Bracebridge United Church has a long history of commitment to global outreach.  Below are some of the projects that our congregation supports with money, time, and talent.



Feed My Sheet Inc. (FMS Dominica):

Dear Ken, and the wonderful members of the Bracebridge United Church and Rotary Club,

I am writing to you on behalf of the Board of Directors, our staff, and the community here at Feed My Sheep Inc. (FMS) to express our most profound gratitude for the recent shipment of two barrels of food, clothing, and essential supplies.

I am pleased to report that we were successfully able to clear the goods from Customs. The process was admittedly longer and more complicated than we would have liked, owing to the government's recently updated and much more rigid clearance protocols. However, even in that frustration, we found a tremendous blessing: through this ordeal, we were introduced to a wonderful customs broker who stepped in and navigated the new system for us entirely free of charge. Even better, they have graciously offered to provide this pro-bono assistance for all of our future shipments. Your donation brought us not only vital supplies but a new, invaluable partner for our mission.

I also want to share the immediate impact your generosity has had. Just days after the barrels arrived at our facility, we were alerted to a local family in a truly desperate situation. Thanks directly to the items you packed, we were able to immediately put together a substantial care package of groceries—providing them with roughly two weeks' worth of nutritious meals.

Going forward, the remainder of your generous donations will enable us to continue assembling these emergency care packages for vulnerable families in our community. Furthermore, these essential goods will beautifully supplement the daily food and supply needs of our own residents and live-in staff here at the FMS shelter.

Your continued partnership reminds us that we do not do this "Royal Job" alone. Thank you for your unwavering support, your compassion, and for blessing the people of the Nature Isle.

Yours faithfully,

Dennis Augustine

Interim Executive Director & Board Member

Feed My Sheep Inc. (FMS Dominica)

BUC/Knox Refugee Partnership

The BUC/Knox Refugee Committee would like to share some of the changes that have taken place with our refugee family, the Janbalis. In early September, the family left Bracebridge and are now living in Barrie. This major decision is very positive for many reasons.

Taking a step back, the Janbalis arrived last December, and they settled very well,  integrating into Bracebridge, adjusting to our winter and to Canadian lifestyles. The younger children have excelled in their respective schools, both now quite fluent in English. Some members of the family have passed their G2 drivers licenses - a response to our limited transit system - and realizing that they will need this skill in the future. Some have held summer jobs during the past few months. However, permanent employment has eluded the family, partly because English has proven to be a very difficult challenge.

Both the family and our Committee gradually acknowledged that many of their needs can not be met in Bracebridge. With a recommendation from the advisor to the Refugee Program at the United Church of Canada, we sought the support of Immigrant Services, a branch of the YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka. After discussions with its staff, it quickly became obvious that Barrie can offer many advantages for our family. For example….

-   Classes in English as a second language, offered at three levels, five days a week

-   An adult education centre which offers training in a wide range of skills

-   Doctors who speak Kurdish or Arabic - a vital need

-   A Kurdish community which has already welcomed the Janbalis

-   Many more job opportunities in a much larger centre

-   An integrated transit system

-   A Mosque

Through the Barrie Kurdish community, the Janbalis have secured accommodation, occupying two floors of a detached home in an area with easy access to the Immigrant Services’ office, schools, shopping and transportation. While our financial obligation is for three months’ rent to November 30th, we also provided the extra last month of the lease as requested by the landlord.

We will continue to support the family, not just financially, but with other requests to help with their integration into Barrie. The initial funds that were raised have been greatly reduced and any current donations will be directed towards covering expenses and incidentals that always seem to accompany moving to a different home, especially in a different city. If you would like to make a donation through Bracebridge United, please direct your gift to the Refugee Fund.

Even though both the Janbalis and the Refugee Committee firmly believe that this move to Barrie is very positive, there are always anxieties with such big decisions. We ask that you hold the health and well-being of this family in your thoughts and prayers.



Thank you for your continuing support.
Margie Michalski and Ann Swan

BUC- Knox Refugee Partnership Co-Chairs

9/13/2026

Contributions help support ministries and programs in Canada and around the world, such as:

• Global and Canadian justice initiatives
• Aboriginal ministries and right relations
  
• Community ministries
  
• Theological education
  
• Faith formation – youth, camping, intercultural engagement
  
• Support to remote ministries
  
• Innovation in communities of Faith