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58
MISSIONARIES REPORTING
FROM MISS MARION R. J. THOMSON
Community Worker, Sutherland United Church,
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Community Effort
This summer several of our boys, girls, mothers and children
enjoyed a week of fellowship and creative living at Gimli Fresh Air
Camp. It means so very much to be able to give leadership at these
camps, especially when some of the children are from your own
Sunday School. This is a very important link in Christian nurture
and friendship. In the words of one of my Explorers, "Miss Thomson,
I never realized camp could be so much fun, that I could learn so
many interesting things and make so many new friends."
All People's United Church (Stella and Sutherland Churches),
has a camp of its own on the Assiniboine River, ten miles west of the
city. This camp, which exists because of the foresight of the late
Dr. J. M. Shaver, is suitable for day or week-end or by -the week
camping, picnics and such. Several improvements were made upon
the camp this summer and now small groups can use it summer and
winter.
The Young People and W.A. of our church, undertook to give
the chapel, kitchen and board room a face-lifting. It is simply
wonderful what can be accomplished through the use of shared
talents. For this project, paint and drapery was donated by one of
our city's self-suppOlting churches. Our own W.A. spent several of
their own group earnings too.
Events of the year which stand out in my memory as highlights
were a C.G.I.T. Vesper Service in December and concert in April,
special Easter tableau for Easter Service by the Explorers, Vacation
School and camps in July and August, a week-end camp for the
y.P.U. at Oakglade, our own camp, hikes for all groups, successful
Tea at Eaton's Assembly Hall (supported by the Woman's Union of
Winnipeg), a happy Christmas Family Party, a Sunday School
Christmas pageant, and monthly Family Service.
At the present time a committee of teachers, Church workers,
nurses and welfare personnel was formed in November by the Welfare
Council of Winnipeg. Its purpose is to actively explore the needs of
this Point Douglas area. It is encouraging to have people of different
faiths and professions in life working together for the common
welfare of us all. .
FROM MISS ELIZABETH D. STEPHEN
Hospital Visitor,
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Early in 1954 we called a meeting of all the hospital visitors from
each church and allocated Nursing Homes to each. In some cases the
girls of the Evening Auxiliaries have l.mdertaken a share of this
visiting. That was left to each visitor to work out with the grou:{>s of
her own church.
Missionaries Reporting, Woman's Missionary Society
59
COMMUNITY MISSIONS WEST
Many Helpers
I have thoroughly enjoyed working with all the different churches,
addressing some of their meetings, endeavoring to suggest ways they could help with the work. They have all been so eager to meet any needs I have presented to them. We have had three joint meetings " of all the visitors to discuss any problems they have faced and to discuss ways of improving our work together. These are some of the .ways your missionary has been privileged to care more adequately for the needs of patients in the hospitals and nursing homes. I also . visited several rural groups at their invitation presenting our work
.. and they too expressed a desire to help and did so at Christmas.
One Evening Auxiliary sang Easter Carols and took Easter gifts to
,the patients in Hospice Tache. We were able to arrange for monthly
,services in Hospice Tache similar to those already held at the San.
.We were deeply grateful to the different ministers who have con­
ducted these services, dispensed Communion for us at Christmas
not only' at the service but also came around to the different wards
..and gave communion to individuals and small groups of bed-ridden
patients unable. to attend the service.
Our church choir sang Christmas carols in the halls one evening
while another group of United Church ladies delivered Christmas
gifts to the patients.
After one November service a young woman patient informed
me that she and a .room-mate wished to be "confirmed". I caned Mr.
Shemilt and after several preparatory talks he received these two
young women into the fellowship of the United Church in a very
rpeaningful and beautiful service before our Christmas Communion
.Service.
. . The women of another Church have been very faithful in making
afghans (also had a shower and another of their groups gave money
for supplies) and the patients are so grateful for these. One old
lady said, "You know I bless who ever made this for me every day
of my life, for it is a great comfOIt."
I was able to make 7,926 visits myself and the volunteer visitors
reported 26,942 visits made by them. I also contacted ministers and
other friends, for patients by phone. I wrote letters for them, shopped
for them, prayed with, and for them, glad for every opportunity of
being used as a channel through which His love and healing power
could,How to heal, strengthen and uplift them.
MISS RUTH J. SCOULAR Missionary-at-Iarge, Battleford, Saskatchewan Life as a missionary-at-Iarge in Northern Saskatchewan is very
exciting, challenging, varied, and very busy.
Service
The area in which I am working is in the northwest corner of
the Battleford Presbytery, an area that is served by the student
1955 Edition