The Ottawa Mennonite Central Committee Office
The Refugee Assistance Programme
The Ten Thousand Villages Programme
Christian Council of the Capital Area
Discussions at a provincial conference first raised the issue, some arguing that the injustices which persist in our society and internationally (particularly the gap between rich and poor, powerful and powerless) would not be eliminated by charity alone; what was required were changes in our national and international institutions. An Ottawa presence on the part of Mennonite Central Committee would recognize that injustices have a political dimension and that the church has a responsibility to speak to those political realities. Others questioned whether Mennonite Central Committee should get involved in politics.
In July, 1973 delegates at a national conference voted "to re-affirm their position favouring the establishment of a presence in Ottawa by Mennonite Central Committee (Canada), and encourage its members on the Board to continue to work in that direction". They recognized the need for an Mennonite Central Committee presence that would do research, make proposals and bear witness. In 1975 an office was established and Bill Janzen was called to work in this office.
The refugee program continues to be active. It celebrated its tenth anniversary in 1989 with a fellowship meal and a cultural programme, looking back on a decade of gratifying work. During the first ten year period, 93 refugees were fully or partially supported through a variety of sponsorships and/or material assistance. They came from Asia, Africa, Eastern Europe, and Central America. While in the greater Canadian society there is some discussion as to the numbers that should be allowed entry, Ottawa Mennonite Church's commitment to refugee support has remained firm. A number of refugees who were assisted have become affiliated with Ottawa Mennonite Church. 2004 marks the refugee program's twenth-fifth anniversary.
Thousands of volunteers in Canada and the United States work with Ten Thousand Villages in their home communities. Working around the world since 1946, it is a program of Mennonite Central Committee, the service, relief and development agency of Mennonite and Brethren in Christ churches in North America.
The mission of Ten Thousand Villages is to glorify God by serving people; to help the poor in obedience to the teaching of Jesus; to be signs of God's continuing love and care. The production and marketing of handicrafts is one way to meet human need around the world. Ten Thousand Villages encourages artisans to develop their skills and helps craft groups establish self-sustaining businesses that provide steady employment.
Local interest in Ten Thousand Villages began in the late 1960s, when the Ottawa Mennonite Church Ladies Auxiliary ordered crafts, mostly linens, from the SHC warehouse in Kitchener for sale at Ottawa Mennonite Church. From 1976 to 1983, Viola Wallace of Bells Corners United Church was the official Ten Thousand Villages representative in Ottawa, and sales were held in schools, government offices, and private homes. Ottawa Mennonite Church involvement at that time was limited to help from a few volunteers. In 1983, Helene Dick became the Ten Thousand Villages representative in Ottawa and in 1985, an Ottawa Mennonite Church committee was struck to assist in the expansion of the programme.
The expansion of the programme in 1986 meant that twenty sales were held in ten different locations (including many government offices). Forty-five Ottawa Mennonite Church volunteers assisted. Proceeds were enough to support more than thirty producer families overseas for one year. By 1988, that figure had jumped to ninety families; by 1990 over one hundred families were being assisted.
Though this phenomenal growth in sales was exciting, the size of the operation was becoming unwieldy. Holding sales during working hours meant that volunteers who weren't employed during the day were needed, and they were difficult to find. Also, the loading, unpacking and repacking of all the products for each and every sale was a huge undertaking. It was time to reconsider.
"We felt confident that there was a growing realization of the value of alternative trade, and that Ten Thousand Villages had established a loyalty among its past customers that would lead them to come to Ottawa Mennonite Church to buy," said Irene McCullough, chair of the Ten Thousand Villages Education Committee. Since 1992, sales have been held almost solely on the premises of Ottawa Mennonite Church. The use of computers has made inventory tracking and payment processing more efficient, shortening line-ups and reducing the amount of intensive volunteer time required to host these sales. Over 100 volunteers give of their time for the Friday and Saturday sales during the month of November, and dozens work year-round "behind the scenes" to ensure the smooth continuation of sales from year to year. The volunteers are also drawn from other churches, friends and colleagues of Ottawa Mennonite Church members, and enthusiastic customers.
Now Ten Thousand Villages Ottawa is embarking on another venture to provide residents of the National Capital region with year-round access to these fine handcrafts. On October 1, 1999 a Ten Thousand Villages store opened at 371 Richmond Road. Staffed by two part-time managers and dozens of local volunteers, this store continues to bring unique gifts and traditional crafts from over 30 countries to your doorstep.
Check out the new Ten Thousand Villages Store
In 1982, the Christian Council of the Capital Area sponsored the Christian Festival Chretien, an ecumenical event at Lansdowne Park that attracted 25,000 people. This ecumenical festival was patterned after the German Kirchentag (an annual event which Protestants and Catholics host in alternating years). Ottawa Mennonite Church was very involved in the event, setting a precedent for increased Mennonite involvement in this national event in other Canadian cities.
Check out the new work of the Christian Council
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