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| CCDP Outreach | Churches-on-the-Hill | Social Justice | Green: Faith & Ecology | Links | ||||||||||||||||||
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Advocacy Thanks to all our volunteers and the generous charitable donations we’ve received to date from many members of our congregation as well as from outside CCDP. We particularily want to thank all our team leaders who have worked so tirelessly to bring the programs to fruition and move us forward. We can always use more volunteer support so we encourage you to select a program that best suits your interests and call the appropriate program leader, or Brian Buckingham,Outreach Chair. Phone contact available from the parish office 416-920-5211 Outreach is a priority ministry of the Parish Council The ministries are:
Brainstorming Outreach
Summary of 13 Feb 07 meeting results here » Social Justice Concerns
"what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God.”
(-Micah 6:8)
Outreach programs Supportive and (also: COTH archive)
Ontario Poverty Reduction Plan The Hon. Deborah Matthews, Minister for Ontario's Poverty Reduction Plan, has responded to our letter resulting from the annual Vestry meeting. The Minister will keep us up-to-date with any happenings in this area from now on
If you are able, and would like, to make a donation to any of our Outreach programs, please make it program specific so it is both channelled correctly and reflected in your charitable Tax Receipt forms. We are all looking forward to a successful year as together we try to make a difference in the lives of those less fortunate than ourselves.
Yorkminster Park Meals on Wheels invites volunteer drivers to deliver Meals on Wheels in our community during the months of July and August. Meals are delivered between 10:30 am and 12:30 pm daily, Monday to Friday. Please call (416) 482-0549 if you can spare two hours weekly or on an occasional basis to help on any of the delivery days. website »
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ANGLICANS ACROSS CANADA HAVE RAISED OVER $1,000,000 FOR HAITI . The Primate's World Relief & Development Fund is the Anglican Church of Canada's agency for development and relief, making financial and human resources available when such disasters occur. If you would like to make a donation through PWRDF, you may contact Jennifer Brown at (416) 924-9192 x320 or via the website: www.pwrdf.org. You may also mail a cheque payable to PWRDF and marked for "Haiti Earthquake" - Anglican Church of Canada, 80 Hayden Street, Toronto, ON M4Y 3G2.
As Anglicans, and as members of the wider Christian family, we continue to be committed to the goal of helping others in our own community and beyond. As a result of two Strategic Planning Days in 2006 and 2007, Outreach emerged as a top priority. This is why we are now inviting you to identify and select an outreach activity in which you would like to participate, and where together, we can make a difference. We invite you to choose from one of the five key activity priorities that emerged from our Parish Outreach “brainstorming” session which followed the Strategic Planning Days. By indicating your interest now, we will be able to plan our strategies and resources as we move forward. This is an exciting time for our parish to be actively engaged together. Having defined Outreach as a number one priority, we now welcome you to participate, and to make a difference. From our seniors to our very youngest members, there's an opportunity for everyone to be involved. "Your support, your enthusiasm, and your concern for those in need can and will make a difference." - The Rev. Canon Dr. Judy Rois WE ARE COMING INTO a new season and with that comes new projects. Our support for agencies such as Citizens for Public Justice and so many others will of course continue, but, it would be great to expand on what we are already doing.I have spoken with our friends from some of the Churches-on-the-Hill about pooling our resources on issues or public concerns which may come up and throwing in our support and vice versa to give the issue a louder voice. This could be as simple as posting a petition in each church to be signed by the interested members of the congregation.To expand on this idea, I would more than welcome your involvement. Anyone who is interested in this or any other issues requiring community support, please contact Michael Watson, info available from the parish office 416-920-5211 or email THE BREAKFAST PROGRAM began as a response to the priorities members of the congregation identified during the Strategic Planning Days held during 2006 and 2007. At CCDP we already had a proud record of local service through our “Out of the Cold” Program, and we also had an interested core of experienced volunteers at the ready. We now supplement Calvin Presbyterian’s long-running biweekly breakfast program by offering a similar meal on alternate Saturdays. Team leaders from both churches continue to communicate, and although both breakfast operations remain independent, we are proud of our ongoing ecumenical collaboration! The Community Breakfast program at CCDP is now well into its third successful year. Its two principal goals remain unchanged: to provide a biweekly hot breakfast for those in our community who need extra nutrition and to offer an opportunity for those at CCDP (and beyond) who would like to serve in a local ministry. The program benefits a vulnerable population, while allowing volunteers at CCDP to work out of their own church facility. It also addresses a less tangible, but still pressing need in the community - that of loneliness. It’s obvious on Saturday mornings that many of our “regulars” look forward to their time of fellowship in a friendly environment almost as much as they do to their generous portions of delicious scrambled eggs, sausages and toast. For this reason, providing a safe, family-like atmosphere in which to serve breakfast remains a priority. Guests are welcome to come just as they are: no payment is required, no personal questions are asked, nor any means test applied. Over time, this policy of inclusion has helped engender an atmosphere of trust and mutual respect between guests and team members alike, which we as volunteers work hard to sustain, and which the guests obviously appreciate. What’s ahead for 2010? We will serve breakfast ten times between January and the end of June 2010. Beyond that, our ability to continue this valuable program will depend, as always, upon the availability of sufficient financial and volunteer support. We need more of both - more money and more volunteers! If you can help with either, we would be delighted to hear from you; please leave a message for the coordinators with Jean King, Parish Administrator at 416- 920-5211 ext 22. Facts and Figures
As always, very special thanks to our wonderful team of volunteers who make the Community Breakfast program happen: Ann Atkins, John Darby, Ebie Dunbar, Joan Filip, Michael Gendron, Joy Graham, Alastair Grant, Margaret Heather, Nicholas Jackson, Elizabeth Joy, Anne Larkin, Naomi Macdonald, Joyce McIntee, Bettie Martindale, Edna Quammie. An extra- special thank you to the Rev. Greg Carpenter for his help and support. Ross Morrow and Vickie Grant OUR GROUP MEETS MONTHLY and has organized a First Nations Sunday for October 19. The Guest Speaker will be The Rev. Andrew Wesley, a Cree priest who runs an urban native ministry at Church of the Redeemer (Avenue Rd. and Bloor St.). In addition we hope to sponsor Fall and Spring Facilitated Discussions on particular topics affecting First Nations Communities within Metropolitan Toronto and other cities across Canada. Contact John van Nostrand - info available from the parish office 416-920-5211 or email
We have been working with Rt. Rev. Christopher Boyle, Bishop of Northern Malawi, and his official representative to North America, Leah Creighton of Upperville, Virginia. [Click video image above right to view YouTube video 1 of the Bishop at a recent visit to CCDP: Bishop Boyle talks about the Diocese of Northern Malawi or here » video opens in new window] Inspired by the work of St. Peter's, Coburg (where the Rector is former CCDP Assistant Curate, Canon Peter Walker) over many years on an orphan feeding program in Malawi, we have been researching how best Christ Church can play a meaningful role.
In order to make this a reality, we are seeking to raise $25,000 over the next year. Already, we are off to a roaring start, with one parish couple generously donating $5,000 to pay for the first three months. We are a dedicated group of about 18 parishioners and others and we would welcome new members – both from CCDP and from the broader community. In particular, we are looking for those who can assist with some marketing efforts. Over the next month, there will be a series of announcements and promotions relating to this very initiative in both the parish and the local community. We are very excited about the project and the impact it will have both in Malawi and at Christ Church. Contact - Pat Butler chair of the Malawi Outreach program. info available from the parish office 416-920-5211 or email
Our annual giving tree returns to Elliott Hall. In 2008 our donations went to one of Christ Church's Outreach Programs, the Yonge Street Mission (YSM). YSM helps over 4,000 people at Christmas and welcomes gifts of toys, books, food, gift certificates and cash donations. Bring your gift and place it under the giving tree. A wish list for most needed gifts is available here » or click the Wish list photo above right [750k pdf]. Contact the parish office 416-920-5211 or email Letter of Thanks from a Moorelands Camper Dear Christ Church, My name is Danielle and I am Cabin Leader at Camp Moorelands. I would like to personally thank you for your donations to Moorelands. Without people like you, many Toronto children would not have this amazing experience. Camp provides a safe, fun positive atmosphere, where kids can be kids, and try many new things. I know this is the highlight of these children's summer! Thank you, sincerely, Danielle Connelly Moorelands website » 
Outreach in Action Today
Other activities we’re involved in:
This past year CCDP has supported a number of agencies concerned with food. One member of the committee is designated as the parish liaison with the Churches on the Hill (COTH) Food Bank. In addition to individual donations, approximately 30 parishioners regularly assist at the Food Bank in a variety of roles. A bin in the Atrium makes it easy for all of us to leave food that will be taken to the COTH Food Bank. A major 'feeding' project takes place between November and April when approximately 30 volunteers take part in a program to provide a weekly lunch of soup and sandwiches for 50 residents at two residences of LOFT. The lunch provides an opportunity for socialization as well as a tasty and nutritious meal. To visit the LOFT website, click here. The STOP Community Food Centre Christ Church Deer Park has had a long history of providing support to the STOP. The STOP Community Food Centre strives to increase access to healthy food in a manner that maintains dignity, builds community and challenges inequality. Their work is based on the belief that food is a basic human right. At The Stop they run a range of programs including community dining, kitchens and gardens, nutrition and support for pregnant women and a food bank. The Stop is located in Davenport West, a community that struggles with hunger, high unemployment and homelessness. To visit the STOP website click here.
Homelessness and inadequate housing resources are, unfortunately, part of our community. One of the ways that the committee has tried to address this pressing issue is to make members of the parish aware of advocacy activities and support community activities that try to speak to these issues. Several years ago the parish was part of a Churches on the hill (COTH) Habitat for Humanity building project - a number of parishioners are still very active in this agency. The committee provides an annual donation to the Homelessness Action Fund, a faith-based advocacy group. This past year, donations were also made to Wychwood Day Hostel, the Yonge Street Mission and the SOS program at LOFT. All these programs provide assistance to those who for whatever reason may be living on the street. THE DIOCESE OF TORONTO: FaithWorks In addition to personal and parish initiatives, Anglicans from across the Diocese of Toronto are also able to band together to make significant contributions. CCDP supports the outreach programs of the Diocese through the allocation of funds as determined by the Diocese. These programs include All Saints Church Community Centre and Flemington Park Ministry. To visit the FaithWorks website, click here.
We believe that we have a responsibility for sharing our resources in the wider community. This past year the committee provided support to a COTH evening to celebrate Africa with an inspiring talk by Stephen Lewis. We are exploring with the other member churches the most appropriate way of building continued community support for supportive programs in Africa. We also support the development and relief agency of the Anglican Church of Canada - the Primate's World Relief and Development Fund (PWRDF). The Primate's Fund is the Canadian Anglican response for emergency relief, refugees, development, and justice. And it's making a difference in the world.
During season of Advent our Giving Christmas Tree in Elliott Hall has been a huge success - For more about this annual outreach project, click here.
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Christ Church Deer Park
1570 Yonge Street - 2 blocks north of St. Clair Home | Location / Map | Links | Top of Page
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Malawi Partnership The Bishop of Northern Malawi, Christopher Boyle visited the parish on May 14, 2009. The Malawi Outreach Committee invited all interested parishioners to a wine & cheese reception to meet the Bishop to hear first-hand about the impact of CCDP’s financial support on the islands of Likoma and Chizumulu in Lake Malawi. 
