The Pool of Bethesda

The Pool of Bethesda today.

Back in Jesus' day, there was a man by the pool of Bethesda for nearly 40 years, waiting for healing. Traditionally, as the waters would get stirred up, one would dip themselves in, expectant of a miracle. Jesus walked up to this man, and said, "Don't you want to be made whole?"

He did, of course, but replied, "I have no one to put me into the water."

That's what we do at the Mission. We help people into the healing waters of a changed life. They have to want it. And we don't actually make the change for them. It's a lot of hard work on their part, and much prayer and patience on ours.

No one wants to touch the men and women with palsy. The ones full of sin, and lives that have been tainted with things that most of us wouldn't want to go near, much less hear about.

And so our RESCUE team, a committed group of staff members and volunteers, agree to sacrifice their own time and conveniences, not only to touch the ones with palsy, but to enter into their world and offer them a changed life.

Christmas dinner takes on whole new meaning

Ruby Parenteau (left), Barb Straza, and Desirae Wallace, from Souls Harbour Rescue Mission, cut cake for Christmas dinner dessert. Photograph by: Bryan Schlosser, Leader-Post.

Christmas dinner takes on whole new meaning
Kerry Benjoe
Leader-Post

Christmas shopping, cooking and wrapping can be hectic for a family but imagine cooking for 300 or feeding nearly 2,000 families for the holidays.

Charitable organizations in Regina do just that each year with gusto.

The Souls Harbour Rescue Mission (SHRM) hosted its annual Christmas dinner on Wednesday for Regina's less fortunate.

"It's organized confusion," said Michelle Porter, executive director of the SHRM. "You have to imagine your own family at Christmas. The presents are being ripped open there's food and drink and merriment. You have to times it by several hundred people."

She said in order to pull off such an event takes a fair bit of planning. It takes the SHRM staff about six weeks to gather the stockings and gifts for the Christmas event and do the financial planning.

Despite weeks of planning, Porter said preparing a traditional Christmas meal for 300 men, women and children is still a monumental task.

"(Wednesday), specifically, it's a madhouse," she said. "Right now there's a bunch of volunteers at the soup kitchen just prepping vegetables and potatoes and all that."

The plan for Wednesday's Christmas festivities was a turkey dinner with all the fixings along with gifts for the kids and stockings stuffed with treats and other useful items for everyone.

Porter said it was important to make the day extra nice for everyone because it's a special time of year.

"We actually try to make it more family style as possible," said Porter. "I think it's important because we do have families in poverty in Regina and to give them a day that's special ... some of the Christmases tomorrow might be meager but to have a good meal today puts a good memory in their hearts."

Wayne Hellquist, CEO of the Regina Food Bank, echoed Porter's sentiments. He said the food bank has been working since Monday sorting and packing the food items for nearly 2,000 food hampers for needy families.

Although it takes a lot of time and work to co-ordinate everything, Hellquist said, being able to do so is "incredibly rewarding."

He said the food bank works with other charitable organizations to ensure that everyone who needs help at this time of the year gets it.

"Christmastime is by far the busiest time of the year for us and it requires commitment from all of our staff." said Hellquist.

This year, the toys from Santas Anonymous were stored at the food bank and to get the items sorted, wrapped and distributed required a massive number of volunteers.

CTV News: Souls Harbour Christmas Dinner for the needy

CTV Indigenous Circle Host, Nelson Bird & First Nation Sensation Wrestler Wavell Starr.

Some of Regina's less fortunate were enjoying a turkey dinner with all the trimmings on Wednesday evening. Hundreds of people are attending the Souls Harbour's Annual Christmas Dinner. Souls Harbour Rescue Mission has hosted the event for more than 15 years. CTV's Nelson Bird and Creeson Agecoutay were there to help serve dinner. They were joined by Wavell Starr and other community volunteers. Every needy person who attended received a stocking filled with personal care items. Children also received a toy. The Mission relies on the generosity of Saskatchewan residents to make this event possible.

Souls Harbour RESCUE Mission Board Member, Gareth Dillistone, Nelson Bird, and Creeson Agecoutay during some warmer weather!

Big Dog 92.7's General Manager, Mike Shannon & Patti Proud also came out to serve!

21st Century Scrooge

Today Derrick was manning a booth at the Southland Mall, when a wealthy looking businessman approached. He was well-dressed and wore an expensive watch. He stared down his nose at our information, and exhaled, “Harrumph!”

“This guy whose picture is on your Adopt-A-Plates. How much does he make on royalties?”

“He doesn’t get royalties", Derrick replied.

Mr. Scrooge said, “Well, I guess that’s why he’s homeless. Because he’s stupid.”

As he walked away, Derrick said, “Have a nice day!”

Scrooge said, “Same to you!” as though nothing was out of the ordinary.

If there is a poor man among your brothers in any of the towns of the land that the Lord your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tight-fisted toward your poor brother. Rather be open-handed and freely lend him whatever he needs. ... Give generously to him and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to. There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be open-handed toward your brother sand toward the poor and needy in your land.
-Deuteronomy 16:7-11

Sharing a Thanksgiving Bounty in Regina

Souls Harbour serves up meals for 300

Reported By Geoff Smith

It's a week of Thanksgivings.

For the last few days Regina's Souls Harbour Rescue Mission has been serving Thanksgiving meals to the less fortunate . The organization worked on Saturday to feed some 300 people. Derrick Moore with Souls Harbour says the bounty being offered speaks to Regina's generosity.

"Regina, Saskatchewan, is fantastic for stepping up in every way. Whether it's donating their time, their effort, their enthusiasm, their money, their food..." Moore said. He explained more meals were expected to be served by spreading it out.

"It's hard to measure if there's more [need] than six months ago, or four months from now," Moore said. "I think it's a continuous thing, that there's always going to be people who need a meal."

The Thanksgiving feast included fresh vegetables, ham, mashed potatoes, and pumpkin pie.

Thanksgiving Campaign Kicks Off!

As our Thanksgiving fund raising campaign is kicking off, I thought it might be fitting to post part of some notes from my City Vision College days: a document on Prison Fellowship fund raising policies. Now, this is from 1999 so I can't say they are current policies, but this brief section of notes as a training tool are very good, and reflect my feelings about this amazing inner city work that we do at Souls Harbour RESCUE Mission.

We are compelled to be passionate, persuasive, and urgent about our fundraising efforts because:

The task is urgent.
The task is great.
Our product has integrity.
Our programs change lives and make a difference. Our programs are worthy of support - we need not be shy about urging people to help fund them.
Giving is an act of biblical obedience.
(Heb 13:16; Prov 3:9; 2 Cor. 9:7)
Therefore, we may boldly encourage people to give.

Pancake Breakfast serves 400!

Our pancake breakfast for the inner city community this morning was a big hit with 400 people coming out to enjoy a concert with some flapjacks, sausage and eggs. Mmmm...



A group shot of people enjoying breakfast while listening to Fergus and Beatrice Littlechief tell of their amazing story of victory over addiction and extreme hardship.



Board member Beth Ell serves up a plate of pancakes in the parking lot of the Good News Chapel on this warm summer August long Sunday.

Four-course meal for 600

The Regina Leader-Post
Jana Pruden

What does it take to feed 600 people? Try 50 turkeys, 250 pounds of potatoes, 144 heads of romaine lettuce, four buckets of salad dressing, 80 litres of gravy and a veritable sea of rice pudding -- with piles of dinner rolls and torrents of juice and coffee on the side.

Such was the spectacular spread at Souls Harbour Rescue Mission on Saturday, as hundreds of hungry people and dozens of devoted volunteers flocked to the charity's annual Easter Dinner.

Before the doors of the Good News Chapel had even opened late Saturday morning, a crowd of people -- both volunteers and guests -- were gathered outside, excitedly awaiting the Easter weekend event.

Dinner was served as a four-course sit down meal, which Christos Lygouriatis, owner of Melrose Place North, said was an important part of the experience.

"It's a real blessing to really enjoy a holiday dinner," said Lygouriatis, who has co-ordinated the massive meal for the past four years. "It's not a rush dinner. It's for people to spend time with their families, to sit down together and enjoy the hospitality of Souls Harbour and have a hearty meal."

Michelle Porter, who started the Rescue Mission side of the organization with her husband nine years ago, said the holiday dinners are for people in need -- whether they are financially poor, struggling with difficult issues, or simply searching for a sense of community and fellowship.

Pat McCormack found himself on the steps of the Rescue Mission in dire need of help little more than a year ago. After completing the organization's LifeChange Program, McCormack is clean, sober and helping in the Souls Harbour kitchen as a part of a mentorship training program. Now considering a career as a cook, McCormack was soaking it all in on Saturday-- and said he'd already learned the key to cooking dinner for several hundred: "Always make enough."

Spending two years homeless in Alberta, Vicki Zaremba used to rely on soup kitchens for help. She is now doing better, working, and living in Regina, but says she knows firsthand how difficult things can be.

"There are definitely a lot of people that need to eat," said Zaremba, who stopped by the dinner to visit her mother, who was serving at the event. "You don't get anything on welfare, and when you pay the bills there's not a lot left."

Standing outside the chapel shortly before lunch with her four-year-old daughter, a young woman named Sheena also expressed her gratitude for the hot holiday meal.

"I know I appreciate it and I think a lot of other people do, too, because there's a lot of people in there," she said.

Regina Helps The Needy This Easter

Over 600 meals were served

Reported By Justin Blackwell

A community coming together this Easter.

And over 600 people are thankful.

Souls Harbour Rescue Mission hosted an easter dinner Saturday for the needy in Regina.

Executive Director for Souls Harbour Rescue Mission Michelle Porter says the day is a bright one for so many.

"We sure do find that spirits and moods are up and lifted at these events. And the volunteers are a big help in lifting the spirits of people."

Murray Hack is one of those volunteers.

"There are so many amazing people that come through these doors. I love getting to know the different folks that are here."

Melrose Place North provided the food.

Souls Harbour Rescue Mission has provided clothing, shelter, and food for 19 years.

It's never too late to help!

It's not too late to make a donation towards the Easter Dinner Campaign. $2.58 sponsors one meal, and we're serving over 600 of them today!

If you prefer to give in another way, or in addition to financially, please show up at 2:00 this afternoon in your work clothes to help clean up! Ask for Aaron and hope to see you at the Good News Chapel, on the corner of 8th & Elphinstone in North Central.

Media Release: Easter Saturday Dinner for the Homeless

MEDIA ADVISORY FOR Saturday April 11, 2009
11:30 a.m.

CONTACT: Derrick Moore
PHONE: 737-3099


SOULS HARBOUR RESCUE MISSION TO HOST EASTER DINNER FOR THE POOR

600 MEALS TO BE SERVED

****


WHO: SOULS HARBOUR RESCUE MISSION partners with MELROSE PLACE NORTH to cook a full Easter meal for the needy men, women, and children in our community

WHAT: TURKEY AND STUFFING with vegetables, mashed potatoes, and white gravy, Caesar salad, buns and butter, and rice pudding.

WHEN: Saturday, April, 11th, 2009 11:30 a.m

WHERE: Good News Chapel - 1380 Elphinstone St. on the corner of 8th Ave.

WHY: We want to bless the needy with gifts, entertainment, friendship and a delicious meal, because we are blessed and we need to share the joy and hope we have.

****


PHOTO / INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITIES:

*His Worship, Mayor Pat Fiacco

*HEATHER PROSAK AND BRAD GRASS FROM THE DOGS BREAKFAST RADIO SHOW ON 92.7 FM

*Chris and Tysia Lygourtiatis, owners of Melrose Place North, are providing meals for up to 600 men, women, and children!

*Michael Cassano president of the Regina Multicultural Council, who faithfully brings himself and their members to serve at all our large dinners

****


FREE GIFTS FOR: ADULTS AND CHILDREN AND LIVE MUSIC!!!

BACKGROUND: Souls Harbour RESCUE mission has been feeding, clothing and sheltering the needy for 19 years. Come join in blessing our community. It will touch your heart and the hearts of others.

#########

Free Easter Dinner

The Leader-Post

Souls Harbour Rescue Mission is presenting a free Easter dinner on Saturday.

The dinner is to be served at 11:30 a.m. at the Good News Chapel, 1380 Elphinstone St. Gifts and toys will be provided to take home.

Live music will be provided by Kathy Depko.

Nutrition, budgets part of helping out

By SAMANTHA MACIAG
Leader-Post

Students at Thom Collegiate are giving back to the community just for the health of it.

Two Grade 10 home economics classes at Thom Collegiate were busy Friday morning preparing vegetable soup, bannock and salad to be delivered to Souls Harbour Rescue Mission in Regina.

The two-staged program was a partnership between Thom, SaskEnergy and the Home Economics for Living Project (HELP). The goal is to give students a better understanding of food budgeting and the importance of healthy food preparation.

On Thursday the students learned about nutrition for their young bodies and prepared nutritious snacks for themselves to eat. Then they talked about stage two of the program -- giving back to the community by preparing a meal for Souls Harbour.

SaskEnergy provided the food for both days of the learning initiative.

"It teaches nutrition and it teaches how to use your food wisely, how to feed yourself wisely on a small budget," said Candace Weimer, communications co-ordinator for SaskEnergy. "We're able to help the community. We're able to teach our youth about how to feed themselves and how to be more healthy. That just produces a healthier community."

Grade 10 students Andrea Neal and Ena Laferte helped deliver the finished product to Souls Harbour with their teacher, Cindii Orthner.

"The opportunity for our students to give back, a lot of students don't have those opportunities," Orthner said. "So I think this is a great way for us to provide them with opportunities to volunteer in the community."

Neal and Laferte said they learned a lot from the whole experience.

"I've learned that helping out isn't such a bad thing," said Neal. "It pays off after awhile."

"Before, I used to eat and never check expiry dates or information," said Laferte. "Since we've been in this classroom, we've learned a lot."

Both students agreed that they will cut sugar and frequent trips to vending machine out of their lunches.

"Now I'm actually bringing a lunch from home that has healthy stuff," said Laferte.

CTV Regina Citizen of the Year

We had a wonderful time celebrating with Beth Ell at yesterday's luncheon to honour her being selected for the prestigious, Regina's CTV citizen of the Year. CTV went all out, having Beth invite 65 friends and family (and a few extra because she has SO many siblings!) I had the honour of speaking on behalf of our nominator, Myrna Harvey-Opper, a fellow volunteer to Beth. Here is my two minute speech:

Beth Ell has been involved with Souls Harbour Rescue Mission for at least 12 years. So long she couldn't quite remember! She served alongside our founder, Geri Carroll, and continues to do this every day!

Beth loves her job at SGI. What she loves most is the flexibility they provide for her to rush home, change her clothing, and run to the Soup Kitchen to serve in the children and family section. Over the years she has developed meaningful and lasting friendships with the women and children there.

When Regina RESCUE Mission merged with Souls Harbour, she was one of the board members who saw us through the transition. Today she continues to use her time, talents and treasure as a director on our board.

2 years ago we started an inner city church. We believe that strong churches mean strong communities. Beth dove right in and she and Bob are two of our most dedicated members! At the Good News Chapel, Beth is on the Sunday School team, helps with our weekly potluck, and loves to invite the friends she's made at the Soup Kitchen.

Beth serves on the executive of our Womens Auxillery, (WARM) helping coordinate the monthly activities and special events such as womens community breakfasts.

Oh, and ocasionally she gets a Friday off and comes to help ME in the office!

When Beth found out we nominated her for the Citizen of the year, she sent US flowers!!

Beth, on behalf of the Souls Harbour RESCUE Mission board of directors, 21 staff, 100regular volunteers, and the children and families you serve, congratulations, and God bless you!

Beth concluded the lovely Hotel Saskatchewan luncheon, complete with Regina Symphony String Quartet, with her own speech. In it, she deflected her accomplishments by acknowledging those who have made a difference in her life. She also shared her passion for passing on the torch of volunteerism to the next generation, starting with her own neices and nephews! Beth finished with a heart-warming story about a little boy at the Soup Kitchen she's gotten to know over the years, through her kid's ministry. (Oh, did we forget to mention that she also runs the annual Christmas is for Kids Program?!)

This near homeless little boy would come to eat, and naturally, fight with his siblings, who were always tattling on him. Beth got weary of chastising him day after day, and turned and said, "You know what? You are a wonderful little boy. You are so special and a good brother." He turned to her and said, sheepishly, "Thanks. But you're the only one that thinks so."

Needless to say, there wasn't a dry eye in the house, from family, to friends, to government officials, to CTV celebrities.

Congratulations, Beth Ell! We all love you!!

Feeding the Hungry

Beth Ell is a friend of mine, a long-time volunteer in the soup kitchen, and a board member, wrote me the most encouraging email.

Talking about children I have to tell you about a family who came into the Soup Kitchen this week. There was a Dad with a boy, about 8 years old and two little girls probably about 4 years and 5 years old. The children were so polite that when they asked for more bread - they said "please" and when I brought it they all thanked me for it and they were just the most wonderful children.

The little girls were quite talkative and they were telling me that they had come a long way (I never did find out where they came from) and they asked me where my home was. I told them that I've lived in Regina for a long time so this is my home now. The 5-year looked up at me and asked "Do you have food in your home?" I had to look into her beautiful eyes and tell her "yes, I do" while thinking that "this child does not have food in her home!" It still gets me teary-eyed thinking about these children and the situation they were in.

Of course, I did go into the cooler and the pantry at the Soup Kitchen and filled up two grocery bags of food to give to the Dad and he was very appreciative for this and thanked me a number of times. He did say that they had a place to stay and with the food I gave them they would be okay. They didn't come back, so I just keep praying that they are okay.

This is just one reason I keep going to the Soup Kitchen. Almost every day there is someone who comes in that makes such an impact on me that I when I go home I say "This is why I love being there!"

I would like to again thank you and Ken for your work and the Mission because it gives individuals like me the opportunity to help to make a difference in one person's life or a family's life every day. Thank you and continued blessings in your lives!

Go Riders! Go Geri!

SUGGESTION:
Pay tribute to Geri the
founder. Picture?
Brief History
She was so Great -
along with God they were Real

PS. I felt this could have
been a Rider dinner --
not so much
emphasis
on them!

We had a note put into the offering basket at our annual Love Your Neighbour Fund Raising Banquet in May. It was a wonderful time, with full sponsorship and great attendance! I'm sad that Miss Mystery did not see how we acknowledged Geri during the event, and in case others feel we are dishonouring her wonderful heritage, I wanted to share a bit of my heart about Geri.

I didn't know Geri very well, but the one thing I knew was that she heard the voice of God, and obeyed. Starting from it's humble beginnings in 1990 with a prayer, a pot of coffee, and a few wooden milk crates for chairs, she established this ministry as the main source of help for the hungry in Regina.

I am honoured to follow in her footsteps, and to take over her leadership since she went to be with the Lord. I often think what a big responsibility it is to fill her shoes. Geri overcame so many personal obstacles in her life and yet gave all she had to Jesus.

I remember each time I would see her in her office, she offered to pray with me. She asked how I was and how the ministry of the Regina RESCUE Mission was doing. Geri truly was a servant and I am thankful our two works have combined to become the Souls Harbour RESCUE Mission. And how wonderful to have her son, Donovan, be a central part of her legacy by serving as our Chief Operating Officer and my partner in leading this Mission.

So, yes, Geri was a very real person. And we continue her legacy by feeding over 100,000 each year at the Geri Carroll Hope Centre. If you are ever interested in helping us give food and hope to the poor, please contact Aaron, our Emergency Services Manager, who served under Geri's leadership.

Watch Global & CTV tonight!

Today, with the help of 100 volunteers, we served 500 people a fantastic Easter Dinner at the former Sacred Heart Church! Here's the announcements I made before the meal:

Announcements:

Welcome to the Annual Easter Dinner of the Souls Harbour RESCUE Mission! We’re glad you’ve come to be our guest. In the past, we’ve been at various locations, but we have recently purchased this building, so you can be assured dinners will be held here for years to come!

This is a functioning church called the Good News Chapel. If you are looking for a church home for yourself or your family, please come tomorrow and celebrate Easter Sunday with us! The service starts at 11:00 a.m.

Note to Mission Musing readers: there is a pot luck Easter lunch after the service so please join us!

I want to just tell you a few practicalities before we ask the blessing on the food.

1. Please do not go onto the stage or piano areas as we need to keep them clean for church tomorrow.
2. Washrooms are located downstairs, so you have to go back to the FRONT of the church to access them. George will guide you once you’re there.
3. Smoking is ONLY permitted in the large parking lot behind the building.
4. We want you to enjoy your visit, so please don’t rush out. Take time to meet and greet those at your table, listen to the the MusicMan, and eat your dessert.
5. We have gifts and a Gideon Bible for everyone, so please pay attention to the ushers once you leave. You will be exiting through a different door to pick up your special Easter gift.

Speaking of gifts. I want to talk to you for a few minutes, about an even Greater Gift.

John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whosoever believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life.”

Whosoever! That’s you and me! Eternal life. We would all do well to think about where we might go if we were to die today. There are only two choices: Heaven and Hell.

The Bible says, “For the wages of sin is death, (that means Hell) but the gift of God is eternal life (that means Heaven) in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Rom 6:23)

And there’s that gift again.

Easter is a special time of year, because it celebrates Christ’s death AND resurrection! Remember the words of the angel, who said, “He is not here! He is risen, just like He said.”

You know what? Jesus Christ is Risen from the dead! And that means He is alive today! If you want to receive Him into your heart and life, I want you to come forward and pray with Chaplain Bill.

You won’t miss a meal. We have enough food for 600 people! But Chaplain Bill would love the opportunity to talk to you further, and to help you make sure you are going to Heaven to be with Jesus.

Alter Call & Thanks:

While some of you might be making your way up to the front row, and just before Chaplain Bill thanks God for the food, we want to also thank some of our partners who have helped to provide, cook, and serve the meal:

Melrose Place North
Board Members, Staff & Volunteers of Souls Harbour RESCUE Mission
Ken Rodenbush, our MusicMan for the dinner downstairs
Delores Pinter & her daughter who are playing the baby grand piano while you waited in the sanctuary here
Weyburn Free Methodist Church Clean Up Crew
Gideons
Chef Leo Pantol of Conexus Arts Centre
Executive Chef Adam Sperling of La Bodega
Chef Ryan Katchuk
Chris Perentes from Stapleford Pharmacy
Canadian Progress Club of Regina Wascana
Regina Multicultural Council
Multicultural Council of Saskatchewan
CJ Katz


We have a special guest, His Worship Mayor Pat Fiacco, this afternoon, and we have asked him to bring greetings from the city of Regina. Now, let’s show him our appreciation because we all love Regina, right!

Men, please remove your hats while Chaplain Bill says Grace.

[Bill prays]

Alright, in an orderly fashion, I want you to go behind the pianist, and head down the stairs to the Hall. We have ushers to guide you along the way, so please watch them. We are going single file from the first rows to the back.