Welcome to October Connect View as Webpage

In this update...

• October Voices of Hope/Voix d'espoir - The Philippines

The latest Alongside Hope News...

• NL Bishop lends artistic talent to Alongside Hope Christmas cards
• Wild Ride lights the way to safe births in Mozambique and Madagascar
• How women in Colombia are building a sustainable future for their families

Plus resources and upcoming events

• Wild Ride – fundraising update
• World of Gifts 2025 – browse the guide today
• Alongside Hope sweatshirts make a great gift!
• Join our “Becoming Kin” Book Study 
• Order your Annual Resources

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.

Learn about Alongside Hope's work in the Philippines.

NEWS

Solar Suitcase brings promise of light

In rural Mozambique and Madagascar, many mothers give birth in the dark when there’s no electricity. Solar Suitcases change that, bringing light, power and safety for moms and babies. Watch the video above and meet Nurse Itelvina, who works at a health clinic in Mozambique. She shares what it’s like to deliver babies without enough light — and how a Solar Suitcase can make every birth safer. Until October 31, gifts made to the Solar Suitcase campaign will be matched, up to $150,000.

Read the latest news

• In Chita, Colombia, women are learning new skills and using simple tools to care for the land and their families. Meet Ana Elsa Zárate.
• This Christmas, Alongside Hope cards share Bishop John Watton’s artwork and bring help to families around the world. See his paintings It Happened in Bethlehem and Winter Light.
• By donating shares, Rosemary helped provide two Solar Suitcases so mothers and babies can have safe births. Read her story.

TONIGHT - Thursday, September 25, 2025, 7 p.m. ET (livestream opens at 6:45)

Alongside Hope Annual General Meeting

The Annual General Meeting will be held by Zoom for voting members and live streamed on our YouTube channel. All are welcome to watch. Members will consider the audited financial statements for FY2024-2025 and the auditor’s report, elect directors, appoint honorary associates and appoint the auditor for FY2025-26. We will also hear from special guest speakers, Abe Janzen and Henry Reinders, the Calgary and Ontario Regional Representatives for the Canadian Foodgrains Bank. Abe and Henry will co-share from their experiences of engaging parishioners in our ecumenical work that inspires donors, including the Canadian Government, towards effective programs and partnerships in our mission together, to End Hunger.

EVENTS

Join the Wild Ride and be a light of change!

Across Canada, people are walking, cycling, sewing, and even crocheting to provide Solar Suitcases in eight health clinics in Mozambique and Madagascar. Every gift is being matched, so the impact doubles. Already, the 21 teams and 50 participants have raised more than $38,000 toward the $52,000 goal. Together, we can bring light and safety to women giving birth in health clinics without reliable electricty. The Wild Ride ends October 4 but donations can be received until October 31.

World of Gifts 2025 guide!

The brightest gifts shine forever! This year’s campaign highlights the innovative ways our partners are making a world of difference. The World of Gifts allows you to support our partners by funding items of need for their programs. You’ll find this year’s guide in the October Anglican Journal, or get a sneak peek here. Our online store will be open soon!

Thursday, October 9, 2025, 1p.m. ET

Join us for Praying with Alongside Hope

All are welcome to join our online parish. Hundreds have prayed with us from across Canada. Our reflector will be Pacifique "Paci" Irankunda with Village Health Works in Kigutu, Burundi. Paci is an agricultural expert working with local communities on the Magara Meza (peanut porridge) project.

Join the Becoming Kin Book Study!

Alongside Hope’s six-part online book study, part of our 2025 learning journey Living Into Right Relationships, is now underway—and there’s still time to join in. We’re reading Becoming Kin by Patty Krawec, an Indigenous writer who invites us to reimagine kinship, land, and solidarity through history, memory, and Indigenous ways of knowing. The book is widely available at libraries, bookstores, and on Audible.ca. You can also follow along by reading participant reflections.

Each night’s discussion will be led by a different Alongside Hope volunteer or staffer:

September 15 - Nancy Denham

September 22 - Tom Mugford

September 29 - Heather Wilks Jenkins

October 6 - Suzanne Rumsey

October 13 - Debbie Clevett

October 20 - John Denham

RESOURCES

Yet in thy dark streets shineth, the everlasting Light!

Alongside Hope’s 2025 Christmas cards, featuring original artwork by Bishop John Watton, share the light and hope of Jesus through two unique designs. With a minimum donation of $25 per pack, your gift supports Alongside Hope’s global partners while spreading the message of hope at Christmas.

Alongside Hope sweatshirts available for purchase

Alongside Hope is pleased to make our 1/4 zip sweatshirts available to the general public. All orders must be placed by November 15, 2025 to take advantage of bulk ordering. Get the must-have accessory for the season!

Rear our 2025 Annual Report

To order an Annual Report, email info@alongsidehope.org.

2025 Annual Resources now ready to order!

We're excited to share new resources to bring Alongside Hope into your parish or community. This year’s 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