Good day…..enclosed is your invitation and guide to participate in this important Parish fundraising and relationship building activity.
Matthew 25:14-30. The Parable of the talents.
A parable is a story to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson. Jesus used parables to speak of the kingdom of heaven and our place in the kingdom, here and now.
A ‘talent’ was a valuable sum, as we are valuable and talented too. The gospel imperative is that we give of and increase our talent as our part in the bringing of the kingdom on earth on our greater journey towards the kingdom of heaven.
‘Parish Talent Scheme’.
The purpose of the ‘Talent Scheme’ is to encourage active social outreach for all members of the parish and to raise funds for our ongoing ministry and programs.
We invite you to identify your individual talent or gift and to find a way to offer your gift to raise funds and to share fellowship with your neighbour, amongst members of our parish or in your neighbourhood.
Our invitation to you is an affirmation and encouragement to offer your talent or gift in Christian service to others as a greater invitation as the church to others.
On the reverse side of this invitation is a suggested list of the sorts of activities, projects you might be able to do. This is not a finite list and there may be other ideas you might have which you could share with us.
You might also think of joining with others to create a team to achieve your goal.
We are keen to hear from you, with ideas and questions or request for any assistance. So don’t hesitate. Please let us know what you decide to do.
You can begin your quest on receipt of this letter and we are happy to generate news and stories as you go via a ‘Talent Scheme News Flash’ from time to time. Every contribution matters and none more worthy than another.
Suggested activities.
Jam, marmalade, chilli, tomato, sauces. Chutney, sweet sauces, chocolate, caramel, candies etc.
Baking. Cookies, cakes, fruit cake, slices, plum puddings, bread, muffins etc…
Apple drive….pies, turn overs, sauces, strudels..
Meals for 1 or 2. Casseroles, frittata, quiche.
Terrines, pates.
Garden. Produce. Fresh vegetables, fruit.
Potted plants, flowers, trees.
Yard Sale.
Book sale
Silent auction
Gardening help, weeding, lawn mowing.
Maintenance work. Carpentry, painting, site tidying. Mechanical.
Wood working. Craft.
Knitting, dress making, sewing.
Postcard and greeting card making. Scrap booking. Calligraphy. Cook book.
Art, painting, online exhibition and sale.
My experience has been, that this scheme is positive and can be lots of fun. It needs some encouragement, mentoring and at times assistance to get particular ideas over the line, but this too is a positive as it creates an engagement where people need to be listened to, heard and honoured. It creates a sense of inclusion and confidence.
In normal time, you can add theatre nights and sports days, dinners, progressive dinners, art shows, concerts, guest speaker supper nights. Wine and cheese, fondue, parish dinner, parish concert, home lunch’s, morning teas and afternoon teas. Shopping expeditions, Tupperware parties. Cooking classes. Etc….
Much we can do.
Happy Talent Scheming
Fr. Jeff O’Hare and
Wardens Richard Bly and Sharon Evendon
Next Steps
Becoming Involved.
EVENTS & CELEBRATIONS
The Church by the River….
Take a look at the activities and projects happening at Christ Church, which you are most welcome to come and join or contribute to….
BECOMING INVOLVED
We are here to serve God and one another in community. We do this by being a people of faith, working together to enrich each other’s lives through gathering, worship, celebration, prayer, listening, pastoral care, building authentic relationship.
Becoming a Member
The Church by the River
Christ Church Anglican is a member church of the Anglican Diocese of Ontario, part of the National Anglican Church of Canada and the World Wide Anglican Communion.