This week we pray for The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.

In our Parish Cycle of Prayer we pray for Christine Matimba; Irene Maycock; Karen & Michael Methot.

In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer we pray for The Diocese of Ahoada – The Church of Nigeria.

In the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada we pray for Executive Director, Karin Achtelstetter, and staff of Canadian Lutheran World Relief.

In the Anglican Church of Canada  we pray for Executive Director, Will Postma, and staff of the Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund.

In our diocese of Niagara we pray for our Bishop, The Right Reverend Susan Bell,  Christ Church, Wainfleet, the Reverend Nirmal Mendis, Rector; the Reverend Deacon Diane Elliott and the people of that parish.  

As a community we pray for refugees and those displaced by war, violence and politics and those who help,  support, counsel and care for them.         

Those who have asked to be remembered in our prayers:   Susan Andrews; Eric Mills; Susan Worrall; Linda Andrews-McFarlane; Michael F.; Joseph C.; Kathy Johnston; Gary Hanna; Brandon Johnson; Joshua Fitzpatrick; Larry Andrews; Pat Crowe & family; Jeff & Sally Braun-Jackson; Justin; Allan; Veronica; Brian; Diana; Michael; Mildred; Paul; Jim.      

Last week’s piece from the Generosity Team focused on some of the difficulties around thinking and talking about money at church. It ended with an invitation to join members of the Generosity Team as we make intentional and important decisions about financial support for the Cathedral in 2022. One of the tools each of us can use is proportional giving, an approach that asks all of us to give in proportion to our income and resources.

Why is this important? Proportional giving transforms our giving into a spiritual practice, like prayer or church attendance. By intentionally making a financial commitment to God and our church family based on our household income - rather than randomly from what’s left over after we’ve paid the Netflix subscription and contributed to our vacation account - we reinforce for ourselves that God and the church are priorities in our lives.

The most important thing to remember is that calculating our proportional gift is not an accounting exercise, it’s a spiritual practice to help us put God and others first in our lives. Whether I plan to give 5% of my net income, 10% of my gross, or some other amount, God is not interested in the math. What matters is my prayerful, intentional commitment.

Proportional giving works like this:

Step 1: The chart below will help you find the current percent (proportion) of your household income that you give to the church. Locate your approximate annual income, then move across the row to find your current annual, monthly or weekly gift. The number at the top of that column is your current level of proportional giving. Note that you can combine income levels from the chart to get closer to your own situation. For example, if my household income is $60,000 ($10,000 + $50,000)/year, and my current weekly gift is $60, I’m giving just above the 5% level ($10 + $48 = $58). Alternately, you can use a calculator to divide your annual gift to the Cathedral by your annual income and move the decimal point two places to the right.

Step 2: Think about whether the level at which you’re currently giving is right for you. Does your current gift reflect your commitments and priorities? Can and should you increase your proportional gift? How would this impact other commitments in your budget? Some people have suggested that Christians should "give until it hurts," but the practice of stewardship suggests that we give because it brings us integrity, wholeness and joy. What does this mean for you?

Many people find it helpful to automate their proportional gift using pre-authorized withdrawal from their bank account. If you want to begin giving in this way, or change the amount of your withdrawal, please contact Alison Meredith, Parish Administrator for assistance (alison.meredith@niagaraanglican.ca).

PWRDF is pleased to report that, after several months aboard a container ship, the 50 solar suitcases purchased through its “Light for Every Birth” project have arrived in Nampula province in Mozambique. PWRDF's partners at EHALE (Association of Community Health in Mozambique) are beginning the process of distributing and installing them.

Thank you to everyone who contributed funds to this project by supporting our Niagara Diocese Ride and Shine team in PWRDF's Ride for Refuge on October 2nd.

Our team was in the TOP FIVE fundraisers!

With your support, more moms and babies in rural Mozambique will have safe, healthy births. To make a gift to support PWRDF, visit www.pwrdf.org/give-today

For information on other ways to continue to support PWRDF, please contact your Parish Representative at louise.vanwoelderen@gmail.com

Deacon Rob and Rob Miller have moved their weekly lectionary study online until further notice.

Join us for worship online.  All services are available on YouTube or via Zoom.

Chairs of all committees are asked to send their vestry reports to cathedral@niagaraanglican.ca by Sunday, February 6th for inclusion in the annual report.

Thank you to all those who have already supported this effort.

As the need continues,  we will continue to accept:  hats, scarves, mittens/gloves, socks, sweaters and coats (mens and womens) during the month of January.  Donations of these items can be made at the Cathedral Tuesday to Friday,  from 11-2pm.  If there is no repsonse to the buzzer please call 905-537-2254.

These items will then be distributed through the Cathedral's Hamilton Out of the Cold Program.