905-885-2421 - 34 South St. Port Hope ON L1A3C7 info@porthopeunitedchurch.com

United Church Women (UCW)

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Port Hope UCW (United Church Women) continues to be a vibrant group consisting of ALL the women in our Community of Faith. We have 3 active UCW groups that meet on a monthly basis for prayer and reflection, informative programs, social time as well as planning upcoming events. We are always looking for new members to attend our meetings so please reach out to Betty Beharry-Lall, Joy-Ann Moore, Liz Davidson or Val Nippard if you require further information re meeting dates and times or have any questions.

Our Tuesday Morning Group continued to meet throughout the year in Cronk Hall and, in the better weather outside, from 9:30-11:30. Our focus is on preparing items for the Christmas Fayre …. and socializing, of course! In addition, members knit or crochet prayer shawls which are dispersed within our own Community of Faith and others including regular donations to Ed’s House in Cobourg. We will be holding a celebratory lunch February 21st to commemorate all our achievements. Again, these meetings are open to ALL the women of our Community of Faith as well as others in the local community.

Our annual Christmas Fayre is traditionally the highlight of our year and a major fundraising event for us. The Fayre was held Saturday November 16 and ran from 10:00-1:00. There were many attendees from both within our Church family and the broader community and it definitely was a success as we raised almost $8,000.00! Thanks to all the planners, bakers, workers, shoppers, indeed everyone who helped to make this work. Due to our aging Community of Faith and limited physical abilities, discussions are underway as to the format for future Fayre and fundraising events so please stay tuned for further info.

Your UCW was able to meet ALL its budgeted allocations for 2024, and in some cases exceed them, including:

  1. $7000 for PH United church general fund
  2. $5000 for M&S (Mission and Service)
  3. $2000 United Church of Canada, Gifts with Vision
  4. $1000 Habitat for Humanity
  5. $660 Women’s Inter Church Council of Canada (World Day of Prayer service offering)
  6. $1000 Community Care Northumberland (Ed’s House included in their mandate)
  7. $1000 Five Counties school programs
  8. $500 Hills and Shores Presbyterial
  9. $500 for Camp Quin-Mo-Lac
  10. $500 Canadian Foodgrains
  11. $750 Provincial Youth Hub – Rev Kev’s walk
  12. $500 for the Sandy-Saulteaux Centre
  13. $500 Port Hope Fayre Share (Tom Jackson appeal)
  14. $1550 Gratuities to staff of PH United

TOTAL DONATIONS for 2024: $22,560

A full accounting of both our receipts and expenses for 2024 will be detailed in our 2025 Budget spreadsheet which will also include our projected numbers for 2025. A HUGE thank you to Janet Tedford and Anita Cotter, our UCW treasurers, who are instrumental in maintaining and recording our finances and ensuring we meet all budgeted items. We would not be as successful as we are without their due diligence!

Port Hope UCW likes to share in the celebrations and concerns of our Church family by sending cards to mark their special occasions and/or to offer comfort or solace. In 2024 our Keeping in Touch prime, Sheila Stiles, sent out:

 

  1. 2 Anniversary cards
  2. 12 over 90 Birthday cards
  3. 1 Congratulation
  4. 16 Get well cards
  5. 14 Thinking of you cards
  6. 3 Thank You cards
  7. 14 Sympathy cards
  8. TOTAL: 62 CARDS SENT

In addition to cards being sent, a total of 19 prayer shawls were dispersed both within our own Community of Faith and the wider community, in particular Ed’s House. These shawls were lovingly knitted or crocheted by our Tuesday Morning Group and were accompanied by a short prayer card and a gold cross. We have received many compliments and sincere thanks by all the recipients and plan to continue and expand this meaningful dialogue with those who are hurting and need a tangible token of our thoughts and prayers.

A total of 90 prayer shawls have been dispersed since we started the program in 2016. What a remarkable achievement! Kudos to all those involved in this very special mission.

Port Hope UCW is proud of our roots and our heritage within our own community and the Hills and Shores Presbytery. Similar to many other United Churches we have undergone many changes and anticipate more to come but with such a faithful, dedicated group of women we are certain that the UCW will remain, as it always has, an integral part of the United Church of Canada.

Val Nippard, President