St. James the Apostle, Brampton, hosted the North Peel Deanery’s first Newcomers Meet and Greet in October, inviting newcomers to Canada and parishioners from churches across the deanery to gather. With many devoted Anglicans coming through our church doors as new immigrants, this event gave an opportunity not only to provide some practical help about settling in Canada but also to forge new friendships.
After an ice-breaker activity, participants of all ages, including families, sat around tables and shared their stories of hopes, dreams and challenges they had faced or were facing. Someone who had arrived from Ghana only a month before spoke with a person who had immigrated from the UK 50 years earlier. Many expressed how their faith – and the church communities that received them – had been anchors during times of transition and uncertainty.
Attendees heard a presentation about the work of Kids Help Phone and received practical information about newcomer services in Peel Region. The Rev. Pam Prideaux from St. Joseph of Nazareth, Bramalea introduced everyone to the churches of the deanery and the ministries they offered. Attendees received a copy of a map called “The Anglican Church Welcomes You,” designed by St. James parishioner Warren Bradbury, which included the locations and contact information for all eight churches in the deanery. Everyone enjoyed refreshments as the afternoon wrapped up, and we ended with prayer.
We are grateful for the work of our organizing team and to everyone who took part. We are also grateful for the support of the diocese and our sister churches throughout the deanery.
The event gave us the chance to listen to one another, learn from one another and strengthen our shared life as Anglicans, as well as support those making a new life in Canada.
Looking ahead, we hope to continue building connections and serving our wider community. Our next gathering in the spring will also reach out to international students studying at colleges in and around Brampton, many of whom are here on their own.
This was the first event of its kind in our deanery, and we were delighted with the strong turnout and the many positive responses from those who attended. One participant shared: “I enjoyed meeting people with such interesting backgrounds, challenges and dreams, and discovering that we share the same faith regardless of where we were born.” Another added, “It was a great opportunity to be here today – please do it again!”
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