TSA Trumpet November 2016

TSA Trumpet With trumpets and sound of cornet make a joyful noise before the Lord, the King. Psalm 98, v6

Property Management & Maintenance Profile of a Migrant Worker Orange the World

November 2016

November 2016

TSA Trumpet Contents 4... From the Pulpit ­ Letter from our Minister 5... Point­of­View ­ Letter from the Publisher 6... Council Briefs 7... Fundscrip 8... Orange the World 9... Profile of Migrant Workers 11... Property Management and Maintenance 12... On This Harvest Moon 12... VBS Reunion 12.. Christianity's Family Tree 13... Estate Administration Tax 14... Parting the Corn 14... Hell is a Place Where the Visitors Wear Name Tags

TSA Trumpet ­ November 2016 3

FROM THE PULPIT This year Trinity–St. Andrew’s is hosting the community Remembrance Day Service on November 6th. It has been a few years since we welcomed our Veterans and the Legion members to our congregation. I look forward to leading such a special worship.

I am fortunate to live a life filled with endless possibilities. I have freedom of choice, freedom of place, freedom in love, freedom of belief, freedom to succeed and even the freedom to complain should I wish to. I am free to pursue my own dreams or share in the dreams of others.

I am blessed by our Creator, rescued by our Christ and sustained by The Holy Spirit.

As a living soul within this Holy Trinity I am encouraged to be thankful always. I am.

This is the month of remembrance. I encourage you to remember with thankful hearts those who gave so much that we might have such a full life. It is the least we can do.

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you”.

1 Thessalonians 5:16­18 Shalom,

Rev. Ken

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Welcome to Trinity­St. Andrew's United Church in Brighton, Ontario. Our active congregation offers meaningful worship with a varied music program, Sunday School, opportunities for faith exploration and discussion, as well as fellowship, more traditional Bible study and educational opportunities for all ages, in a liberal Christian context. With the excellent leadership of Rev. Ken Lewis we are very blessed.

Our mission includes elder care, such as friendly visiting, and outreach activities like Friends of Migrant Workers and the Clothing Depot. Come join us in our bright, centrally located and historic space.

Trinity­St. Andrew's is an Affirming Congregation and has a policy of full accessibility for those with disabilities.

TSA Trumpet

POINT-OF-VIEW

November 2016 TSA Trumpet is the newsletter of Trinity­St Andrew's United Church.

Our goal is to inform members and adherents of the activities and upcoming events in our fatih community MANAGING EDITOR Brian Ostrander COPY EDITOR Tammy Ostrander PUBLISHER TSA Public Relations & Publicity Committee Trinity­St Andrew's United Church 58 Prince Edward Street Brighton, Ontario K0K 1H0 613­475­1311 www.trinitystandrews.ca ADVERTISING Internal advertising for TSA functions is free of charge External advertising inquire tsatrumpet@gmail.com

Committee Chairs have been asked to submit articles for the Trumpet to talk about what their committee does and how things are going. We start with the Property Management and Maintenance Committee this month. This committee led by Jack Reed works hard to ensure that the real property of TSA is cared for and maintained. For a century and an half, good well meaning people have been custodians to this house of God. Some of us see an old church, a piece of Brighton's heritage. Some of us see a beautiful place to come worship our Lord, a new church home for those new to the community. And, some of us see the place in which we were baptized, confirmed and married. Some of us see the place where our grandparents and parents came to worship and where loved ones have been memorialized. Regardless, of how you see our church, we are grateful for the faithful people who help make sure that this space is well maintained where today's spiritual adventures begin.

We will also read that our youth teams and outreach teams continue to honour us with their hard work for our community. I hope they inspire you to get involved, or more involved.

Enjoy the read,

Brian Ostrander

Advertising in this newsletter does not consitite endorsement by Trinity­ St Andrew's United Church, nor guarantee quality, value or effectiveness of any products, services or methods advertised.

TSA Trumpet ­ November 2016 5

Council briefs

by Iain Henderson Members of the Executive of Trinity­St. Andrew's United Church Council met at 7.00 pm on Tuesday October 18, 2016. Rev. Lewis opened our meeting with a prayer. There was a full agenda and the following highlights some of the topics.

Sincere thanks were accorded to Elizabeth Scriven and the entire Outreach Committee for their ‘Cabaret Night’ fundraiser. The show was a ‘smash hit’ with the audience and this was reflected in the proceeds which totally repaid our earlier and unfunded contribution to BRING. An ad hoc committee was formed to search for a new Director of Music. The Music Director Search Committee (MDSC) will consist of Colin Wright, Jean Finkle, Pam Pettigrew, George Workman, Judy Murtha, Anne Roberts, Agnes Ward and Marilyn Edmonds representing a broad spectrum of committees and the congregation. Ken Laird has agreed to be an ex officio ‘advisor’, and we are also very grateful that he has also agreed to play the organ for the next few weeks.

With the resignation of Rob Blair as our Webmaster, this function has been taken over by the Publicity and Public Relations Committee.

They will look at making the site more attractive and functional. This committee also presented a proposed new church brochure, which was enthusiastically received and will be forwarded to the full Council for their approval.

A wide discussion was held on the Remits arising from the 42nd General Council. Copies of these are still available from the office. The Remits cover a proposed reorganization and a reduction (to three) of the levels of governance of the United Church of Canada.

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The Executive recommendations to Council are as follows: REMIT #1 Three Council Model. Recommended vote ‘for’.

REMIT #2 Elimination of Transfers and Settlements. Recommended vote ‘for’.

REMIT #3 Office of Vocation. Recommended vote ‘against’.

REMIT#4 Funding of New Model.

Recommended vote ‘for’.

The Finance Committee reported that we were still in the black on September 30 and generally meeting our budget, despite a reduction in hall rental income. The good news is that we are on track to make another extra payment against our mortgage! If we make an extra push for building fund donations during November and December, it is possible that we can reduce our outstanding mortgage to below $100,000.00 – a fantastic achievement in just five years!

The meeting closed at 9.15 pm.

Fundscrip

by Helen Bonisteel Here’s how it works: FundScrip gets a volume discount from major retailers across the country to buy large quantities of their ‘gift’ cards.

Supporters buy the cards at face value, and up to 10 per cent of their purchase will go back to Trinity­St. Andrew’s. Church members will order and pay for their everyday expenses using gift cards bought through FundScrip. Each purchase generates earnings for the church. Members are not paying out of pocket, and they shop where they would normally shop raising money with little effort. Members are merely changing their method of payment from using cash to using shopping/gift cards. Meanwhile, retailers benefit because they’re acquiring new customers and getting new traffic into their stores.

FundScrip has over 100 retailers on board ranging from Sobey’s, No Frills, Ultramar, Sears, Home Hardware, Canadian Tire, Shopper’s Drug Mart, Cineplex, Giant Tiger and Chapters etc.

• Supporters will be asked to fill out a form to select and purchase cards to all the stores where you usually shop. Then you total the amount.

• Hand in your form and cash or cheque (made out to Trinity­St. Andrew’s) for the total amount.

• The forms and money will be collected every first Sunday of the month. (See Helen Bonisteel or Sheena Smith) • Your order of store cards will be available the third Sunday of every month. Each order comes in its own envelope and clearly labelled for distribution • With cards from over 100 retailers, there is no need to change your shopping habits • Pay with shopping cards instead of credit/debit/cash for your everyday items and gifts

• Each purchase generates earnings for TSA that can quickly add up over time • There is no expiry date on these cards You may want to order Gift Cards in time for Christmas...easy shopping!!! Order forms can be obtained from the plastic holder next to the hall bulletin board. Any questions, please see Sheena Smith or Helen Bonisteel.

TSA Trumpet ­ November 2016 7

Orange the World

by Grandmother's Advocacy Network The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender­Based Violence is an international campaign which takes place each year and runs from 25 November (International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women) to 10 December (Human Rights Day).

In support of this civil society initiative, each year the United Nations Secretary­General’s campaign UNiTE to End Violence against Women calls for global action to increase worldwide awareness and create opportunities for discussion about challenges and solutions.

The UNiTE Campaign uses the colour ORANGE as a uniting theme symbolizing a brighter future. The initiative calls on all people in all parts of the world to “ORANGE THE WORLD” and step up the efforts to eliminate violence against women and girls.

The advocacy focus of the 2016 UNiTE Orange campaign is to implement the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development as it relates to violence against women and girls.

Despite the international community’s visible interest and political will to address this global pandemic of violence, there is still a lack of adequate and sustained resources.

This is why the 2016 UNiTE to End Violence against Women Campaign invites governments, UN agencies, civil society organizations and individuals from all countries of the world to mark the 16 Days of Activism by calling for political commitments to be matched with specific ACTION 8 TSA Trumpet ­ November 2016

and adequate FUNDING to prevent and end violence against women and girls worldwide.

While the Orange Campaign can be a call to raise awareness in Canada, we also see it as an opportunity to raise awareness of violence against women in sub­Saharan Africa. Violence can take many forms including the deprivation and neglect of grandmothers and women in sub­ Saharan Africa; child, early and forced marriage; violence in schools; and sexual violence against women and girls in conflict zones.

That is why GRAN is taking part in the United Nations Orange Campaign with the theme “ORANGE THE WORLD: RAISE MONEY TO END VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN”. This campaign is international and will advocate for new and increased funding for programs that aim to reduce violence against women and girls around the world.

Profile of migrant workers

by Helmut Enns & Sharon Graham When Maxwell was young, growing up in Buff Bay, Jamaica, his parents were chocolate farmers. After his father died when Maxwell was only 12, it fell to his mother to manage the farm as well as the family. To make things worse, soon there was no money in chocolate. The family transitioned to coffee and luckily this was a good move. Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee, Maxwell proudly states, is the very best and most expensive coffee in the world. So why does he come to Canada? As you may expect, Maxwell, his sister and mother get very, very little of the $80.00 a pound you have to pay for this coffee. Their 3 acres of trees are over a mile past the end of the road. Every pound of coffee, every can of spray, every tool must be carried up or down the mountain. To get to the end of the road, Maxwell must take a taxi. When he flies home from Canada, the only way home from the airport is a $100.00 taxi. There is no money for luxuries like vehicles. This farm cannot support the family, pay for his 25 year old son’s bio­chemistry degree, or allow his 23 year old daughter to attend college. And when they graduate? The best hope is to leave Jamaica and find a job.

So for up to 8 months a year, for the last 24 years, Maxwell has worked in the peach farms of Niagara and the apple orchards near us.

About 6 years ago his wife also managed to get on the program, and now she works with cherries in B.C. I asked Maxwell what he missed the most about home, and after a long pause he spoke of the Mango harvest in summer. When I asked what he would do for enjoyment when he got home, he said he would go straight to work.

The trees need tending and his 90 year old mother is bed ridden. “In Jamaica we don’t put the old

people in homes.” As for fun, he said there wouldn’t be much of that because his wife doesn’t get home until January.

Maxwell was quite puzzled about how we could survive winter. “What do you do?” “How many stores stay open?” For the next 4­6 months, he will be glad to be home in the dry heat of Jamaica. The good news and the bad news is that in a few months he will leave the home he loves heading back to Canada, hoping to improve the lives of his children.

John is always ready to say grace, or lead the group in an hour of non­stop Jamaican gospel music. But that is not what John wanted to talk about. John said he was pleased to be part of the Seasonal Agricultural Workers (SAW) program, a program between the Canadian Government and his government. He is proud of the contribution he makes to our country, working to maintain the orchard and harvest the apples, work that few Canadians are willing to TSA Trumpet ­ November 2016 9

do. With this money, he can pay college and university fees for his children, and support his family in other ways.

John does have some concerns though, and this was what he most wanted to share. Foreign workers brought to Canada for seasonal farm employment are seeing no employment insurance (EI) benefits for what they and their employers pay into the EI program. Not only can they not claim EI when not working. As of 2014 the EI rules have largely cut them off from benefits such as parental, maternal and “compassionate care”. John says the workers need someone to speak up for them, someone to address this issue. And there are a few others. Why are they not allowed to bring their wives over for a visit? Why can they not apply for permanent residency? Why, unlike Canadian seasonal workers, are they treated as disposable entities, only allowed here when there is work, and sent packing to save the Canadian system any costs like health care for the rest of the year? Yet, who will approach the government on John’s behalf?

Meet Terry, who is now completing his 17th year of leaving his home and family in Santa Cruz Jamaica, to come and work in Dunnett Orchards in Brighton. Terry is a soft spoken man who sometimes offers tiny gems of wisdom once he overcomes his initial shyness. Since 2000, during his time here, Terry has wired money home to his family every “pay day” of the month except for one; he keeps back one week’s wages to pay for that month’s groceries.

In the 6 months that he spends in Jamaica, Terry works at growing peanuts. With no means of irrigation, drought often wipes out a season’s work but in “a good year” he sells his peanuts in markets in Kingston and Montego Bay. Meet Trevor, who has been coming to Dunnett 10 TSA Trumpet ­ November 2016

Orchards for 27 years. His home is in the Kingston area, near Maypen, a town the size of Brighton. He started his work here in 1990 and most of the workers who have come to work at Dunnett Orchards since that time have learned the skills of maintaining a healthy apple crop from Trevor and his co­worker, Devon, who has been coming one year longer. Trevor typically works here from June through October, earning the necessary money over the years to pay for school tuitions, books and uniforms for his children’s education. This year he has been working to give that same opportunity to his four year old grandson. Back home in Jamaica, he works at masonry but the work is sparse. Terry nods in agreement when Trevor says that, although the hours are long, the work is hard, and it’s difficult to be away from home, the money they can contribute to their families is well worth it. Trevor explains it this way: “We are lookin’ for a better life for our families.”

Amen to that.

property Management and Maintenance

by Jack Reed As you can see, this committee has undergone a name change. We now have the additional role of property managers in addition to our previous mandate of maintenance. The Property committee currently is comprised of nine members who ensure the operational up­keep and care of all church property and surrounding gardens. The committee chair now assumes the role of property manager, organizing external inspections and contracts that are annually required. The spacious new hall addition completed in 2011, includes a modern kitchen, offices and washrooms. The mechanical equipment that operates the complex are industrial sized with sophisticated controls, that require ongoing servicing and maintenance. The heating and air conditioning for this facility is provided by two large natural gas commercial roof top units.

The kitchen is equipped with a restaurant grade gas cooking eight burner range, a stove hood with a fire suppressant ventilation system, a plumbing drain system that has a grease trapping feature and a high capacity commercial hot water tank. All this commercial equipment and space facilitates the busy working environment needed to produce large volumes of meals for various church and community events and weekly scheduled events such as Meals on Wheels and Suppers Ready.

This kitchen’s gas and safety equipment is provincially regulated to have annual inspections that requires maintenance by licensed technicians.

The Property Committee now has the responsibility to schedule, manage and document these mandatory inspections and take action to repair and make safe any failed equipment.

The manse has been converted back to a residential property that is now rented to a third party. This committee now has a role of landlord on behalf of the church, to maintain the

home’s structure, heating equipment and household appliances. The service centre property is currently the home of the Clothing Depot store on the lower floor, while the upper floor is a rental facility now occupied by a model train club. This building is also maintained by the Property Committee.

The 167 year old sanctuary requires regular attention to manage any issues of structural wear that results from deterioration caused by time and weather. Brick decay, wood rot, water leaks and plaster issues are just a few of the challenges that are dealt with. Regular monitoring is required to identify building problems before they become costly repairs, then arrange for the appropriate trade contractor to quote and perform the required restoration work.

Committee members volunteer many hours performing building maintenance that uses their various skills in whatever capacity possible to accomplish the lowest cost repair to the church.

With the rewards of keeping our church buildings maintained comes the burden of outsourcing costs, due to equipment complexity, building utilities, insurance and regulations that now require servicing from qualified professionals. Before the new hall was built, this committee could function with a annual budget of around three thousand dollars. Today the church’s operating expenses have risen approximately seven fold beyond the pre­hall budgets of yesterday, resulting in a cost of tens of thousands of dollars or more.

Today’s demands of maintaining Trinity ­ St. Andrew’s to be the vibrant hub of our church and community activities, requires this committee’s vigilance to respond quickly to maintenance issues, so that we keep the lights on and the doors open, to welcome all to our progressive church.

TSA Trumpet ­ November 2016 11

On this harvest moon

by Elizabeth Scriven

The outreach committee can't thank everyone who participated enough. We were thrilled with the wonderful performance that we were honoured to present and we would like to thank Ian Simpson & Stephanie Bird for their leadership. Everyone who performed lives in the area and I would ask you to thank them when you see them. We are blessed to have such talented and giving people living here. We would also like to thank all the people who contributed the wonderful silent auction items, the loan of tables, candles, lamps, sound equipment and delicious sweet treats. I would also like to thank Cheers for their support with the sparkling wines.

The bottom line is that we were able to cover the amount that we gave to BRING which was over $5000 .

VBS Reunion

by Cindy Clitherow It was a VBS youth volunteer reunion on Friday, October 14! We had so much fun together in the summer ­ we thought we would try it again in the fall ­ so on a beautiful moonlit night we headed out for a hayride (complete with a jog through the corn field) and a bonfire. S'mores and hot chocolate to finish off the night! We hope to do it again in the winter....

Christianity's family tree

by Iain Henderson

There is a video presentation available that explores what other Christians believe and why.

The denominations featured are: Eastern Orthodoxy, Roman Catholicism, Lutheranism, Anabaptists, Presbyterianism, Anglicanism, Baptists, Pentecostalism & Methodism This presentation runs over eleven (11) weekly periods of two hours each. Depending on the response, we could offer a five week programme in spring with the remaining six in the fall.

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Please advise the office of your interest, or sign up on the bulletin board.

Estate administration tax

by Dave Sharp Did you know that with proper financial planning that you can minimize the impact of the new Estate Administration Tax (E.A.T.) which was formerly known as Probate. The new paperwork requirements associated with E.A.T. are huge and now, they have penalties if not done properly. Typically, there are no issues when assets are transferred to the last surviving spouse…the big issue is how do we transfer these same assets down to our heirs with minimal hassles and all the costs associated with this new tax, which can quickly gobble up 4­10% of your estate. Did you know it can take months to transfer your financial assets down to your heirs but with the right fit, it can be days….

Some homes also use Joint Ownership with a child to minimize this impact but this is like stepping out of the frying pan into the fire and is typically not recommended. There are serious implications that could materialize so you should be using professional advice to potentially overcome the problem. If the new Estate Administration Tax is a concern to you, or you have any questions on financial management, speak to your financial advisor, most will offer a no obligation of your particular situation.

TSA Trumpet ­ September 2016 13

Parting the corn

by Cindy Clitherow

Like Moses, who we have been studying in Sunday School this month, the kids headed to Cricklewood Corn Maze to "part the corn stalks" for some fun and fellowship in early October. It was a great morning for all ­ a walk through the maze and some apple cider to top it off! Thanks to Dads Jay and Kevin who accompanied the kids through the maze and to the Moms who were there when the kids emerged...some earlier than others!

Hell is a place where the visitors wear name tags

by Lillian Daniel

"Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it." ­ Hebrews 13:2 Asking visitors to announce themselves in church signals the rarity of the occasion.

Asking them to wear a visitor name tag, when 14 TSA Trumpet ­ November 2016

no one else is wearing one, is even worse.

The long term church members are the ones who should wear the name tags, for the benefit of the one person who might be their guest that day. But sadly, church members seldom do. "We all know each other, we don't need name tags," they say, or, "Why everyone here knows me!" when they want to be totally transparent about their narcissism. Heaven forbid the club members extend themselves for the stranger. But isn't that exactly what we are supposed to do?

It is the self­centered church that wants the newcomer to make welcoming easier for the people who are already there. Maybe they think not wearing a name tag is a perk of membership, like sitting in the very back pew when most of the church is empty.

Membership has its privileges, like rubbing non­ members' noses in their lack of belonging with a visitor name tag, only to be removed when they decide to become members, at which point they will have earned the right to refuse to wear a name tag too.

Everything we do in church ought to include the possibility that this is not a show we put on for one another, but a powerful connection between all of humanity and God. If we believe that worship is better when we do it together, it's got to be even more spectacular if we haven't met everyone there before.

Treat the stranger like an angel, and make them welcome. Wear name tags or don't, I don't care. Just don't ask the visitor to be more outgoing than you are.

Hospitality is the work of the host, not the guest.

next issue Next Trumpet, December 11, 2016 Deadline for submissions: December 2nd Church pick­up will be Sunday December 11th Articles may be submitted to the church office or via via e­mail to: TSAtrumpet@gmail.com

Calendar of Events Sunday, November 6th

Remembrance Service at 10:30 a.m.

Trumpet September Issue released

Sunday, November 13th

Service at 10:30 a.m.

Tuesday, November 15th

TSAUC Council at 7:00 p.m.

Sunday October 23rd

Service at 10:30 a.m.

Friday, November 25th

Men's Coffee Hour at 2:00pm

Sunday, November 27th

Service at 10:30 a.m.