Over a fifth of the $1.6 million dollars to be raised in the diocesan Honouring Our Commitment campaign had been collected by the end of summer, campaign co-chair Linda Robertson of St. Catherine's, North Vancouver, has reported.
| Linda Robertson |
The three-year campaign officially began in January. Its purpose is to allow all Anglicans in the diocese to contribute to a fund set up by the national church to pay the validated claims of First Nations people who suffered physical and sexual abuse in church-run residential schools.
"Several parishes have exceeded their pledge," said Robertson. "We've had 21.9 percent of the money to be raised come in, which at eight months into the first year is on track," she said.
At the end of August some $351,625 had been received. The total of parish targets is $1,604,500.
Robertson said that her campaign group has decided to designate next February as Honouring Our Commitment month. Meetings will be held on an archdeaconry basis, she said, adding that the campaign will require effort for the full three years.
"One of the challenges we have is to keep up the momentum," Robertson said. "We need to keep this campaign in front of people."
She said that parishes that need advice or assistance on their parish campaigns should feel free to contact her or co-chair Gordon Lee through the Synod Office.