A Special Event For The Whole Family

Welcome back!

On September the 13th we will have a special program lined up for our  "Welcome Back From the Summer Fest". We will receive a visit from the children's book author Jan Hansen, who is of Danish descent, and we will have "danske hotdogs med det hele" (Danish hot dogs with all that goes with it) and build our own Sundae. 

The author Jan Hansen has written the children's book "No More Empty Smiles", which is a story about being an immigrant child in Canada and all the challenges that goes with it. Jan Hansen's father was a Danish immigrant and the book is based on the story Jan was told by his father.

Jan Hansen will spend some time with the children in Children's Hour and also make a small presentation to the congregation after the service.

Front cover of the book:

A note from the author

I recently heard a study that said that people who read fiction have a well developed sense of empathy. Non-fiction gives you facts, but fiction lets you look at the world through someone else's eyes. That is why I write and tell stories: to help people understand each other.

My most recent picture book brings together stories that my father told about when he came to Canada from Denmark. He didn't understand any English. As an elementary vice-principal I see students today coming to our schools facing many of the same issues that my father faced almost 60 years ago. I wrote the book to help people who grew up in English to understand what it feels like to be on the outside. I wanted them to empathize with the newcomers around them. The book comes with the challenge: What are we doing to make sure that others are included in what we do?

As you come back together after the summer, I challenge your congregation to think about what you are doing to make connections and help others feel that they belong. I will see you in September.

Jan Hansen