Bringing Water to Malawi – In rural Malawi, too many people are forced to drink contaminated water—an issue Justin Zauya struggled with as the headman for his village. Before a borehole was installed in his community through PWS&D’s clean water program, people in his village travelled long distances to collect water and regularly drank from an unclean stream that ran nearby. The new borehole had a dramatic impact, improving the health and quality of life for all. “We are very thankful to PWS&D for providing us with a borehole to access safe drinking water,” Justin says. “This borehole is not only benefitting 175 households in my village, but also other households from surrounding villages.” Your ongoing support of PW&SD helps build healthier communities in Malawi and around the world. Thank you! www.presbyterian.ca/pwsd

Deadline for Canada Youth 2012 extended till May 31st! - The registration deadline for Canada Youth 2012 has been extended to May 31st, 2012, APPLY NOW!

If you haven’t heard already, Canada Youth 2012 is a tri-annual gathering of youth, young adults and youth leaders from across the country and guests from around the world. Since 2000, CY has been a gathering place for Presbyterian youth to worship, play, create, learn, dance, act, make new friends, study scripture, share joy, laugh, discover, play crazy games, reflect, pray, sing and share. CY is a time and a place to celebrate youth and youth ministry in The Presbyterian Church in Canada.

Registration is currently underway . . . don’t miss out on this great event! Deadline is extended to May 31st, 2012.

More formation is attached here; registration forms available at www.canadayouth.ca.

For further information, please do not hesitate to contact Jo Morris, CY2012 Coordinator at 403-982-0094 or CanadaYouth2012@presbyterian.ca. 

It’s Monday morning at Anishinabe Fellowship Centre,- part of Winnipeg Inner City Missions in Winnipeg, MB. Susan Currie, the parish social worker, stands with volunteer Michael in a brief moment of calm before the front door bursts open and a little boy runs in, his face shining. He can barely stand still while his aunt helps him off with his coat and shoes, and then he races into the small room to play with some brightly coloured toy trucks.

 Learning and Play is under way! – Winnipeg Inner City Missions’ Learning and Play program is using play to help children build self-esteem and learn new skills. It provides a safe space for children and their caregivers to come together, away from the streets where gang members and other dangers lurk. It nurtures joy and excitement and provides an opportunity for caregivers to seek advice on social concerns and/or parenting issues.

Shelter from the Cold

After massive flooding destroyed homes and livelihoods and inundated over a million acres of farmland, many people in Pakistan were left without homes or a source of income. Forced to live out in the open, without shelter from the elements or protection for their families, many feared the approaching winter season. In response, PWS&D partners provided 776 flood-affected families with shelter kits, each containing a winterized tent, plastic sheet and blankets. “We are now saved from the harsh winter,” declared Dhany, a 68-year-old widow. With your support, PWS&D can continue to assist those recovering from tremendous loss in Pakistan with the assistance they need to rebuild and recover. www.presbyterian.ca/pwsd

•  Thank you to everyone who has participated in or helped with the special services during Holy Week! Special thanks to the Word In Motion group for puppetry and the presentation Good Friday. We thank Norbert Wuertz for technology. We would also like to thank the Kent Building Supplies for the donation of paint and the Home Depot for the donation of moving boxes for practie and performance.
•  Rev. Beth will be away on Study Leave from April 16th until the  25^th. She will be at the Women Touched By Grace program – which is a spiritual renewal program for women clergy serving in congregations. She will be at the Benedict Inn and Retreat Centre in Beech Grove, Indiana. Please pray for her and the others involved with this program. While she is away Rev. Steven Stead will be covering for emergencies, and Bobby Vail will conduct worship on April 22nd – please come out and hear the message God has given him for us.
• Prayer Meeting on Monday, April 23^rd   will be at    the home of Shirley and Philip Weatherbee.  Consider this your invitation to attend. Note – there will NOT be a meeting tomorrow evening.
• Joint Session will NOT BE MEETING  on April 19 at Brookfield Church at 7:30pm
• Bible Study will resume on April 29^th at Hunter River Church.  Everyone welcome
• Saturday, April 21 – The Word In Motion group will meet at 7:00pm in the Glasgow Road Church Hall. If you would like to know more about our group and about bring God’s Word to life through drama, clowning, puppets, and other ways – please come along.
• April 22^nd  – Fundraising Concert at Wheatley River Hall on Rackham’s Lane, Sunday, April  22^nd , 2012 at 7:30.  MC is Ken Williams, 50/50 Draw;  Performers include:  Just for Fun Band, various instruments;  Erskine Smith, story teller; Bernie MacIntyre, songs and guitar;  Brad Trivers sing-along/guitar ;  Helena Stead, songs;  and Fallon Mawhinney, folk, acoustic guitar. 
• April 20^th – There will be a Trivia night at Hunter River Lion’s Club on Friday, April 20^th   at 6:30 p.m.  The proceeds go to the Muscular Dystrophy and ALS.  We will be serving chili and rolls first.  Cost $10.
• April 27 -  6:30 pm  Meet Your Neighbor Pot Luck Supper at Glasgow Road Church hall sponsored by the Women’s Institute. There will be games, fellowship and an auction with proceeds going to charity.
• April 28^th – Chile/ Chowder/Dessert Supper at Brookfield Presbyterian Church Hall on Saturday, April 28^th from 3:30 – 6:30pm.  Donations accepted for the church’s painting fund.
• See the information on the 28^th Annual Atlantic Women’s Christian Retreat on May 4, 5 & 6, 2012 at The Rodd Brudenell Resort, Georgetown Royalty, PE   Hosted by WellSpring Presbyterian Church.

Caring for Vulnerable Orphans

• Wongani is one of over 500,000 orphans living in Malawi. He has faced many obstacles in his life, including the loss of his parents when he was just nine months old and severe malnutrition by age one. Despite these early challenges, Wongani has a bright future ahead of him thanks to a PWS&D supported orphan care program. Now 11 years old, he is at a healthy weight and height and is excelling in his studies at the Apasta Primary School. Through PWS&D, Presbyterians in Canada are helping build brighter futures for orphans like Wongani. Currently, PWS&D is providing 75 orphans attending the Apasta Primary School with free tuition, warm lunches, medical care, school uniforms, stationary, bags and shoes. www.presbyterian.ca/pwsd

God bless you in every way!

Yours in Christ, Rinda Dean, Executive Director, IPCSS.

• Easter Sunday ~ the Joint Session has decided that since our collection of baby items for the Island Pregnancy Centre went so well at Christmas time, and the donations were so greatly appreciated at the Centre, that we would invite people to bring baby items to our 11:00am service on Easter Sunday – we will mark the new life offered us through Christ’s Resurrection, by offering supplies for those with new life, new babies, in their families who need help providing for their needs. Please consider helping with this mission and out-reach project!    As well be reminded that the loose offering will go toward the Good Sam Fund to help persons in our churches and community in times of need.
• The Income Tax filing season is here and the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program is ready to assist “free of charge” low income seniors, students, and qualified individuals to complete their income tax returns. The closest location to our area is in Charlottetown, at the Murphy Community Centre, Room 106. Please call 566-9602 for an appointment. This centre is open every Monday from 9:00am to 4:00pm; and Tuesday from 9:00am to 9:00pm – starting February 27th through to April 30th. There is also a location in Summerside, at the St. Paul’s Roman Catholic Church, which is open every Thursday from 9:00am to 5:00pm starting March 1st through to April 26th. Call 1-800-584-6071 for an appointment in Summerside. To see if you are eligible, go to www.cra.gc.ca/volunteer or call 1-800-959-8281.
•  See the information on the 28^th Annual Atlantic Women’s Christian Retreat on May 4, 5 & 6, 2012 at The Rodd Brudenell Resort, Georgetown Royalty, PE  Hosted by WellSpring Presbyterian Church.

 Mark 11:1-11 When they were approaching Jerusalem, at Bethphage and Bethany, near the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples and said to them, “Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately as you enter it, you will find tied there a colt that has…

The Journey to Food Security in Nicaragua

In an impoverished neighbourhood in Nicaragua’s capital city, Managua, where malnutrition, violence and substance abuse are all too common, Elizabeth and her 14-month old daughter, Ashley, are learning to thrive. Thanks to a PWS&D program in their area, Ashley is overcoming anemia as her mother learns the importance of a balanced diet and proper nutrition. Every week, program staff visit Elizabeth and Ashley to discuss a variety of issues, including good nutrition, brain development and financial budgeting. For many families in this neighbourhood, raising healthy children is not just about earning enough money to put food on the table, but about learning to purchase and prepare healthy meals. This Lenten season, help young families like Elizabeth’s commit to leading stronger and healthier lives through support of PWS&D. www.presbyterian.ca/pwsd