Our upcoming “WAYGATE Project” has been well embraced by our greater Diocese. In community, we have been meeting and looping with other service leaders (Rotary, BVO, High School, Library) and local contractors, sharing plans with them and partnering together as we move forward with implementation of the various elements of care.
The waygate at St. George's is nestled within the Garden of Remembrance and the gate is closed. We no longer have people enter the property through this gate, but we hope to enter the lives of others in our community by way of this gate in the future. In English Christian tradition, Waygates, or often better known as Lychgates, were places at the edge of church property where charitable services were made available including food, clothing, sometimes a place of respite, and with some churches, even a covered porch whore funeral services could be offered in this some spirit.
The Waygate Outreach Project is all about offering supports to our neighbourhood: clean water for cyclists, walkers and dogs; food in our food cupboard for anyone in need; a prayer mailbox to better respond to the spiritual needs of the neighbourhood; a community announcement board to spread the news of how other groups are supporting our local residents. St. George’s desires to give back to the neighbourhood as part of living our congregational identity: “Caring for Others Because God Cares for Us All.”
Our Waygate will include a number of elements that will be of support to members of the wider community:
- new park benches for guests and visitors to rest (just outside of the location of the historic horse gate on Marsh Street)
- a public water fountain with bottle refill and dog fountain
- a community services announcement board (to share advertising posters for local organizations who are helping the neighbourhood)
- a neighbourhood prayer mailbox (which would allow anyone to submit a prayer request. These can ha confidential or could ask a visit from our clergy)
- a community food box that would expand the food programs of the BVQ and the library. This box would carry free items that local individuals or families to take whenever needed
- a historical marker showing pictures of how St George's has been serving the neighbourhood since 1802
- Town of the Blue Mountains garbage and recycling bins