Butterflies… transformed and transforming

One of the amazing things in nature is the journey of the caterpillar.

The humble caterpillar munches and munches. He seeks nourishment, then cocoons himself and rests.

He then emerges an entirely different creature.

That’s God’s plan for us.

We seek nourishment and abide in our Lord’s love. We emerge a new creation.

As we see a butterfly, we are reminded of this incredible journey. Seeing a butterfly is an uplifting encounter.

At St. Andrew’s, we are starting our 5th annual Butterfly Tree mission fundraising campaign. It begins today and ends April 3, the Sunday before Palm Sunday.

We have put butterflies on a tree inside our sanctuary and outside our building, on a tree that’s kittycorner to the downtown branch of the Barrie Public Library. The outside tree is an incredible reminder of what is coming, despite the cold and snow.

Inside our sanctuary, this is what we see now, as the campaign begins.

We want to fill the butterfly trees with butterflies — and you can join us by donating $10 for a butterfly:

• In remembrance of someone dear
• In support of a cause you care about
• In hope for something you wish to see in our world – be it our city, our province, our country or our world globally

Funds raised support an array of projects that build a better world around us. We share those funds with  Women’s Missionary Society projects in Malawi, India and Montreal.

We assist Presbyterian World Service and Development, the agency of the Presbyterian Church in Canada that assists refugees.

More locally, we share the funds with the Little Food Pantry project, Youth Haven, the Barrie Women and Children’s Shelter and the Listening Post.

Just as seeing a butterfly can make an incredible difference in your day, the funds from one butterfly can help a program change someone’s life.

To donate, call our office at 705-728-3991 and make arrangements to e-transfer or drop off funds. Tax receipts will be issued for donations of $20 or more.

Join us in helping others, giving hope and sharing life-changing support.