Meetings up and coming:
1. Mon. Mar. 24 – Belleville Choral Society- 6:30 – 9:15 pm
2. Tues. Mar. 25- Stitchers & Knitters – 9 am – 12 noon
3. Tues. Mar. 25- Communion at the Richmond 3;30 pm
4. Tues. Mar. 25- Youth Choir/piano -5:30 – 6:30 pm
5. Tues. Mar. 25 – Youth Group – 7-8 pm
6. Thurs. Mar. 27– Lenten cooking class (pm)
7. Thurs. Mar. 27 – Chancel Choir – 5:30 pm
8. Sat. Mar. 29 – Funeral service for Ray Champeau -11 am
Coming events/ Activities
1. Lenten Heat & Serve Meals
After both the 8:00 am and 10:30 am services throughout Lent, frozen heat & serve meals will be offered for sale in the Parish Hall. All meals will be plant-based, gluten-free and guaranteed delicious!
This week’s meal: Maltese Pasta (Baked tomato, pasta & lentils with an eggy vibe)
Contact Sheila Stanley at shelaki@gmail.com for more details and/or to help with cooking. Cooking sign-up sheet outside the kitchen.
2. Seder Supper Tuesday, April 15,, 2025
St. Thomas’ will be hosting a Seder Supper as part of our Lenten observances. The supper will take place Tuesday, April 15th, 2025 at 6:00pm. It has been two years since we have held this evening and we look forward to the supper. The supper is a reenactment of the “Seder” a Jewish Passover meal. This meal is an activity which is suitable for all members of the congregation and we look forward to seeing many of you at the supper. This meal is a potluck within each table. Your host will contact you to discuss what you would like to bring.
Thank you to those who have signed up to join us. We have one table with 4 seats available. Please see sign up sheet.
Contact Linda Matchim (613-966-6790) if you would like additional information.
3. NEEDED: COORDINATOR FOR ST. THOMAS’ MEALS ON WHEELS (MOW) DELIVERY OUTREACH PROGRAM
Michelle and Mel Plewes are retiring as coordinators for the St. Thomas’ Meals on Wheels (MOW) Delivery Outreach Program. If St. Thomas’ is to continue involvement, it is necessary that a Coordinator be appointed. We offer our assistance to train the new parishioner(s) for the July duties.
**We have a couple who are willing to coordinate the December duties but not able to do the months of July. If someone could step up to take care of the months of July and work with the other volunteer couple then the St. Thomas’ Meals on Wheels program can continue to help the community.
Please let the church office know if you are wiling to help with this important Ministry.
4. St. Thomas’ Community Garden Boxes– Gardening season will be upon us soon and we have garden boxes available. If you wish to have a box please call (613-962-3636) or email the church
office (office@stthomasbelleville.ca).
Did You Know That:
Five years after Cyclone Idai ravaged Chimanimani, Zimbabwe, the scars remain visible. The cyclone’s unprecedented force, lasting from March 14 – 17, 2019, left deep gullies, deforested hills, and washed-out roads. It claimed 300 lives, displaced thousands, and impacted over half the population of Chimanimani District. Cyclone Idai destroyed essential infrastructure, isolating villages, and disrupting markets for crops like tomatoes. The pandemic further exacerbated the situation, leading many to turn to artisanal gold mining, which has resulted in widespread toxic water contamination. Despite these challenges, efforts are underway to restore and preserve Chimanimani’s unique ecosystem, which hosts 30% of Zimbabwe’s biodiversity. PWRDF’s partner, TSURO Trust, in collaboration with the Canadian Foodgrains Bank and Global Affairs Canada, has launched a threeyear project focused on nature-based solutions to address both environmental and societal challenges. Roseline Mukonoweshuro, TSURO’s Nature + Project Manager, emphasizes the balanced approach: “It isn’t about choosing livelihoods or the environment but, instead, choosing livelihoods and the environment.”
