F A I T H L I N E S

18 January 2023


In this issue:

2023 FaithWorks theme


Visit faithworks.ca for more information

and to view our video library



Donate today at faithworks.ca


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2023 FaithWorks Theme


"Generosity

is the best way

of becoming

more, more and more joyful"


The Book of Joy,

Archbishop Desmond Tutu

In the Book of Joy, co-authored with the Dalai Lama, Archbishop Tutu considers generosity as one of the 8 pillars of joy.


"The Dead Sea in the Middle East receives freshwater, but it has no outlet, so it doesn't pass the water out. It receives beautiful water from the rivers, and the water goes dank. I mean, it just goes bad. And that's why it is the Dead Sea. It receives and does not give. In the end, generosity is the best way of becoming more, more, and more joyful"


We become “cheerful givers” (2 Cor. 9:7) as we become aware of the good we can do, the relationships we can build and the freedom from possessions that we are granted, by giving! Giving, as a part of stewardship, can become a way of living “from glory to glory” towards the glory of God (2 Cor 3:18). We are transformed by giving and become better disciples of Jesus.

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I recently received the following acknowledgement for gifts given to FaithWorks ministry partner the Philip Aziz Centre from Diocesan office staff at Christmas. Though the gifts are not directly related to FaithWorks, the acknowledgement gives us a glimpse of how important each and every gift we offer can be to people struggling to survive.

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Hi Peter.

 

I hope you had a wonderful Christmas, and that your new year is off to a good start.


To follow up on the generous gift of gift cards from your Anglican Diocese / FaithWorks employee team in December, I asked our program manager to collect up a few testimonials from our HIV/AIDS clients.

 

Nothing can express our thanks better than real clients in their own words.

 

Here you go:


“I would like to thank the Philip Aziz and their donors for their generous donation. I am a student and a single mother and over the holidays my biggest issue was how to make this Christmas special for my children. I had to worry about Christmas gifts or food. As a Mother I wanted my children to have a great Christmas. After praying and surrendering my situation to God, I decided it was not my children’s fault for the breakdown in my marriage. I decided to buy them one gift each and buy just enough groceries for over the Christmas break. The last week of December I received a phone call from one of the client care workers at the Philip Aziz offering me some grocery gift cards. I first started to cry, tears of joy and thanksgiving to God because I knew he provided the Gift cards. I would like to let you know, to you it may have been a few gift cards, but to my family it was groceries for the month. Thank you for your ongoing services and thank you to the donors who provided what we needed.” ~ K G

 

“I would like to say thank you for a wonderful Christmas. We were able to celebrate in person with each other and really focus on the reason for the season, the birth of Christ Jesus. It was extra special to receive the generous gift cards, not expected but well needed. Thank you, may God continue to bless you and all the people who make this possible.” ~ S H

 

“Thank you to the Philip Aziz Centre for always supporting me. The last few years has been very difficult due to a massive stroke. Thank you for prayers and thank you for the gift you delivered during the Holiday season. God Blessings.” ~ M C

 

I was moved by their words, and I hope you and your team can hear the grateful heart song of blessings in these few words.

 

With warm regards,

 

Jennifer Kroezen

Director of Development                      

Philip Aziz Centre for Hospice Care / Emily's House 

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FaithWorks Sermon or Presentation


To assist and inspire, you can arrange for a sermon, presentation or visit by representatives of our ministry partners, the Director of Stewardship Development, Peter Misiaszek, or me, by contacting the FaithWorks Speakers Bureau at

fwspeakersbureau@toronto.anglican.ca

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If you wish to highlight your Parish's events in support of FaithWorks, please forward the details to faithworks@toronto.anglican.ca

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FaithWorks Videos



The FaithWorks website, faithworks.ca has been updated with new videos to promote FaithWorks and our ministry partners. There are short, medium and long videos to include in your parish's online presence or in-person gatherings. They can be downloaded directly from the website.

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Peter Mentis (he/him)
FaithWorks Campaign Manager

135 Adelaide St. E.
Toronto, ON M5C 1L8
416-363-6021 ext. 242
1-800-668-8932 ext.242
We build healthy, missional Anglican communities that engage faithfully with the world and share the gospel of Jesus Christ. I acknowledge that my office resides on the territory of sovereign Indigenous Nations, the Anishinaabe, the Haudenosaunee, and the Wendat. I acknowledge especially the Mississaugas of the Credit and the Toronto Treaties.

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