MCC Thrift Store Supports Local Organizations

MCC Thrift Store board chair Gord Kornelson, presented five charitable agencies with cheques.  Each of the agencies received a portion of funds available from the proceeds of sales at the Steinbach MCC Thrift Store.  Mr. Kornelson pointed out that not only does MCC support efforts overseas but also supports efforts locally.

Recipients of that generosity were South-east Helping Hands, Soup’s On, Anna’s House, Today House and our own Debra Stockwell on behalf of Segue Career Options and Eden Foundation.  Ms. Stockwell was most pleased not only to receive support from neighbours across the street from MCC but equally as important has been the fact that the Segue Career Options program was recognized by MCC Steinbach  as a service of significance to the community of Steinbach along with other local helping organizations.

On hand to receive cheques were Hank Klassen representing South-east Helping Hands, Joy Barkman representing Soup’s On, Vicki Olatundun representing Anna’s House, Simone Penner representing Today House and Debra Stockwell representing Segue Career Options.

Together We Sing, A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols

Eden Foundation together with the Killarney Ministerial hosted a Christmas concert event in the Shamrock Centre in Killarney, Manitoba on Sunday evening December 9^th featuring the Winkler Community Men’s Choir.   This was a first ever event for both the Eden Foundation and the choir. 

For the choir, this was an opportunity to present their Christmas concert to an audience that has not seen or heard choral music in a long time.  For the Eden Foundation this was a fund-raising opportunity but more importantly, it was an opportunity to present a message of hope and healing through the lessons and carols as well as through a brief presentation as to the mission that the entire Eden organization holds in common; that being “People of faith actively engaged in sharing Christ’s hope and healing where mental health needs are found.”.   For the Killarney ministerial, this was another collaborative effort that they together participated in helping to organize. 

The Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols is an old tradition that tells the Christmas story through a series of nine Scripture readings but instead of beginning those readings in Luke with the story of Christ’s birth, it begins in Genesis then flows through Isaiah, then into the Gospel readings.  Interspersed between the readings are the choral selections that embellish and support those readings.

Although choral singing has a history in the Killarney area, it hasn’t seen been a common practice for many years now, so this event was something of a treat for the approximately 275 people who came to listen.  The hope was expressed that this choir might return again.

After having presented the story of Eden Health Care Services, people approached representatives of Eden to share their stories of how mental health issues have affected them and how the Eden organization had a positive impact on their recovery.

The positive benefits to those who came to listen, to those who were part of the choir, to the Killarney faith community and to the Eden organization would seem to indicate that there may be a future opportunity to serve.

Monique Lepine’s story.

Canadians and the world were shocked to hear the news on Dec. 6th, 1989 that a man had shot and killed 14 women at Ecole Polytechnique in Montreal before turning the gun and killing himself. Why such senseless murder?
Monique Lepine was sitting eating her supper in front of the TV after a busy day at work when she heard the news. As usual on Wednesday she went to a prayer meeting. There she felt moved to pray for that young man’s mother not realizing that she was praying for herself.
The next day she was busy outside of her office until 6 pm. As she arrived back to do some last minute preparations for the next day her boss told her to go to her office – he needed to speak to her. The whole place seemed in an uproar. As she read her messages for the day she saw one from her brother. When she called him he said, “Monique we think the killer at the Polytechnique was Marc (your son)!” Then her boss walked in with the same message. The police were right behind him.
After that Monique says her life did not seem like her own anymore. There was endless questioning, identification of the body, trying to satisfy the police and finding a picture of Marc. All she could find was an old group picture taken one evening when the family sat visiting in her apartment. He had not even shaved that day. Marc did not like having his picture taken so that was all she had. The next day it was in the newspaper. She had not realized what the police would do. People said Marc was ugly. She was so hurt. It was not the good looking, sensitive young man she knew! What would have motivated Marc to commit such an insane act? This has been a question for many years. It is still not answered with any degree of certainty.
Being a nurse Monique realized she was in a state of shock: the turmoil, the lack of food and other necessities, the many people at the police station, and finally the interview with the psychiatrist so see if she was sane was all too much! Even the police seemed overwhelmed. Finally at midnight they said she could go - but not to her home. The police suggested she go to a hotel because of the journalist that would be waiting at her door.
Monique had been an evangelical Christian since 1981 and was able to gather her strength and phone her pastor at that late hour. He and his wife welcomed her with open arms. She had a quiet place with where she could cry and the press could not find her. For three weeks she could not speak or express herself in words. A psychologist she had been seeing came to help her.
During this time Monique kept seeing a picture of Michelangelo’s Pieta where Mary, the mother of Jesus, is holding her dead son. The words, “Mary, knowing all the suffering that she was going to have to endure, kept all these things in her heart.” came into her mind. Monique decided to do the same and not speak to journalists.
In the aftermath of that experience Monique lived with shame and guilt. She trusted very few people. Her daughter went back to live with her boyfriend and she was alone. Since she had left her abusive
husband, when he began to abuse Marc, at about age 5, she had no financial means and had to go back to work. She had had a good job but now she needed all her energy to get through the day.
Monique also struggled with denial and fear at this time. She would be walking down the street and think she had seen Marc, following him for some distance, only to realize it was not him. At other time, at night, in her own home, she would imagine that Marc would be coming to kill or strangle her. Many people who were strangers – ordinary people – sent messages of support. The Minister of Justice, Mr. Gil Remillard called right before the funeral to say, “Madame, of all things don’t feel guilty.” Monsignor Gregoire, who was a bishop at the time, called her to his office and told her ordinary people were asking, “[As bishop], what are you doing for Marc Lepine’s mother?”
In 1996 Monique’s daughter, who was abusing drugs, died of an overdose of cocaine. Monique’s life caved in and she lost sight of all purpose and meaning. All she could do was cry out to God every night. She clung to the biblical promise that “in our distress, when the just cry out to the Lord, He hears and He will act. He will come and comfort those who suffer”. She sought professional help again and returned to work.
Monique had many ‘Why’ questions. She could not understand why this had happened to her. She could not understand the promises of help in the Bible. She sought further counselling help from a Christian psychologist and a Pastor. She began to play scrabble with a group (a game she had enjoyed with her children). She helped at a food bank at her church. She wanted to come out of the shadows and give her testimony. These activities helped her to feel freer inside. She had other experiences of God, asking her to who gave her life and asking her to choose between life and death. At that point she said to God, “Lord you are the one who has to open all the doors and who has to give me meaning. You have to give me another chance.”
Since that moment in 2001 Monique says that God has opened doors and given her a new freedom to talk about her life. God has comforted her and now she can comfort those who suffer. It has been a process but little by little she has been able to share what God has done for her.
The message that Monique would like to leave with people is a paraphrased below.
God gives the gift of resilience. We receive it by taking a step of obedience. It is a gift that is given during difficult times. We must work together with God on this. So if a person has pain, suffering, or deep secrets find a trustworthy person with whom to share that pain and those needs. But most importantly, the person must find the courage to cry out to God. God made us and knows what we need to overcome our situation. We have to trust God with our life. God will give us both meaning and purpose.
This story was drawn from Monique Lepine’s presentation on October 20, 2012 at Eastview Church, Winnipeg, at an Eden Foundation Fundraising event and her published booklet, “A message of hope”.
Written by Evelyn Labun, RN, DNSc.

Hope in Tragedy

Ken Reddig and Linda Driedger Eden Foundation with Monique Lépine

People at both the Friday evening and Saturday events of Eden Foundation’s dessert nights heard a dark but inspiring story from Monique Lepine. Monique is the mother of Marc Lepine, who became nationally known as the Polytechnic killer in 1989. After 17 years of silence she broke her silence and now speaks of the tragedy restoration she has experienced in her life.

She began her story with December 6, 1989 when she heard on radio that a man had killed 14 women at the Polytechnique College in Montreal. It was not until a day later she learned that it was her son who was the killer. She told of how she could not believe what had happened and how devastated she felt. Neither the police or journalists showed sympathy for her. To get away from Journalists she stayed at her pastors home and later simply avoided the public as much as possible to stay our of the way of the press.

Meanwhile she asked that eternal question, “Why?” She thought of her guilt for her divorce from a husband who beat her and her son. She then had to become a strong single mother who worked long hours as a nurse. At the same time she knew she could not attend to her children like she felt she should have. When her daughter died from an overdose of drugs, her guilt and shame worsened.

Fortunately before this all happened she had become a Christian. It was her faith in God that she clung too—often very weakly. But it kept her going. Meanwhile she had the support and compassion of  fellow workers and friends. That kept her going and for weeks and months she wept and prayed.

One difficult thing she discovered was that while there was financial and counseling support for the victims, there was nothing provided for the family of the perpetrator. The criminal code simply did not see her as a victim.

Among the messages of support she received one was from Gil Remillard who was Minister of Justice at the time. “Don’t feel guilty,” he told her. And part of her healing was to make the distinction between her responsibility and that of her children. A very difficult thing for her to do.

She noted how she went to church but often was very depressed. One evening in Church she felt she was dying of sadness. She leaned against the person next to her and told her, “If I fall down, let me lie there on the floor”. She had no desire to live. Her heart was beating irregularly. And then she heard the Lord’s voice speaking to her. “Who was it that gave you life?” She then said, “You Lord.” And then she felt as if it was the Lord asking her whether she wanted to live or die. And she said, “Lord, if I live, you are the one who has to open all the doors and has to give meaning to my life. You have to give me another chance.”

And that is what happened. She began speaking to women’s groups, and gave her testimony in other groups, churches and jails.

Today Ms. Lepine spreads her message around North America and even into Europe. She notes that if you have pain and are suffering, or if you have deep secrets that have affected you, you need to talk about them and not keep them to yourself. It is also very important that you find someone you know and trust that you can confide in. But most important she notes, “You need to find the courage to cry out to the Lord.”

She closed the events by noting that her heart had been broken and now it has been healed. She has been comforted and restored. No matter what the circumstance her message is for people to be strong on the journey. And today it is her mission to convey that message to all who are hurting.  

Eden Foundation News Release

Author Discusses Book Examining Idea Of Forgiveness After Tragedy

Written by Dantin Reimer

Dr. Weaver-Zercher speaking at the Eden Health Care's Forgiveness and Mental Health, a Stepping Stone to Recovery on October 11th

Six years ago the Amish community of Nickel Mines grieved over the loss of 5 of its girls, while 5 others were seriously injured in a mass shooting incident. October 2nd, 2006 Charles Roberts went into their school and proceeded to shoot all ten of the girls that were in attendance because he was angry at God for taking his young daughter.

Dr. David Weaver-Zercher was in Winkler last Thursday to speak at a Eden Foundation dessert night. The event raised $28,000, including sponsorships, with the money supporting Eden Health Care Services programming such as the Segue employment program and its housing and supports programs.

Dr. Weaver Zercher has co-written a book about the Nickel Mines school shooting called "Amish Grace" (How Forgiveness Transcended Tragedy).  The book explores the many questions raised about the religious beliefs and habits of Amish society that led to the quick offer of forgiveness to the shooter Roberts.

"The story of the Amish school shooting in Nickel Mines. Really did capture world wide attention. It's now six years since it happened. It was October 2nd, 2006 when Charles Roberts entered an Amish school house in Lancaster County. Took his gun with him and chased out everybody but the girls, ten of them were left behind, he shot them and five of them died. Much of the attention around the world had to do with the horror of what happened but, also in the aftermath the Amish response got a lot of attention as well particularly the Amish response with respect to forgiving Robert for what he had done," said Zercher.

Dr. Weaver-Zercher continues to keep in touch with the Nickel Mines community, and shared some of the families have to deal with the situation differently. There is one family that needs help to take care of their daughter in many ways, because she can't take care of herself. Generally the families are healing well, and are sharing their experience with other Amish and non-Amish people.

Nickel Mines didn't take long to forgive the actions of Charles Roberts.

"One of the reasons why this story has resonance is that all of us can relate to instances where we've been hurt by others and all of us can relate to the pain that comes after that. The anger that we feel, the bitterness we feel, the desire to enact revenge either in small or big ways. So I think that the issue of forgiveness and the problem of forgiveness is one that is almost universal.  I think what that the Amish teach is that not only is it possible to forgive but, it is easier to forgive when your in a community that values forgiveness. So when I get into church settings that's one of the things that I try to talk about that this is a heavy load to bear, but when you are surrounded by people that encourage you in that regard that sympathize with you when you know that it's difficult to forgive. That's a helpful first step. One of the things I try to talk about when I talk about the Amish response is that it is really a community response. There were particular people, particular families that were affected more centrally, but At the same time the response of forgiveness is something that is embedded in their community life together and they help one another in that regard." stated Zercher.

Origin of Post:
http://www.pembinavalleyonline.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=29498&Itemid=338

Head for the Hills 2012 - News Release

On Saturday morning 140 bicyclists took to road and trail for the 10^th annual Head for the Hills bike ride.  Not only was this the largest ever contingent of riders to have taken part in this event but it also raised the greatest amount of support in the ten years of the ride’s existence.

Eden Foundation organizers had set out the challenge to participants to raise support in excess of the year previous.  The purpose of the challenge was that if the goal wa met, the Head for the Hills bike ride would have raised a half million dollars in support of Eden Health Care Services programs.  Participants and sponsors did not disappoint and the mark was met.

The money that Eden Foundation has raised from this event and others goes to support the programs of Eden Health Care Services.  Services such as helping people receive professional counselling services, support for helping people who have been referred to the organization to find work and develop a sense of belonging to the community; services such as helping those with issues of mental health to find a place to live.  These services are part of a firm belief that people with issues of mental health can achieve hope, healing and recovery.

Head for the Hills bike ride organizers received numerous notes and phone calls from riders expressing thanks for a well-organized event.  A number of the participants also expressed thanks for well groomed trails and were impressed by the fact that land-owners in the area allowed their land to be used for this event and in some cases participating in the grooming of the trails.

From Altona, “…Thanks to you and everyone from Eden for a very well organized and fun ride on Saturday!”

From Winnipeg, “…There are riders in Winnipeg that would love to come out to ride your trails…”

From Winkler, “…This was my first time riding Head for the Hills, I’ll be back next year…”

From Cavalier, ND, “…Even our church pastor spoke to the congregation about this event.  It will be a positive influence in our community.”

Eden Health Care Services is encouraged by the involvement of participants both as riders and in their willingness to raise funds through their identification with the cause.

The 2013 Head for the Hills is scheduled for Saturday September 14^th 2013.

Head for the Hills 2012 - Photos

Steinbach Tractor Trek Video

Winkler Tractor Trek Video

Head for the Hills 2012

The Head for the Hills Bike Ride is scheduled for Saturday September 8^th.  This is a special year for this Eden Foundation fund-raising event; special in that it’s the 10^th anniversary ride.  Ten years ago, James Friesen the CEO of Eden Health Care Services combined his passion for riding with his compassion for those who deal with mental health issues and the Head for the Hills Bike Ride became a reality.

Over these past nine years, riders from all over have come to ride in the hills.  The ride is scenic and roughly follows the Trans Canada Trail from Colert Beach near Morden, MB meandering southward for some 36 kilometers to a destination along the edge of the Pembina Escarpment not far from the US border.  As in previous years, two routes are planned, one which takes the rider along a groomed trail through wooded areas as well as road ways and the second route taking the rider along a road course and equally as scenic as the first.

The unique feature of the Head for the Hills Bike Ride is that it is suitable for a variety of participants.  Past participants have included young riders along with their parents, those who would feel comfortable being identified as casual riders and those who would be more accurately identified as dedicated aficionados.

 The cost of registration is set low so that as many people as possible can have the experience of riding in an organized event.  There are many reasons for a rider to participate, not the least of which is the sheer enjoyment of riding together with others but it is a fund-raising event and it is the hope of the organizers that participants will pick up the challenge of calling for pledges from their circle of acquaintances.  Those funds are fully tax-deductible and will be used to support the efforts and programs that the community has called Eden Health Care Services to provide on its behalf.

The Head for the Hills Bike Ride has become one of Eden’s most important fund-raising events of the year, with the last two years having raised in excess of $62,000 each year.  The goal for the 10^th anniversary ride is to raise $80,000 and if that goal can be achieved, the bike ride can accurately claim to have raised $500,000 in ten years.  It is an exciting prospect that the event organizers hope riders will catch a vision for.  It appears to be an achievable goal and a modest increase in effort when added together will make an enormous impact to the end result.

Eden Health Care Services is involved with programs that have a broader spectrum than what our government provides funding for.  Projects that provide housing for those who otherwise wouldn’t have a place to live are funded by co-operation between our government and Eden and the only way that the Eden portion of the partnership can exist is by the funds raised by an event like Head for the Hills.  Employment counselling and training likewise receives help from our government in a partnership arrangement but again requires the participation of the community to help bring it to realization.

Then there are those occasions where people can benefit from personal counselling and Recovery of Hope provides a team of trained and qualified consellors to answer that need.  This being a fee-for-service program and being that no one is turned away because of an inability to pay those fees, Eden Foundation helps to make up the difference between the actual cost of providing the service and the level at which clients have the capability to participate.  Head for the Hills is a significant event in making it possible to cover that difference.

It is estimated that one in five people over the course of their lifetime have dealt with or are dealing with or will deal matters of mental health.  Eden Health Care Services has as its vision to actively engage in sharing Christ’s hope and healing wherever mental health needs are found.  Head for the Hills Bike Ride is an integral part to make that happen and the involvement of each and every rider helps Eden achieve that goal.

Riders can register on line at www.edenhealth.mb.ca and those who are willing to sponsor a rider can also access the list of riders and donate in support.