Welcome to Update - October 2023

Working towards a truly just,

healthy and peaceful world.

In this update...

• October Voices of Hope/Voix d'espoir - Read about PWRDF's support for Indigenous communities in Mexico and Guatemala
• Welcome to PWRDF World of Gifts 2023 – every gift matched!
• The Wild Ride supporting refugees and displaced people hits the final stretch
• Canadian Foodgrains Bank resource for World Food Day
• Order your PWRDF Christmas Cards
• Annual Report now available
• Check out Super Friends 11!

The latest PWRDF News...

• Ukraine group provides psychological support
• PWRDF supports the Diocese of Kootenay in aftermath of wildfire
• How one legacy honoured three ministries

Plus resources and upcoming events

Learn about PWRDF's support for Indigenous communities in

Mexico and Guatemala.

Archbishop Linda Nicholls launches our World of Gifts campaign in this video message about the gift of clean water.

World of Gifts is back again!

This annual PWRDF gift-giving campaign allows you to support PWRDF partners working to accompany refugees, improve security and livelihoods, provide clean water, empower women and support Indigenous programs in Canada and around the world. We have exciting updates this year, including a newly-designed gift guide, online and in-print.

Thanks to an anonymous donor, every gift will be matched up to $110,000!

Watch for the 2023 World of Gifts guide in the October, November and December editions of the Anglican Journal, or shop our online gift guide 24/7!

The Wild Ride is in its final stretch!

The second annual PWRDF Wild Ride campaign began on World Refugee Day, June 21, and will wrap-up on Thanksgiving Day, October 9!

With 10 days left in this year's Wild Ride, we are inching ever-closer to reaching our fundraising goal of $50,000, having so-far raised $44,052! Twenty-one teams and 85 participants from across Canada have spent their summers riding, walking, running, paddling, crocheting and more, in support of PWRDF partners who work with refugees or Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in countries such as Tanzania, South Sudan, Jordan, Ukraine and other countries around the world.

Join us for our Wild Ride Wrap-Up Celebration!

We look forward to sharing the results and celebrating the fantastic creativity and accomplishments of all participants and their supporters at our Wild Ride wrap-up celebration!

Join us October 19, 1 p.m. E.T. on Zoom as we gather to close out this year's campaign and celebrate your hard work!

There's still time to support the Wild Ride! You can help our Wild Ride teams and participants make it over the "finish line" by donating today!

A Worship Resource for World Food Day October 8

The Canadian Foodgrains Bank has created a resource to help your faith community reflect on the mealtime reality of millions of hungry people in crisis around the world. Many churches are seeing increasing need at their meal centres and foodbanks. Yet, for the majority of people living in Canada, they are able to find food in regular abundance, with a variety of choices, all readily accessible. This is not the case in many places around the world where people have staple foods which they typically eat frequently – everyday or even for every meal, and especially for people in crisis who are eating meals prepared from emergency food rations. Prayer expresses faith and hope, and leads us to further action.

Peace on earth, good will to all

'Tis the season for PWRDF Christmas cards!

In the dark night sky not far from Bethlehem, a multitude of angels deliver God’s message to a group of fearful shepherds. They foretold the birth of a messiah, and a prayer for peace on earth that is as relevant today as it was more than 2,000 years ago. PWRDF’s Christmas cards for 2023 deliver the same message with two visual interpretations. 

Annual Report now available

The 2022-2023 Annual Report was included in the September Anglican Journal. If you would like to order additional Annual Reports, please email [email protected]. A French version will be available soon.

Super Friends 11! Available now

Super Friends is a long-standing Social Justice resource produced by PWRDF for children, with stories, activities and faith connection. In this newly revised edition, you will find these same elements and more. Super Friends 11! focuses on Right Relationships and Reconciliation.

Free to a maximum of 20 copies per parish, per year!

Ukraine group provides psychological support

Russian occupation in Ukraine, and the resulting conflict which has been raging for since February 2022, has killed thousands of civilians. Survivors are often displaced and left to live with the insecurity, fear and psychological impacts of ongoing war.

PWRDF is supporting the Voices of Children Foundation as it responds to an urgent need for mental health and community support. They are also among PWRDF’s partners working with refugees and internally displaced people who will be supported by this year’s Wild Ride.

PWRDF supports the Diocese of Kootenay in aftermath of wildfire

PWRDF is continuing to respond with emergency funds for those dealing with evacuations and damages due to ongoing wildfires. This summer, PWRDF established the In-Canada Emergency Response Fund, which allows for the quick release of funds to those affected. As part of this response, PWRDF has provided a $5,000 grant to the Diocese of Kootenay to rebuild the Okanagan Anglican Camp. 

How one legacy honoured three ministries

By all accounts, Jane Campbell led an exciting life filled with travel and music. But when she left a generous bequest of $1.7 million to PWRDF, the Anglican Foundation of Canada and her parish church of Holy Trinity in Thornhill, Ont., including over $600,000 designated to PWRDF, it was a surprise to many.

EVENTS

October Praying with PWRDF

All are welcome to join our online parish. Hundreds have prayed with us from across Canada. Praying with PWRDF will be back in September.

Join us Thursday, October 12 at 1 p.m. ET – We look forward to welcoming our reflector, the Rev. Canon Murray Still.

Book your Mapping Exercise workshop

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

PWRDF coming to a church near you

PWRDF has joined scores of virtual worship services at parishes across the country. Staff can deliver a prerecorded sermon, or join live worship on Zoom or other platforms. To learn more or to book a virtual guest speaker, contact Public Engagement Officer Christine Hills.

PWRDF wants to hear from you!

Please share your fundraising success stories to inspire others and to spread the word about the good work you have done! Email Christine Hills and tell us about it. Many thanks to all of our donors.

RESOURCES

a just generation is a series of conversations with allies, educators and folks working to bring about equity and justice. 

Join Duncan Chalmers and Robyn Sulkko in conversation with PWRDF Humanitarian Response Coordinator Naba Gurung as they chat about how PWRDF responds to humanitarian crises and disasters in Canada.

(left) This year's placemat includes children's activities and the Prayer for PWRDF on the reverse; (top right) the offering envelope and (bottom right) bulletin cover reflect the Let's Make a World of Difference theme.

Annual Resources for 2023 now available for ordering

PWRDF’s resources for 2023 focus on the overall work of PWRDF and partners around the world and extend an invitation: “Let's Make a World of Difference.” There are pieces to support a PWRDF Sunday, such as bulletin covers and offering envelopes, as well as our popular in memoriam and in honour cards for use anytime. These beautiful educational and informational resources unite us in prayer and action for the work of PWRDF and partners. Learn more about this year's resources and order for your parishes gatherings and services.

Creation Care: Climate Action 2.2

Climate-change emergencies and women

In year two of our Creation Care: Climate Action education focus, we are exploring the intersections between Climate Change and Gender. Learning Module 2.2 is focussed on Climate change emergencies and Women. It includes a recorded South-North dialogue with Bishop Jane Alexander, now ministering in the Territory of the People, and Mary Obiero with Church World Service Africa, as they discuss how women are impacted by emergencies caused by climate change, be they fires, floods or droughts. How are women impacted differently than men? And how are they responding? The resource includes scripture readings and questions for Bible study, as well as suggested activities for a parish group.