Community Outreach

Outreach – the dictionary defines the word as such:

Verb ~ to reach beyond

Noun ~ the act of extending services, benefits to a wider section of the population as in the community

The bible says: “Anyone who sets himself up as “religious” by talking a good game is self-deceived. This kind of religion is hot air and only hot air. Real religion, the kind that passes muster before God the Father, is this: Reach out to the homeless and loveless in their plight, and guard against corruption from the godless world.” James 1:27 (The Message)

At the Church of the Resurrection we have many and varied ways that we reach beyond our walls to the wider population and our community. Listed below are programs we are involved with. Click on the Ministries below for more information.

Cozy Corner Clothing Exchange

Community Garden Project

The Parish of the Nerepis & St. John, Community Garden Project

Hearts in Motion Walking Club

The Hearts in Motion Walking Club was coordinated in Grand Bay-Westfield by Joanne Barry with the Horizon NB Health Network. She contacted the Church of the Resurrection to start a walking club in and for the community. Some of the parishioners from the church are walking club members.

On January 11, 2011 we started our walking journey with 8 members. We now have approximately 30 members as of the end of 2012. You can find us here walking Wednesday mornings from 10-11 am. Many of us have brought friends and relatives.

Our age and health issues vary. We walk to music and laughter. Due to health issues we go at our own pace and then stop for a rest and conservation.

Shortly after coming to the church, the group decided to make a weekly voluntary donation to the Chicken Noodle Soup Program on behalf of the church for providing us a safe and warm place to walk.

In January of 2012 we celebrated our 1st year Anniversary. As February was Heart and Stroke Month, the members decided they wanted to help. So we started a donation can and in July we made our presentation to the Heart and Stroke Foundation.

In March 2012, we made a commitment to the Wellness Movement in NB. To our GREAT surprise we were one of the Grand Prize winners.

Some of our members live alone so this provides them with a reason to get up, get out and moving. During our time here we’ve become more than just a walking club and more into a FAMILY!

We are looking to continuing our relationship with the Church of the Resurrection for a long time to come.

For information about the Walking Club – please contact Karen Leger 738-1892 or the Parish Office 738-3474

River Valley Food Bank

River Valley Food Bank - Grand Bay-Westfield

Located at: 3540 Westfield Rd, Grand Bay-Westfield, NB

Phone Number: 506-738-2088

Christmas Food Baskets

“Give and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Luke 6:38

Christmas Food Baskets Each year at Christmas time, in connection with the Saint John Christmas Exchange, the Church of the Resurrection honors a committment of filling a minimum of sixty food baskets. This has become a minstry embraced by not only our chruch family but also with the help and support of many others. Grand Bay-Westfield is a community of generous and loving people in which we receive help from various groups and organizations – such as the Boy Scouts, the schools with food drives and many others who prefer to remain anonymous.

Starting just after Thanksgiving in October, our church family begins bringing in “food stuffs” and other non-perishable items. This is a major task, often making it necessary to raise extra monies through our Outreach Committee. These funds go towards the purchase of milk, eggs, turkeys, fresh vegetables, fruit, etc.

It does not stop here. We are blessed to have so many folks knitting warm mittens and hats; whole others give items that can be sued as small gifts for children of all ages.

Just before Christmas, the church is a beehive of activity as our church family gathers to sort and organize everything that will go into the boxes so that everything is ready for the day when folks gather to load and deliver.

It is such a rewarding experience and blessing to be part of this ministry and with God’s help one we will continue.

Resurrection Angels - Run for the Cure

Run for the Cure - Church of the Resurrection The Resurrection Angels is our CIBC Run for the Cure team. The team is made up of members of our church, their families and friends. Everyone is encouraged to join our team.

Our team started in 2006 out of support for Cheryl Saunders, a member of our church who has since pasted away from breast cancer.

In the last 6 years, we have raised approximately $22 000.00 for the Canadian Breast Cancer foundation. These funds have been raise by team fundraising and individual fundraising. Some of our team and individual fundraisers have been bake sales, yard sales, raffles, pink cupcakes sales, Party Lite Candles, ham supper, etc… We even had a team member put out a change in 2008 and 2009 if a certain total of funds were raised she would dye her hair pink. And twice she had pink hair. This year (2012) we did something new. We had a Prayer Tree. For a minimum $1 donation, you could put the name of someone who passed away from cancer, who is fighting cancer or anyone who is affected by cancer on the tree. And we encouraged people to pray for the names on the tree.

The CIBC Run for the Cure is a national event that takes place either the first Sunday in October or the last Sunday in September. Our team meets up by the Firefighters booth to get our hot dogs and drinks. Many sponsors have booths set up where you can get free food or purchase breast cancer paraphernalia. There are always a few speeches and an invigorating warm up. Then come rain or shine we walk 5 km (or 1 km). The sea of people is always led by a group of “pinked-out” motorcyclist. It is such an amazing site to see all these people in white and pink t-shirts walking together.

A tradition our team has it to go out for a meal together after the Run is over. We all really enjoy this time together.

The Resurrection Angels team is an important part of the Church for the Resurrection. Everyone is effect by cancer, whether it is breast cancer or another form, one way or another. Our team brings the church together whether joining the team, supporting the fundraising or in prayer.