Rencontres chaleureuses
Nous avons été ravis d’accueillir Emmanuel Tehindrazanarivelo, responsable des ministères en français pour l’Église unie dans tout le Canada.
Emmanuel was briefed on our legal work vulnerable migrants and Canadian Immigration law by MCM intern Marie-Soleil Garzon – commenting afterwards that he was better informed during those 20 short minutes than several hours he had spent previously with a lawyer!
Ensuite Emmanuel a partagé sa vision passionnée et passionnante de la relation entre le travail de justice social et la foi – que de belles collaborations en perspectives!
Our joint work has already begun and we are looking forward to new opportunities in 2024!
Merci Emmanuel et au plaisir!
End of session – des vacances bien méritées pour nos stagiaires
Working on the front lines with some of society’s most vulnerable members requires stamina, energy and devotion. And so, the workplace needs to be supportive and healthy. That’s why we take the time every now and then to celebrate together – to connect not only as professionals working on certain files and programs – but as fellow travellers, journeying through life.
Au début de décembre, nous nous sommes rencontrées pour un potluck communautaire afin de remercier nos stagiaires pour une première session hors pair, et pour célébrer les anniversaires de deux collègues. Bonne fête Anthony et Arwa!
First Aid Workshop
The 3 nursing students from the Ingram School of Nursing at McGill were a bit nervous upon arriving at MCM for their First Aid Workshop last November. But the tension quickly dissipated as they engaged the 30+ participants in a dynamic presentation and Q&A.
Les stagiaires en soins infirmiers ont aussi fait une petite campagne de financement afin de pouvoir distribuer des trousses de premiers secours à toutes les participantes. Quelle belle participation communautaire – et quel beau cadeau qui était apprécié par tous! Bravo les filles!
Vernissage
The Art Exhibit showcasing the work of Sudanese artist Hind Ahmed was a tremendous success. And we followed up on that event with a kiosk displaying Hind`s work at the CBC Holiday Market. Spreading the good news near and far about refugee talent and leadership.
Notre communauté est enrichie par de telles contributions. Comme nous disons toujours, les nouveaux arrivants ont beaucoup de talent et n’attendent que de le mettre au profit de la communauté. Il suffit tout simplement d’ouvrir la porte, de créer de l’espace et de faire l’invitation. L’hospitalité quoi!
It was also fun to connect with our buddies from the different CBC programs that we got to know so well when MCM was CBC Charity of the Year in 2022.
Lamentation
Due to the war in the Middle East, we did not hold our annual interfaith Good Neighbour event last December. But we felt the need to gather as a community.
Nous nous sommes réunis donc avec nos partenaires juifs, chrétiens et musulman à l’Église St-James pour partager un moment de prière, de silence et de music.
While feelings were – and are still – raw, it did us all good to connect. And in the manner of the Japanese art Kintsuji, that connection allowed us to sprinkle a little gold dust on the cracks in our hearts – making our interfaith community stronger, more resilient and more welcoming.
Des bons voisins
Merci à notre bonne amie Claire Borel de l`Église St-Jean pour ses beaux tricots que nous avons distribués aux familles nouvellement arrivées de Gaza au mois de décembre. Que de talent et de générosité!
Thank you as well to Cedar Park United and their brilliant music director Douglas Knight for donating the proceeds from their Christmas concert – Voices of Hope – to MCM. And what a delightful concert it was!
Thanks to Rev. Paula Kline, Executive Director of Montreal City Mission, for sharing these stories!