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Community rallies to raise funds Concert and walk held to help Holy Comforter Anglican Church finish new building
Miranda Scotland
Northern News Services
Published Wednesday, July 24, 2013
RANKIN INLET
The crowd breaks into a rhythmic clap as the music picks up and four dancers make their way to the bottom of the stage.
John Arualak, left, and Larry Gibbons perform at the community hall in Rankin Inlet July 18 as part of a fundraiser for the Holy Comforter Anglican Church. - photo courtesy of Noel Kaludjak |
A lone male performer swings his arms and moves his feet across the worn white tiled floor while three women move around him.
He is smiling from ear to ear when the song comes to a close and he shuffles back to the orange plastic chair waiting for him.
Rankin Inlet residents came together July 18 for a concert at the community hall. The event was put on in order to raise funds for the Holy Comforter Anglican Church, which is still trying to finish work on its new building.
The partially built structure was damaged earlier this month after a small fire started in one of the building's corners.
Organizer of the concert, Noel Kaludjak said he decided he wanted to do something to help the church after he heard Lucy Wiebe was planning to do a walk to raise funds for the cause.
Wiebe started her trek to the elders cabin at about 9 a.m. the same day and had planned to make an appearance at the community hall on her way back.
Eleven other residents accompanied her. Together they made 12, the same number as Jesus's disciples, Wiebe said, not long after she arrived at the halfway point.
Wiebe was inspired to help after praying for a year to see the new building finished.
God's answer to her, she said, was for her to walk out to Iqalugaarjuup Nunanga Territorial Park. Initially, she was going to go with just one other person but she decided to go on the radio and use Facebook to invite others.
She said she was pleasantly surprised with the response.
"I never expected this many to come," said Wiebe. "We had fun."
Meanwhile, about 75 residents showed up to the concert to watch 15 musicians, who were allowed to play two songs each.
The highlight of the night, Kaludjak said, was a performance by well-known singer-songwriter and guitarist Charlie Panigoniak.
"It was awesome," Kaludjak said of the night. "The crowd was a quality crowd ... They just wanted to laugh a bit, enjoy the music and sing along."
Donations were made at the door and together the residents contributed nearly $3,500. If there is a need, Kaludjak said, he would consider putting on a similar event again.
Wiebe had not tallied the funds she raised by press time.
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