One year ago, on July 19, 2016, the Al Atmeh family arrived in Canada as “refugees” from Syria, sponsored by McNeill Baptist Church and Burlington Baptist Church.  This is a report on the progress made by the family as “newcomers” to a new country, language, and culture.

Near the end of July Ahmad and Randa attended an application appointment at Ontario Works.  They received their first O.W. benefits in August, and continue to receive Provincial Child Care benefits.   The combined benefits are comparable to the funds they were receiving from our two churches during our sponsorship.  Our legal and financial obligation as sponsors ended on August 1, 2017.   Nonetheless, we have assured the family that we will continue to support them with advice, friendship, moral and practical support.  As well, the refugee account still has about $10,000, so we can support them if they find themselves in financial difficulty.  We continue to be in close touch with the family and support them as needed.  However, the family is currently self-supporting.

Through the summer Ahmad acquired paid part time work with a landscaper, applying his skill in stone and concrete work.  He has also completed some paid work at MacNeill.  His landscaper employer offered him full time employment, but Ahmad wisely decided to prioritize his daily English language classes. His goal is to achieve Level 5 proficiency and then seek full time employment.  He continues to work on weekends.

Randa attends English language classes while their two-year-old daughter, Sham, is in childcare. Randa looks forward to employment in the field of Hairdressing.  She has researched the education she will need.  While proficiency in English language is developing, we still require some translator assistance. We are thankful for our translator volunteers

The two boys are in school, Saleh in Grade 2 and Ibrahim in Grade 1.  Saleh has settled in well, but Ibrahim is still shy.  The children, with Randa, have attended story time at their local public library and have made friends in their apartment building.

The family continues living in their apartment in west Hamilton. In preparation for the family becoming fully independent Ahmad and Randa added their names to the lease in June.  Al Palin and Walter Mulkewich will have their names removed from the lease in February 2017 and the family will then be fully responsible for their living arrangements.

It is gratifying to see how much progress the family has made in the short time of one year, more than we could have expected – a result of their drive and motivation.  Our two churches have been blessed by this sponsorship. Our thanks to members of both churches and our local communities for your interest and support.

Report submitted by Al Palin, Chair of the MacNeill Baptist Church Newcomer Committee.

Join us Sundays at 11 am in-person or via Live-Stream

Reflection and Meditation: Sundays from 9:30 to 10:15 am in the Hobbs Library

Donate Now Through CanadaHelps.org!

1145 King Street West
(in Westdale Village)
Hamilton, ON, L8S 1L9

Questions? Contact Susan at
sstjohn.macneill@gmail.com

Pastoral Care: (905) 512 9897
Office Message: (905) 528 2861

Services are live-streamed at 11 am and posted on our website for those unable to attend.

Enter through the main doors on the corner of King W and Cline Streets.

MacNeill has a scent-free policy.


Calendar

< March 2019 >
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
          1 2
3Paula Papky preaching at 11:00 am
4 5Yoga from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm
6Ash Wednesday Service at 7:00 pm
7Choir practice from 8:00 pm to 9:30 pm
8 9Women of MacNeill at 2:30 pm
10Bob Bond preaching at 11:00 am
11 12Yoga from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm
13 14Bread for the Body, Food for the Soul from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Choir practice from 8:00 pm to 9:30 pm
15 16
17Garry Blinch preaching at 11:00 am
18 19Yoga from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm
20 21Choir practice from 8:00 pm to 9:30 pm
22 23
24Bob Bond preaching at 11:00 am
25 26Yoga from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm
27 28Choir practice from 8:00 pm to 9:30 pm
29 30
31Paula Papky preaching at 11:00 am
           

Upcoming Events

  • March 28, 2024
    • Maundy Thursday Service
      7:00 pm
      Maundy Thursday ServiceTime: 7:00 pm
      at MacNeill Baptist
  • March 29, 2024
    • Good Friday Cross Walk
      9:30 am - 10:15 am
      Good Friday Cross WalkTime: 9:30 am - 10:15 am
      Beginning at MacNeill, the silent walk will progress to Westdale United, then to St Cuthbert's Presbyterian for the Good Friday service.
    • Good Friday Service
      10:30 am
      Good Friday ServiceTime: 10:30 am
      at St Cuthbert's Presbyterian
  • March 31, 2024
    • Easter Breakfast
      9:30 am - 10:30 am
      Easter BreakfastTime: 9:30 am - 10:30 am
      A MacNeill Tradition! Eggs, pancakes, bacon, sausage, hot cross buns.... all for a nominal cost.
    • Easter Sunday- Paula Papky preaching
      11:00 am
      Easter Sunday- Paula Papky preachingTime: 11:00 am
      Lots of music .... chimes choir.... choir.... trumpets... ensemble.... great hymns...... a great celebration.
  • April 2, 2024
    • Booking- Strata rehearsal
      7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
      Booking- Strata rehearsalTime: 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
      Sanctuary
  • April 7, 2024
    • Paula Papky preaching
      11:00 am
      Paula Papky preachingTime: 11:00 am
    • Paula Papky/ Bert Radford preaching
      11:00 am
      Paula Papky/ Bert Radford preachingTime: 11:00 am
      Communion
  • April 9, 2024
    • Booking- Strata rehearsal
      7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
      Booking- Strata rehearsalTime: 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
      Sanctuary