Wishing all a safe and connected Christmas
I feel very fortunate to be writing this Christmas letter from the Cana farm.
After such a difficult and sad couple of years, it is lovely to see the vegetable garden flourishing and the return of our volunteers to our community houses and the farm. There is a lot of energy and hope in our community right now – hope that 2022 will be less restrictive, and less of a struggle both on a personal level and at an organisational level. This year has felt like a replica of 2020 and like most other charities, Cana has struggled. We have tried to focus on the positives however at times even that seemed overwhelming.
Before I focus on wishing everyone a peaceful and safe Christmas, I would like to acknowledge those who have struggled with the death or sickness of family and friends. The restrictions during this past year have meant that these people haven’t been able to find the usual support from their community or share their grief. I would also like to acknowledge those who have felt isolated during lockdowns. We hope the reopening has brought some joy, and a reminder of the necessity of human connection.
Cana’s Christmas celebrations are coming up, however they will be smaller this year, as we are mindful some people are still uncomfortable gathering in large groups. I send my wishes for a safe and connected Christmas to everyone in our community. Our plan is to do a larger celebration in February next year, celebrating new beginnings with everyone (stay tuned).
This year, like every year, our donor and volunteer support has allowed us to connect with and care for our community in a meaningful way. We have introduced regular mental health support, therapy and fitness opportunities, and everyone has challenged themselves to be more ‘giving’ and ‘forgiving’.
Like every charity, we are dependent on people’s generosity. The reality is, without donations we would not be able to continue our work. Should you be interested in making a tax-deductible donation the details are provided below.
To donate, you can:
visit our website www.cana.org.au, and click on the ‘DONATE NOW’ tab at the top of the page;
make a deposit directly to our account: Cana Communities Inc., BSB 082 080, Account No. 52 754 9972; or
send a cheque to Cana Communities Inc. at PO Box 1651 Strawberry Hills NSW 2012, made payable to ‘Cana Communities Inc.’.
Donation note: Please be sure to provide your details to receive a receipt, as all donations over $2.00 are tax deductible.
As 2021 ends, our Cana board and management team remain grateful for the care and consistent support you have offered. We hope the Christmas period gives you the time you need to reflect on the past couple of years and dream about a safer and more connected 2022.
Pope Francis said the following words about a hopeful future, and whether you follow the Christian faith or not, I think they will resonate and help us think about the future in a healthier way:
Feeling hopeful does not mean to be optimistically naive and to ignore the tragedy humanity is facing. Hope is the virtue of a heart that doesn’t lock itself into darkness, that doesn’t dwell on the past and does not simply get by in the present but is able to see a tomorrow.
Stay safe, take care, and enjoy your families, friends, and freedom.
Julie Sneddon
Cana Communities
P.S. Should you be looking for last minute gifts for staff, family and friends, please consider our enterprise products - now available for order online www.canafarm.com.au/shop (last orders Thursday 16-December). Our Farm and enterprise is a positive story and our products and hampers make for a thoughtful gift.
