Earth Hour

I can blog till the cows come home.

People have been asking me why I haven't been blogging as much since I became Executive Director. I sure want to! I love to blog!! There are a few factors, really:

At first, I was doing my old job and my new one at the same time! Joe came and relieved that problem. Then we hired Jennifer, who is our financial clerk. Her station is where the dial-up internet is, so I had to come early if I wanted any alone time on the computer. About the same time as Jenn went part time, casual, Vicki went on maternity leave, so I found myself playing receptionist.

Last week, though, things began looking up! Not only did one of our Phase 3 residents begin an office internship, but I got wireless internet in MY OFFICE!

I can now blog till the cows come home.

Personal Prayer Request

Please pray for my friend, Jorin's beautiful daughter, very recently diagnosed with cancer. Jorin is a prof at Millar College of the Bible where Ken grew up and from which both of us graduated.

Donations help make Easter dinner in Regina a success

Donations help make Easter dinner in Regina a success

Stephanie Flegel
Leader-Post
(also posted in the Saskatoon Star Phoenix!)

Although Regina has many organizations that work with low-income people and families, officials do not believe they are competing for donations.

"I think there is enough resources to go around," said Wayne Hellquist, the CEO of the Regina and District Food Bank.

Organizations including the food bank, the Souls Harbour Rescue Mission, the Carmichael Outreach program, the Salvation Army and the Marian Centre all provide services for people in need.

But the Regina organizations try to network and partner together to ensure clients are receiving the necessary services all year. Although there may be some overlap between organizations, it is mostly mediated by the varying programs offered and the requirements in place for clients to use the services.

When one of the organizations is in need of donations, the public usually comes through. That was the case again recently at the Souls Harbour Rescue Mission, where the staff asked for the public's help to restock the empty shelves and freezer at the mission going into the busy Easter weekend.

Thanks in part to donations, the Easter dinner on Saturday was a giant success, said Michelle Porter, executive director of the mission.

"It has been a blessing," she added.

The Easter supper is about bringing together people to celebrate the season no matter what services they use, said Rebecca Cochrane, the resident manager of the mission's women's home.

"(The Easter meal) really shows that people care. It shows people that they are not alone in this world," said Alex Haughn, a resident at the mission.

With all the donations that came in over the weekend, the mission was not only able to serve the 550 people on Saturday, but there are also enough to keep the mission's regular services running for several months, said Porter.

Porter said the numbers for the Easter dinner are higher because the centre advertises to every home in the Core and North Central areas.

The Rescue Mission regularly runs an emergency shelter, a soup kitchen, a clothing store, the Life Change permanent resident program, the Good News chapel and an inner-city school lunch program.

Souls Harbour feeds approximately 50 people a day at the campus for permanent residents and another 250 people six-days a week at the soup kitchen.

Porter said many people dropped off food over the weekend. That filled the shelves and the once-empty freezers have been plugged back in.

The food will be used both at the soup kitchen and at the permanent residence, which served its own Easter dinner on Monday night.

"Food is important, but there are so many other costs to feed people," said Cochrane.

The monetary donations helped to pay for the building, utilities and staffing costs associated with Saturday's supper and the other regular services the mission offers.

"I got people phoning me saying, 'I want to give $2,000 right now, I want to give $5,000, I want to give $1,800,' " said Porter.

Donations often work in cycles and it was just a coincidence that the shelves went bare right at Easter this year.

The services for low-income people and families run all year and are in need of support throughout the year, not just at the holidays. Hellquist said the low period at the Food Bank often occurs during the summer months.

The mission's next fundraiser is the "Love Your Neighbour" event on May 7. Porter said she is still looking for business and church sponsors and if people would like to attend the event they can contact her at 543-0011.

The mission is also accepting applications for the low-income housing building, Harbour House, which is set to open in the spring.

Warm meal, warm hearts

CREDIT: Joshua Sawka, Leader-Post
Volunteers take a break near the end of the Souls Harbour annual Easter dinner on Saturday, helping to serve the 450 people who came for the meal catered by Melrose Place North.

Warm meal, warm hearts

Jana G. Pruden
Leader-Post

Volunteers take a break near the end of the Souls Harbour annual Easter dinner on Saturday, helping to serve the 450 people who came for the meal catered by Melrose Place North.

Hundreds of hungry souls flocked to an Easter dinner in North Central Regina on Saturday afternoon looking for food, friendship, and a taste of the holiday they may not have had otherwise.

"It's great for a community. It brings us together, lets us eat, brings a little bit of the Easter tradition to families that can't afford it," said Tara, one of the guests who attended Saturday's community dinner at the Good News Chapel, located in the former Sacred Heart Church.

The meal was provided by the Souls Harbour Rescue Mission and catered by Melrose Place North, and included toys for kids, and gifts for everyone in attendance.

Tara said she went to the event for food, but was also happy to see some friends.

"And meet new ones," she added.

One of those new friends, Kendra, said it was the warmth of the day -- and the warmth of the event -- that brought her out for a holiday dinner.

"I came for a good meal," she said. "I'm wishing for turkey."

But while turkey wasn't on the menu, dinner guests weren't disappointed by a feast that included a meaty rotini, caesar salad, and homemade rice pudding.

Savouring a peppery cream of mushroom soup, two young women said they were enjoying the food and the dinner's festive feel.

As residents of Souls Harbour's intensive LifeChange Program, both Christine and Andrea live in the mission's new furnished suites, and are taking part in programming to help them escape addiction and make positive lifestyle changes.

Andrea, the mother of a young baby, has been in the program for two months; Christine for only a week.

While the LifeChange Program helps the women deal with long-term issues, they say events like Saturday's holiday dinner are a chance to relax.

"You get to meet new people, and you're working on socializing," Christine said, adding the Easter dinner may also raise awareness of some of Souls Harbour's programs.

"It helps people know this place is here for women like us," she said.

After she completes the LifeChange Program, Andrea said she hopes to become a social worker working with street people, since she has lived on the streets herself.

"I think I could talk to them," she said.

Weyburn resident Ron Evans was one of a busload of volunteers who travelled to Regina to help out at Saturday's event.

Evans said he started volunteering for Souls Harbour 14 years ago, and believes holiday meals like the Easter dinner are an important way to show disadvantaged people they aren't alone.

"It's to show that people are thinking about them," he said. "Sometimes people think they're the forgotten ones, but they're not."

Mayor Pat Fiacco and Roughriders defensive line coach Ron Estay also volunteered at the dinner.

Murray Hack, a board member with the Souls Harbour Rescue Mission, said he hoped the dinner would leave those in attendance with more than a full stomach. "It's a way people can feel some love," he said.

Happy Easter! Jesus IS Risen!

Yes, He Is Risen, Indeed!

Even so...

Joe Millar, my assistant, sent greetings from Stonewall, Manitoba, where he is spending Easter with his wife's family. Although intended for staff, it's message is something we all ought to rejoice in!

Blessings to you all!

I know you guys are all working hard on the dinner so may the Lord reward your faithfulness. It seems that I have this big old house to myself today. Nancy & April are in the city buying groceries, shopping, having coffee (you know sister stuff), and Walter is visiting his Father. That means I have some quiet time to myself.

As I take this opportunity to reflect on the time of year, what Easter means, etc, my mind keeps drifting back to John The Baptist! It seems like that's where it's been over the last week or two! I am fascinated with this guy. Even before he was born he knew his purpose and he recognized Jesus! He was filled with the Spirit and the power of the Lord was upon him. If you get a chance read Luke chapter 1 from verse 39 to the end. How simple a life he lived, and yet his purpose was so huge!! What else do we know about John? He lived in the desert and he ate locusts and honey. I'm sure if you asked some of the residents, they'd say that it sounds like the mission!! LOL. He preached repentance, and eventually his level of honesty cost him his head! But this is what's been moving me: "A voice crying in the wilderness!" I can't escape that thought, and I know it's because it's from the Lord!

I dream of the Lord's return, and I long deeply to be with him! It is very easy for me to become jealous of the disciples. I have this mental picture of them sitting with Jesus on the shores of the lake; a fire burning as they "discuss" the days events, a warm breeze blowing in off the lake, even the warmth of the sand on their feet! Who knows what they all got to do together. John says in his gospel that at the time there weren't enough books to record all his deeds. We have the bible and some of his miracles are recorded in it, but they had him!

If I look back on my life I can now see what I didn't understand then. My first memory as a small child is of not belonging. Like I was out of place. In hindsight, I now recognize that it was God telling me that this wasn't my home! Brothers and sisters take courage and run the race! We are not of this world!! We are children of the wilderness! We are that voice crying out today! I find it easy to long to be with the Lord!

The old testament ends with the message, read Malachi chapter 4, that he will bring together the fathers and their children. The new testament, Revelation 22:17, ends with the Bride and the Spirit crying out for his coming. That's us today! Jesus will come again, and his return will be proceeded by our cry! We are the voice crying out in the wilderness: "Prepare ye the way of the Lord!"

Today would be a good day for his return.
Happy Easter!!
Joe.

Shopping Tips

10,000 of our donors were mailed our annual Easter Placemat appeal. This is a Regina favourite where individuals and families send a signed placemat back to Souls Harbour RESCUE Mission with their donation.

Some of you may be wondering, if we are raising money with this appeal, why wouldn't we just go out and buy all our groceries, instead of simultaneously running a food drive?

If you look at the letter I wrote, you will see that, while $2.58 is the national Canadian average for a complete meal, it also clarifies that part of these costs include utilities, labour, equipment and facilities needed to serve it!

The energy bill alone last month, which I just paid today, was over $4000!

Because many who cannot give, can always give a can of food, we have many avenues for Reginans and others to give to the Mission. Many prefer a tangible donation, such as turkeys, which can be had for .88C a pound at Extra Foods! Others love to give to the placemat appeal. And still, there are others who prefer to have a lasting, larger,($5000) legacy gift for our Harbour House Endowment Fund.

Response from the media has been so encouraging, and people are listening! I receive many calls a day from people who want to help! Some ask what our greatest food need is, others let me know their business is collecting money, some want to help serve a meal some time over the next month, and others are calling to bless us with financial gifts both small and large!

When we all put our heads, hands and hearts together, we truly do make our world a better place.

Happy Easter. Remember, the Lord IS Risen!

By the way, if you would like us to sign a placemat for you, please send or call in your donation today! It's not too late!

Centre seeks food donations

CREDIT: Roy Antal, Leader-Post
Aaron Cross of Souls Harbour Rescue Mission poses in front of grocery shelves that are mostly bare except for condiments such as salad dressings.

Centre seeks food donations

Kerry Benjoe
Leader-Post
(Also posted in the World News Network!)

The cupboards are bare, the freezers have been unplugged at the Souls Harbour Rescue Mission, and the staff is asking for the public's help to turn that around.

"We have about 60 pounds of potatoes at the soup kitchen, which, when you are feeding 300 people a day, does not go very far," said Michelle Porter, executive director of the mission.

The centre has launched its food drive in hopes of not only replenishing its food reserves but to gather enough food for its annual Easter meal.

"Everyone deserves a meal. I don't care what you've done, you deserve to have a dinner," said Porter. "That's our goal, to make sure everyone who comes to our doors is fed and given proper nutrition."

Porter said the mission does the majority of its cooking at the soup kitchen, but says the food prepared there goes to other locations like to its men's home and its women and family home. She said there is a special family section which is filled every day with children and their parents.

Porter said Saturday's menu has been planned and she is expecting about 700 people with children making up roughly 40 per cent of the attendees.

"On the menu for the Easter dinner is Italian rotini with meat sauce, caesar salad, buns, cream of mushroom soup and home-made rice pudding," said Porter. "It's not exactly a traditional Easter meal but it's made with what we have that's surplus."

She said the centre needs all kinds of food and the centre will accept anything from canned goods to frozen food.

"We're trying to get a surplus. It's good to have the pantry stocked because you never know what kinds of things will come up," said Porter.

She remains hopeful that things will work out and the mission will be able to feed all those who show up at the centre's doors like it's been doing.

"(Monday), an hour before lunch we had all kinds of eggs and cooked sausage, ham and bacon. It's amazing. It just showed up and we were able to feed our 50 campus residents," said Porter.

Donations can be made directly at the centre at 3535 8th Ave. She said the centre is also accepting monetary donations.

The soup kitchen provides a nightly supper during the week, and lunch on Sundays. No meals are served on Saturdays except for this weekend when the Easter meal is served starting at 11:30 a.m.

Luck O' the Irish!

March/April Rescue holds complete convention details. You can find it online at our website. Registrations for the convention have now topped 200, putting us 171 percent ahead of last year at this time. In addition, interest is growing in our host city contest included in every issue of Street Smart until the convention. The fourth person to email AGRM’s Faye Wisdom with the correct answer to the following question will win a $25 Barnes & Noble gift card. (To be eligible, the person must be registered for the convention, or must register in the next five days.) The trivia question in the last issue was too “male.” Guys inherently know that argon gas glows green when energized by electricity (so how did Mary Harriger come out the winner?). Now it’s your turn, ladies. Name the luxury department store founded in Dallas in 1907 famous for its Christmas catalog featuring “fantasy gifts,” which last year included a $1.44 million submarine.

So, guess what? I WON!! I googled and won. Google deserves half the prize! =) When I got Faye's confirmation letter, I yelled for all to hear, "I WON!" People came running out of curiosity and found me with my arms raised in a celebratory position.

Not too shabby for a Canadian. We don't even have Neiman Marcus!

What a great Monday!

Happy Birthday, Hubby!

Last night the staff and Good News Chapel members commandeered the Share-n-Prayer for a surprise party for Pastor Ken. Thanks to Mel and Murray who organized it and baked a delicious birthday cake!

Ken got from the staff and church a really nice tea set, to which he said, going through the flavours, "Good. Good. Really good. Deathly allergic. I'll save this one for my brother." (Okay, I made that last part up.)

The residents gave him a gag gift of a kid's golf set to relieve his stress down the aisles of the sanctuary. Heather decided she would make this mini golf a rec activity for the girls next week. How does she make everything fun?

This morning Carmen came in to show me a brand new shaving bag she found in the garage. I said I had been looking for one for Ken and couldn't find one I liked, or knew he would like. I put a couple Mission toiletries in it, including two pink Bics, and wrapped it up as my present! Also in the bag were Mission cookies and J-cloths. He loves J-cloths. I feel that is weird. Well, he does most of the cleaning, so I can't complain! I have the best husband ever!

Don't tell him I blogged about him.

Have a great day!

Good News Chapel Annual Report

Yesterday's service was filled with awe and wonder and celebration over what God has done at the Good News Chapel (a ministry of Souls Harbour RESCUE Mission) since it's opening one year ago.

• Ken prayed and inquired about the church across the street up for sale but it was too expensive.
• Shortly afterwards, and thanks to the three donors, we were able to purchase and pay off the mortgage before our grand opening!
• The first activity was the wedding of Mel and Murray - board member to staff member. Fitting, since Jesus' first activity was a wedding!
• The first service was two weeks later.
• We've grown to 60 regulars.
• We had a potluck every week except Thanksgiving, and Ken said, "Boy did I hear about it!"
• We opened our Women and Family Home, attached to the church, where 9 women and their children can join our LifeChange Program.

We formed a leadership team:
Rev Ken Porter - Senior Chaplain
Dr Jack Katzberg - Associate Chaplain
Harley Porter - Volunteer Chaplain (on loan to another church)
Sherry Mebs - Music & Worship Minister
Murary Hack - Director of Visitation
Melanie Hack - Children's Church Co-ordinator

We were also informed that Ken can no longer fight everyone. If they want to call it a church, go ahead! And if they want to call him and Jack Pastors, that's okay, too!

Continuing the blessing list:

• 1000 homes were visited and personally invited to church at door to door. This will begin again once the snow melts.
• A clothing room was established for those in our congregation who need clothing.
• Children's church has been established.
• $2000 per month is being raised in tithes and offerings! This helps pay our utilities and loads of boiler bills this winter!
• 5 baptisms!!
• Share and Prayer, our mid-week meeting was established. We get about 12 people out for it and have been through 5 books of the Bible this year, verse by verse.
• MasterLife, a deeper life study, was formed, and is attended by about the same amount of people each night.
• An alumni group was formed for those who have graduated from the Mission's LifeChange Program. Jack is turning this into a Change Group, and opening it up to all congregants this upcoming year.

The vision of our chapel, developed by the leadership team, is to be a loving fellowship of believers who reach out to the community with the Good News.

Membership is a-typical. You can call yourself a member if:

1) You have accepted Jesus into your life.
2) You attend Good News Chapel regularly.

The strategy is the "Keep It Simple Strategy" KISS.

Ken then referred to this passage from Acts 2: 42-47--

They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to
the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

He said, church IS simple. A new testament church is going to be active in 4 things: teaching the Bible, (preaching) fellowship (potluck), breaking of bread (communion) and prayer (Share-n-Prayer)

BUT, he said, as for this passage, we are not yet there! We are yet to see God adding to our number daily. Our revival meetings this Spring, combined with our individual growth and working together as a body will serve to give all of us a sense of awe and an awakening.

We were all given fun pencils to keep, with the catch that we had to fill out a yellow card stating what we might be interesting in helping with over the next year. What part of the body did we feel we could serve in? The list ranged from the technical computer and sound stuff, to dishwashing after potluck, to ushering, preaching, reading Scripture, or praying.

We had communion together and then went downstairs to celebrate at our potluck and make your own ice cream Sundaes!

To quote my former resident manager, Jeffrey Thiessen,

God is good. All the time.
All the time. God is good.

Check out the Chaplain's shirt

I meant to post this earlier today to give you more time, but I got busy cooking meals for the week. I still haven't gotten to the laundry, but since I bought Ken a new shirt, I guess he'll have something to wear to church.

Ken and I would like to invite you to come and see his new shirt tomorrow at our ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION of the Good News Chapel! Yes, come and hear about the miracles of the last year in this gorgeous debt-free facility and church plant. We now have 60 attendees on a regular basis!

Remember to bring something for the potluck, and come and enjoy Melanie's build-your-own-Sundaes!

Good News Chapel
One Year Birthday Celebration
1380 Elphinstone (former
Sacred Heart Church)
Sunday, March 9th, 2009
11:00 a.m.

It's only Wednesday

We had a real crisis day at the Women and Family Home this week, and it's only Wednesday. When it rains it pours, I guess. Sometimes it helps to weed out the women who aren't serious about recovery.

*One woman with her newborn got caught with Aspirin and Gravol in her room, so we had to ask her to leave.

*One woman had money burning a hole in her pocket, bought drugs, and came home high.

*Another woman relapsed and brought a friend down with her.

*Two of the women are in the psych ward of the hospital trying to get their meds adjusted. One of them can't read so there were problems when she ran out and was perscribed the wrong medicine!

*One of the new women had her pre-teen daughter run away.

Things are in turmoil right now so we ask for your prayers for stablization, particularly for those who are determined to stick it out, and wisdom for the staff in bringing new girls into the fold. It's common for all of us to want to run away, and for addicts, those old ways continually call their name. So many obstacles to face and deal with can often overwhelm a person into running away.

The work is tough, but so rewarding in the end.

And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. -Galatians 6:9

American Idol: Another Day in Paradise

Yes, I admit it. My husband, THE Reverend Ken Porter, got me hooked on American Idol. I know I'm hooked because tonight I watched it while he was at church! He was leading the Good News Chapel Monthly Ministry Team Meeting. I think that was an excessive use of capital letters. But I digress.

After listening to tonight's program, themed "the 80's", I also must admit that I am an 80's girl through and through! They played the contestants most embarrassing moment, and for me, loving those 80's songs may be mine!

One song tonight was sung by 17 year old David Archuleta. He said he chose the song because it speaks about homelessness and it was important to recognize the homeless.

What a priviledge we have at Souls Harbour RESCUE Mission to house the homeless on a daily basis. We look forward to the early May opening of our Women and Family Emergency Shelter on the main floor of our brand new Harbour House!

Another Day in Paradise
Phil Collins

She calls out to the man on the street
sir, can you help me?
Its cold and I've nowhere to sleep,
Is there somewhere you can tell me?

He walks on, doesn't look back
He pretends he can't hear her
Starts to whistle as he crosses the street
Seems embarrassed to be there

Oh think twice, it's another day for
You and me in paradise
Oh think twice, it's just another day for you,
You and me in paradise

She calls out to the man on the street
He can see shes been crying
Shes got blisters on the soles of her feet
Cant walk but shes trying

Oh think twice...

Oh lord, is there nothing more anybody can do
Oh lord, there must be something you can say

You can tell from the lines on her face
You can see that shes been there
Probably been moved on from every place
cos she didnt fit in there

Oh think twice...

Welfare Weekend

We have a staff email list known affectionately as "The Joy Club." Paula's news wasn't so joyous as she emailed the following:

Someone called ABC towing under the name of Angela Smith, and tried to get our vehcile towed to 1045 Montague - gave our location here and license #, but the wrong year. Fortunately, a resident saw them, and it was locked so they couldn't tow it, and of course the people at 1045 Montague had never heard of us! Please be warned, as I suspect we have an angry client looking for revenge. We'll use the vehicle this evening, then park it in our "compound" here (if we can get it in). I called the police, and we'll be filing a report tomorrow.

--
Paula

You gotta love Welfare Weekend in the hood!

Meanwhile, back at the ranch...

While Vicki is busy giving birth, Drew has his own story to tell. Drew is one of our two alumni interns, and also hired to work part time on the weekends as our Nightwatchmen. He was walking to work Friday morning, when two guys came after him with a knife trying to mug him! He got away, but they chased him down the street in the middle of broad daylight, while Drew ran for his life, (literally) shouting, "Help me! Somebody help me!"

No one stopped. No one honked. Here was this man, wildly waving cars down, and as though it was New York City, everyone just "minded their own business."

By God's answer to his plea, Derrick was running late for work and saw a man running towards cars, being chased in two directions by a couple of thugs. He said, "That's Drew!" Speeding into the 7-11, where Drew was just heading for safety, he managed to get him into the van and drive to work.

We are so thankful that we only have Vicki and baby to visit in the hospital, and not our Drew, too!

(As it turns out, there was one semi-good samaritan who called the police on their cell phone, but by the time they arrived on the scene, the men, and Drew, had fled.)