Kay Braby is a community powerhouse. Wherever she sees need, she does her best to alleviate it.
“We have so much here, I have so much, but there’s such a lot of need and sometimes it takes a bit of leadership to provide the machinery for people to be able to do something to contribute,” says the United Church member. “As a Christian I feel a responsibility to share with other people.”
And that is what a series of stewardship sessions on Oct. 22 are designed to do.
Four highly respected individuals will present an afternoon and evening workshop to share information about stewardship. It is open to everyone n the community.
Jane Harding, regional financial development officer with the church’s philanthropy unit, helps congregations achieve total financial health and individuals realize their dreams for the church.
Next up, David Armour, president of the United Church of Canada Foundation, has headed major fundraising campaigns as chief executive officer of the Canadian Olympic Foundation and United Way of Canada.
He is a practised speaker and leader and facilitator is strategic planning, program planning, revenue generation and on-site campaign analysis.
First United’s interim minister, Rev. Lynn Elliot specializes in assisting congregations through times of transition. She brings a background in both business and the non-profit sector and worked as the development officer for St. Andrews and St. Stephen’s colleges.
Also presenting is Rev. Ivy Thomas, conference minister for the Kamloops-Okanagan Presbytery and is a skilled practitioner in The Circle Way, leading workshops and retreats that encourage storytelling and personal growth.
The event begins with a 90 minute stewardship session from 3:30 to 5 p.m. after which participants are invited to continue conversation over a by-donation soup and a bun.
This will be followed by Wednesday Worship from 6 to 6:30 p.m., a half-hour of coffee, treats and conversation at 6:30, prior to a second stewardship gathering from 7 to 8:30 p.m.
This gathering will provide opportunity for discussion and learning about stewardship as a faith response. It will touch on both practical and professional approaches to legacy programs and ongoing implementation of stewardship practices that bring giving into the overall way of being the church.
No stranger to the concept, Braby helped get the Second Harvest Food Bank up and running, has volunteered in Ghana, helped operate the church’s Inn From the Cold program to give homeless people a place to sleep and is excited to have worked with First Nations people to restore the delta, with a view of discovering native plants.
Braby worked with School District #83’s aboriginal education department last year in what she calls a mutual education program.
For more information, call 250-832-3860 or visit www.firstunitedsalmonarm.ca.