St. John’s United Church, Alliston

Social Action

St. John’s has a long history of community involvement. For more information about any of these activities, contact [email protected]. Information on our past activities can be found on the Social Justice Archives page.

Outreach donation 2022 to Stevenson Memorial Hospital

Outreach donation 2022 to S.H.I.F.T.

Outreach donation 2022 to Good Shepherd Food Bank

Hungry/Homeless

S.H.I.F.T.

Support and Hope for Individuals and Families Today

S.H.I.F.T is an organization located in Alliston that provides safe, respectful, and welcoming overnight accommodations, meals and supports to those experiencing or at-risk of experiencing homelessness and/or food insecurity in South Simcoe. They are committed to facilitating connection to further services, resources, and community.

S.H.I.F.T runs three programs: Outreach (year-round); Daytime Drop-in (November to April), and Emergency Overnight Shelter (November to April). St. John’s United Church and the Mission and Outreach Committee have been involved in two ways: providing a meal for clients, prepared and served by volunteers from the congregation, and taking part in the annual ‘Coldest Night of the Year’ fundraising walk, held annually in February.

St. John's Community Garden

St John’s United Church has maintained a community garden since 2015. All produce is delivered to the Good Shepherd Food Bank in Alliston or the Random Acts of Alliston Kindness (RAAK) community fridge and pantry at 220 Beattie Avenue in Alliston. Over the years, we have appreciated helpers from the CLASS Passages program as well as from youth volunteering for their high school Community Services credit. These helpers water, weed and have delivered the produce to the Food Bank or RAAK weekly.

Good Shepherd Food Bank

Benevolent Fund

Refugees

For many years, St. John’s United Church has sponsored refugees. Our most recent sponsorship was in 2016, when we joined other churches and community groups to bring a Syrian refugee family to Alliston. Today we are proud to report that both parents have full time employment and the family is very happy to have freedom and safety in Canada.

In the summers of 2021 and 2022, Majida and her sister Juli volunteered to help care for St. John’s United Church’s Community Garden. Their help was greatly appreciated by the garden, the Food Bank and church members who maintain the garden.

In 2023, as a Grade 10 student, Majida was invited to participate in a forum sponsored by Immigration Partnerships (pictured here). Many community organizations met to develop a new strategic plan for immigration in South Simcoe. As a result of Majida's contributions to the discussions there, she is now a Diversity Ambassador in Banting High School. Her older sister is graduating from high school with goals of becoming a police officer. The older brother, Mohammad is in high school and the younger, Adam, is in elementary school.

Members of our congregation continue to support the family in navigating the complexities of Canadian education, citizenship, health and financial institutions.

Indigenous Peoples

Aboriginal Sunday (closest to June 21)

(Photo: Star Blanket presented to St. John's by Cheryl Jourdain, All Native Circle Conference speaker, June 21, 2015)

St. John’s has recognized Aboriginal Sunday for many years, offering guest speakers such as the Very Reverend Stan McKay, first Aboriginal Moderator of the United Church, to further our awareness of the need for right relations with Indigenous people.

Our Minister Rev. Sungmin Jung offered services recognizing Aboriginal Sunday by means of YouTube during the pandemic when the church was closed.

St. John’s has hosted several popular Introduction to Indigenous Issues series presented by Ojibway traditional teacher Glenn Trivett.

In 2023, St. John's selected Water First for the Lenten Project. "For all of us living on Mother Earth, water is essential and the essence of life. If we work together, as we do at Water First, as Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples, we'll all be in a stronger position to protect and ensure safe, clean water - both today and for future generations". Jeannette Corbiere Lavell, C.M. Indigenous Advisory Council Member, Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory. For more information, see Lenten Project information below.

Environmental Stewardship

Climate Action

New Tec Climate Action is a community group initiated by members of St. John’s United Church in 2019. The aim is to share information, and work with municipal government on local climate action. On February 27, 2020, the group hosted a public screening of Resilience, a climate change film of action and hope. www.resiliencedoc.info. Before meetings were put on hold due to Covid-19, the group decided to provide the community with a responsible solution to oral care waste. In partnership with TerraCycle (www.TerraCycle.ca), an Oral Care Waste and Packaging Box was installed in the church’s entrance foyer. The community is invited to collect toothbrushes, toothpaste tubes, and floss containers, then deposit them into this box. These will be shipped to TerraCycle for recycling.

In 2020, the group joined 30 other community groups to advocate for a Just Recovery from the pandemic. The principles are to invest in people, invest in communities and invest in nature. We know that status quo solutions have exacerbated inequality, financial instability and climate change. We need sustainable, proven and just policies. A letter was sent to every town councillor, MPP and MP across the county (including New Tec). Check out the Just Recovery website for more details. Of note, one of the recommendations is for municipalities to declare a climate emergency and commit to strong action plans.

In early 2021, one of the group members, Stephanie Wolfe, joined the newly formed Town of New Tecumseth Environmental Advisory Committee. Agendas, minutes and meeting recordings are available online. Note that climate solutions were discussed at the May 25, 2021 meeting, with other meetings covering topics such as urban forestry, water conservation and Low Impact Development. The Town is drafting a Community Climate Action Plan in consultation with the EAC during working sessions such as the EAC meeting on April 26, 2023.

For more information, check out www.facebook.com/New-Tec-Climate-109709457171528 or email [email protected].

Lenten Fund

In 2020, S.H.I.F.T (Support and Hope for Individuals and Families Today), formerly Alliston Out of the Cold, was the recipient of the Lenten Project donations.

In 2021 and 2022, Youth Haven was the beneficiary of the generous Lenten donation. Youth Haven’s vision is “Together, empowering vulnerable youth to become successful adults” with a mission of “inspiring vulnerable youth to reach their full potential with the support of community”. In 2021, Youth Haven was able to offer support over 300 times, averaging 29 youth being serviced monthly. They also partnered with other community providers in the development of other programs for youth including the Safe Business Program, Community Connection Backpack Program and a Furniture Bank Program.

In 2023, Water First was the recipient of the generous Lenten donation totalling $2, 683.25.

Water First is a non-profit organization that is working toward sustainable access to safe, clean water in Indigenous communities throughout Canada.

Water First works with communities to provide locally based education and training opportunities for young Indigenous adults to gain technical skills required to monitor and provide safe, clean water to their communities.

Community Groups Using our Facilities

St. John’s is pleased to support the following groups by providing regular meeting space in our church:

Alliston Garden Club – last Tuesday of the month – 7:00 p.m.

Alzheimer Society of Simcoe County – 3rd Monday of the Month – 10:00 a.m.

Girl Guides of Canada

- 1st Alliston Guides - Mondays, 6:30 p.m.

– 2nd Alliston Sparks – Wednesdays, 6:30 p.m.

- 4th Alliston Embers – Thursdays, 6:30 p.m.

- 1st Alliston Pathfinder/Ranger unit - Mondays, 6:15 p.m.

Quilting Corners Guild – 1st Tuesday of the month – 7:00 p.m.

Check our Calendar for regular weekly and monthly events