Welcome to April CONNECT View as Webpage

In this update...

• April Voices of Hope/Voix d'espoir - British Columbia

The latest Alongside Hope News...

• Longing for peace, looking for light, Easter 2026
• Hurricane Melissa update: Rebuilding underway in Jamaica
• Humanitarian Coalition launches emergency appeal for Middle East
• As Cuba struggles with energy shortages, humanitarian demand increases
• Mapping the Ground We Stand On: Reflections from facilitators

Resources and upcoming events

• Praying with Alongside Hope - April 16
• Volunteer Information Session - April 23
• Save the dates! Storytelling Study on the Seven Sacred Teachings - May 4
• Plan a Refugee Sunday
• Request a "Mapping the Ground We Stand On" workshop
• Order or download our 2025 Annual Report
• Order your Annual Resources today

Voices of Hope can be shared in English or French in your parish as a bulletin insert, read as an announcement, or included in an e-blast.

This month, learn about Alongside Hope's work in British Columbia.

NEWS

Longing for peace, looking for light

As Lent draws us toward Holy Week and Easter, church leaders in Jerusalem speak of quiet streets and broken hearts, of communities across the Middle East that are living in fear. Yet, their ministries of healing and compassion continue, offering care without discrimination even amid war. As we look to the hope of the Resurrection, we're invited to stand with our neighbours who are hurting in prayer and solidarity.

Read the latest news

• Mapping the Ground We Stand On is a workshop that was created by in response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission report. Read Gillian Powers’ and Michael Shapcott’s perspectives as facilitators.
• As Cuba hits power outages of up to 20 hours a day, Alongside Hope continues to support its partners on the ground.
• The escalating military violence in the Middle East has been worsening and widening, with humanitarian needs rising rapidly. As a member of the Canadian Foodgrains Bank, Alongside Hope is participatin in a Humanitarian Coalition campaign to raise funds.
• Following the destruction caused by Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica, the Diocese of Jamaica and the Cayman Islands put together an emergency response plan and shared an update.



And the latest Alongside Hope news!

EVENTS

Thursday, March 16, 1 p.m. EST

Join us for Praying with Alongside Hope

Due to scheduling conflicts, this month's Praying with Alongside Hope has moved to the third Thursday of the month at 1 p.m. ET. All are welcome to join our online parish. Hundreds have prayed with us from across Canada. This month, Alma Montoya, Director of Alongside Hope partner Grupo ComunicArte in Colombia, will be our reflector.

Past reflections can be viewed on our YouTube channel here.

Thursday, April 23, 2025 at 1 p.m. EST

Want to learn more about Alongside Hope?

Alongside Hope relies on a cross-Canada network of dedicated volunteers who engage with individuals and parishes. With support from staff, volunteers keep the work of Alongside Hope partners in the hearts, minds and prayers of Anglicans across the country. Their work includes:

• Raising awareness on current partners and programs, their challenges and successes;
• Keeping parishes up-to-date on Alongside Hope’s humanitarian response work;
• Engaging parishes through Alongside Hope’s educational activities and fundraising campaigns;
• Illustrating the connection between gifts made to Alongside Hope and the impact on communities in Canada and around the world.

This webinar is for anyone who wants to learn about volunteer opportunities with Alongside Hope. Whether you’re already a committed volunteer or just want to explore more, you are welcome to attend. Staff will provide an introduction to Alongside Hope’s work, our volunteer network, and the resources available to volunteers and parishes.

Learn how you can join this dynamic network of volunteers and make a world of difference.

Mondays, May 4 through June 22 at 7 p.m. EST

Storytelling Study: Seven Sacred Teachings

As Alongside Hope continues its journey of Living into Right Relationships, please join us for an eight-week online Storytelling Study on the Seven Sacred Teachings.

Each session will last one hour and all sessions will take place on Mondays apart from Victoria Day when it will move to Tuesday, May 19, also at 7 pm.

The study will be led by the Rev. Vincent Solomon, a member of Norway House Cree Nation, an Anglican priest and Indigenous Ministry Developer for the Diocese of Rupert's Land. In that role he also is the priest and pastoral leader to Epiphany Indigenous Anglican Church in Winnipeg. Vincent also serves as the Elder-in-Residence and a sessional teacher at Canadian Mennonite University and is currently a member of the Anglican Council of Indigenous Peoples (ACIP).

While this is not a “book” study, Solomon will be referencing as background, The Seven Generations and the Seven Grandfather Teachings by James Vukelich Kaagegaabaw, available at your local library, bookstore, and online including through Audible Canada.

Sunday, June 20, 2026

Host a Refugee Sunday!

On June 20 the world will once again mark World Refugee Day, a time to remember all those uprooted from their homes by conflict, climate change and other disasters. To assist parishes marking a Refugee Sunday in June, or at any other time of the year, Alongside Hope invites you to take advantage of our resources.

RESOURCES

Book your Mapping Exercise workshop

Alongside Hope's Mapping the Ground We Stand On is available as an in-person or online workshop. Learn more at alongsidehope.org/mapping-exercise.

Read our 2025 Annual Report, now available in French

To order an Annual Report

in English or French,

please email info@alongsidehope.org.

Order your annual resources!

We're excited to share our resources to bring Alongside Hope into your parish or community. These colourful materials include folders, bookmarks, placemats, offering envelopes, a new bulletin cover, and a worship guide with services and a sample sermon—perfect for your Narthex or bulletin board.

Alongsidehope.org