Rosebud for Syria puts love into action on Valentine’s Day

Laureen F. Guenther
Times Contributor

 

Refuge, a performance fundraiser organized by Rosebud for Syria, will be held in Rosebud Church on the afternoon of Feb. 14.
Funds raised will support Syrian refugees, here in Alberta and overseas.
“Refuge is an open-hearted rendering of true stories and original material from artists identifying with the need for refuge within all of us,” said Jeany Snider, a Rosebud for Syria group member, in an e-mail. “It is one way that we can act upon our desire to love our neighbor,” she wrote. “We decided to go about it this way, hosting an offering of music and story, because that is one of the primary resources we have to give in Rosebud.”
Scheduling the event on Valentine’s Day was mostly practical at first, since it was an available date on the calendar.
“But the connection quickly provided an opportunity to genuinely express love,” Snider said. “Jesus says if we only love those who love us, what reward is there in that? Identifying with the thousands of refugees in the world, and attempting to love them, becomes a much more meaningful Valentine than the way we traditionally celebrate … it’s love in action.”
Singer-songwriters Natalie Inga Gauthier and Cassia Schramm, both graduates of Rosebud School of the Arts (RSA), will perform music, as will Bill and Renita Hamm and the RSA women’s choir, Rosa Cantorum. The Dearhearts, the Rosebud-based trio who won the Regional Championship of CBC’s 2015 Searchlight Competition, will also perform.
Renita Hamm, Morris Ertman and Maki Van Dyke will share stories, and audience members may have opportunity to share their own. The RSA drama ministry team will give a presentation of Psalm 32 and a short play called “The Provision of Ishmael.”
Rosebud for Syria will accept a freewill offering, with all donations tax-receipted by Rosebud Church.
“After the performance, folks are encouraged to stay and have conversation in the fellowship hall with snacks provided by RSA,” said Snider. “This is a wonderful opportunity to engage with (other people about) what is happening in the world, to listen to one another’s concerns and share ideas for how to love our neighbor.
“(The Refuge event) allows us to grapple with what is going on in our world and find ways to respond to the cries of our conscience. It allows us to focus our energy toward a project designed to care for the needs of others.”
Funds raised at Refuge will assist the two Syrian refugee families sponsored by the Strathmore group Hope for Syria. Some funds may also be designated to Med Air, an agency that provides relief to people in locations unreached by other organizations.
People who want to donate to Refuge but are unable to attend on Feb. 14 may contact Rosebud Church directly, specifying their donation is for Syrian relief. Other fundraising events are also planned, including a Rosa Cantorum concert in the Rockyford parish, April 24.
Refuge will be held at 3 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 14, at Rosebud Church. The event is free and everyone is welcome.