The snow has arrived, and with it, the sense that Christmas is on it’s way!  This Christmas there are many opportunities for Souls Harbour Rescue Mission to bless the community and be involved in celebrating Christmas with the less fortunate.

There are several ways for you to be involved in helping us meet the need.  None of these things can happen without community support, so below are also listed ways to help ensure these events are a great success!

Christmas Celebrations at Souls Harbour Rescue Mission:

Christmas Holiday Meal
What? Christmas Holiday Meal for community members that may not have the opportunity to celebrate on their own.  One of our traditional Holiday meals we hold three times a year.
Who? Anyone from the community is welcome.  We invite our neighbours in North Central Regina, our Soup Kitchen guests and advertise at organizations within the city that serve those in need.  Volunteers and staff help to ensure that each guest has a Merry Christmas!
When? Friday, December 23, 2011  11:30am-2:00pm
Where? Good News Chapel, 1380 Elphinstone St.

Little Souls Daycare Christmas Party
What? A Christmas party the children in our daycare.
Who? Little Souls Daycare children
This is a great opportunity for us to celebrate with our daycare children and share the true meaning of Christmas.

Christmas Day Celebrations
What? A special “Family Christmas” celebration for our residents and guests.
Who? LifeChange Program Residents and Staff.
When? December 25
This is a special time for our staff and residents to spend time sharing the Holidays.

Good News Chapel Christmas Services
What? A Christmas service on Christmas Eve & Christmas Day for community members
Who? Congregation members & members of our community in North Central are invited
When? December 24, December 25,

I Want To Be Involved In Souls Harbour Rescue Mission’s Christmas Celebrations!

Buy A Gift: We give gifts to adults at our program, daycare, soup kitchen and chapel.

There are two ways to donate a gift:

1. Homeless Partners- Provide a gift for our friends and guests at Little Souls Daycare, LifeChange Program Residents, and the Good News Chapel Friends for our Christmas Celebrations! Go to www.homelesspartners.com, read their stories and choose a special gift to buy for someone this season.  Gifts can be delivered to: Glen Elm Church of Christ.  1825 Rothwell St. Regina, Sk S4N 2C3 between the hours of 9 AM & 4 PM, Monday to Friday. Call 757-1825 before you come to ensure someone is at the building. Email blair@warmwelcome.ca if you have any further questions. Be sure to write the persons name and Assigned ID on the gift.  Please remember that gifts must be new!  Daycare gifts must be dropped off by 12PM, December 13th.  Program & Good News Chapel gifts must be dropped off by 12PM, December 20th.
2. Operation Christmas Stocking:  Make a “stocking” for our guests!  You can make them for Men, Women and/or Children just buy the sock for the group you choose! Here’s what you do:
   1. Buy a pair of warm socks
   2. Stuff one sock inside the other
   3. Generously fill the rest of the space with useful items (such as hotel size toiletries, toques, mitts, washcloth, combs, pen and pad, postage stamps, bus tickets, gift cards, etc.)
   4. Complete and drop off the socks before Monday, December 19 Thursday, December 22 at 1836 Halifax St. Between 9am-7pm, Monday –Friday.

Sponsor A Meal: Come as a team and serve the needy!  It is a lot of fun and very rewarding!  Bless the less fortunate and really experience the Christmas spirit.  Businesses, Churches and Small Groups welcome! Prices for sponsorship range from $400-$800+ and dates are being filled quickly.  Information package is available by clicking here . Call 306-543-0011 to reserve this special event.

Make a Donation As always, we accept donations of food, clothing and financial contributions to assist us in our daily operations and our Christmas Celebrations.

1. Financial Gifts:
   Financial donations will be accepted in person at 3535 8^th Avenue from Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm, by telephone at 306-543-0011, online, or mail your gift to P.O. Box 3356 Stn. Main, Regina, SK, S4P 3H1.
   To make a donation as a gift to a loved one for Christmas, please contact our financial office (543-0011) to ensure it is recognized properly.
2. In Kind:
   Food, toiletries, and clothing can be delivered to 1836 Halifax St., Monday – Friday from 9:00am-7:00pm.
   Specific donation items we are requesting:

Food:
-Boneless Ham
-Instant Mashed Potatoes (bulk size preferred)
-mixed frozen vegetables
-romaine lettuce
-desserts (squares, pies, baking, etc.)
-punch/drink mix
-Coffeemate/powdered creamer
-sugar

Toiletries:
-shampoo/conditioner
-soap
-toothbrushes/toothpaste/floss
-razors
-shaving cream
-body lotion

Volunteer: There are many ways to be involved this Holiday Season.  If you are interested in serving a meal, helping out with our Christmas Day celebrations, or would like to learn of the many opportunities we have during December, or throughout the year, please contact us, or call 306-543-0011.

For any further questions or clarifications regarding this post – please contact Rebecca Cochrane, Development Director, at 306-543-0011 or by email at rcochrane.shrm@gmail.com.

For more information, check out our Homelessness Awareness Week Poster!

1. Meat (chicken,  pork, hamburger, etc.)

2. Coffee

3. Creamer

4. Mens and women’s deoderant

5. Alarm clocks

6. Desk/night stand lamps

7. 4 High quality digital cameras (in the $150 range)

8. 8G Flash Drives

9. a crib (must meet current legal requirements) (please call ahead)

10. shampoo/conditioner/ razors/ shave gel/etc. ( toiletries )

The Glory of Zion

¹ “Arise, shine, for your light has come,
and the glory of the LORD rises upon you.
² See, darkness covers the earth
and thick darkness is over the peoples,
but the LORD rises upon you
and his glory appears over you.
³ Nations will come to your light,
and kings to the brightness of your dawn.

⁴ “Lift up your eyes and look about you:
All assemble and come to you;
your sons come from afar,
and your daughters are carried on the hip.

For over 60 years, Isaiah was called to be a prophet and a servant of God to Israel and Judah. (740-681 BC) In the book of Isaiah, we see that the prophet called the nation of Israel to repentance and to renew their faith with the one and only true God. Because they disobeyed the word of the Lord and continued living in disobedience, we read in Isaiah that in 721 BC, Israel was taken into Assyrian captivity.

“Arise, shine! For your light has come…”It is the cry of the ancient prophet Isaiah, to a distraught and down trodden people who had lost their sense of purpose.  They were exiled, strangers in a strange land, with strange customs, distant from families and friends and familiar practices and customs. Darkness had come over them. They felt that all hope was gone and that their God had abandoned them. Their hope for a better day had been snuffed out. Isaiah’s message to them was to encourage the hearts of God’s people with a message of forgiveness, comfort and hope.

Are you going through a dark valley and you feel that there is no hope? Do you feel alienated from family and friends? Have all your hopes and dreams been smashed against the rocks of life? Do you feel that it would have been better if you were never born? Then you can relate to what the Israelites were feeling. Do you feel so far away from God because of your disobedience? Are you feeling helpless and abandoned? I want you to know that what the Father had revealed to the children of Israel is also for you today. He wants you to know that He has not abandoned you but is calling you to have hope. He will not leave you nor forsake you. Will you call on His name? Will you turn to Him?

No matter how dark and hopeless your situation might seem, God wants to give you the hope and faith to carry on. But in their greatest darkness – Isaiah’s prophecy revealed that the one and only true God had also joined them in their exile. They were not alone, the Lord their God was with them in their captivity.

Maybe you have never known Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. Are you living in darkness and under the bondage of sin? Are you a slave to sin and shame? If you feel that there is no hope for you, that no one can free you from your drugs, alcohol, sexual sins, pornography, witchcraft, sorcery, the memories of being abused or just feeling unloved? There is a message for you. There is hope in Christ Jesus. Will you place your faith and hope in the Saviour today? He can free you from all your sins and shame.

Hear the word of the Lord spoken through the prophet, Isaiah;

“Arise, shine! For your light has come!”

Here are our top ten needs for March!  We are looking for new or gently used items.  If you are able to help us out with these items, please drop them off at 1836 Halifax St. between 11-7,  Monday to Friday.

1. Canned goods (tomatoes, beans, etc.)
2. Fresh produce
3. double bed sheets
4. single bed sheets
5. towels
6. pillows
7. cd player
8. dvd player/vhs player
9. Christian cd’s
10. alarm clocks

As for volunteer needs:

We are currently in need of a volunteer to drive residents to and from a program at Harvest City Church on Tuesday nights – for more information contact Mike Schmalz – LifeChange Program Manager.

We had an amazing Christmas season and are now full steam into the new year of 2011!  Thank you to all of our faithful donors and volunteers for your support and help through the Christmas season!  What an outpouring of love and gifts we received this year!

To kick off the year we have lots happening at Souls Harbour Rescue Mission!  While there are no major events scheduled for the month of January, our Operations Director has been working on some significant projects within our buildings.

If you have some spare time and handy skills (carpentry, plumbing, electrical, etc.), we would really appreciate your help!  Please click on the GET INVOLVED link and it will take you to a quick form to fill out to get started!

As well, “coming soon” and “back by popular request” will be our “TOP TEN”.  We will do our Top Ten Current Needs on a regular basis.  These posts will be tagged so that you can easily find them if you come to this site looking for them.  More information will be included when our first list is posted.

During this holiday season, may we remember that Nicholas set a good example for us in how we should celebrate this season, give to the poor, show kindness to others and above all, live for God in all that we do. Because, as it says in the bible, “God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16) God loves us so much. We should accept his free gift of eternal life and live for him just as Nicholas did, with everything.

There are several ways to be involved.  If you are looking for opportunities to celebrate with us or specific events you would like to attend, those opportunities are listed below.  None of these things can happen without community support, so below are also listed ways to help ensure these events are a great success!

Christmas Celebrations at Souls Harbour Rescue Mission:

Christmas is For Kids Party

What?  An exciting Christmas Party for Kids interested in having fun, food, games and gifts!

Who? Children aged 4-12

When?  December 11, 2010.  3:00-5:00pm.

Where?  Good News Chapel Basement – 1380 Elphinstone St.

Youth Christmas Party

What? A great time for youth to celebrate the Christmas season with food, drama, music and gifts!

Who? Youth age 13-19

When? December 11, 2010.  3:00-5:00pm.

Where? Zeike’s Place Youth Center – 1475 Athol St.

Community Christmas Dinners

What?  Throughout the month of December, our Soup Kitchen will be hosting special meals to celebrate Christmas – concluding with a special Christmas Dinner on December 23, from 5-7.

Who?  Anyone is welcome to attend, particularly those who will not have another opportunity to share a special Christmas meal.

When?  Monday –Friday, 5:00-7:00pm. Throughout the month of December

Where?  Gerri Carol Hope Center – 1836 Halifax St.

Christmas Day Celebrations

What?  A special “Family Christmas” celebration for our residents and guests.

Who?  Shelter guests and LifeChange Program Residents and Staff.

When?  December 25, 2010 ALL DAY CELEBRATIONS!

This is a special time for our staff, residents and guests to spend time sharing the Holidays.

I Want To Be Involved In Souls Harbour Rescue Mission’s Christmas Celebrations!

Buy A Gift: We give gifts to adults at our shelters, program, youth center, daycare and soup kitchen.

There are three ways to donate a gift:

1. Kids/Youth gifts for our Christmas is For Kids/Youth parties: Purchase a new toy or teen gift to bless our party guests this Christmas.
   1. Purchase a new toy or gift for someone ages 4-19.  Label the gift with the age and gender it is intended for. Drop it off at 1836 Halifax Street before December 11 to ensure that every child and youth who attends receives a gift.
2. Shelter Guests, Little Souls Daycare, LifeChange Program Residents, etc. for our internal Christmas Celebrations: go to www.homelesspartners.com, read their stories and choose a special gift to buy for our friends this season.  Gifts can be delivered to: Glen Elm Church of Christ.  1825 Rothwell St. Regina, Sk S4N 2C3 between the hours of 9 AM & 4 PM, Monday to Friday. Call 757-1825 before you come to ensure someone is at the building. Email blair@warmwelcome.ca if you have any further questions. Be sure to write the persons name and ID on the outside of gift wrapping! Please remember that gifts must be new! All gifts must be dropped off by 12PM, December 16th.
3. Operation Christmas Stocking for use throughout the Christmas Season and to give out at our Holiday Meals:  Complete and drop off the socks before Monday, December 13.
   1. Buy a pair of warm socks
   2. Stuff one sock inside the other
   3. Generously fill the rest of the space with useful items (such as hotel size toiletries, toques, mitts, washcloth, combs, pen and pad, postage stamps, bus tickets, gift cards, etc.)
   4. Drop the sock(s) off at 1836 Halifax St. Between 11-7 Monday –Friday.

Make a Donation: As always, we accept donations of food, clothing and financial contributions to assist us in our daily operations and our Christmas Celebrations.  Food and clothing can be delivered to 1836 Halifax St., Monday – Friday from 11:00am-7:00pm.  Financial donations will be accepted at 3535 8^th Avenue from Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm, by telephone at 306-543-0011, or online through this website.

Christmas Meal Sponsorship: Come as a team and serve the needy!  It is a lot of fun and very rewarding!  Come bless the less fortunate and really experience the Christmas spirit.  Prices for sponsorship range from $400-$800 and dates are being filled quickly.  Call Aaron Cross, Community Coordinator, at 306-543-0011 to reserve this special event.

Volunteer: There are many ways to be involved this Holiday Season.  If you are interested in serving a meal, helping out with our Christmas Day celebrations, or would like to learn of the many opportunities we have during December, or throughout the year, please contact us, or call 306-543-0011

For any further questions or clarifications regarding this post – please contact Rebecca Cochrane, Development Director, at 306-543-0011

This event takes place early in Jesus’ ministry. He didn’t want to leave anyone out even though the Jewish people had very little dealings with the Samaritans—they considered them dogs.

This story is a private conversation between Jesus and a Samaritan woman which was highly unusual for a number of reasons.  First, she was a Samaritan. Second, she was a woman.  Third, she was coming for water at noon; women usually came early in the morning when it was cool.  She likely had to come at noon because of her bad reputation.  Fourth, this was the beginning of Jesus’ ministry to the Samaritans and is important because Jesus was showing that the gospel was for everyone, not just the Jews.

As Jesus begins to explain that true worship is not related to location but to the state of the heart—“in spirit and in truth”—she responds by saying that when Messiah comes He will set them all straight. Jesus then declares openly to her that he is the Christ; the only time until his arrest that he will openly declare his identity as Messiah.   Jesus kind answer allows her to drop her defenses, and understand that He saw her significance and worth.

Jesus knew all about her and went there to demonstrate that he was above all prejudices.  Through this cross-cultural act, Jesus was showing that salvation is for everyone.  He was at the Jacob’s well so we would have a living example of His love for all peoples.

Jesus wants everyone to have the opportunity to receive this living water, it is for everyone and we don’t have the right to hold it back because of our feelings.

Prayer: Dear Lord, help me to see that you died for all the Nations and people of the world. Cleanse me from my prejudices and hatred of others. Help me to reach out to those that are different than me.