go2learn:LEADING WITH CULTURAL INTELLIGENCE

There is a great learning opportunity coming up on OCTOBER 23-24th 2009. International Teams is hosting a 2 day leadership conference on “glocal” (global and local) training for missional leaders.

DAVID LIVERMORE, will be the keynote speaker. He is a gifted communicator with a wealth of knowledge in the whole area of cultural intelligence. (If you haven’t read his book “Serving with Eyes Wide Open” you need to!)  This year he will introduce us to best practices for connecting across any cultural divide including national , ethnic, and organizational cultures.

There will also be several breakout sessions including:

• churches working together “glocally”
• embracing cultural diversity
• resourcing and fundraising missional activities
• preparing fora successful short term team
• planning for long term impact

I think it will be great learning day for all those interested in cross-cultural ministry. Please consider joining us.

For full event details and to register online visit: go2learn.iteams.ca or call International Teams Canada at 1 -800-465-7601 (toll free) . The conference is being held in Waterloo, ON. The registration deadline is October 16th and the cost is $50.

There will be a group from Hamilton going so if you are interested and need a ride let us know. Email  alisonjillwitt@gmail.com

Countdown to the Ride

IF you haven’t signed up yet- it’s not too late. The 6th annual Ride for Refugees happens here in Hamilton in just a couple weeks (Oct 3rd). The Ride for Refugees is a growing worldwide movement of people riding bikes, raising money, and advocating for refugees. Register yourself, lead a team, give generously or volunteer. Go to www.rideforrefugees.com for more info.

Hamilton Ride for Refugees- Oct 3rd 2009

Mark your calendars now! This October 3rd, join your friends and community in the 6th annual Ride for Refugees. It’s a growing worldwide movement of people riding bikes, raising money and advocating for refugees.

Keep checking the website rideforrefugees.com for more details. As the time gets closer there will be more up-to-the-minute news and resources posted there. By participating in the Ride for Refugees, you can involve your friends, family, church or work-mates in raising much needed dollars  for the unique needs of refugees along the refugee highway, including refugee resettlement in Hamilton.

Register yourself, lead a team, give generously or volunteer. Please join us – Every Mile Matters.

Refugee Claimants: what comes after the Hearing

Please join us for a great learning opportunity.

Saturday October 27th
9:30-11:30 am
“The Vine”  corner of Vine St. & Park St. N
 Light refreshments will be served

Presenter: Jeremiah Eastman LLB Immigration Lawyer (and former lawyer with the federal department of Citizenship and Immigration)  Jeremiah is a refugee lawyer who previously worked for Immigration. His unique experiences and knowledge will make for a fascinating discussion. Together we hope to learn more about the Canadian immigration system  so that we can better serve refugees in Hamilton.To learn more about Jeremiah click on this link:
 http://www.carters.ca/lawyers/jeastman.html

Hope you can join us!

Ride for Refugees-Every Mile Matters

On October 13th  the Ride for Refugees will bring together churches and individuals with a common desire to raise awareness and resources for serving refugees. By participating in the Ride for Refugees on October 13th, you can involve your friends, family, church or social club in raising much needed  funding for the unique needs and service of refugees along the refugee highway, including refugee resettlement in Canadian  communities. Since 2004 this unique event has raised over $225,000 for refugee ministries here in Canada and around the world. This is the first year to hold the event in Hamilton. There is a great route planned starting at Flamborough CRC and finishing up at Philpott church downtown Hamilton.

Some are riding because they love cycling. Some are riding in response to the sheer mass of refugees in our world, estimated be be 35 million. It could be be that they have noticed the growing number of “new arrivals” in Hamilton and have wondered how to connect or help. Some are riding because they believe that refugees matter to God. They want to ride because Jesus was a refugee himself. 

What’s your reason??

Please join us. Go to www.rideforrefugees.com to register or to sponsor someone else. Or contact hamilton@rideforrefugees.com if you want more information.

World Refugee Sunday

The Refugee Highway Partnership (RHP) is now inviting churches around the world to celebrate World Refugee Sunday, on the Sundays of June 17 or June 24, 2007.  People can visit the Refugee Highway web page to find a variety of helpful resources, including a downloadable bulletin insert, resource packet, prayer points, and links to other materials: www.refugeehighway.net.

The World Evangelical Alliance is partnering with the RHP to help publicize this opportunity so we are excited that  Christians around the world will raise voices together in prayer for refugees!

CartoonsSpeak

CartoonsSPEAK:  A Celebration of the Afghani Political Cartoons of the late Said Rahimi, who was tragically killed in Hamilton on January 15, 2007. 

Early on the morning of January 15, Said Shiraga Rahimi was killed by a train at the Mount Albion Road crossing while delivering pizza to support his wife and seven children. The 35-year-old was a talented political cartoonist whose work, while he lived in exile in Iran and Azerbaijan, mocked the fanaticism that had taken hold in his homeland. He came to Canada in 2005 and Hamilton last year and was planning for a show of his cartoons even as he worked to help his children get the education they need to be successful here.

Saturday June 23, 7 – 10 pm  at The Pearl Company, 16 Steven Street at King William.  Also featuring live music, Afghani hors d’oeuvres, door prizes, and original cartoons and other items for sale. MC for the evening will be CBC radio personality Jeff Goodes.  Featuring four outstanding Canadian political cartoonists: Terry Mosher, longtime political cartoonist for the Montreal Gazette (Aislin); Brian Gable, of the Globe and Mail; Graeme MacKay, of The Hamilton Spectator; and Roy Carless, Hamilton Political Cartoonist.

All money raised by the event will go into a trust fund for Rahimi’s wife and children. 

Tickets are $30 apiece and can be purchased at Bryan Prince Bookseller (Westdale),  the Carnegie Gallery ( Dundas),  Arts Hamilton (Jackson Square),  La Jardinere (Locke St), OPIRG (McMaster University) and The Immigrant Culture and Art Association (Stuart St). Donations to the trust fund can be made at any TD/Canada Trust location to the Rahimi Family Trust at Branch 346,  Account 6312464. 

 Please call 905-524-0606 or email cartoonsspeak@gmail.com for more information.

Philpott Church has ongoing contact with his wife, Karemah. Hope you can join us -it will be a great way to show our support Karemah and her family.

Why not be a HOST family?

It is great to see so many people from the TrueCity churches coming alongside the newly arrived Karen families through SISO’s HOST program. The concept is simple- SISO matches your family with a Karen family so that you can provide friendship, and help orient them to their new community. It is a great program and the benefits to both families are enormous. Our family has enjoyed taking our Karen family swimming at the local rec centre and watching the kids giggle with excitement as it was the first time they had ever gone swimming. We have introduced them to Canadian traditions like colouring Easter eggs and eating mashed potatoes. We have helped them learn to write cheques, and set up an email account. We have taken them to church with us.  We have enjoyed sharing meals together and learning about their life in Burma and Thailand.  Their stories of pain and struggle are incredibly inspiring to us and our children who can now connect real people with the images of refugee camps they have seen on TV.

This May Hamilton is anticipating the arrival of 100 more Karen people. They will need Canadian families to befriend them and help them adjust to living in Hamilton. Why not be one of those families? If you are interested please give Arsim Aliu a call at SISO. His phone number is:  905-667-7480           

Opportunities to help Micah House

Spring Cleaning Day – May 5

Help to keep Micah House beautiful! Spring cleaning projects include washing windows, scrubbing and painting walls; cleaning the yard; dusting those hard to reach spaces that never get dusted!

If you would like to commit your time and elbow grease to Micah House spring cleaning please contact Paul or Crystle at 905-296-4387 or info@micahhouse.ca  Lunch provided for all workers!

Friends on the Move – Walk-a-thon Fundraiser – June 20, 2007 at Gage Park

Friends of Micah House, please join us for our first annual Walk-a-thon and BBQ fundraiser to be held on World Refugee Day! Date: June 20th Time: 5:30 pm – 8:30pm Location: Gage Park Minimum pledge of $25. The first 125 registrants will receive a t-shirt! Micah House cooler lunch bags for those raising pledges of $150 or more!! Sponsorship opportunities available. Please ask for our Sponsorship Package. Promotional material available for youth and other church groups. Pledge sheets and registration form will be available on our website at www.micahhouse.ca For more information please contact Director Paul Millar at 905-296-4397 or pmillar@micahhouse.ca Join us in helping welcome and support refugees in our community!

Racism and the Church:Exploring Solutions

This past November, and again at the TrueCity conference, Gary Dumbrill led us in a fascinating discussion of Racism and the Church. We left feeling informed, disturbed and wanting to continue the conversation.

Join us for Part 2 of this discussion-

Racism and the Church: Exploring Solutions. 

Saturday March 31st

9am-12 noon

Bethany Gospel Chapel

155 Gage Ave. N (near corner of Barton)

*note: the church building is accessible (use the elevator at   the front if needed)