Ribbon of Hope
Valentine's Day Dinner 2007
St. John's Blackstock Ontario Valentine's Dinner
On Saturday, February 10th, 2007 St. John's Anglican Church in Blackstock, Ontario held its 4th annual Valentine's Day dinner. The parish hall, decorated by the talented hands of parish volunteers, was transformed into a Paris bistro.
The eighty-two diners enjoyed a superb gourmet dinner prepared by Chef Daniel Plouffe, husband of St. John's Incumbent, The Rev.Mary Bell-Plouffe. Chef Daniel was ably assisted in the kitchen by daughter Lisa and son James. Red and white wine was provided by parish vintner, Ken Hudson, and music by 'one-man band' Carlo Guido made for a romantic and celebratory atmosphere... Parish youth assisted as servers, and 'flower girl' Jessey sold carnations from her wicker basket.
St. John's was honoured that night to have a special guest, the Rev.Thami Mhlana, an Anglican priest from the Diocese of Grahamstown, South Africa, with whom the Diocese of Toronto is twinned. Thami came to Canada at the start of the New Year on an exchange visit and returned to South Africa on April 15th. St. John's was the only rural parish she was able to visit during her stay. As guest preacher the following day, Thami was able to bring home in a very personal way the reality of the AIDS epidemic in Africa.
Amidst all the Valentine decorations, St. John's was honoured to have something very special this year: the PWRDF blue denim patch Ribbon of Hope, for HIV/AIDS. The Ribbon of Hope was strung ceiling high and stretched the entire length of the Parish Hall. As in previous years, St John's gala Valentine's gourmet dinner has been the occasion for the parish, and the wider community of Blackstock, to raise money for AIDS in Africa. So it was a special delight to have the Ribbon of Hope in our midst. Once again all present responded generously. Over $2000 was raised for AIDS in Africa.
