News
Meet Matthew Sachvie
February 14, 2012
On the evening of December 21st, Matthew accompanied his parents as part of the meal team from St. Mark's Lutheran Church. They had prepared a delicious meal for The Urban community. They also brought a surprise that was sweeter than dessert!
Matthew had recently celebrated his 11th birthday. Instead of presents, Matthew requested those attending to bring a donation for The Urban. In the spirit of his generosity, Matthew's guests donated over $500!! The applause of thanks from the community was loud and long!
In a society where commercials must be put on television encouraging people to be kind and helpful, it is refreshing to see young people like Matthew who hear the word of God and live it! Compliments to his parents as well, who obviously model their faith in their daily living.
Thank you, Matthew, for thinking of others and serving the Lord with a smile on your face and joy in your heart. Truly, you are an inspiration!
Pastor Leslie Poulin
Spiritual Care
The Urban
Standing in the Food Bank Line
February 14, 2012
During my third year of seminary I found myself standing in the Food Bank line. True, I could have phoned my parents and asked for money, yet I chose not to because I wanted the experience of waiting in line for food and, well, I did have my pride.
Standing behind me was a gentleman who was 64 years of age. He was one year shy of a full pension when he was "downsized". As we conversed he said with emotion, "Never, in my entire life, did I ever think I would end up here!"
Ahead of me was a young man. We also had a conversation. It turns out that he, his wife and their twin daughters had been living in a trailer park in Edmonton when an F4 tornado ripped through the complex. As they fled in opposite directions, this young man thought his wife had the second twin. His wife thought he had the girl. Tragically, the child had run in fear to her bedroom, unseen by either parent, and perished with their home. However, while struggling with their grief, this couple decided to work on their marriage and overcome their anger towards each other in order to become the best parents they could be to their remaining daughter.
Not everyone who comes to The Urban has a mental illness, an addiction or is homeless. There are those who come because "life happens" and circumstances leave them with little or no options. Rant if you will, but that won't change the unfairness of the situation!
Thankfully, The Urban is a haven to those who come through its doors. It is a welcoming place, a community. Many consider the community members as family. There are no pretenses at The Urban. The struggles, successes, losses and journeys are raw and real. The more I observe, the more the community resembles the scriptural scenes of Jesus' ministry among the poor, the sick and those who experienced the unfairness of life. Faith is where the rubber hits the road.
Good thing I love to drive!
Pastor Leslie Poulin
Spiritual Care
The Urban
How Blessed We Are
February 12, 2012
The Urban has received a great many donations of winter clothing. Our community members have had the opportunity to take what they need, and the warmer weather has lessened the need considerably. We still had a fair amount of good quality winter wear and so I decided to contact Hilde Purdy at Feed My Lambs. Hilde and her volunteers go out three times a week and serve a meal to the people who actually survive on the streets of Winnipeg. I also know that, when available, she will distribute clothing. I have such great admiration for Hilde and her volunteers as they go where few would dare and the deep love of God is so clearly demonstrated. I called Hilde and found out that she was on a much deserved vacation, but she was able to give me a telephone number for one of her volunteers.
A very nice couple from Feed My Lambs arrived at the Urban to pick up the much needed winter wear. They saw the Urban and we discussed both of our ministries. This couple was on the way to pick up a donation of bread as they serve hundreds of sandwiches every week. We were just starting our meal and they returned. They had received a great load of bread and came to see if we could use some. They gave us two extremely large bags of bread. We are hard pressed for freezer space and seeing as it was Thursday evening, we could not leave it out until Sunday.
St. Matthew’s Maryland Ministry runs two Food Banks each week. I know that bread is something that one does not receive on a consistent basis and so we left the bread to be distributed at the Friday morning Food Bank. These are our community members and so it was a very gratifying moment to ensure that they would receive bread.
The cost of everything continues to rise and so bread is becoming more of a luxury item for some. This cooperation between ministries works so very well. The Urban and Feed My Lambs often contact one another when we have surpluses and we share. We have received fresh vegetables, fruit, and various items from Feed My Lambs. The Urban has provided clothing, foot wear, pasta, and hygiene kits for distribution by Feed My Lambs.
We are so very blessed to see the work being done by so many, who do so purely because they choose to do God’s work. Our meal teams are more like angels to us. This act of preparing and serving a meal has had such a positive impact upon our community members. The kindness and generosity that prompts people to donate food items, hygiene products, and warm wear are certainly noted and appreciated. These items reach the neediest of the needy through cooperative work between ministries.
We are so truly blessed by the generous hearts of so many.
Sandy Belisle
Ministry Manager
Lutheran Urban Ministry
The Near Forgotten Ones: A Christmas Message from Sandy
December 19, 2011
We are all so busy getting ready for Christmas and we know many others who are doing last minute running. We all want to ensure that there is good food to eat and that there are plenty of gifts. Many of us know that we will be getting some real good home cooking and baking. Many of us will choose to stay in the warmth of our homes and just enjoy what we have come to know as family traditions.
This year is going to be a very different year for my family. My daughter will not be flying home for Christmas and we are not planning to travel anywhere. We are going to stay home. There is a large Christmas dinner planned at St. Matthew’s on December 22/11. We will hold a worship service on Christmas Day and then serve a meal afterwards. These are fairly typical events in my life, but, I will also be assisting Hilde Purdy to deliver love and cheer to those who live on the riverbanks of Winnipeg. This is planned for December 23/11. Hilde runs the Feed My Lambs Street Ministry and she is just about the most compassionate and caring person that I know. Hilde will be distributing what amounts to survival for many. There will be tin cans with large candles, warm outer wear, high energy food items, hot chocolate, instant soups, etc. This is what Christmas is really about.
My sister and her daughter came up with a beautiful Christmas for the entire family. They have planned to forgo the usual gift exchange amongst themselves and are instead purchasing blankets for the homeless in their area. They took enormous amounts of chili down to the local shelter and are gathering warm wear for the people. My niece’s daughter has embraced the issue of poverty at a very tender age. What a beautiful gift and legacy.
Homelessness is very much alive in Winnipeg. The people that Hilde is reaching out to are definitely on the very fringe of society. There are a number of reasons why some people choose to live on the river bank instead of elsewhere. The issue of bed bugs has driven many outdoors. There is also the fact that the people do not always feel safe in the shelters. Some suffer mental health and addiction issues that cause them to be isolated. One can only imagine the joy on the faces of people as they see Hilde approaching. They know in that instant that they are not forgotten, that someone cares so deeply for their welfare that all else is put aside.
Hilde’s ministry is different from the Urban in many ways, and yet they are so very similar. It is all about the caring for all of our human family. Hilde and the Urban will often share resources. If we get a lot of clothing, we try to give extra to Feed My Lambs. On occasion Feed My Lambs receives extra food that will come to the Urban to be added to our meals.
My sister and her family ensure that those in their area know that they are not forgotten. I am so very blessed to be able to hear about all of these outstanding deeds and acts of kindness. Herein lies the true joy of Christmas and we are all so blessed because of it.
Sandy Belisle
Ministry Manager
Lutheran Urban Ministry
Leslie Poulin's Urban Experience
December 14, 2011
For the past 19 years I have been ordained to Word and Sacrament ministry. The most enjoyable element of my ministry has been visiting people.
I have been privileged to visit the "living space" of several community members. Although it may only be a bedroom in a rooming house, it is still "home". To invite me into a personal space is a compliment to me, that somehow I have passed a test that makes me a safe person.
Over the past few months I have been connecting deeply with some people. I am hearing more life stories and the people are sharing more of their pain. More and more members of the community take the time to say 'hi', others search me out tell me how their week has been and I have received some unexpected hugs from the most unlikely huggers!
There is a line in an Amanda Marshall song that reads as follows: Everyone's got a story that will break your heart. This is very true with the folks at The Urban. I am striving to see the people as broken, not as hopeless addicts. I am striving to increase my patience and compassion when engaging those living with FAS and FASD. I keep teaching and preaching about choice and consequence, God's unconditional love and forgiveness, using adult behaviour...and I believe it is slowly sinking in! It helps that Sandy and Rhonda keep preaching the same message in their conversations.
More and more I am realizing that my role here is not just that of pastor but of "mom". There are many who never had healthy parenting. It is never too late to start. There are more manners being used, more respect for others being shown. Love truly does change people.
Thank you, again, for giving me the opportunity to grow in my faith and the awareness of the working of the Spirit in these beautiful children of God!
Leslie Poulin
Pastoral Care
Lutheran Urban Ministry
St. Matthew's Church in Construction
December 11, 2011
St. Matthew's Church is being transformed over the next 6 to 12 months into low-income housing. Despite the extensive construction, the Urban will continue to operate. However there will be some impacts to our operation:
Worship. Worship will continue at the same time as before, however the services will be held in a different part of the building. If you are attending a service please join us in the main santuary area and use the doors on the North-West side of the building.
Meal Teams. We will continue to provide meals. We are now holding the meals on the main floor. The basement commercial kitchen is available for use, however equipment and goods must be carried up a flight of stairs to where the meals are served. A smaller, less equiped, kitchen is available adjacent to the meal area for simple prep.
Food and material donations will continue to be accepted. However, we have very limited space during the renovations and will only be able to accept limited items at this time. Please consult our list of much needed items.
Contact us for with any questions or concerns related to building renovations.
