Connecting Our Dismas Fellowship Communities

2026: Obstacles & Opportunities

"In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity"

-- Albert Einstein

As we turn the page to 2026, let's learn that obstacles and opportunities can work together to bring growth and success in our lives. Remember, before a plant can grow, it's seed must struggle to sprout and break through the ground.

Every obstacle we face carries within it the seed of opportunity—an invitation to grow, adapt, and discover new strength. This coming year, may we learn to see that setbacks don't have to be barriers; they can be stepping stones toward deeper resilience and greater hope.

What obstacles do you faced going into 2026?


What opportunities do you think you may have?


How do you think you might be able to turn obstacles into potential opportunities?

Paul Tuck,

Community Coordinator

Mary-Jo MacKinnon Simms reports that

Dismas Fellowship Kingston is getting ready to get off the ground! They have set a date for their first official meeting on January 22, 2026!

Paul Bar shares...



Toronto Dismas West held a marvelous Christmas Dinner celebration with almost 2 dozen members in attendance. We are grateful for the team at Christ Church St. James for serving a delicious pasta dinner with chicken pot pie along with salads and a large selection of desserts.

Following dinner Bruce Smith led us in Christmas songs and hymns. 

Following Bruce, Gladys and Deacon Roy Mayo, who hosted the evening, shared a number of games and raffles which was enjoyed by all. Toronto West wishes everyone in the Dismas community a wonderful Christmas holiday filled with the peace, hope and joy of Our Lord!   

Dismas Fellowship Guelph enjoyed a dinner with guests from Cambridge and Kitchener. The meal was catered with Swiss Chalet Festive Meals. Then we enjoyed a Christmas concert with local artist and song writer, Glen Soderholm.

We extended the invitation to folks from Arkell Road Bible Chapel (our host church) and some others to join us for the concert, and afterwards for a time of fellowship where we loaded up on Christmas goodies.

What a magnificent Christmas celebration!

Dismas Kitchener decided to have a Christmas Games Party on December 12. Thanks to one generous volunteer, Pizza was supplied in abundance, along with chips, veggies, and desserts. Lynda led us in some Christmas Carols and sang a hilarious rendition of "The 12 Days After of Christmas!"

from Eric Richards ...

As we celebrated that birth of Jesus Christ, we had 12 people in attendance. We enjoyed a feast of turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, gravy, vegetables, cranberry sauce, and a multitude of desserts.

Tonight, we celebrated the contributions thst our Co-Chair put in the group since it's beginning (10.5 years). Moira retired from volunteering at Dismas tonight.

Lazlo gave an awesome reflection based on Luke 2:11. He ended it by asking "What does Christmas truly means to us?"

At the end of the meet, I gave notice that I will be stepping down April 2026. I will be focusing more on my family and narrowing my duties to serve God in a more productive capacity.

2025 has been such a blessing, but we also recognize the fact that there is such homelessness and those who are incarcerated through this time of year.

God bless you all and talk to you all in the New Year. 

Dismas Hamilton had its Christmas Celebration on Friday, December 19. There was a huge gathering and a whole lot of fun.
The folks feasted on turkey, ham, mashed potatoes and other sides, with a lot of desserts and goodies. The main part of the program was a collection of readings written by Paul Tuck, called "Holy Moments" Folks enjoyed gifts of Tim Cards thanks to St. Leonard's Society of Hamilton, along with decorative boxes of assorted goodies.

Dismas Hamilton had 402 different people attend our meetings for the year 2025!

Elvera Reimer shares...

Quick!! What’s the name of a Christmas Carol that can be described as: “The Christmas preceding all others”. You got it! It’s “The First Noël”.

That was part of our fun time at Niagara’s  Christmas Dismas on Monday, December 22. We also celebrated Jesus’ birth with a festive turkey dinner, carol singing, reading the story of Jesus’ birth and finishing off with gift bags. Matt directed our thoughts to questions about favourite Christmas memories and how we survive Christmas when life is hard. It was a great evening with 20 of us in attendance. 

Our attendance over the past few months has been 19-20 people, which is very encouraging. This month we had a local Home Church prepare our meal for us. This is very exciting because they serve us a meal and we get to present to them our Dismas Ministry. We feel this is a positive way to become known in our community. 

Years ago, when we were at Brampton Dismas, a visitor wished to know which of the people present had been in prison. Ed Bergey’s very wise response was. “You can’t tell, can you!” And this month our visitors commented on the fact that at Dismas Niagara we are all equal, there are no distinctions. It’s an even playing field. We thank God for that feeling of community & equality. 

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.