'Loose Change Drive' for PWRDF
By: The Rev. Art Turnbull
From Ash Wednesday to Easter Day every year St. Matthew parish in Abbotsford collects "loose change" (and paper money) for an outreach project. This year, 2024, the Gaza and West Bank Emergency Appeal of the Primate's World Relief and Development Fund is designated to receive the $2,087.10 that parishioners generously donated.
Millions of Palestinians have been shattered by the war in Gaza. The Hamas attack on Israel six months ago sparked the violent response by the Israeli Defence Force. In northern Gaza the Al-Ahli Arab Hospital, an Anglican medical facility, without sufficient supplies and a limited few hours of daily electrical power, has performed countless acts of treatment to the wounded and broken civilians. This hospital was damaged by air relief drops, adding to the dire conditions of the region.
The parishioners of St. Matthew are thankful to be able to give support to their world neighbours in Palestine. The teachings of Jesus implore all Christians to take seriously the new command to love God and one's neighbour:
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.” This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: “You shall love your neighbour as yourself.” On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.’ (Matthew 22: 37-40)