 27, Woodbridge
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ICV is currently in the midst of sponsoring Gul Sher and his family. Gul Sher is a Pakistani Christian and was with Shahbaz Bhatti on the day he was assassinated by Taliban militants. Gul Sher is currently separated from his family and living as an unwelcome refugee in Thailand with his family still in Pakistan. ICV is looking to raise the balance of $50,000 needed to bring Gul Sher and his family to Canada. This annual fundraiser is part of that effort.
International Christian Voice (ICV) is a registered Canadian Charitable organization and Sponsorship Agreement Holder (SAH). ICV serves to sponsor asylum seekers, who are victims of religious persecution and supports their resettlement in Canada. Since 2017, they have settled 135 refugees consisting of 46 families. In 2021-2022 alone, they welcomed 101 people. Our parishioner, Javaid (Jim) Bakhsh is very involved in this ministry.
Christ Church is humbled to support the work of ICV and welcome the opportunity to attend this Fundraiser Gala. Consider joining us for the evening. Tickets are $120 for 3-Course sit-down meal. Tax receipts will be issued through Christ Church, Brampton.
Please contact Martha (phone/text: 416-420-3765) if you would like to join us.
Christ Church is humbled to be a ministry partner of International Christian Voice who works tirelessly to advocate for persecuted Christians and to sponsor and resettle refugees into Canada.
We recently had an opportunity to present ICV with a donation from our FaithWorks proceeds. In the video to the left is ur Rector, Byron Gilmore, with Peter Bhatti, Executive Director and father/daughter duo Major (Ret.) Javaid Bakhsh and Shumaila Desrochers (Deputy People’s Warden)
On March 2, 2021 International Christian Voice marked the 10th anniversary of the slaying of Shahbaz Bhatti, brother of ICV founder Peter Bhatti. Shahbaz was killed as a direct result of his courageous support of religious minorities in Pakistan. Byron was invited to provide a short video commemorating the work of Shahbaz Bhatti and continuing work of International Christian Voice. Byron’s video is below.
