Living and Deepening our Faith by Serving the World God Loves!
Since its inception as a parish, CCBC has held Mission and Outreach as a core value and has lived up to its commitment "to serve the world God loves" by making significant financial contributions, by deepening our relationships with our partners in Mission, by advocating social justice in word and deed, and by engaging actively in service projects.
In its report to Vestry in 2009, the Mission and Outreach Evaluation Committee made several recommendations that were endorsed, including a re-affirmation of our commitment, a greater emphasis on communication both within the parish and with our partners in mission, and the implementation of a Special Service Project approach with a 30% set-aside of the Mission and Outreach budget.
We invite you to review
our commitment, to
meet some of our partners, to view examples of our faith in action, to explore our
special service projects, and to find out how you might
get involved.
Our Commitment
- Ten percent! Since 2004, we have honoured our commitment to give 10% of total donations to Mission and Outreach. That is 10% off the top, consistent with the Biblical tithe. We walk the talk!
- Growth in Giving! Over the last decade, annual Mission and Outreach funding has grown from just over $19,000 to $33,500.
- Three Hundred and Fifteen Thousand dollars have been allocated to Mission and Outreach since 1999.
- Forty/Forty-five/Fifteen! Our current framework for the allocation of Mission and Outreach funds is to devote 40% to international, 45% to local/community, and 15% to national organizations and initiatives. Among the priorities identified in the parish survey are the environment (international), seniors and the homeless (local/community), and the North (national).
- Thirty! Up to 30% of Mission and Outreach Funds can be allocated to Special Service Projects - bite-sized, hands-on mission projects in our community!
- Youth Allocations - each year, our Youth Group identifies priorities for a separate allocation and disbursement of approximately $2,000.
- Beyond Money: In-Kind Donations and Mainstreaming - Each month we profile one or two recipients for in-kind contributions, gather gifts for those in need at our annual Saint Nicholas Ingathering, and prepare much-needed assistance packages annually for Northern Communities (Bales of the North) through the ACW. We also mainstream our service to our local community through monthly senior services, our Church School and Youth Group, and our quarterly Activity Days. The annual Ecumenical breakfast raises funds for a select service organization.
- Nurture and Deepen Partnerships - Being Community means nurturing and deepening our relationships with our Mission and Outreach Partners through exchanges on priorities and needs, more "hands-on" experiences, and feedback on how our engagement with them can make a difference in the quality of the life of others.
- Respond to Humanitarian Needs - In the last year, we have donated $2,500 for the Haiti Disaster Fund and $2,500 for the Pakistan Relief Fund, through the auspices of the Primate's World Relief and Development Fund. In previous years, we have provided financial support for a reconstruction project in New Orleans, Katarina Relief, Asia Earthquake and Tsunami Food Relief.
The Bishop's Child Poverty Initiative is interested in making contact with anyone concerned about child poverty and what a faithful
response from our church might look like. A Task Force has been established and can be reached via
Facebook,
Twitter (@adoPoverty),
their
website,
through the
Diocese
or by phone at 613-232-9791. All ideas are welcome; they look forward to hearing from YOU!
