…and what does the Lord require of you, but, to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? (Micah 6:8)
The mandate of the Outreach and Social Justice Working Group is to raise awareness of local, national, and global issues of social justice by means of study, education, and advocacy, and, to make recommendations for outreach and response to these issues.
At present, OSJWG is responsible for:
- Commitment to support Canada Food Grains “Partners in Hope Project”
- Support of Community Care West Niagara (through the GPS/365 Committee)
- Provision of 250 Welcome Bags for Mexican Migrant Workers in Lincoln
- Support of refugees as part of the multi-faith Bridge of Hope Program, St. Catharines
- Education and advocacy concerning Indigenous issues through education about Indigenous life, culture, issues, and concerns, and through the use of the Settler Acknowledgement of Indigenous Land presented at each Sunday service
- Provision of donations for the Shelter Programme of Out of the Cold, Start Me Up Niagara, in
St. Catharines - Provision of donations for purchase of supplies for the Silver Spire United Church Showers Project for the unhoused, in St Catharines
- Commitment to supporting the Mission and Service Fund, United Church of Canada
Mexican Migrant Workers Project
This project began at St. Alban’s Anglican Church, Beamsville in 2013, with the collection and repair of bicycles for the Mexican migrant workers.
In 2014, the Outreach and Social Justice Committee from Trinity met with Dr. Fraser MacKay from St. Catharines who wished to start a programme at St.Alban’s for medical support for the workers. Trinity United Church became involved with this programme for Migrant workers supporting Pastor Javier Arias of St. Alban’s.
In 2016, the Campesino Project, later called “The Hub”, began at St.Alban’s, holding Sunday evening dinners and a worship service for the workers. Eventually, “The Hub” was open every Thursday late afternoon and evening. This continues today. Medical, legal, computer, ESL, and social supports are supplied, as well as, provision of clothing and food products that reflect Mexican culture. St. Alban’s congregants prepared Welcome Bags for the workers when they arrived in Lincoln.
Members from Trinity provided dinners on two Sundays, as well as organizing transportation to these.
In 2018, Fr. Arias left, and Fr. Antonio Ilias was hired as the Anglican Diocese Missioner to oversee the Project. Caron Edwards, a parishioner at St. Alban’s was in charge of the Project.
The Project was put on hold in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Caron organized supports for grocery delivery every Friday, which Trinity parishioners helped to deliver to the doorsteps of the workers.
The Outreach and Social Justice Working Group (OSJWG) at Trinity took full responsibility for the Welcome Bags in 2020, filling 300 Bags and delivering them to the workers. We continue to do this to present day.
Every year, Trinity hosts a concert with WomEnchant Choir, the proceeds from which support Mexican migrant workers.
OSJWG participates in webinars, ZOOM events, with Kairos Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives, as well as, the Migrant Workers Alliance for Change, in our commitment to learn how to further advocate for migrant workers in Canada.