Third Annual Community Event In Virtual Presentation via Zoom
By Terence Schilstra, Pastor of The Table, Downtown Thorold
On Tuesday, November 24 at 7:15 am, The Thorold Ministerial (also known as One Church Thorold) hosted the 3rd annual Thorold Leaders Prayer Breakfast via Zoom. The theme for the prayer breakfast was “A Caring Community.”
An individual who attended the event declared, “The Prayer Breakfast fed my need for community which I miss in these difficult and safe distancing times. It did my heart good and reminded me of my daily role in Thorold.”
The event included a time to connect with local leaders over breakfast from home via Zoom breakout rooms with various Thorold churches, businesses, community organizations, and public service representatives. One theme from the breakout rooms was the need for local structures right here in our city to support the marginalized and vulnerable, whether it be housing, shelter, or mental health care. Practically speaking, James Symons leader of the Tool Box campaign mentioned the need for toothbrushes, toothpaste, gloves, and deodorant for homeless men.
Following a time of connection, we heard from this year’s speaker, Pastor Ken MacQuarrie. Pastor Ken spoke on the importance of connecting as neighbours and having a heart of compassion for each other, especially amid a global pandemic.
After the speaker, we heard a city update from Mayor Terry Ugililini. Mayor Terry mentioned Thorold is doing a city-wide food drive on Friday, December 11. One drop-off location is the TCAG.
There was also an update from One Thorold’s ongoing developments. Karen Schilstra gave an update on Neighbourhood Hubs that are springing up throughout the city. She told stories of the ways in which neighbours are caring for each other in tangible ways.
Additionally, Bill VanderKlippe gave an update on the work of One Thorold’s Housing Committee. The committee continues to consult and develop strategies to cultivate local housing solutions with the goal of helping homeless and the precariously housed find suitable long-term housing in Thorold.
The Prayer Breakfast closed with prayer, seeking the heart of God and laying before him the ongoing work in our city and the various leaders and organizations that serve our city.
Donations this year are being accepted to the Thorold Ministerial and will be distributed evenly between Community Care and The Thorold Ministerial/One Thorold initiatives;
E-transfers are being accepted to: thoroldministerial@gmail.com
At the end of the Prayer Breakfast there was an invitation for Thorold leaders and/or residents to get involved in various movements, groups and events including:
| Group/Event | Description | Contact |
| One Thorold | Seeking Transformation of our city. onethorold.ca | HildaVanderklippe hildavk@gmail.com |
Housing Committee | To provide housing in Thorold for people who are homeless or are in need of suitable housing | Bill Vanderklippe wvanderk@gmail.com |
| Neighbourhood Hubs | Cultivating the art of neighbouring in Thorold | Karen Schilstra: karenschilstra@gmail.com |
| Thorold Ministerial | Participating in the positive transformation of Thorold. | Terence Schilstra: thoroldministerial@gmail.com |
| Tool Box | In need of: tooth paste, tooth brushes, and deodorant for homeless men. | James Symons: jamessymons79@gmail.com |
| Ribbon Cutting | Grand opening downtown Thorold. Sat. Nov. 28 10:00 am | City Hall (905) 227-6613 |
Community Care (Thorold) | Thorold City-wide food drive. Friday December 11, 2020. | Thorold Community Care: (905) 227-9240 |
The Thorold ministerial would like to extend an invitation to all Thorold leaders and residents to consider getting involved in one of these movements or groups in the city!
On behalf of the Thorold Ministerial, we are so thankful for all the amazing things that are happening in our city.
Submitted on behalf of the Thorold Ministerial, Terence Schilstra, Pastor of The Table, Downtown Thorold