From the March issue of Anglican Life, written by Sheila Boutcher
On Thanksgiving Sunday 2018, the Reverend Brian Candow, Rector of Saint Martin’s Cathedral in Gander, challenged the congregation to raise funds to build a Medical Dispensary in Mozambique. It was listed as a “Big Ticket Item” in the Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund, World of Gifts catalogue. Raising $7,500 would become $52,500 under the All Mothers and Children Count program which is matched on a 6:1 ratio by Global Affairs Canada. Rev’d. Brian prepared special offering envelopes and distributed them to the congregation, along with an explanation of the project. The idea of being able to provide thousands of people with access to health care and thus save lives generated a lot of excitement and moved people to respond generously. Comments like, “This is the best gift I’ve given this Christmas,” were common. By Christmas, donations from the congregation had reached over $5,000 and Shawn Wiseman, a parishioner, music teacher and local entertainer, donated all of the proceeds from a Christmas concert he and his students held, to the cause: $3,800!
Surplus funds will be used to stock a dispensary and provide sterile birth kits, also available via the World of Gifts catalogue. In addition, I am aware of numerous gifts of goats, pigs, chickens, and even a whole farm, being given to family and friends through PWRDF. Many, many thanks and congratulations to the congregation of Saint Martin’s, Shawn Wiseman and his students—to God Be the Glory!
Matthew 25:40 NRSV And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.’
