St Cuthbert’s has partnered with St Stephen’s, Mmpererwe, Uganda in The Good Samaritan Orphan Program since 1993, when we first became acquainted with Dr Sam Luboga who was a visiting fellow at Mc Master from Kampala. His parish was trying to assist children orphaned by the HIV/AIDS crisis to enable them to attend school. A fund was set up and St Cuthbert’s came alongside to help. In 2016, 74 students are receiving some assistance: 44 Primary, 30 Secondary, and 4 at post secondary level. It is most gratifying to see the young children first enrolled now completing post secondary and beyond. Through the years there have been visits by members of St. Cuthbert’s to Uganda to learn and meet the children, caregivers and church partners, and members of St Stephens have come to Hamilton. We are humbled by their devotion and faithful service and are grateful to be a part of this ministry. It is a relationship that we cherish and have had a strong commitment to through these many years.

Syrian refugee sponsorship 2016-2023

“Do justice, love kindness, walk humbly with your God”
–Micah 6:8

The refugee project was initiated by several Presbyterian congregations, including St Cuthbert’s- the lead church being Knox Waterdown. The team representing all the congregations and chaired by Brenda Marriott, has effectively worked side by side to bring this project to fruition. The goal was to offer refuge, a new home and a safe haven, and to provide a warm welcome with compassion and respect to the newcomers entrusted to us. In May, 2016 St. Cuthbert’s hosted a Syrian dinner lovingly prepared by Ilham and her family, and other recent Syrian arrivals spoke of their journey and experience. In June 2016 we were pleased to welcome our sponsored family of 6 . We are inspired by their eagerness to learn and adapt to their new country and their graciousness. It has been a pleasure to get to know them and to be part of their new family here. We have been blessed by the volunteer translation offered by Ilham which has eased our communication. There are many challenges ahead and we pray for their transition to life here, and for their families that remain in Syria.

A welcome BBQ was held in the fall and trees were planted with the family’s names attached to symbolize “putting down roots “in Canada.

Update 2023

The refugee committee continues to be active and a fourth family came to Canada in 2023. Contacts from St Cuthbert’s include: Linda Kennedy, John Duff, Nan Coolsma, Enid Pottinger and Marie Louise Kellsen.

Outreach Projects Supported by St Cuthbert's

There are an overwhelming number of needs but we seek to choose programs based on principles that include: that there be a 50% split between local and global concerns/issues, projects that we have a connection to through people known to us, smaller projects with access to less funding, programs that support children and youth. The following have received funding: Mission Services of Hamilton, Hamilton Food Share, Camp Kintail, Circles of Support and Accountability, True City Christmas Hampers, Presbyterian World Service and Development, Place of Hope Indigenous Church. In addition to that there are funds designated for Presbyterian Sharing.

Christmas Special appeals are designated each year to augment our outreach programs and usually are funds designated for Good Samaritan orphan program (see above), or other events like relief efforts through PWSD (Presbyterian World Service and Development).

True City Network

In 2019 St Cuthbert’s officially became a member of the True City Network and looks forward to working together with other Hamilton congregations. Linda Kennedy is the Connector, and Mary Terpstra is in the Pastor’s group.

St Stephen’s Good Samaritan Orphan Program