This page is designed to provide news items in more detail, and to make announcements concerning special events.
Update on the Sponsorship of the Refugee Family
As you are aware from previous postings, the Palestinian family that we were attempting to sponsor from Syria, fled to Turkey during the height of the armed conflict in Syria. In January the family went through the process of being interviewed by UNHCR Turkey and in March they were interviewed by the Canadian Visa staff in our embassy in Ankara, Turkey. The Visa staff declared the family as being eligible for sponsorship, and they are now undergoing security screening which will be followed by medicals. Once these hurdles have been cleared the embassy staff will process them for exit permits from the Turkish authorities, and their travel documents will be issued for their trip to Nanaimo.
The family is doing quite well considering that they have been living in Turkey without being able to provide for themselves (the father has been trying very hard to get work but he doesn't speak Turkish). The two older children have been enrolled in a Turkish school since last September, and apparently have been doing very well, despite the language barriers. Hopefully, by next September we will be enrolling them in a school here in Nanaimo.
Let us pray that all the hurdles will be overcome rapidly and that the family continue to remain safe and well.
Safe Church Project
Cheryl Hayward-Brown is spearheading the Safe Church Project, which is a Diocesan mandated initiative to ensure that all activities at St. Philip's are being done so in a safe and caring manner. This means that all those who do voluntary work at the church have to undergo a Criminal Records Check to ensure compliance with the guidelines of the initiative.
Recently several members of the congregation attended the Safe Harbour training provided by the Central Vancouver Island Multicultural Society; this means that St. Philip's is now a designated Safe Harbour which means that we provide "Equitable Treatment for All", and we are capable of providing a "Safe Harbour" for those targeted by racism and hate.
St. Philip's Hosts the Lantzville Farmer's market
From May through to October St. Philip's will once again be hosting the Lantzville Farmer's Market. The market will be held every Sunday from 1:30 to 4 pm on the church grounds. The market organizers have additional activities planned for this year so come out and enjoy a quiet afternoon and support the food producers and crafts people who provide lots of variety and good value.