Embracing the Spirit Grants

  Pabaamashi 

Knox has gratefully received an Embracing the Spirit Grant from the United Church of Canada. The grant will help our congregation and others in the community to consider the question of how Spirituality can create places of belonging and healing to those suffering from Drug and Alcohol addiction and Homelessness in Kenora.

NEWS: Knox gratefully acknowledges the receipt of 3 Generous Grants:

Two Embracing the Spirit Grants from the United Church of Canada:

1.  October 2019:
Will help the congregation and how Spirituality can be a positive resource for those who are homeless and struggling with addictions.

2.  December 2018:
Grant to work with community partners on exploring traditional Anishinaabe land based practices through intergenerational, intercultural family camps. This project was given an Anishinaabe spirit name:  Pabaamashi which means “soaring around, looking all around”

3. June 2019:
Community Foundation Grant supports 2019 Pabaamashi Project

2018 Pabaamashi Annual Report

KNOX MEETS HOMELESSNESS AND ADDICTION
KNOX’S MINISTRY CONTEXT IS CHANGING 

With the opening of the Visionary Service Hub in Spring of 2019, the context for ministry at Knox changed substantially.
Because of the location of the new Hub –  the community became abruptly aware of the severity of the local opioid crisis and of many of the social issues underlying it.
Awareness is opportunity:  it means that community has to acknowledge and become involved in the solutions.
Knox was sharing its limited green space with people who are homeless.  And we at Knox had to ask questions we had not asked before:
  1. what does homelessness really mean?
  2. how to be a healing presence in our community – for the homeless and for our immediate neighbours?
  3. what is the role of churches and spiritual guides in the lives of the homeless?
The very beginning of an idea came from notes from First Presbyterian and First Baptist Churches, wondering how they could support Knox and become involved.
Then Chrissy Swain from Grassy Narrows had a dream – and began coming to sit on the lawn with patrons of the Hub – she brought sacred teachings, cedar and smudge and a place to talk, learn and be loved. It was a beautiful vision.
Now Knox has received a Grant to help to explore how spirituality can impact the people trapped by homelessness, Opioids, and mental health issues. No one is sure what the service Hub will look like as it gradually reopens, but hopefully it will provide opportunity for spiritual nurture and connection. Knox Leadership Team has received this Grant with gratitude and a Focus Group will begin its work on November 7th!

 

 

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Becoming Affirming

At Knox United Church, we celebrate diversity. In God’s world we are diverse in gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, culture, age, physical ability, religious perspective, and economic status. Jesus met people wherever they were in their journey. Relationship changes us. Knox is an evolving community of faith that seeks to intentionally welcome new perspectives and leadership.

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“May the grace of Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the holy spirit be with you all”
2 Corinthians 13-14