APRIL 2026
THRIFT VOLUNTEER NEWSLETTER
Keeping our valued volunteers informed
VEM Inspiration Dear Volunteers, It is such a blessing to know you all! Spring emerged last month and brought us lots of sunshine and good times. In this new month, let’s use the extra sunshine to bless our neighbours and ourselves. We gained an extra hour of sun—so how can we use it well? I would say: use the time outside of the house. Smiling at someone while having a stroll just might make their day! And who knows—you might gain a friend! You could also learn a new sport, like golf. I recently read that while playing golf, people often make meaningful relationships, turning their time with strangers into business deals, brainstorming sessions, and lasting memories. Take some time to ease the pace of your day and truly smell the roses, lilies, or whatever beautiful flower God has put before you. Take time to share—your
faith, dreams, or uncertainties—with an empathetic ear. Make time to listen to the stranger with a crying toddler or the person seeking your attention during your afternoon Tim’s run. Take the sunshine as a gift: slow down, be intentional, and you’ll be surprised at the joy you’ll find. April’s observances include Maundy Thursday (April 2), Good Friday (April 3), Easter Sunday (April 5), Easter Monday (April 6), Tartan Day (April 6), and Volunteer Appreciation Week (April 19-25). Let’s spend this month in awe of God’s love, admiring the beauty of Canada’s diversity, and celebrating community service together. I pray you will see each day as a gift, because they are. With gratitude,
LiTunjia Olubusi Volunteer Engagement Manager
MCC Thrift on Mill
Inspiration from This Month’s Observances Maundy Thursday (April 2) Maundy Thursday commemorates Jesus’ Last Supper and His “new commandment” to love one another, marking the beginning of the Triduum (the days between Thursday and Easter Sunday). In recent decades, many churches have revived ancient practices like foot washing to reconnect congregations with early Christian humility and service. Good Friday (April 3) Good Friday solemnly remembers Jesus’ crucifixion, the central act of sacrifice within the Christian story of salvation. In modern practice, churches increasingly emphasize contemplative liturgies and community walks of the cross to highlight the day’s enduring relevance. Tartan Day (April 6) Tartan Day celebrates Scottish heritage on the anniversary of the 1320 Declaration of Arbroath. First proposed in Nova Scotia in 1986 and officially recognized across Canada by 2010, it has grown in recent years into national events featuring tartan wearing, Highland arts, and cultural storytelling.