Alberta Alongside Hope Reps Meet at National Gathering

While participating in the Alongside Hope (formerly called the Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund) national gathering, held in Hamilton last week, Jeffrey Hanger, Edmonton Diocesan Rep, heard an Alongside Hope partner organisation about a project to help a community in Zimbabwe recover from a devastating storm.

“It was no ordinary storm that took away homes, land, soil and livelihoods, leaving people stranded,” says Hanger. But Farai Gumisai, Agroecology Lead, Towards Sustainable Use of Resources Organization (TSURO) Trust, shared how he was able, at great risk, to get to the nearest town and summon help.

“The TSURO Trust is now leading discussions on agroecology, agriculture that builds soil health, improves water quality, protects seeds, empowers women and makes communities more resilient in rural Zimbabwe. And Alongside Hope is there with them,” says Hanger.

At the gathering of Alongside Hope diocesan reps, staff, board and youth council members from across the country, Hanger learned more about the resources available to parishes for Creation Care: Climate Action and reconciliation. He says the Rev. Helen Chan Bennett, an honorary assistant at St. Augustine’s, Edmonton, is currently taking training to lead Alongside Hope's “Mapping the Ground We Stand On” workshop which explores Indigenous presence and Settler arrival on the map of Turtle Island/Canada.

“We also looked at the World of Gifts program and legacy donations,” he says.

At the gathering, Hanger met Lois Reid, the new Calgary Diocesan Rep, and together, he says, “We will work to raise awareness of these and other Alongside Hope initiatives, many of which are supported by individuals and parishes in our dioceses.”

For more information about Alongside Hope, please email Jeffrey Hanger: Jeffhanger71@gmail.com

Pictured: Jeff Hanger (right) and Lois Reid, Alongside Hope Edmonton and Calgary diocesan reps, with executive director Will Postma.