Last But Not Least This Year

As the last official event of ECBC from the English congregation, serving holiday dinner at Hope Mission was definitely not the least of the events this year. Along with volunteers from six other groups, sixteen people from ECBC's English youth served over 200 people in the last of four holiday dinners hosted by the non-profit organisation. Our group helped to serve in many different ways including preparation, setting up, serving, and clearing tables for the meal consisting of cranberry slow-roasted turkey, greens, garlic-mash, seasoned stuffing, and a chocolate mousse dessert served in a French crêpe. The nights meal sponsored in part by The Brick also included entertainment by a string quartet and a city centre gospel choir. After serving the MacCauley community for two hours, the group was also able to enjoy the meal and speak with the Hope Mission volunteer coordinator and public relations director Peter Gerber.

Sixteen ECBC youth serve the MacCauley community.

The service outreach was coordinated with Hope Mission through Anita Liao for the December 29th dinner. ECBC's connection with Hope Mission has been extensive with congregation members who have been employed by the organisation in administration, Brightwood Ranch, Herb Jamieson Men's Shelter, St. Albert donation centre, and kitchen manager. ECBC has also served Hope Mission in the past by bringing gifts, meal services, intake services, as well as delivering a chapel service. The organisation has a limited partnership with the City of Edmonton to bring shelter to people with no fixed address. Besides meals and shelter, Hope Mission also has transitional housing, a thrift store, Tegler youth centre, ministry van, Kids in action, Brightwood Ranch, and a women's centre. Many volunteer opportunities are available for different gifts, talents, and interests.