Simon's Summer of Missions & Ministry

I acknowledge that I live in Moh’kins’tsis, colonially called Calgary, Alberta. The city is situated on the traditional territories of the signatories of Treaty 7, comprised of the Blackfoot Confederacy - the Siksika, Piikani, and Kainai First Nations; the Stoney Nakoda First Nation, which includes the Bearspaw, Chiniki, and Wesley Nations; and the Tsuu T'ina Nation. Treaty 7 is also a traditional northwest Métis homeland, specifically the Métis Nation of Alberta, Region #3.

 

Hello, everyone! My name is Simon Bondoc (he/him). I’m 24 years old, a new graduate, and an aspiring leader in the community and the church.

 

I’m not sure about you, but this pandemic was transformational for me. Not just because I was able to reflect deeply on my life and take care of myself better, but because I was exposed to the things our society and the institutions in power fail to address.

 

I also saw how the young people of my generation were disappointed with the way the modern, institutionalized church in the West ran. In contrast, they saw their friends from other faiths be comfortable in their faith traditions and confident in their spiritualities. Many in my generation know the church as a place that lacks openness. They say it’s complacent, ignorant, bigoted, power-hungry. It has come to a point where a standard quote being said on social media is, “There is no hate like Christian love.”

 

Friends, it should have never come to this point!

 

I believe God saw how much I took those things to heart and planted something in me to consider during the height of the pandemic: to consider becoming a minister in the United Church of Canada. I talked to other ministers, my friends and my family. Of course, I prayed fervently. Eventually, I accepted the call to discern ministry as my life vocation. It has given me so much life and purpose as I completed my undergraduate degree and navigated the world in the middle of a pandemic.

 

Now, I want to translate my faith and passions into actions. I want to work, serve, live, and pray in contexts where I can be challenged and affirmed in my vocation. Thankfully, I will be given two opportunities to do this:

 

By the grace of God, the Montréal Mission Internship is a paid internship, and The United Church of Canada and the World Council of Churches will cover my expenses for the Ecumenical Stewards Programme.

 

However, there are initial costs that I will need to cover in Montréal before my first pay, such as a round-trip flight, rent, and other living costs. In addition, the World Council of Churches is welcoming contributions to help stewards from other countries attend the General Assembly. I will contribute 10% of the total received to the WCC as an offering for this purpose. In this way, by supporting my initiative, you can also support other young adults to participate as stewards at the WCC.

 

I believe in the power of community, and I am now humbly asking for your help to raise $2500 by May 30th. I understand that many of you might still be struggling from the financial restraints the pandemic has brought. It would be a great help for me if you share this with your loved ones and networks!

 

Your investment would ensure that I can develop my leadership skills for our community and the future of the church, as well as to engage in Christ’s mission to love and serve one another, to be united as one, and to stand in solidarity with those who need it most. It would be a great blessing for me!

 

When I return to Calgary, I assure you that you will get to hear about my experiences and how we can go forward with bringing forth love and healing to our world.

 

Thank you for reading this, and may our Almighty God bless you!