[Yhjusticenet] Invitation to Fast to Fundraise

[Athabasca United Church]

Contained within is a notice designed to fit an 8.5 x 5.5 Bulletin insert.
Regarding FACE to FACE. A second brouchure in pdf format will be forwarded
as well explaining the Face To Face Program more completely. 
  _____  


FASTING AND "FACE TO FACE" ZAMBIAN VISITORS

What do fasting and "Face to Face" visitors from Zambia have to do with each
other?  Let me start with the Zambia part.

 

In March 2004,  I (Rev. Cecile Fausak) was privileged to be able to visit
Mission and Service partners in Kitwe, Zambia like the United Church of
Zambia's congregation of Mindolo and Theological College, and Racecourse
School.   Although our hosts may have thought it, they did not say it: How
come you can visit me, but I can't visit you?  

 

The many Canadians who visited our Zambian partners through Garth Mundle,
Betty Marlin and the Centre for Christian Studies are about to change that.
>From March 19-April 11, 2007, 12 Zambians will visit Alberta and Northwest
Conference.  It will cost $40,000 to bring them here.  We need to do some
fundraising. 

            The purpose of this exchange visit is to provide an opportunity
for [a]our guests to experience our hospitality and to learn through
experience some of  the social and cultural realities of life in Alberta,
with a focus on both the secular and church and that all opportunities will
provide a meaningful experience with depth and wisdom and [b] for people in
the Conference to continue to understand the life and work of one of our
partner churches from a first hand perspective.

Now for the fasting part.

By way of introduction to Zambia, we heard Pemba's story.  Pemba is a single
mother.  Her husband died of AIDS.   His family , according to their ethnic
custom, collected all the household furniture and left her destitute with 3
children.   She is not educated and lives in a country where there is 70-80%
unemployment.  Someone seeking to under-stand the impact of the HIV/AIDS
pandemic on women and children heard Pemba sadly reveal that she had turned
to prostitution to sup-port her family. She said "When there is no food, you
have no choice."   

Fasting is an ancient spiritual discipline that freed foodstuffs that the
faithful brought to worship for those who needed them, and so in sharing,
forged justice, community, and peace. 

 

Before returning home, I resolved to fast one day per week (only consuming
clear liquids, and when I  am not travelling) and to give $10 for each fast
to the Canadian Foodgrains Bank.  I have done so, but from Oct. 16 until our
visitors arrive,  I will be contributing the $10 per fast to the "Face to
Face" project. You are invited to join me in this act of solidarity and
fundraising if you are able.  Cheques can be made payable to the Centre for
Christian Studies. 

 

FASTING AND "FACE TO FACE" ZAMBIAN VISITORS

What do fasting and "Face to Face" visitors from Zambia have to do with each
other?  Let me start with the Zambia part.

 

In March 2004,  I (Rev. Cecile Fausak) was privileged to be able to visit
Mission and Service partners in Kitwe, Zambia like the United Church of
Zambia's congregation of Mindolo and Theological College, and Racecourse
School.  Although our hosts may have thought it, they did not say it: How
come you can visit me, but I can't visit you?  

 

The many Canadians who have visited our Zambian partners through Garth
Mundle, Betty Marlin and the Centre for Christian Studies are about to
change that.  From March 19-April 11, 2007, 12 Zambians will visit Alberta
and Northwest Conference.  It will cost $40,000 to bring them here.  We need
to do some fundraising. 

            The purpose of this exchange visit is to provide an opportunity
for [a]our guests to experience our hospitality and to learn through
experience some of the social and cultural realities of life in Alberta,
with a focus on both the secular and church and that all opportunities will
provide a meaningful experience with depth and wisdom and [b] for people in
the Conference to continue to understand the life and work of one of our
partner churches from a first hand perspective.

Now for the fasting part.

By way of introduction to Zambia, we heard Pemba's story.  She is a single
mother - her husband died of AIDS.  His family , according to their ethnic
custom, collected all the household furniture and left her destitute with 3
children. She is not educated and lives in a country where there is 70-80%
unemployment.  Someone seeking to under-stand the impact of the HIV/AIDS
pandemic on women and children heard Pemba sadly reveal that she had turned
to prostitution to sup-port her family. She said "When there is no food, you
have no choice."   

Fasting is an ancient spiritual discipline that freed foodstuffs that the
faithful brought to worship for those who needed them, and so in sharing,
forged justice, community, and peace. 

 

Before returning home, I resolved to fast one day per week (only consuming
clear liquids, and when I  am not travelling) and to give $10 for each fast
to the Canadian Foodgrains Bank.  I have done so, but from Oct. 16 until our
visitors arrive,  I will be contributing the $10 per fast to the "Face to
Face" project.  You are invited to join me in this act of solidarity and
fundraising if you are able.  Cheques can be made payable to the Centre for
Christian Studies. 

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