This part of God's people have resources that need to be shared - another part of God's people have a need and the knowhow to respond. So we're getting them together.

Life in Nigeria can be challenging, average life expectancy is just 47 years and 1 in 5 children die before their 5th birthday. Over half of the 130 million Nigerians live in rural villages where access to basic services such as education and health care are scarce. For most residents in these villages the only access to
water is from a stagnant puddle, river or drainage culvert. The amount of surface ater available varies from season to season and many villagers have to trek miles o collect water; a task which normally is the responsibility of women and girls.

The congregation of St. Marys United Church, in St. Marys, Ontario, listened to the challenge of five of its members, and wondered how they could help. Trixie and Andy Middleton and their 3 children lived in Ibadan, a large metropolis north of the capital Lagos for over 10 years. They made frequent trips into the rural areas and witnessed first hand the daily struggles people suffered to obtain enough water for their basic needs.

The surface water available is often of very poor quality resulting in water borne diseases, making
lives miserable and restricting people’s ability to be productive. If these diseases are not correctly treated - or if the medication required is not available - then an early and painful death is often the result.

In 1997 when Trixie and Andrew came to Canada they wanted to somehow help the people of Nigeria whom they had come o love. A project was started by Andrew at St. Marys United Church aimed at raising enough funds to build a basic well in a rural village. The project quickly surpassed its target and due to the interest of many other churches, schools, individuals and service clubs, the project evolved into an organization called Wells4Africa that over the past 8 years has built wells in over 120
communities in and around the city of Ibadan in Nigeria.

There are many villages still without safer water sources - and it often feels like an uphill task - but every well we have helped a community to build has brought untold joy to the village residents and has made a major positive impact in their health and lives.

The Outreach Division of St. Andrew's United Church has decided to take up the invitation, and hope to share what God has given to us with communities that are building safer drinking water wells. Our minister, Richard Bott, has worked with Andrew and Trixie, and supports the project and how the work is done. The people in the communities know how to build wells that are effective in their part of the world - we just make sure they have the tools and materials to get the job done.

100% of the funds donated go towards building wells - all of the administrative costs are borne by the Middleton family, as their commitment to this ministry. Currently wells cost approximately US$ 1200 ($1350 Canadian). Donors who donate enough funds to build one well are recognized on the plaque placed on the side of the well that they built.

If you would like to support this project, donations can be made through St. Andrew's United Church - just make sure you mark the donation as "Nigerian Wells Project". As this is an outreach of our ministry, we will gather funds here and send them on to the Middleton's, who are preparing for the next round of well building.

For more information, please contact Richard Bott at the church office. 

Kathleen Edmunds, preparing for ordained ministry in The United Church of Canada, has joined our ministry team as a full-time minister until the end of August. She has been serving a number of congregations in a variety of ministry capacities during the last ten years, and brings to us a great deal of knowledge, experience, and excitement for ministry.

Every Sunday from 10:00 to 11:15, in the Worship Space.

This is the continuing worship gathering of our community. Here, we try to find ways of supporting the spiritual journies of people from a variety of walks of life, ages, and worldviews. We work to find a balance between chaos and order, as we worship God.

On your way in, pick up a coffee, hot chocolate or a lemonade, and check us out!

Every Tuesday morning, 9:30 to 10:30am, in the Lounge.

St. Andrew's, like many congregations in The United Church of Canada, follows the Revised Common Lectionary for its scripture readings in Sunday worship. This group gathers to discuss the reading that will be shared on the following Sunday. (Don't worry if you don't have extensive - or any - knowledge of the Christian and Hebrew scriptures. We all pool what we do know... and search for thoughts from other sources, as well.)

As part of helping people to think about what different scriptures are saying to them, and to help people get into a regular practice of chatting with God, we're offering a "Daily Scripture & Prayer Time" brochure. Based on the Consultation on Common Text's Daily Lectionary, the brocheur offers a paragraph-long reflection and a quick prayer. The brochure can be downloaded from its own site.

Please note: The Daily Scripture & Prayer Time" is taking a break during Advent, as many of the members of the congregation are using The United Church of Canada's "Advent Awakenings" for their daily conversation with scripture. The brochure will be starting up in the new year.

Third Tuesday of each month, from 7:30 to 9pm, month, in the Lounge.

Read any good books, lately? Well, in this group, not only will you get the chance to read one new book each month, you'll also get to chat about what you've read. If you're wondering what books we'll be reading, check out the "Bestsellers list" at chapters.ca - that's where we'll be chosing from!

Voice Choir meets Wednesdays from 7:30 to 9:00pm, in the Worship Space.

Bell Choir meets Thursdays from 6:30 to 7:30pm, in the Worship Space.

A Worship Band will be formed as we gather musicians and vocalists!

We're also looking for people in the congregation and community who would be willing to add their musical gifts to our worship life, supporting - and adding to - the work of our Director of Music and church choirs. Rhythm, string, brass, voice... let the church office know if you'd like to share in the ministry of music.

Gathering times to be announced, in the Worship Space.

Richard is looking for people who are interested in building their acting skills - and who would be willing to use those skills in our worship times. Let the church office know if you are interested (604.463.9611).