Connecting Our Dismas Fellowship Communities

COMMON SENSE & 
COLD WEATHER

January's weather was brutal! And who knows what February will be like? But don't worry, we'll all be complaining about the hot summer soon enough!

Speaking of weather, this is just a reminder that we should always use common sense in deciding whether or not to cancel a Dismas meeting due to inclement weather.

Every group's situation is different. In some regions, there are many who can walk or take transit to Dismas. In others, folks travel a good ways to make it, perhaps on rural roads.


I felt that we needed to cancel our January meeting in Cambridge, even though it meant missing out on Julia's homemade butter tarts and Rosemary's cheesecake! But folks in our area travel a good ways to come and the roads were treacherous. I just couldn't risk their safety.

It's all about common sense. If the weather is really bad, don't risk people's lives. But if your group does decide to meet, please reassure folks to stay home if they feel unsafe driving in the elements.

Paul Tuck,

Community Coordinator

ON ANOTHER NOTE...
February is traditionally the month for LOVE (Valentine's Day, Feb. 14) and FAMILY (Family Day is Feb 16.) Why not have this as a theme for your February meeting? At Dismas we certainly love one another and many remark that Dismas feels like family! So let's celebrate our brotherly love! Let's celebrate our extended Dismas Family!

On January 22, Dismas Fellowship Kingston had its very first meeting!
The weather and sicknesses affected the turnout, but everyone had a great time and expressed optimism about the future!


Toronto West Dismas had to take a break in January due to unavoidable circumstances. Their next meeting will be on 
Friday, February 6.

Dismas Fellowship Guelph was the first group to meet in 2026.

They gathered on January 7 with a decent crowd and one first time guest. The meal was chili, baked potatoes with fixins, salad and buns with a huge assortment of cookies for dessert. Paul brought a reflection about past and present opportunities. As usual, everybody had a great time. (Sometimes we have to turn the lights out to get people to leave!)

A Great Loss of a Beautiful Soul...

Our Dismas communities in Guelph and Cambridge are devastated at the news of the sudden passing of our beloved Bonnie Simcoe. Bonnie brought light and laughter to everyone who knew her. We will miss her beyond words.

Dismas Kitchener met on Friday, January 9 with one of it's largest gatherings to date! Chef William prepared a sumptuous beef stew accompanied with fresh bread and salad. Dessert was an array of cheesecake, chocolate cake and fruit crisp.

Also on this night, at the same location, the newly formed Waterloo Region CoSA enrolled it's first core member!

Due to inclement weather, Brockville, Cambridge and Niagara Dismas Fellowships had to cancel their meetings in the month of January.

Better to be safe when roads are snow-covered and the wind is howling!

Picture sent by Elvera Reimer.

Dismas Hamilton met on Friday, January 16. Despite the icy weather, there was a fabulous turnout with one first time guest! Jeff and the boys cooked up a massive pot of chili accompanied with garlic cheese bread, tortillas and all the fixins' with an assortment of desserts.

Paul Tuck shared the reflection about past, present and (hopefully) future opportunities.

Did you know that you can support your local Dismas Group and receive a donation receipt for income taxes?

The easiest way to support your own local Dismas is to go to the Friends of Dismas Canada Helps Page, scroll down and select which Dismas you want to support.

You can click on the button below and make a secure donation.

You can also make a donation to Dismas Fellowship Network or to the local Dismas of your choosing by scanning or taking a picture of the QR CODE.

It will take you to a secure location to make the donation. There is a box where you can select where you want your donation to be applied.

Do you need help, training, supplies or just someone to bounce ideas off of?

Call Paul Tuck at

(647) 525-8245

Or click below to send an email.