Hello Blog Friends!
Last week’s weather report paled into insignificance after we received another 30+cms of snow over the past few days! Suffice it to say that both Ontario and Québec are currently drowning in snowdrifts with schools and businesses closed last Monday. Now, as the week draws to a close, an “extreme cold” advisory has been issued and when I walked Thomason this morning the temperature was -38C. Sigh😔
But the work of CTM goes on, especially since, in pandemic times, everything happens via the Internet and thankfully, despite gale force winds, we did not lose power during the recent storms 😊
Sunday afternoon the Board of Directors met. Our Treasurer indicated that, due to several generous donations at the end of 2021, we had closed the year with a surplus, however, unless donations remain at that level, and/or Day Camps is able to have a surplus in 2022, I will be let go at some time over the next few months. Although I have been living on the edge of a cliff since the pandemic began, CTM was blessed to benefit from the Federal Government’s wage subsidy program (CEWS) until October of 2021, which was really the only thing that allowed me to continue receiving a salary as Director and as CTM’s Office Worker. At the Board meeting it was suggested that I should start personally fundraising for my salary, which is a practice adopted by some charities. This would certainly be a daunting prospect both as it would add to an already heavy workload and also because, in pandemic times, so many individuals and churches are already struggling to keep their heads above water and so would be unlikely to be able to help, even if they felt called to do so.
I have always tried to keep the tone of this blog upbeat and to share all the amazing ways I have been blessed through the privilege of directing the Day Camps Ministry so here are some things to celebrate, even as I currently struggle with the overhanging cloud of COVID. We have found new ways to connect with and minister to Team Alumnae through Retreats, Virtual Team Gatherings, Lenten and Advent Programs and as always through personal contact, which I have maintained with a large circle of “Mrs. Philmore’s Chickens” 😊. Through the magic of Google Meet, we have also reached into the homes of Day Camps campers through our 2 Cook-Along series, where volunteer “chefs” shared recipes with young cooks spending an hour on three successive Saturday afternoons, laughing, learning and loving together.
We have also organised 2 “Carols & Cocoa” events where friends of CTM from across Canada and beyond gathered online, in Advent, to sing carols and listen to seasonal readings and to connect. Former team members billets, clergy, campers and their families responded so positively to these gatherings.I spent most of last summer writing an e-book, Come Together. This hundred page volume contains a variety of resources that have been assembled into 16 unique Gatherings where church families can explore the rhythms of the Liturgical Year and the richness that feasts and festivals can bring to our corporate worship. Throughout the autumn I worked to finalise the watercolour illustrations while Jessica so ably crafted a beautiful layout for the book. It has been a long journey to bring it to fruition but I am thankful that is is now launched and being purchased by communities across Canada and as far as the UK.
But, of course throughout the summers of 2020 and 2021 no CTM Day Camps took place. Despite our attempts to create a vibrant “Virtual Experience” program as well as two iterations of the classic “In- Person” programs, not one church or community registered to host a Camp. Obviously this trend is not sustainable, especially for such a small organisation as CTM, which is why I am bracing to walk away from over 30 years of Ministry, unless the tide can be turned.
Meanwhile, thankfully, everyday life continues. The dog still needs to go for walks, snow needs to be shovelled, meals must be prepared etc. As restrictions are still quite tight, there have been no in-person visits this week but I have had a couple of good FaceTime or ZOOM chats, which are always most welcome diversions.
Today, of course, I am going to be baking. Just a couple of things, as I am currently out of sugar until next Wednesday, when my grocery order will be delivered. So let’s end off with our recipe.
One evening this week I made a new version of a tasty dish with one of my favourite cheeses- Haloumi. (You can find it at most Middle-Eastern grocery stores 😊)
Haloumi with Couscous
- 8oz Haloumi, cut into ¼” thick slices
- 1 cup Whole Wheat Couscous
- 1 large red pepper, diced
- 1 tsp. each cinnamon, coriander & za’atar (a spice mix also found at Middle Eastern grocers)
- 2Tbsps. lemon juice
- 2 Tbsps. olive oil
- ½ cup flat leaf parsley or cilantro, chopped
- ½ cup plain or Greek yoghurt
In a saucepan, combine the couscous, 2 cups water and the spices. Stir well then bring to a boil. Place the diced pepper on top of the couscous, cover, remove from the heat and allow to stand for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, heat 1 Tbsp. Olive oil in a large skillet and fry the Haloumi slices over medium heat for 2-3 minutes on each side until golden brown. Remove from the heat and drizzle with the lemon juice. Fluff the couscous and fold in the parsley or cilantro and 1 Tbsp. olive oil.
Divide the couscous between 2 shallow bowls and top each serving with half the Haloumi slices. Garnish with a scoop of yoghurt. Serves 2.