Rescued Food

The link for this week's live-streamed service is here.

On Sunday morning, Janice James visited the congregation and made a presentation re the Mustartd Seed Church.

Since 1975 the Mustartd Seed has been the largest and most accessible Food Bank in the region. According to their website, their Food Security Distribution Centre rescues and receives over 10,000 pounds of food each weekday from over 32 local grocery stores and donors. All that food nearing it's expiry date, or looking a little wilted would go to waste, if it weren't "rescued." Imagine all that good, nutrious food going to the landfill when many struggle to put enough food on the table. 

I love that word, rescue. In my home garden I "rescue" imperfect fruit and vegetables all the time, cutting off the damaged bits and using the rest. The good half of a bruised apple makes a pie that is every bit as tasty a pie as the one made with whole, undamaged fruit. It feels to me  a bit like hating the sin (the damaged bit) but loving the sinner, (the wholesome part of the fruit.)

All of that resued food is distributed to 75 local social service agencies, easing the burden of food insecurity for approximately 70,000 of our neighbours. These are staggering numbers. No wonder our Sidney Food Bank is grateful for the stream of donated food and cash from SPPC.

Although the food bank branch of the Mustard Seed is its most visible ministry, they also run a hospitality program. This service provides healthy lunches, coffee, snacks and a place to meet and visit and receive spiritual care in their Queen Street location. In the fall they offer free clothing, as well as hair and foot care.

It's that free clothing/foot care part that SPPC supports with our cozy toes project. For the month of October we collect good, warm socks to donate to the Mustard Seed. As the cold weather settles in, a pair of clean, dry socks for someone in need, is a concrete and much appreciated example of Christian love.

Let's fill those donation baskets with warmth.

Love is a Warm Sock

 The link for this week's live-streamed service is here.

Sunday was Reformation Sunday, the day we commemorate Martin Luther's posting of the 95 Theses. The day that sowed the seeds of the Protestant Reformation, eventually leading to the formation of the Presbyterian church.  Luther, John Calvin, and John Knox are among the better known Reformed preachers. Many a Presbyterian church is called "Knox" because he founded the Presbyterian  Church in Scotland. The Presbyterian Church in Canada, and hence, Saanich Peninsula Presbyterian Church, is a descendent of that movement. 

There have been many theological arguments over the centuries about the role of the Pope, infant baptism, the sacraments, predestination, Christmas, to name a few. But one thing all denominations can agree on is "Love Thy Neighbour." On Sunday we showed that love with baskets full of warm socks for those who face a cold winter without adequate shelter.

We've been doing the "Cozy Toes" ministry at SPPC for over twenty years, now. In the early days we concentrated on socks and toiletries. The idea was to take a pair of warm socks, stuff the toes with things like toothpaste, soap and shampoo, and present it as an offering.

Over time, the program has morphed into a more general call for warm clothes. Although we still focus on socks, sweaters, blankets, coats and mitts are also welcome. 

Our donations are passed on to the Mustard Seed Street Church in Victoria. On Sunday a representative from there, Janice James, attended service and accepted the donated goods and offered a brief summary of the work they do. 

Winter has come early to Victoria this year, so those in need of warm clothing and dry feet need them now. After all the rain, puddles abound. Most of us are used to wearing rain boots, so puddles don't matter, or having a drawerful of socks if we need to change out of wet ones. For those who don't have those luxuries, the Mustard Seed Street Church, and its "hospitality" shelf are essential. 

The Street Church takes its name from Jesus' parable of the mustard seed. Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.”

If we counted up all the socks that have been donated from our congregation they would likely number in the thousands, yet each one is like the tiny mustard seed, growing and spreading and providing sustenance for many. Sadly, the need for warm, dry clothing continues to grow. Thank you to all the people of SPPC who added warm socks to the Sunday offering. Thank you to the Mustard Seed Street Church for taking our gifts and using them well.  

Dedication of Cozy Toes gifts