Donate today at faithworks.ca

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"Generosity is the best way of becoming

more, more, and more joyful"

Archbishop Desmond Tutu, The Book of Joy

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FaithWorks Sunday is November 26

The Reign of Christ

The Diocese has designated the Sunday of the Reign of Christ as FaithWorks Sunday annually. This is to highlight the mission of FaithWorks as an expression of the Kingdom of God on earth. Parishes may choose to designate another Sunday as their FaithWorks Sunday according to their calendar. 

By celebrating FaithWorks Sunday we can draw attention to our collective effort as a Diocese to help those struggling for food, shelter, safety, community and dignity.



Our Ministry Partners are located across the Diocese. They operate on a scale beyond that which any one parish can support. Our Diocese, through FaithWorks, hopes to offer them a stable and reliable source of funding so they can be the hands of God comforting the most vulnerable among us.

Every donation, by a parish or individual, is an important part of the support FaithWorks offers those in need.

Please visit our website, faithworks.ca, to watch a video or read about the mission of FaithWorks.

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A Prayer for

FaithWorks Sunday

Let us celebrate the Reign of Christ today in remembrance that Divinity arose among us in Jesus, lives within us, and sees us daily in the lives of those who call out for assistance.

We pray for all those who work within the FaithWorks family of support. We pray that our gratitude for their work may enrich their lives and sustain their energies for the great work that they are called to do. 

We pray for all those whom they assist that their lives may be renewed for full participation in the human family. 

We pray for the success of the FaithWorks fundraising campaign that we, too, may be given a chance to be those hands that do the work of saving lives and offering hope for so many. Help us to be as generous as possible, especially in this time when we are made aware of what it is to be alone, in need, and fearful of the future.

May the eyes of our hearts be always open to the full humanity of all.

Heavenly Father, we pray this in the name of Jesus Christ who is alive with You and the Holy Spirit, today and forever.

Amen

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The following article from

our ministry partner,

Flemingdon Park Ministry (FPM),

is an example of the work that your donation

 to FaithWorks supports.

FPM Update

from Maria Reolin,

Executive Director

The Incorporated Ministry in Flemingdon Park (FPM) is a non-profit, registered charity that has been serving the community for more than 50 years. FPM fills an important gap in service delivery in Flemingdon Park. Over 13,000 clients received in-person and virtual support during the worst of the pandemic in 2021-2022. FPM offers a welcoming space to refugees, immigrants, and persons struggling with poverty, isolation, mental health, and addiction issues. Our community trusts us to “walk alongside” them.

One of the major concerns for Flemingdon Park residents is food insecurity. In 2022, almost 12,000 individuals came through our doors for our daily drop-in and to attend our following programs.

• Drop-in: around 35 individuals show up every day for coffee, snacks, clothing, community orientation, fellowship, etc.
• Food and Friendship: 120-150 participants per event come share a meal, get to know other members of the community, receive information about services available, etc.
• English Conversation Class: around 30 participants attend weekly, Some of them are illiterate so we provide basic literacy instruction. 

• Food Distribution: 80 families a week receive vegetables, milk, eggs, and groceries.
• Senior Food Distribution: 120 units in a subsidized seniors' building receive nutritious food and toiletries.
• Senior Wellness: we help around 45 residents of a subsidized seniors' building. The class is a great opportunity to socialize and stay active.
• Women’s Program: 10-12 participants attend weekly for knitting, sewing and social interaction.
• Bible Study Group: Once a week, 10 participants attend per session.
• Quran Class: 10 participants attend every week and learn to understand the holy book in its original language. 
• Health and Wellness: offered 4 times a week, 8-10 participants per session get active and share some music and fun.
• Abundance: 10 families, selected based on need and size, receive a hamper at Christmas.
• Free Tax Clinic: 100 families use this service every March.
• Cobb’s Bread: 50-60 walk-ins receive bread every other week.
• Hair Cut: 10 people use this service weekly, it’s open to men, women, and children.
• Art Class: Around 7 people get together every week with a renown artist to learn how to express their feelings through artistic expression.
• Workshops and Info Sessions: We run these in partnership with other organizations at least once a month. Women’s issues such as financial literacy, women’s rights in Canada, domestic violence, and other topics that affect our clientele directly are the focus. The sessions are very well attended (up to 30 individuals) 

We also run a farm,

The Common Table, now in its 5^th year. Our farm produces over 7,000 pounds of vegetables that are directly distributed within the Flemingdon Park community. It has been a very valuable source of nutrition for many families experiencing food insecurity and has also provided numerous educational opportunities for our clients.

As incredible as it may sound, we do all this with only 4 staff! ALL our programs are run by volunteers. We rely on many devoted women that, in most cases, started as clients. Then, once established firmly in Canada, they want to pay back by helping their new neighbours transition into a new culture and language.

FPM does not receive any funding from the municipal, provincial or federal governments. We rely solely on the generosity of foundations, such as FaithWorks, and individuals who believe in our mission and in our commitment to the community.

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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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