Our Christian mission to love and serve God and neighbour translates through a wide variety of programs and ministries in the Diocese. Whether preparing to welcome the newest member of our Christian family at the baptismal fount, or to provide a means of giving prayerful and tangible support to a stranger on the other side of the street or the other side of the world, opportunities exits for lay and ordained persons to become that witness to Christ which each is meant to be.
For as in one body we have many members, and not all the members have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another. We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us: prophecy, in proportion to faith; ministry, in ministering; the teacher, in teaching; the exhorter, in exhortation; the giver, in generosity; the leader, in diligence; the compassionate, in cheerfulness. (Romans 12:4-8)
The ACW Room is at 6017 Quinpool Road - 423-8697
Anna Langille, part-time volunteer, is typically in the office from 11am to 3pm daily. But please call ahead before coming. Sometimes appointments, weather or travel arrangements affect the schedule. Thank you. alangille@nspeidiocese.ca
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Anglican Church Women
Nova Scotia Board
Annual Project 2011
Title: ACW Girl Power Wolf Spirit Program
Description: As part of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation’s (NAN’s) Youth Resiliency Program, and in partnership with the NAN Decade for Youth and Development Department, the Girl Power (for young women) Wolf Spirit (for young men) Program is designed for youth, ages 8 – 15, and seeks to develop leadership and community organizational skills; promote empowerment and enhanced self-esteem; and encourage lasting healthy practices, physically and psychologically. With student-designed programming to fit the needs of the community, Girl Power Wolf Spirit incorporates traditional practices, arts and crafts, and recreational activities. A current plan is to incorporate community kitchen activities to support better nutrition at low cost, as well as social networking tools.
Scope: Girl Power Wolf Spirit is delivered in 10 communities in NAN, a political territorial organization representing 49 First Nations Communities, in a geographic area that covers two thirds of the province of Ontario and a number of Anglican Dioceses. The plan is to expand Girl Power Wolf Spirit into more NAN communities.
Funding: The Girl Power Wolf Spirit Program receives funding from PWRDF and, more recently, the Ontario Ministry of Health. This latter infusion of funding was applauded by the NAN Grand Chief Stan Beardy as recognition of the importance of the program to the youth of the NAN communities where it operates. Fortunately, funding has continued beyond the initial two year pilot phase, but NAN continues to look for additional funding to broaden the program.
Challenges in NAN Communities:
- A suicide rate that is seven times the national average
- High number of children in foster care
- Residential school legacy of damaging inter-generational gaps
- Addiction, unemployment, poverty, and sexual abuse
- A sense of hopelessness from which there often appears to be no escape
Benefits: With the Girl Power Wolf Spirit Program, there is the potential to “create a stronger, happier generation of leaders who will build healthier communities that embrace and strengthen our culture” (NAN Decade for Youth and Development Coordinator, Catherine Cheechoo). The Girl Power Wolf Spirit Program is transformative, inspiring hope in the most at-risk communities.
Support for the Anglican Church of Canada Vision 2019 Priorities with the Anglican Church Women Nova Scotia Board support of the Girl Power Wolf Spirit Program for their Annual Project 2011:
# 3. Walk with Indigenous Peoples on a journey of healing and wholeness
# 4. Work toward peace and justice
# 5. Engage young people in mutual growth for mission
Cynthia Pilichos, President, Anglican Church Women Nova Scotia Board, June 2011
For more information contact Cynthia at 1439 LeMarchant St., Halifax, N.S. B3H 3P8.
Tel: 429-5945 E-mail: cynthia.pilichos@ns.sympatico.ca
