Welcome to Beyond the Bricks

Let’s begin with a simple truth: our buildings don’t just house ministry and mission – they’re an essential part of them. They hold our stories, reflect our values, and stand as a witness to our faith.

Across the Diocese of Toronto, something is quietly shifting. Property is no longer seen as a burden or a backdrop, but as an active partner in the work God is calling us to do. It’s not just about how we care for our spaces — it’s about how we reimagine them as faithful, future-facing expressions of our shared mission.

Beyond the Bricks is part of our new communications strategy built to reflect that shift. This column is here to share what’s unfolding, highlight what’s working, and open new channels between you, our Property Resources team, and the communities we serve. Because this isn’t about “reporting” or “complying” – it’s about walking alongside.

Property as a tool for transformation

When mission and property are aligned, our spaces become more than buildings – they become tools for transformation.

Over the past year, we’ve worked closely with the Congregational Development team to help parishes engage in strategic planning that connects ministry with property in practical, meaningful ways. Through this partnership, parishes have begun asking thoughtful, future-focused questions: What is God calling us to do in this place? Who are we called to serve? What kind of space does that require – and how can we use what we have in ways that support ministry, invite shared use and create opportunities to re-invest in the work we’re called to do?

Done well, this work turns property into a pathway – not just something to manage, but something that helps communities grow and serve with intention.

More than a column: a new way to connect

After Synod 2023, it became clear that we had an opportunity to strengthen how we communicate –  to share more of what’s happening, make resources easier to access, and better support those we serve. In response, we’re making intentional changes – not just to improve communication, but to build stronger relationships and create more meaningful points of connection between parishes and the diocesan Property Resources team.

This renewed approach is grounded in the Priorities and Plans affirmed at Synod 2023, which continue to guide how we show up: deepening our role as trusted partners to parish leaders, making our systems more accessible and responsive, and viewing property not as an obstacle, but as a tool for mission and ministry.

This work also aligns directly with Cast the Net, the diocese’s strategic vision. We’re responding to the needs of today’s Church by resourcing lay leaders (call #11), supporting congregational health through sustainability and space use (call #15), strengthening relationships across the diocese (call #16), reimagining leadership and decision-making (call #17), and embracing a missional approach to property (call #18).

Together, these commitments reflect a deeper shift – one that’s reshaping how we walk with parishes, how we steward our shared resources, and how we live out our mission as a Church, together.

Part of a bigger picture

This column is just one piece of a wider effort to connect more intentionally with parishes across the diocese. Here are a few other initiatives we’re excited to share:

• The Property Post: Launching before summer 2025 and led by Pam Boisvert, this new subscriber-based e-newsletter will feature good news stories, timely updates and practical tools to support your work.
• Website revamp: Under the leadership of Daiane Monteiro, we’re overhauling the property pages on the diocesan website to make them clearer, more user-friendly and easier to navigate.
• Workshops & info sessions: The Property Resources team will continue to host quarterly gatherings for parish leaders, focusing on practical topics like optimizing space, capital planning, and property stewardship.
• Regular Bulletin Board updates: Keep an eye on the diocesan bi-weekly Bulletin Board for ongoing updates, reminders and invitations from our team.

At the heart of these initiatives is a simple goal: to be more present, more accessible and more responsive to the realities you’re facing in your ministry.

Let’s keep the conversation going

This column isn’t just about what we’re doing – it’s about why it matters. It’s about parishes reimagining what’s possible, communities finding new life in familiar places, and ministry rooted in sacred, shared space.

Whether you’re a churchwarden navigating a capital project, a priest discerning new ministry possibilities within the limits of your space, or a lay leader exploring an emerging property strategy, this work is ultimately about creating space: for ministry to grow, for communities to connect, and for the Church to live more fully into its calling. And wherever that journey takes you, we’re here to walk with you.

Welcome to Beyond the Bricks. We’re so glad you’re here.