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PWRDF is my passion

By Peter Goodwin, Diocesan Representative for New Westminster, B.C.

I joined the PWRDF committee at St. James Church, Vancouver more than 30 years ago, inspired by its founder Father Lloyd Wright. Fr. Wright’s passion for PWRDF was exemplified by his purchase of a neon sign to stream the latest news from PWRDF during coffee hours! I accepted his invitation in the late 1980s to fill his position on the diocesan unit which I maintain today having assumed the role as Chair and Diocesan Representative for more than 12 years.

As an Anglican since birth and a retired social worker I remain passionate about PWRDF. It provides a truly heartfelt means for me to live out my Faith, a faith reflected in the vision and mission statements of PWRDF and that are rooted in Christ’s teachings, such as found in the Gospel of St. Matthew 25:35-40:

“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat,
I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink,
I was a stranger and you invited me in,
I needed clothes and you clothed me,
I was sick and you looked after me…
Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”

Over the past 10 years I have been involved with PWRDF Food Security programs. I participated in the week-long Sharing Bread Learning Exchanges at the Sorrento Centre in British Columbia meeting guest partners from Tanzania, Cuba, Bangladesh, and individuals involved with food production and food security from across Canada. I was honoured to be a member of the Food Security delegation to Cuba in March 2015 and to witness work being done by two partner organizations, the Cuban Council of Churches and the Episcopal Diocese of Cuba. Following the trip our diocesan unit fundraised to build a greenhouse at the parish of St. Mary the Virgin Itabo which had hosted our delegation and stated the vital need for a greenhouse.

It is a pleasure to work with the wonderful staff at PWRDF, Board and Youth Council members, fellow diocesan unit members, dedicated parish representatives, and diocesan clergy and staff in an effort to find creative means for sharing the ever inspiring and impactful stories of PWRDF with fellow Anglicans. A true honour was having been made an Honorary Associate of PWRDF in 2017 and recognized by my diocese in this regard.