“We must knock at every door…door and rouse the inhabitants to devote a small portion of what God has bestowed upon them to promote a just work.”
With these words, The Diocese of Ontario was conceived in 1854 by Bishop John Strachan, but it took eight long years of struggle to bring it into being in 1862. And the struggle goes on.
One hundred seventy years later, the diocese finds itself facing different, but not dissimilar challenges in a dramatically changing cultural landscape, and in a demanding fiscal environment. How can we lead with courage, fearlessly – summoning the passion and conviction of our forebears – and respond to the complexities we face with all the ingenuity and creativity that God has given us? We believe the answer lies in our united and collective support for the Anglican Diocese of Ontario Foundation…and support of our parishes and diocesan-based programmes as well
Bishop Strachan and his emissaries journeyed vast distances over primitive roads, across rough waters in frail vessels. The 21st century has new and equally challenging obstacles to the delivery of ministry. For example, a dramatically changing society has brought about a vastly different Sunday and weekday worship experience in this century from that experienced in the days of Bishop Strachan. The evolution of new technologies and the explosion of administrative demands on parish ministry, an ageing population, and increasingly high expectations of parish clergy for effective ministry all pose demands…and creative opportunities.
Such challenges can diminish our energies and erode the health and vitality of our ministry, but only if they are not addressed with clarity and vision.
The Foundation is one vehicle to help us come together as a faith community, to set the stage for our vibrant mission and ministry, for the next one hundred seventy years. Walk with us on this journey, and with our ecumenical and community partners, and we trust that as you explore our website, follow us through today’s wonders of communication, and use your imagination, you will grow in your enthusiasm and willingness to support the work of the Foundation and that you will share our passion for new ministry in God’s service.
It took a long time to establish our Anglican Diocese of Ontario Foundation, first proposed with foresight by Bishop George W. Bruce in 2003, together with a group of senior diocesan lay and clergy leaders. By 2009, all the legal hoops and planning were met, and fund-raising began through individual and parish memberships in a new, independent charitable organization, supplemented by a substantial legacy gift, memorial gifts, a bishop’s dinner, and a revenue-sharing agreement with General Synod, leading to a successful diocesan appeal, Love in Action. To date, $273,031 have been made by the Foundation to parishes, diocesan and community groups for a wide variety of ministries and programmes, ranging from accessibility grants to support for new parish thrift shops and our Anglican-Roman Catholic refugee support group, DOORS. Archdeacon Bill Clarke, president, sums up the purpose of the Foundation: “Our Foundation is here to help generous people support the imaginative visions of others for ministries in the Diocese of Ontario.”
Eric Friesen, broadcaster, writer and speaker on music, culture and faith, a supporter of the Foundation and People’s Warden of St. George’s Cathedral, sums up the purpose well: “I have been captured by a double vision for the Foundation: to support and revitalize our parishes in both creative and practical ways, and then, with this Foundation strengthened, to serve our broader community in the kinds of missions which are crying out for support. Since we live in the federal prison capital of Canada, we have a special responsibility to enhance the spiritual and material lives of inmates, and the need to support and root new immigrants here should also be a priority. All of this and more we can do with your parish and individual support.”
“Fearless Generosity” annual appeal, inviting parishes and individuals to become members, will help made additional grants available for a wide variety of ministries and programmes throughout 2024 and beyond. Application forms for memberships and grants are available on the Foundation website, www.dioceseofontariofoundation.ca or by contacting Archdeacons Bill Clarke or John Robertson by email: [email protected]. Please see our advertisement in this edition of Dialogue for more information.
The best preparation for tomorrow is to do today’s work superbly well
– Sir William Osler
Supporting imaginative ministry in our Diocese
“We must knock at every door…door and rouse the inhabitants to devote a small portion of what God has bestowed upon them to promote a just work.”
With these words, The Diocese of Ontario was conceived in 1854 by Bishop John Strachan, but it took eight long years of struggle to bring it into being in 1862. And the struggle goes on.
One hundred seventy years later, the diocese finds itself facing different, but not dissimilar challenges in a dramatically changing cultural landscape, and in a demanding fiscal environment. How can we lead with courage, fearlessly – summoning the passion and conviction of our forebears – and respond to the complexities we face with all the ingenuity and creativity that God has given us? We believe the answer lies in our united and collective support for the Anglican Diocese of Ontario Foundation…and support of our parishes and diocesan-based programmes as well
Bishop Strachan and his emissaries journeyed vast distances over primitive roads, across rough waters in frail vessels. The 21st century has new and equally challenging obstacles to the delivery of ministry. For example, a dramatically changing society has brought about a vastly different Sunday and weekday worship experience in this century from that experienced in the days of Bishop Strachan. The evolution of new technologies and the explosion of administrative demands on parish ministry, an ageing population, and increasingly high expectations of parish clergy for effective ministry all pose demands…and creative opportunities.
Such challenges can diminish our energies and erode the health and vitality of our ministry, but only if they are not addressed with clarity and vision.
The Foundation is one vehicle to help us come together as a faith community, to set the stage for our vibrant mission and ministry, for the next one hundred seventy years. Walk with us on this journey, and with our ecumenical and community partners, and we trust that as you explore our website, follow us through today’s wonders of communication, and use your imagination, you will grow in your enthusiasm and willingness to support the work of the Foundation and that you will share our passion for new ministry in God’s service.
It took a long time to establish our Anglican Diocese of Ontario Foundation, first proposed with foresight by Bishop George W. Bruce in 2003, together with a group of senior diocesan lay and clergy leaders. By 2009, all the legal hoops and planning were met, and fund-raising began through individual and parish memberships in a new, independent charitable organization, supplemented by a substantial legacy gift, memorial gifts, a bishop’s dinner, and a revenue-sharing agreement with General Synod, leading to a successful diocesan appeal, Love in Action. To date, $273,031 have been made by the Foundation to parishes, diocesan and community groups for a wide variety of ministries and programmes, ranging from accessibility grants to support for new parish thrift shops and our Anglican-Roman Catholic refugee support group, DOORS. Archdeacon Bill Clarke, president, sums up the purpose of the Foundation: “Our Foundation is here to help generous people support the imaginative visions of others for ministries in the Diocese of Ontario.”
Eric Friesen, broadcaster, writer and speaker on music, culture and faith, a supporter of the Foundation and People’s Warden of St. George’s Cathedral, sums up the purpose well: “I have been captured by a double vision for the Foundation: to support and revitalize our parishes in both creative and practical ways, and then, with this Foundation strengthened, to serve our broader community in the kinds of missions which are crying out for support. Since we live in the federal prison capital of Canada, we have a special responsibility to enhance the spiritual and material lives of inmates, and the need to support and root new immigrants here should also be a priority. All of this and more we can do with your parish and individual support.”
“Fearless Generosity” annual appeal, inviting parishes and individuals to become members, will help made additional grants available for a wide variety of ministries and programmes throughout 2024 and beyond. Application forms for memberships and grants are available on the Foundation website, www.dioceseofontariofoundation.ca or by contacting Archdeacons Bill Clarke or John Robertson by email: [email protected]. Please see our advertisement in this edition of Dialogue for more information.
The best preparation for tomorrow is to do today’s work superbly well
– Sir William Osler
Diocese of Ontario Foundation
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