Have your say!

Our diocese is vibrant and diverse – 195 parishes, each with unique gifts, needs, communities and ideas for growth and ministry. Over the past two years, more than 1,000 ordained and lay leaders shared their ideas and needs through the Cast the Net visioning process. Twenty calls to action emerged, reflecting where we believe the Holy Spirit is leading us as a diocesan community. Our responses to these calls will look different in every parish and person. How do you want to live them out? And what resources will best support you – today, in five years, in 10 years?

To explore these questions, we are taking the critical next step of a diocesan-wide Planning Feasibility Study to prayerfully discern our collective readiness for a potential fundraising campaign that will serve and strengthen parishes with important investments to support God’s future through our many diverse ministries.

All voices matter in this study. Share your candid feedback on a Preliminary Case for Support that puts parishes first and reflects the unique needs and shared aspirations across our diocese.

• A significant portion of total funds raised – a minimum of 60 cents on every dollar – will remain with the parish that raised them. A flexible sharing formula will enable parishes with extenuating needs to retain additional funds.
• Every parish will be encouraged to craft a Parish Case for Support, using the campaign as an opportunity to raise funds for their own priorities and aspirations.
• A percentage of funds raised towards diocesan-wide priorities identified during Cast the Net is planned to be accessible to parishes via granting programs.
• Parishes will receive hands-on support to build a Mission Action Plan, train volunteers, create communications and more, helping to build capacity and raise up leaders during and beyond the campaign
• Often, parishes will see a 2-3% increase in their regular givings as a result of undertaking a campaign, connecting personally with parishioners and communicating the parish’s vision for the future.

Whether you are a member of the clergy, laity, church leadership or taking your first steps in your walk with Christ, your unique perspective is important to discerning God’s future for our diocese.

HOW TO PARTICIPATE

Step 1: Review the Preliminary Case for Support 

A Case for Support outlines the areas of financial need for a potential future fundraising campaign. A preliminary draft has been put together by the Planning Feasibility Study Committee. Your feedback will help shape the Preliminary Case for Support to reflect the most pressing areas of need across our diocesan community. Review the Preliminary Case for Support on the diocese’s website.

Step 2: Attend an open forum to share your thoughts

We will be hosting in-person and virtual open forums to walk through the Preliminary Case for Support and hear your unique perspectives. Your honest opinions will help shape a potential campaign that supports our diocese in all its diversity. These forums are open to all Anglicans in the Diocese of Toronto. They will be facilitated by M&M International, a third-party consulting agency, and feedback can be shared confidentially.

This is the time to cast our nets deeper. To gather input on a plan that will raise up parishes and send out followers of Christ to serve the world God loves.

Inspired by the Holy Spirit, together we can weave a net of support across the diocese, so that every parish is spiritually and financially empowered to thrive and remain a vibrant centre of faith and community for generations to come.