UPDATE

Ukrainian Diaspora Support Canada (formerly Ukraine Support Lanark County) is a non-profit initiative led by Zack Netherly and Mary Mokrushyna that seeks to bring families and individuals fleeing the war in Ukraine to our area. St James’ and other local churches are directly involved in supporting Zack and Mary in their work, which we consider to be God’s work. They are organizing to provide billeted housing, medical, legal and psychological supports and to make sure people feel welcome here as long as they need to stay. Visit their website for more information.

The main need right now is for financial contributions to help cover airfare. We are asking donors to make contribution directly to UADSC at this time rather than contributing through us or any other charity. Visit their website for more information.

Welcome to the Boutique, where our new friends can get what they need.

St James’ Carleton Place is working with Ukraine Diaspora Support Canada, assisting and supporting Ukrainians displaced by war. When they arrive to our area, they will have the opportunity to visit this shop where we stock quality and attractive clothing, toiletries and personal items. We have car seats, baby strollers and a few teddy bears that might need a good home.

Thanks to the heroic efforts of volunteers and the generosity of people from all over (Lanark, Ottawa and places across the region) this Boutique was created from scratch within a week! The Boutique has almost everything our new friends will need. Thank you to all who participated in the work God is doing in our community.

Like a consignment store, we will only be able to take some of the things people want to give us. We don’t have any more storage space, so we have to be choosy. Follow the weekly announcements in this space to find out specifically what we’re looking for from week to week. Advance notice – we will be closed for donations during Holy Week, and through Easter weekend (April 10-18). That’s our time to be holy, not busy.

You are invited to take a tour on Sunday after church. But look – don’t touch! We really, really, REALLY do not want to sort, fold and stack clothing any more than we have to.

The Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund (PWRDF) is supporting Ukrainian refugees fleeing the war. Follow this link to read about how your church is involved in alliance in alliance with other Christian groups on the ground. You can contribute by going to pwrdf.org and following the directions there, by calling 416-822-9083, or by mailing a cheque, with “Ukraine” in the memo field, to PWRDF, 80 Hayden St, 3rd floor, Toronto, ON, M4y 3G2.