Ride for refuge 2017

Ride For Refuge, the annual bike-a-thon, is fast approaching.

On September 30th we will be biking  in Pierrefonds on Montreal’ s West Island to raise funds for our work with refugees, kids and seniors.

You can support us by biking or walking along with us and making a donation.

To sign up to participate with our team, the MCM Rockets, click here: Rockets 

To make a donation, click here: I support MCM

We appreciate your support!

The Montreal City Mission Team

Le Cycle-O-Thon annuel Ride For Refuge approche à grands pas. Samedi, le 30 septembre, nous serons à Pierrefonds, dans l’Ouest de Montréal, pour participer à cet événement annuel qui nous permettra d’amasser des fonds pour soutenir notre travail auprès des réfugiés, des enfants et des aînés. Vous pouvez nous soutenir en pédalant ou en marchant avec nous, ou en faisant un don. Pour vous inscrire et vous joindre à notre équipe, les MCM Rockets, cliquez ici : Rockets Pour faire un don, cliquez ici : Je soutiens la MCM Nous apprécions grandement votre soutien! L’équipe de la Mission communautaire de Montréal

Ride for Refuge 2016

It gives us great pleasure to invite you to ride with us. Saturday, October 1st 2016

Dear friends, Your support really matters! Why? Because through the Ride for Refuge, our team is raising funds to help the displaced, vulnerable and exploited. Once again this year, Montreal City Mission will be participating in the annual Ride for Refuge bike-a-thon onOctober 1st. Please consider either sponsoring our team, joining the ride yourself and/or recruiting some of your own sponsors. This is a small but important action we can all take to support refugees. Follow this link to find out more: The MCM Team

Il nous fait très plaisir de vous inviter à pédaler avec nous. Samedi le 1 octobre 2016

Chers amis, Votre soutien est important! Pourquoi? Parce qu'à travers le Cycle-O-Thon Refuge, notre équipe amasse des fonds qui viendront en aide aux personnes déplacées, vulnérables et exploitées. Encore une fois cette année, la Mission communautaire de Montréal participera au Cycle-O-Thon Refuge, samedi le 1 octobre. SVP, encouragez notre équipe, ou venez pédaler avec nous tout en recrutant vos propres commanditaires. Un geste simple mais important que nous pouvons tous faire afin de venir en aide aux réfugiés. Suivez ce lien pour en savoir plus: L'équipe MCM

Sous la tente du Ramadan... Under Ramadan's Tent

The Muslim Association of Canada joined hands with St. James United and Montreal City Mission to break the Ramadan fast at an Iftar on the St. James Square last week. 

Several hundred people participated in a unique ceremony where the United Church Moderator, the Right Reverend Jordan Cantwell, led prayer in French and English alongside Imam Mahdi Terkawi who prayed in French and Arabic. The chiming of the St. James bells as the exact same time as the Adhan – the Islamic call to prayer – was incredibly moving (see the media links below).

Au coucher du soleil - à 20h48 précisément - nous avons rompu le jeûne avec des dattes, de l’eau, du lait et de la nourriture offerte gracieusement par l’Association Musulmane du Canada. Quelle belle assemblée que cette foule diverse… des gens qui provenaient de milieux culturels, ethniques et religieux différents… mais tous réunis pour célébrer la richesse de Montréal et de notre humanité commune.

A special thanks to UCC Moderator Cantwell for flying in for this event, chief Iftar organizer MCM staffer Anwar Alhjooj and all of our friends at the MAC – Muslim Association of Canada. Shukran!

Un grand merci également à nos photographes : François Gloutnay, Daniel Julien Inacio et Michelle Knight.

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We will gather as an inter-faith community once again at St. James United Church on Sunday June 19th at 2 p.m. for a memorial in solidarity with the victims of the Orlando shooting. As we said at the Iftar, we take pride in our diversity that enriches our city, our country and our world. And we will not tolerate discrimination and hatred against any community.

La communauté inter-religieuse se réunira de nouveau dimanche prochain, le 19 juin, à 14h, pour un rassemblement commémoratif à la mémoire des victimes de la communauté LGBTQ2 en Floride. SVP joignez-vous à nous.

Sous la tente du Ramadan / Under Ramadan's Tent

  Il nous fait très plaisir de vous inviter à un Iftar public.

Le mardi 7 juin, sur le parvis de l'église St-James, de 20 h à 21h

Chers amis,

Il nous fait très plaisir de vous inviter à un Iftar public. Ce serait un très grand honneur pour nous, l’Église unie du Canada et l’Association musulmane du Canada, de vous compter parmi nous sous la tente du mois du Ramadan pour célébrer la rupture du jeûne qui aura lieu le 7 juin 2016 entre 20h et 21h, sur le parvis de l’église St.James située au 463, Ste-Catherine Ouest. La Modératrice de l’Église unie, la Rév. Jordan Cantwell sera avec nous pour cette occasion.

Notre célébration débutera à 20 heures avec de la musique et de la poésie, alors que nous partagerons dattes et eau avec les passants de la rue Ste-Catherine. Ce rassemblement sera une belle opportunité de montrer aux Montréalais et au public canadien, la diversité de nos communautés, et notre capacité de se réunir pour partager. 

Ensemble, musulmans et chrétiens, nous ferons une prière pour la paix et la prospérité à Montréal, au Canada, ainsi que partout dans le monde. 

Cet évènement marque la richesse du Canada, sa diversité et son désir de bâtir ensemble une communauté qui sera à la hauteur de nos espérances.

It gives us great pleasure to invite you to a public Iftar.

Tuesday, June 7th, on the St. James Square, from 8:00 to 9:00 PM

Dear friends,

It gives us great pleasure to invite you to a public Iftar in the month of Ramandan.  The United Church of Canada is gathering with the Muslim Association of Canada on Tuesday, June 7th, on the St. James Square  (463 St. Catherine St. West)  in the heart of downtown Montreal,  to break the Ramadan fast. United Church Moderator, the Right Reverend Jordan Cantwell is flying in for the occasion.

We would be honoured by your presence at our celebration that will begin at 8 p.m. with music, poetry and the sharing of dates and water with passers-by on St. Catherine St.

Together, Muslims, Jews and Christians, will make a prayer for peace and prosperity in Montreal, in Canada, and for the world. 

This will be a wonderful opportunity to demonstrate to the wider Montreal and indeed Canadian public the diversity of our communities, and our ability to come together as one. 

Photo: By Roi.dagobert. - Own work., CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=15717291

UCC Moderator's Visit at MCM

Last April 21st, MCM and St. James United were delighted to host the United Church Moderator, the Very Reverend Jordan Cantwell.

Over a delicious lunch of Syrian delicacies, we discussed new and exciting projects with our partners from the Muslim Association of Canada - Nabil Abu-Thuraia, Mehdi Jouhri and Ahmad Abdelkader Mohammed, as well as Amal Elsana and Tahany Okby fom McGill ICAN (International Community Action Network).

Creating a safe environment for Syrian children to learn and play, organizing inter-faith gatherings on St. James Square and providing internships for Syrian university students were all on our discussion menu.

The opportunities right now for diverse communities coming together are stronger than ever. We all need to seize the moment so that walls that divide can indeed come tumbling down!

Moderator Cantwell also took time to meet with members of MCM staff, students and the people we serve to listen to stories of migration, cross cultural challenges, as well as hope for the future.

At the end of our time together, we gathered at the table to break bread – remembering the Spirit that empowers us all to work for inclusion and justice.

Pride, opportunities & ongoing challenges

Melissa Mollen Dupuis, Tehatkatonnions Bush, Sonia Bonspille-Boileau, Paula Kline, Lisa Byer-De Wever, Robert Verrall & Robert McDonough at the McGill School of Social Work

PRIDE … OPPORTUNITIES … ONGOING CHALLENGES …

…are what we saw at two screenings last week of Sonia Bonspille Boileau’s documentary, The Legacy of the Oka Crises-25 Years Later, and heard from a panel of young dynamic First Nations leaders that followed. 

From the 1876 Indian Act that transformed Aboriginal adults into dependent minors, to residential schools, to the ‘60s scoop’ of Indian children, to the Oka Crises, First Nations communities in the Montreal area have just begun the healing process these past five years. Young Tehatkatonnions Bush, an engaging and articulate 15 year old Mohawk, felt his generation was the first to be growing up with pride.

There is currently a veritable explosion of First Nations films with 800 being produced over the past decade. Empowering new generations to express themselves through all art forms is one way to address issues of poverty, loss of identity and purpose according to the panelists. New role models are appearing and fresh perspectives are taking shape.

This is an exciting time for all Canadians - not only to build bridges, but to build a brand new house - from the foundation up - together.

Many thanks to the presenters: Sonia Bonspille Boileau, Mohawk film maker, Melissa Mollen Dupuis, Innu, co-founder of the Quebec Idle No More Movement, Tehatkatonnions Bush, Mohawk, student at the Kahnakwake Survival School and Coutney Montour, Mohawk filmmaker

To our sponsors: Indigenous Access McGill, First Peoples' House, Social Action Office of the Montreal Catholic Diocese, and a shout out to the McGill School of Social Work and St. Lambert United Church for hosting these 2 MCM In Missio presentations.

Go Habs Go

 

Quelle soirée magique pour les enfants du Camp Cosmos dans la loge de Brandon Prust et sa charmante compagne Maripier Morin. Mille mercis à vous deux pour votre gentillesse et votre présence auprès des enfants éblouis. Cette soirée restera gravée dans leurs cœurs. 

Merci aussi à la Fondation pour l’enfance des Canadiens de Montréal qui soutient le camp chaque année. 

Et finalement chapeau à nos 3 chaperons bénévoles Angélique, Edouardo et Victor!

A group of kids from Camp Cosmos had the thrill of their lives when they were invited to view last Monday’s game between the Montreal Canadians and the Vancouver Canucks at the Bell Centre. 

But there’s more! They viewed the game from the box of Brandon Prust and his charming partner, popular Quebec television personality Maripier Morin. Brandon and Maripier hung out with the kids, signing their new Canadians’ caps and viewing the game together.

And what a game – the Canadians’ came back from a disadvantage to win 4-3! And there’s more!! Réjean Houle and Geoff Molson also dropped by the box for a visit!

A heartfelt thanks to Brandon and Maripier as well as to the Canadians Children’s Foundation whose support makes the camp possible every year. 

A final tip of the hockey cap to our volunteer chaperons, Angélique, Edouardo and Victor. 

Go Habs Go!

For more photos, visit Camp Cosmos Facebook page.

Pour plus de photos, visitez la page Facebook du Camp Cosmos.

Money and Mission in the Charismatic City

Do not miss this special evening with author Nimi Wariboko!

A Successful Ride !! / Une belle réussite !!

A heartfelt thanks to all of our sponsors, riders, joggers and walkers who helped raise 7K + for MCM at the annual Ride for Refuge bike-a-thon. A shout out to young Xavier - star fund raiser of the Township Travellers. Special thanks as well to our supporters at St. James and Cedar Park United.

Par une journée magnifique d'automne, nous avons pédalé, 'joggé' et marché pour soutenir les actions de la McM - surtout auprès des réfugiés et leurs enfants cette année.

Merci à tous et à l'année prochaine!

See you next year!

On your mark, get set, go!

...to the MCM page on the Ride for Refuge website and sponsor one of our teams in the upcoming bike-a-thon on October 3rd: Ride for Refuge
. 
And join us if you can for this fun activity that raises money and spirits in support of refugees, isolated seniors and kids.


On compte sur notre communauté! 
Au plaisir de vous voir en grand nombre le 3 octobre.

The Roger Snelling Clinic

Sheila cutting the ribbon

The Ribbon was cut….

…by Sheila Snelling at the June 7th launch at St. James United of the Roger Snelling Clinic – Mobile Legal Service for Seniors. The United Church family and larger social justice community paid tribute to the life and ministry of Roger through moving testimonies, music and enthusiastic presence.

Special guests David Armour, Director of Philanthropy of the United Church of Canada and Rev. Shaun Fryday, pastor at Beaconsfield United and chair of the Good Samaritan Fund that supports the clinic, recalled the steadfast witness of both Roger and his wife Sheila in countless projects and activities over the years.

Paula Kline and Olga Houde, the new coordinator of the Roger Snelling Clinic

Le nouveau président du Consistoire de Montréal de Église unie du Canada, M. Marc Grenon, a apporté des salutations. Marc a exprimé ses regrets de n’avoir jamais connu un homme si exceptionnel. Il a dit par contre apprécier énormément sa collaboration avec Sheila dans divers comités d'action sociale à travers les années.

Geoff, Jean & Liza

Happy 90th Anniversary UCC 

The celebration came to a fitting end as we wheeled out a birthday cake for the 90th anniversary of the UCC – a church that remains alive and relevant through the contributions of faithful servants such as Roger.

Neil Whitehouse, Lisa LeRoy & Geoff Duerden

Marc Grenon & Rev. Shaun Fryday

Paula Kline, David Armour, Rev. Arlen Bonnar & Jan McConnell

Paula and former Chair of the MCM board, Renate Sutherland

Roger’s devotion to community building and the equitable sharing of resources has had a lasting impact on numerous individuals and organizations. His legacy of kindness and justice will continue through the Roger Snelling Clinic!

Local Support for Camp Cosmos

Local Support for Camp Cosmos from our neighbour Warren Walinsky of Plank (left in photo with MCM Board member Neil Whitehouse).

Plank Design, a Montreal based digital agency, is located across St. Catherine street in the historic Belgo building from MCM.

'Turning donwtown Montreal into a kid friendly zone each summer' is our motto. Socially conscious companies like Plank and Financial Networking Solutions join the Montreal Canadians Children's Foundation to make it all possible.

Grâce au soutien de tous nos partenaires, notre équipe dynamique de jeunes coordonnateurs planifient une autre saison palpitante! Merci du fond du coeur!

The Roger Snelling Clinic

Join us for the launching of the

Roger Snelling Clinic

Mobile Legal Service for Seniors

Former MCM Director, Roger Snelling, was an exceptional and unique individual, whose passion for social justice was only surpassed by his integrity and authenticity. He worked tirelessly in the church, as well as in the wider community, to change things in the present and plan a better future for all.

In honour of Roger’s lasting contribution, Montreal City Mission is changing the name of

its seniors’ legal clinic to the: Roger Snelling Clinic.

Where: St. James United Church, 463 Ste Catherine Street West

When: Sunday, June 7th, 2015

What: Worship service at 11:00, followed by launch at 12:45 in Dawson Hall

SPECIAL GUESTS

David Armour

Director of Philanthropy, United Church of Canada Foundation

Rev. Shaun Fryday

Chair, Good Samaritan Fund

Sheila Snelling

Let us come together and celebrate

-------------------------

Venez célébrer avec nous

le lancement officielle de 

la Clinique Roger Snelling

une clinique mobile de services juridiques pour aînés

Ancien directeur de la McM, Roger Snelling était une personne unique et exceptionnelle, dont la passion pour la justice sociale n’était surpassée que par son intégrité et son authenticité. Roger a travaillé sans relâche afin d’améliorer le présent et de planifier un avenir meilleur pour tous. 

Pour souligner l'implication continue de Roger, la Mission communautaire de Montréal change le nom de sa clinique juridique pour aînés qui s'appellera maintenant la Clinique Roger Snelling.

Où: À l'église St-James, 463 Ste-Catherine Ouest

Quand: Dimanche le 7 juin 2015

Quoi: Une cérémonie religieuse à 11:00, suivie par le lancement à 12:45 

dans la salle Dawson Hall

INVITÉS SPÉCIAUX

David Armour

Directeur de la philanthropie, Fondation de l'Église unie du Canada

Rev. Shaun Fryday

Président, Fondation Bon Samaritain

Sheila Snelling

Au plaisir de vous voir!

Baby Boom

Congrats to board member Wendy Evans, husband Sam Sewall and little Justin on the arrival of baby Leo.

Also...

Félicitations à notre ancienne collègue Yolaine Williams, son mari Peter Shams et Henri pour la naissance de la petite Anna.

We are thrilled for both families!