Bill & Joyce Simms, 65th Anniversary at Cornerstone Christian Fellowship, Toronto
by: Pauline Rood, July 2010

William Henry Sims, a WW 2 Canadian Army private met a young lass, Joyce Gertrude Hawkins during his time spent in England. Joyce was spending most of her time working in the land army where many young women joined to help feed the country at a time when most of the farm hands went off to defend the homeland. The two met, fell in love and married on May 4th, 1945. There was no church wedding, no bouquets of flowers, no bridesmaids and no minister. Just the army commander, in his office, who officiated and made the marriage legal.

Bill, as he is better known, sailed back to Canada at wars end while Joyce, his English souvenier,(that's what he likes to call her) had to wait almost a year later when she followed him along with hundreds of other War Brides.

The two settled in Toronto and have lived their ever since. They have been attending Cornerstone Christian Fellowship (formally Toronto West Congregation) for many years.

Finally, after 60 years, they had their church wedding with about 150 guests which included many family members as well as their church family. Joyce walked down the aisle, flowers in hand while Bill stood watching his bride with pride and the choir sang an old favourite "Now is the Hour" The ceremony was officiated by Pastor Doug Smith and the two renewed their vows. Their son-in-law made them a beautiful 3 tier wedding cake and they danced to "The Anniversary Waltz" by Vera Lynn.

Well, 5 more years have passed and again Joyce and Bill celebrated and cut into another anniversary cake. This time it was their 65th and the whole congregation got to celebrate a milestone once again.

What a blessing they are to each other and what a beautiful example they are for the rest of us. Congratulations Joyce and Bill.

Vancouver Teen Mission Trip

The Vancouver congregation teen group is very excited to be embarking on a short term mission trip to Mexico from March 6 to 16, 2010. Our mission is to be worthy representatives of Jesus Christ, showing love towards God and others, thereby preaching the gospel by assisting in the caring for underprivileged children at Guarderia Dios Provehera (God Will Provide) Christian daycare, assisting with building projects for a Mexican pastor just starting a church, and doing a community outreach in Ensenada with a local church.

We have a few spots still available for interested teens. Please complete the attached application form and send it to Debbie Minke before January 15, 2010. Feel free to contact Debbie Minke for more information at 604.532.3750.

Hands of Hope Funding Approved
by: Alan Redmond, Pastor and Hands of Hope Director

Hands of Hope is a ministry of Grace Christian Church (WCG Winnipeg) and a registered Charity that provides free furniture and household goods to needy people in Winnipeg.

We just received news that the Federal Government (Winnipeg Housing and Homelessness Initiative) has approved an extension of funding to support operations and staffing of the Charity to expand our services to the community. Similar Federal programs operate in all other major Canadian cities.

A grant of $208,774 was given for use over the next two years. This is in addition to a grant of $96,279 last year and earlier partial funding for the construction of our furniture warehouse.

Hands of Hope serves approximately 1,400 households each year in Winnipeg for a total of 7,000 people annually. Services include pickup, repair, warehousing and deliver of free furniture and household goods.

Canadian Pastor Transferring to New Zealand
by: Gary Moore

Phil Baldwin pastors our congregations in London and Windsor, Ontario, as well as our small-group church in Sarnia. Susan, Phil's wife, has been teaching at Huron College (an Anglican seminary) in London for some years. She was recently offered a position at an Anglican church in Darfield, New Zealand (a short distance from Christchurch on the South Island). They have decided to move to New Zealand. Phil is hoping to help as he is able with the couple of small-group churches we have on the South Island.

This means that we need to find a pastor for Phil's churches. Their move will take place likely in the early fall. If anyone feels a calling to take on this responsibility, and would be willing to relocate to the London area, please contact Phil Baldwin, Bill Rabey (District Superintendent for Eastern Canada) or Gary Moore for further details/discussion.

Please join us in prayer that God will guide this process. We know he loves his children, and will provide for us.

Visit from Kalengule and Nsama Kaoma
by: Gary Moore

Kalengule and Nsama Kaoma (Mission Developer for the WCG in Africa) were able to visit Canada after the annual Mission Developers meetings in Glendora. They visited a combined French/English service in Montreal on March 14, and the Ottawa congregation on the 15th. After spending some time with Bill and Linda Rabey they travelled to Toronto where they enjoyed the warm hospitality of Alvaro and Laura Palacio. The Palacio's were kind enough to take them to Niagara Falls for a day, so they could compare Niagara to Victoria Falls in their home country of Zambia. I think the feeling was that they are both extremely impressive in different ways!

After visiting the Toronto East congregation on the 21st, the Palacios drove them to London for services on Sunday the 22nd. Phil Baldwin arranged for a Carribean steel drum band to lead the worship service, and a great pot-luck followed.

Wendy and I chatted on the phone before they flew back home, and they said they had an absolutely wonderful time. The warmth and support of the Canadian congregations made a big impact on them, and Kalengule especially appreciated the opportunity to thank the membership for their support for mission in Africa. The pastors involved have told me that the sermon Kalengule gave was very powerful and insightful, and that their visit has been a big boost to the membership in those areas.

Next year, I am hoping to arrange for them to visit congregations in the western part of the country, and host the Kaoma's at our home for a few days. They are already anticipating the opportunity to come back to Canada, and continue to build bonds of brotherhood, friendship, and shared mission with their Canadian spiritual family.