PCF Missions Help to a Kenyan Family

In 2006 the PCF gave support to African AIDS orphans through Amy Attas who traveled to Africa to work and play with the children at the Nakuru orphanage in Kenya. From this arose an e-mail friendship between Josphine Gathama, a worker at the orphanage, and Amy’s mother Jackie Sturton. Until last December Josephine’s parents, her grandmother and her five siblings lived on a farm in the Burnt Forest district in the Rift Valley. On New Year’s Eve, four days after the widely disputed Kenyan election and associated violence Josphine sent Jackie, whom she addresses as “Mum”, the following e-mail.
“Mum,
I want to inform you that I am now not strong enough. Our houses were burnt yesterday, 6PM. Today in the morning, the enemies stormed where my parents and other people were camping, killing many, burnt the houses and so they ran for their lives. My grandmother could however not move because she has not been walking for three months. She was left behind and so I have been told that she was burnt in the house. Vehicles are not going towards that direction. If there is anything you can do to assist me, please assist.”

Subsequently Josphine was able to borrow a Land Rover and go to the Burnt Forest area where she saw the devastation and managed to bring her mother and younger siblings back to Nakuru. Her father and brothers also came there a few days later. It will not be safe for her parents to return to their old farm. Because of this the PCF Missions Committee has decided to send Josephine money from the PCF Mission Fund in the next few weeks to aid her parents to resettle elsewhere. You can get additional information about Josphine and her family can by contacting Jackie directly.

Sharing Resources

The Pinawa Christian Fellowship and the Pinawa Lutheran Church have a history of co-operation and sharing that has served both congregations well. For a number of years we have shared worship during the summer, as well as Good Friday, Lessons and Carols, and the Sunday after Christmas. Recently our Sunday schools have been meeting jointly. The younger children meet in Gilbert School and the older children in the Lutheran Church.

The Lutheran Church has identified two representatives to meet with representatives from the PCF to identify other material and human resources that we could share that would in no way threaten the identity of either congregation.

Before any meeting between the representatives of the two churches, General Committee wants to give the congregation ample opportunity to offer their input.

Second hour sessions will be held following the church service on two Sundays: April 6 and April 20. It is our hope that folks will be able to attend one of these sessions to share their thoughts and offer suggestions.

Any proposals that may arise from the meeting between the representatives of the two church councils will be brought to a formal congregational meeting for approval.

If you are unable to attend either of the second hour sessions and you want to share input, please contact Betty McCamis, Vice Convenor, at 753-2967 (mccamisr@granite.mb.ca) or Rob Murray at 753-8439 (pcf@granite.mb.ca).

Easter at the Bridge

Thanks Jackie and Mike for shovelling a space to gather at the suspension bridge on Easter Sunday morning. Bannock and Pickerel were frying as folks gathered to hear the Good News.

When they got out of the boat, they saw a fire laid, with fish and bread cooking on it. Jesus said, "Bring some of the fish you've just caught." Simon Peter joined them and pulled the net to shore—153 big fish! And even with all those fish, the net didn't rip. Jesus said, "Breakfast is ready." Not one of the disciples dared ask, "Who are you?" They knew it was the Master. Jesus then took the bread and gave it to them. He did the same with the fish. This was now the third time Jesus had shown himself alive to the disciples since being raised from the dead.

John 21 from Euguene Peterson's translation, The Message

Presbyterian Mission Speaker

On Friday, April 11, 2008; the Rev. Dr. Joe Reed, former missionary in South America, will be speaking at a dinner to be held in conjunction with the Annual Meeting of the WMS Synodical. The roast beef dinner will be at St. James Presbyterian Church - cost $10.00 per person. You are welcome to attend but would appreciate numbers of those coming. Please telephone Joanne Instance at 633-6480 no later than April 4, 2008.

Daylight Savings Time - Spring Forward!

I've been caught by the clock - don't forget that clocks advance one hour this Sunday morning, March 9th.

Eugene Peterson Interview

Eugene Peterson's fresh translation of the Bible "The Message" is getting more use in our worship and for devotional reading. Here's an interesting (roughly 30 minute) interview with the man himself.

2008 Mission Fund Disbursements

The PCF Mission Committee (Dennis Cann, Judy Platford, Anne Domytrak, Diana Evans and Rob Murray) decides on the disbursement of the funds contributed in the collection envelopes under “Missions”. We generally choose to make timely contributions to mission projects of our parent denominations, local mission projects and identified needs as the Mission givings come in through the year. This year we hope to inform the congregation before each contribution is made. Congregation members are welcome to support these projects if they wish by directed envelope givings.


The PCF Mission Committee is proposing to make as its first disbursement in 2008 a $200 donation to the Canadian Food grains Bank in the middle of March. The Foodgrains Bank is a partnership of Canadian church-based agencies, including all our parent churches, working to end hunger in developing countries. It collects grain and cash donations, provides funds and expert advice for projects, manages the procurement and supply of food commodities and engages in public policy and education activities related to hunger and food security. In 2006/07 the Bank distributed 20,000 tonnes of food in 17 countries in response to poverty, natural disaster and conflict.

The food is used in one of three ways:
1. To provide immediate nutrition for people in emergency situations i.e. severe drought;
2. To feed people as they rebuild until a new crop is harvested i.e. after flooding;
3. To provide food as wages in food-for-work programs where people and their communities work on longer-term projects such as irrigation and improving farmland so that in future, people will be able to feed themselves.

Our donation will be matched on a 4 to 1 basis by the Canadian International Development Agency


Future donations may include disbursements to the area Food Banks, Flora House and Anishinabe Place of Hope of Winnipeg Inner City Missions, St. Matthew's - Maryland Community Ministry, Dr. Jessie Saulteaux Resource Centre, MCC’s Meat Canning Project and identified African projects. The Mission Committee welcomes your input on these and your suggestions for other projects. Funds will also be made available on request for incidental expenses related to helping or supporting local individuals.