F A I T H L I N E S
3 March 2021

Visit www.faithworks.ca
for more Information or to Donate
In this Issue:
"I was hungry, and you gave me food, ..."
"Feeding those in need is a greater work than raising the dead."
Parishes receive 25th anniversary FaithWorks' campaign materials
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FaithWorks' Mission

"I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me."
(Matt.25:35,36)

There is no simpler way to sum up the mission and work of FaithWorks. It is to open one's heart and one's hand to the needs of others, and so to God; during Lent, during the pandemic and throughout one's life. __________________________________________________________
FaithWorks' 2021 Theme

"Feeding those in need is a greater work
than raising the dead."
(St. John Chrysostom)

Astonishing! Who could say such a thing? How can it be that sharing a loaf of bread is something greater than resurrecting a dead person. Reaching out a helping hand is so easy. Giving life to a dead person is impossible, except for God.

But if it is so easy to give, why do we hold back a helping hand, limit our reach, and hold onto what is "ours" so desperately? Giving requires repentance from our self-centredness and our fears. Is not true repentance the hardest thing to do, the greatest work for a human soul? Witness the struggle against the pandemic this past year. Witness the struggle against environmental degradation. Change takes great effort from us, but it is not impossible, with the Grace of God.

Raising the dead is an act of God, a gift from God. No amount of human effort or work can achieve this. It is impossible for us, alone.

And yet, cannot new life be given with a hot meal, a cup of coffee, a welcoming greeting, new shoes, a supportive visit, a sleeping bag and a tent. This we can do! But it requires repentance.

Perhaps this season of Lent, this season of repentance, we can give up more than chocolate, so we can give someone else new life!

Join us in this year's FaithWorks Lenten Appeal. Act today!
Donate at faithworks.ca
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Parishes receive 25th anniversary FaithWorks' campaign materials.

The 2021 FaithWorks Campaign materials celebrating the 25th anniversary of FaithWorks have been mailed to your parishes. 
 
The packages include posters, brochures, donations cards and a campaign manual. They are designed to help you share with your fellow parishioners the good news of the good work that FaithWork does. There are still many people in our parishes who prefer to work with paper hardcopy.
 
Our parishes will be closed, to one degree or another, throughout this Lenten season and for a while thereafter. We will all need to be innovative with how we use these campaign materials. We can read through the manual to familiarize ourselves with the FaithWorks programme. We can still put up and display the posters in anticipation of the joyous day the doors of our Churches will be open again. We can distribute the brochures through the mail, or with teams for personal delivery, or with pre-arranged curb-side pick-up like the stores. You know best how to reach out in your parish. I would very much like to hear of your new and innovative ways to distribute the FaithWorks brochure packages and share this with others through the e-newsletter FaithLines. 
 
The materials are also designed to draw people’s attention to the FaithWorks website, faithworks.ca , where they can learn more and act. There they can better understand how FaithWorks helps so many people and become part of the effort by donating. And remember, when a member of your parish donates online to FaithWorks AND mentions your parish in the Comments section as instructed, your parish gets credit for the donation.
 
A generous donor has offered a $100,000 matching challenge grant for all new and increased donations. That means for every dollar raised over last year’s amount, by an individual or parish, FaithWorks receives an extra dollar. We encourage you to make a special effort this year – doing a little more can make twice the difference.
 
In spite of the pandemic, our people still want to express their love of God through prayer, fasting and almsgiving. We need to clear away the obstacles and show them new paths to do so. I hope that these paper materials, as well as the online resources, help you lead the way!
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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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Virtual and Video Sermons available
We are only gathering virtually. The Director of Stewardship, Peter Misiaszek, and I would normally be visiting parishes in person to speak of FaithWorks. Why not virtually!!! If you would like one of us to speak to your parish during your online Sunday worship please contact FaithWork Speakers Bureau at fwspeakersbureau@toronto.anglican.ca

If you would like the pre-recorded video of my sermon promoting FaithWorks (11 minutes) or the 20th Anniversary of FaithWorks video
(2 minutes) for your Sunday morning services, please email me so that I can make them available to you. Coming soon - a 25th Anniversary of FaithWorks video!!!
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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.