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Christ Church Deer Park - There's Life Here!

  
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link to outreach brochure

Advocacy

Community Breakfast

First Nations Group

Reaching Out to Malawi

Inner City Youth


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:
Communications
Church Community
Learning:
Children / Youth / Adults
Outreach
Worship and Music
Parish Council


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)

click here


The Churches-on-the-Hill logo

Outreach programs
through CCDP's
fellowship with COTH:

Supportive and
Affordable housing
Food Bank

(also: COTH archive)

An Evening for Africa
[2005]

CCDP front door image


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 »


CHURCHES ON-THE-HILL FOOD BANK - Christ Church Deer Park is a member of the Churches on-the-Hill, which runs a food bank - an emergency food program run by volunteers and operated under the auspices of the Daily Bread Food Bank, located at Deer Park United. Details »

Primate's World Relief & Development Fund 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.

link to outreach brochureLet’s Reach Out Together!
Parishioners at Christ Church Deer Park have a long and proud heritage in reaching out to those in need through an active and caring Outreach ministry.

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



Advocacy

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


Community Breakfast

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

  • Breakfasts are served alternate Saturdays in the Community Hall from 8 - 9.30 a.m.
  • We served five times between September and December 2009, for a total of 165 breakfasts to an average of 33 clients per session.
  • On January 16, our first breakfast of 2010, we had 40 guests!

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


First Nations Group

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


Reaching Out to Malawi

Bishop of Malawi (1)IN LATE AUGUST, Christ Church has made a bold decision to start a major initiative supporting pregnant women and young children in AIDS-ravaged and poverty-stricken Northern Malawi. For the last year, this group has been investigating how our parish ministry can best take on an international perspective, especially in Africa.

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.

Bishop of Malawi (2)After reviewing many options and a visit from Leah Creighton in the spring, we are excited to announce a final decision. CCDP will be starting a Dietary Improvement Program on the Islands of Likoma and Chizimulu. This program will be run by St. Peter's Hospital on Likoma, which is operated under the auspices of Bishop Boyle. We expect that it will provide weekly benefits to about 100 expectant mothers and babies, many of whom are HIV/AIDS positive and/or suffer from other diseases and conditions, most significantly malnutrition. [Click video image above left to view YouTube video 2 of the Bishop at a recent visit to CCDP: Bishop Boyle discusses the challenges / issues / concerns of people living in Northern Malawi or here » video opens in new window]

Bishop of Malawi (3)The program will be offered by nurses from the hospital as a mobile clinic that will focus on education and providing healthy food, especially for pre- and post-natal mothers and babies. It will be connected directly with CCDP's Sunday school program Promiseland, and the children will be linked with the program and people on Likoma Island. We have agreed to pilot this exciting project for 6 months and then assess its success and determine our longer-term commitment. [Click video image above right to view YouTube video 3 of the Bishop at a recent visit to CCDP: Former Bishop of northern Malawi Christopher Boyle - on the Partnership between Christ Church Deer Park, Toronto and the Diocese of Northern Malawi or here » video opens in new window]

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.

Bishop of Northern Malawi 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.

Contact - Pat Butler chair of the Malawi Outreach program. info available from the parish office 416-920-5211 or email


Inner City Youth

OUR GROUP served our first dinner of the season at the Yonge Street Mission on October 3, 2008. This meal service is part of an outreach ministry of the Yonge Street Mission to youth at risk in our community.

In addition to a hot meal, the young people are also provided with an opportunity for some fun with games and computer activities. The volunteers assist with setup, making and serving the meal, clean up and eating with the kids. If you would like to participate please let me or the church office know. Yonge Street Mission website ». See also here »

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 »

Primates World Relief & Development
Outreach in Action Today
  • Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund (PWRDF) Beyond individual parishioner and CCDP financial contributions, we have initiated many projects to raise funds for those in need both here and around the globe. details »

  • Churches On-The-Hill (COTH) Food Bank Very active in the community food bank located at Timothy Eaton Memorial Church, St. Clair Ave. West. details »

  • LOFT (Leap Of Faith Together) Preparing meals for the elderly in support of LOFT, which offers outreach services (including housing) to the vulnerable and homeless across the GTA. details »

  • The STOP Community Food Centre Long-time supporter of the Centre which meets basic food needs and fosters opportunities to build support networks and connections to community services. details »

  • Social Justice & Advocacy Participation and support for various major advocacy issues (housing, HIV/AIDS, Aboriginal Rights) in our diocese and beyond.

Other activities we’re involved in:

  • Holy Cow (raising money for a cow in Africa)
  • Habitat For Humanity link»
  • Annual Deer Park Food Drive
  • Flemingdon Park Homework Club
  • Frontier College link »
  • Meals on Wheels link »
  • Yonge St. Mission details »
  • Kairos Ecumenical Justice Initiative link»
  • Stephen Lewis Fund link », and
  • Moorelands Community Services (helping kids affected by poverty) link »

Outreach - LOFT logoFOOD BANKS: I was hungry and you gave me food!

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 CentreOutreach logo - The Stop

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.

Through the Outreach Committee, parishioners also provide funds to community agencies related to food and feeding such as Meals on Wheels and the Vaughan Road food bank.


The Homeless

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.

To visit the website of Yonge St. Mission, www.ysm.on.ca


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.
For the list of all the FaithWorks partners and community ministries, click here.


International Care

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.

To visit the PWRDF website, click here.


The Christmas Giving Tree

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.


GROWING TO GIVE
Following the example of many others at Christ Church, Growing to Give was a project the Rev. Greg Carpenter began in May 2007 - inspired by parishioners he had been visiting, he decided to grow his hair until the spring of 2008 to donate for use in wigs for people who have lost their hair because of illness.

Cutting day was March 14, 2008. The Wig anda Make-up Supervisor at the Canadian Opera Company, Sharon Ryman and Lead hand, Cori Ferguson were in charge of the 'harvest'. They also added a donation of hair from their department's wig stock.

The donation was two-fold. While the hair donation was sent to a local organization making wigs (Pantene Beautiful Lengths), the people of Christ Church supported Growing to Give through generous donations towards the new Inner City Outreach program at Christ Church.

Christ Church Deer Park - There's Life Here!
Christ Church Deer Park

1570 Yonge Street - 2 blocks north of St. Clair
NW corner of Yonge & Heath
Toronto, ON M4T 1Z8
a 5-minute walk from the St. Clair Station

Phone: 416-920-5211   |   Fax: 416-920-8400   |   email


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