Outreach

The Lunch Bunch

In 2000, the congregation of St. James' became aware of a pressing need in Ingersoll for a community meal program that would assist struggling families. Lunch Bunch was launched with the assistance of Ingersoll Community Foundation. We arranged for a bus to pick up children from the schools and this service continues. Our guests include adults and families, as well as the school children. We recognize that financial insecurity is not the only need that brings guests to us. Many are lonely, living on their own and crave companionship. Others are not skilled at cooking and a hot "home-cooked" meal restores the spirit. For whatever reason God leads people to us, we are there to feed them, without judgment. The meals are free to whoever comes through our doors.
Some of our volunteers have been with us from the beginning. Many individuals volunteer each week while others take a regular turn during the month. Volunteers are welcome to sit down to eat after our guests leave, if there is food left over. They pay a nominal $3.00 for their food, if able to afford it. 30 to 40 people are involved each Wednesday in the preparation and cleanup for our meals. Each person has a task to complete, and then is free to leave - so that no-one has to volunteer for the whole day.
A typical meal consists of apple juice, meat, mashed potatoes, vegetables, salad, bread, dessert and beverage.
Ongoing funding comes from the Ingersoll Community Foundation augmented by supporters from the TD Bank, Cold Spring Farms, CAW and many individuals.
Meals are served each Wednesday from October through May at 11:15am until 1:00pm. If this is a Ministry that you would like to assist with please contact the church office at 519-485-0385

This wonderful summer experience for children began in 1999. Under Jill Pariser, an Ingersoll resident, the idea of a summer camp for children in need grew out of Jill's involvement with the school program, the Breakfast Club. Jill called her camp, Camp Hope, and 7 years ago the camp moved into St. James' parish hall. For 6 weeks each summer the sound of children enjoying being together fills the space. They are taught life skills and all recreational activities empasize individuals' self-worth. Camp days include breakfast, old-fashioned games, singing, crafts, lunch, and often swimming at the Community Complex. Senior campers are taught how to make simple meals,how to write resumes to help them find jobs later. Special events for the young people include visits from veterans, and movie days. Camp ends each day at 3:15pm.
There were 90 children in Camp Hope in the summer of 2008. There have been up to 150 on the waiting list. From this you can tell how necessary and important Camp Hope is in the lives of these young people.
Senior Counsellors manage the programs. Each one must have at least one year at university to be eligible for this responsibility. Junior Counsellors work directly with the groups of children to ensure their safety and share with them the joy of learning. Junior Counsellors must have at least one year of high school. Ninety per cent of the staff return yearly.
Each year Camp Hope chooses a theme to guide the learning. Last summer it was "Caring Kids". There is a Senior Campers program operating in First Baptist Church.The major funder for Camp Hope is Ingersoll Community Foundation. Other funders include local service clubs as well as individuals who care strongly about the program and financially support it.

OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD
For the past few Christmas seasons,St.James' has taken part in supporting the Operation Christmas Child project. Our parishionners take great joy in packing shoe boxes with Christmas gifts for needy children around the world. For additional information visit Samaritan's Purse Canada website at http://www.samaritanspurse.ca/occ/aboutus/

Operation Christmas Child brings joy and hope to children in desperate situations around the world through gift-filled shoe boxes and the message of God’s unconditional love. Anyone can participate in this simple, hands-on project.

Last season, 661,530 shoe boxes from Canada were collected and distributed to children in more than 15 countries. Each gift is a special reminder to a child that he or she is loved. Delivered by teams of local pastors, charities, and civic leaders, Operation Christmas Child gifts provide opportunities to make a lasting impact on children, families and communities. Often, the shoe boxes open doors to provide other aid, allowing Samaritan’s Purse to provide resources for a better tomorrow.

Operation Christmas Child focuses on the true meaning of Christmas – Jesus Christ – God’s greatest gift. Separate from the shoe box and when culturally appropriate, we offer children “The Greatest Gift of All,” an illustrated Bible storybook in the local language. When possible, children can further explore a faith in Jesus Christ through a voluntary Bible study program.

The shoe boxes don’t leave Canada on their journey overseas without first making an impact on the people who pack them. The project fosters compassion in Canadian families, individuals, and businesses by expanding their world view and showing how it is greater to give than to receive.

HABITAT for HUMANITY

St. James' parish has made a commitment to fundraise and support the Habitat for Humanity project in Ingersoll. Several concerts have been or will be held to raise funds for this outstanding organization. A yard sale was held in the spring and another one will be held on Saturday August 22nd from 8 am to 11:30 am.

The "Ingersoll Build" highlights are featured on the following website : http://www.ingersollbuild.com/ . Additional information about churches' involvement is also available though the hyperlink listed below.

The information below is from Habitat for Humanity's website at http://habitat.ca/index.php

Engage your church
You are the light of the world... Let your light shine before others so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven."
(Matthew 5:14, 16 NRSV)

Why involve your church?
By involving your church you are putting your faith and love into action in a meaningful and powerful way. Each Habitat home that your church builds or helps build serves as a lasting reminder of God's grace. It is difficult to ignore such a tangible expression of love. The community notices when people work together as an instrument of God's love. Within and among congregations, people experience a strong sense of unity and purpose when together they reach out to their neighbours in need.
How your congregation can help:
Pray for the work of Habitat for Humanity and families in need throughout Canada
Sponsor a Home
Make a cash donation
Offer in-kind goods and services
Gather members of the congregation to volunteer on the building site (no experience necessary)
Provide meals and snacks for workers during a build project
Involve your youth group
-Take part in a build
-Organize a fundraiser
Invite a Habitat representative to speak at your church to increase awareness
Study groups can read and discuss "The Theology of the Hammer" by Millard Fuller (call 1-800-667-5137 to purchase a copy). This publication outlines Habitat's biblical principles.

Every House Is a Sermon

Call 1-800-667-5137 or E-Mail Habitat for Humanity Canada for more information about Faith in Action.
                                        Ingersoll & District Inter-church Committee
                                                    56 Thames St. S. Ingersoll, ON N5C 2S9     519-933-7730

This outreach group Is a sub-committee of the Ingersoll and District Ministerial Association. One of our main functions is to look after the Christmas Hamper Program for this area. Many Thamesford residents are recepients of a hamper every Christmas season. In addition, we also provide assistance to those residents experiencing difficulties with utility expenses, emergency medical or other health related expenses, urgent home or automobile repairs and food needs.
St. James' regularly holds fundraisers and donates to this important organization.

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