Maritime Church Hosts Art Fundraiser

On June 10, Charlottetown Christian Reformed Church used fine art to raise cash for Solomon’s Porch, a local outreach center that ministers to those who are marginalized or who struggle with addiction.

Participants purchased tickets to learn how to paint a work of art on canvas under the instruction of Geraldine Ysselstein, a well-known artist in the area. Ticket proceeds raised $1,500 for Solomon’s Porch.

“It was an enjoyable and fun evening with lots of laughter with approximately 50 people,” said Albert Huizing, director of youth ministry for Charlottetown CRC. “They were all painting the same object—a sunflower—with the exact same instructions by Geraldine, but what materialized were 50 absolutely different masterpieces.”

The evening was organized by Joanne McIsaac, a member of Charlottetown CRC. McIsaac and others from the congregation have formed a missional community that spends four hours each week at Solomon’s Porch to get to know those who come to this center and understand their needs. 

“The group meets on Tuesday, has a devotion time [and] an activity/craft time, and, of course, no ministry plan would be complete without a time of food and fellowship—the breaking of the bread, so to speak,” explained Huizing. 

This missional community team teaches life skills while mentoring and showing love to those who come to the outreach center. The ministry formed out of conversations the congregation started in the fall of 2015 about ways they could support Solomon’s Porch. They felt it was time to do more than just provide monetary support.

The presence of this group at Solomon’s Porch has been greatly appreciated. Rev. John Bennett, ministry director at Solomon’s Porch, is excited to see what will happen as this ministry continues. “This is an example of the church in action, and we as leadership and as clients are so blessed to have these people with great hearts stand with us,” he said. “Who can imagine what the Lord will do in the weeks and months to come as we reach out together to those often neglected by the church?”