canada, canadian, church, thanksgiving, cida, manitoba, newfoundland, saskatchewan, europe, food, foodgrains, bank, pastor, emer traute klein, biogardener

Canadian churches share their thanksgiving by harvesting grain for needy countries, and the government matches the proceeds. Here is the story from the view of a Newfoundland church who helps with a Saskatchewan harvest to provide food for needy third world countries. Canadian Thanksgiving On October 7, 2001, many Canadian churches celebrated Thanksgiving in the traditional European style, and I have written about it in another article where I tell how we shared our Thanksgiving here in Manitoba. On that same day, October 7, 2001, my friend and fellow Suite101 editor Bob Hunter sent me an email telling me of the Thanksgiving which he had shared in his Newfoundland church that morning. You can find several links below, related to Thanksgiving, to sharing projects, and to Bob, including a very personal romance story, written by his daughter Allison. A Newfoundland Thanksgiving Here is what Bob wrote: The altar of our church was lined with groceries this morning, which we will be contributing to a collection of food for pioneer pastors. Our pastor preached a short sermon so that we could view a video showing the harvesting of grain at the Saskatchewan field which our church rented in the "Canadian Foodgrains Bank (CFGB)" program. Four members of our church helped in harvesting the grain. The Canadian Foodgrains Bank Bob summarizes what you can read on the PAOC site linked below: The PAOC is a partner in the CFGB along with 12 other denominations. Together we gather and store foodgrains so that they are readily available for emergency relief and development projects around the world. In the last year, grain and cash contributions through the CFGB partners supplied more than 56,000 thousand tonnes of food to more than 30 needy countries. The government of Canada enthusiastically supports the work of the CFGB by providing matching funds through its Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). Gifts of grain by Canadian farmers, as well as cash gifts, are eligible for such matching funds. Most recently, the "Emergency Relief and Development Overseas (ERDO)" has promoted the growing project concept. It provides an opportunity for urban congregations to partner with the farming community in planting quarter sections of land with crops such as wheat or canola. The proceeds of these projects are channeled to the CFGB/PAOC account. The matching funds are used to buy more grain and to pay for shipping the food where most needed. An average yield of wheat on a quarter section of land, with the CIDA match, will provide food for approximately 1000 needy families overseas. Thank you, Bob, for telling us of this modern way of sharing our Thanksgiving. Links Share Your Thanksgiving the Traditional Way What makes a person generous? Is it wealth or is it deep understanding of need from first-hand experience? Eat Your Veggies One of Canada’s best managed marketing company helps to feed the hungry and promotes good health by offering free innovative veggie recipe to all. Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada homepage Click on "Relief and Development" to get to then Canadian Foodgrains Bank program. The PAOC corresponds to the Assemblies of God churches in other countries. Pauline Epistles Robert Hunter's Suite101 site Love across the Seas Allison Hunter's article on the late romance of her dad, Bob Hunter, and his wife Leonora whom he found halfway around the globe through rather unusual circumstances. Friendship Allison Hunter's Suite101 site Thanksgiving Poll Thanksgiving evokes different images in people of different ethnic backgrounds. Which of the following images is foremost in you mind says more about where you grew up than what you have been taught. Pick the choice to which you respond with the most enthusiasm. Pilgrims, turkeys, and family reunions. The last harvest-home wagon, brightly decorated. A church decorated with garden produce. A daily attitude of being thankful. Humbug! or none of the above. See results of this poll.

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