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Over the last little while, there has been a number of occasions where our congregation has been asked for extra donations. The Special Appeal, the Lumsden Beach Camp musical and 3-day Build, and we just started our once a month campaign for Mission and Service Fund offering that is over and above our regular givings.. I have been aware that this is a significant amount to be asking of a congregation and have been heartened by the generous response. We truly do live in abundance, in more ways than just financial! I imagine that as opportunties for giving continue to be presented to us, that there can be some tiredness or frustration with ongoing requests for money. My hope is that along with the generousity of giving financially we have already experienced, that there will also be a generosity of spirit with requests that come. If you have given what you are able, that is appreciated and know that there are others who may be able to give more. These are challenging times for many and charitable organizations, churches and its organizations also find it challenging. So we will be asked, and if we can support a cause, great! If not, may we receive the request with graciousness, understanding the need, and allowing those who are able, to share their abundance as they can. We give what we can, when we can, and those who receive this generosity are grateful for the opportunity to fundraise, as well as for the gifts received. At Sunday school with the grade 4-8's last week, we talked about why, as people of faith, it is important for us to help and give to the poor, and offer community service such as volunteering for Rainbow Youth (notice the great sign-up poster they made in the Narthex!). One of the passages we looked at was from the book of Esther and I thought it was a good follow up to the musical. It read that they should remember the time that the events took place: "as the days on which the Jews gained relief from their enemies, and as the month that had been turned for them from sorrow into gladness and from mourning into a holiday; that they should make them days of feasting and gladness, days for sending gifts of food to one another and presents to the poor." The community no longer were stressed by their enemies plotting against them, so they were able to return to their practice of sharing with others, and the poor. This is now known as the Jewish festival of Purim. It is part of our faith tradition and our calling to be generous, both in what we do, and in our spirit.
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Located in Regina, SK.
We are an 
