Pictou County Council of Churches holds annual meeting

The PCCC held its annual meeting on May 2 at Stella Maris Hall in Pictou.

President, Rev. Jim Webber Cook called the meeting to order, followed by a meditational devotional. Rev. Bonnie Quinn read scripture from Luke 24: 13-35, On the Road to Emmaus. Rev. Webber-Cook put on music in the background, “Stay With Us Through the Night,” asking everyone to close their eyes. A time of silence and meditation followed, as he asked us some questions of what we were experiencing as we walked along the road. A very moving experience.

Information on events of the 25th anniversary of the Westray Mining Disaster was discussed and a remembrance time was observed.

Bob Rogers read a note on the grateful remembrance of Rev. Sydney Mifflin. Delta Van-Buskirk spoke about the Archway Counselling Pastors tea and information meeting that was planned for May 10.

Rev. Charles McPherson reported on the spiritual care at the hospital and the marriage preparation course that took place in April. Shirley MacKay reported on the Fuel Fund. Bob Rogers said all was going well at the lunchroom; it had to close for three days this winter because of storms. The social action committee reported that health care (including mental health), refugee initiatives, shelter progress and those at home struggling with issues remain active on their agenda.

Emma Campbell gave the financial report. A reminder that Church Alive airs each Sunday at 8:15 a.m. on ECFM 94.1 from September to June with Stephen Goodwin. Georgie Dewey reported on the media committee that includes nursing home church services, Eastlink TV Services, Faith for Today in The News, Church Alive and the prayer roaster. Thank you Georgie for your dedication and keeping everyone on track.

There is a Warm Hearts Gospel concert coming up, time and place to be announced later.

The council was pleased to welcome Jonathan English, regional director of Prison Fellowship Canada, as guest speaker.

Prison Fellowship started small in 1980 and is now in over 120 countries of the world. They have fellowship time with inmates and fund Bibles to prisons. Issues of crime are very expensive in the prisons. The goals of prison ministry are:

1. to bring love, hope, compassion of Christ to the local prisons.

2. develop curriculum for the prisons to reach people for Christ.

3. parenting courses – how to be a parent to their children.

4. Pen pal program (outside of provinces).

5. kids get stigma from parents in jail – seven out of 10 will follow the path of parents in jail, developed the angel tree program to bring Christian program, like camp for the children (Angel Tree Camp).

6. After Care – inmates reenter communities, commit at least a year to released prisoners. Thirty-nine per cent of inmates have full families, the rest are from broken families, there is a need to break the cycle. We must bring hope to the inmates, accept them as they are by bringing love, belonging, affirmed them that they worthy and encourage them to move forward.

Don Haggard is the new director for the Canadian Bible Society and Nancy Langille asked the churches for a contact person for the society. Bob Rogers will be the new president for the PCCC. Next executive meeting will be Sept. 5, 10 a.m. at St. John’s church, New Glasgow, and the next council meeting will be Oct. 3 at the same place.