Cast the Net

We are renewed daily in our spiritual lives and share our faith with others.

• 1. Enter into a Season of Spiritual Renewal to deepen personal and collective discipleship.

  After doing a “prayer audit” of the congregation, the leadership at St. Paul, Bloor Street found that there weren’t opportunities for medium-size groups to come together and pray for the future of the Church. Now, the parish holds ecumenical prayer nights with other local churches.

• 2. Reinvigorate and recommit to children’s, youth, family, and intergenerational ministries.

  Ask what children, young people and families in your community need from the church, and try something new in response.

• 3. Share and use resources to enliven worship, faith formation, spiritual practice, and evangelism.

  Try a new resource, worship practice or way of telling the story of your faith.

We seek justice for all, walk alongside those in need, and respond with loving service and prophetic advocacy.

• 4. Recognize and act on opportunities to participate in God’s healing work in the world.

  St. Martin, Bay Ridges’ Faith in the Food Court group meets monthly to explore ways to bring faith into the local community.

  Transfiguration, Toronto began a campaign to collect backpacks as part of the Toronto District School Board’s Backpack and School Supplies Drive.

  Look around your neighbourhood: where is there a need, and how could your parish respond?

• 5. Make explicit connections between following Jesus and working for justice and peace.

  The Migrant Worker Ministry based out of St. Saviour, Orono supports migrant workers with supplies and friendship while drawing attention to the workers’ rights, living conditions and access to services.

  Create space for your parish to explore how faith calls us to respond to the world around us.

• 6. Strengthen Indigenous ministry; engage non-Indigenous Anglicans in reconciliation work.

  Whose traditional territory are you on? How can you find meaningful ways to grow in relationship, understanding and reconciliation?

  Epiphany and St. Mark, Parkdale installed a permanent Indigenous art installation in its worship space to forefront an Indigenous, female presence.

• 7. Take, sustain and communicate actions that promote diversity, equity, inclusion and anti-racism.

  Look honestly at your parish: who feels at home, who doesn’t, and what could you change?

• 8. Intensify advocacy and action in response to the climate crisis.

  Choose one practical change your parish can make — and one way you can advocate for change beyond your church walls.

We support and encourage faithful and fruitful ministry by all who serve the life of the Church.

• 9. Actively embrace collaboration among congregations and innovation in new forms of ministry.

  St. George, Grafton partnered with other local congregations and groups to support a Habitat for Humanity project to provide food for build days and raise funds.

  The 13 parishes in Scarborough Deanery banded together to offer mid-week children’s and youth ministry.

  What could you do together with another parish that neither of you could do alone?

• 10. Better reflect the diversity of our communities in both congregations and clergy.

  Look at your neighbourhood and ask: who lives here, and what would it take for them to see themselves reflected in our church?

• 11. Understand the changing needs of lay leaders in congregations and support them in their work.

  Ask your lay leaders what would help them flourish — and what might make serving easier or more sustainable.

• 12. Continue and enhance support for all ordained people.

  Think about how your parish can support the clergy who serve it, including through healthy boundaries, encouragement and shared leadership.

• 13. Enable and celebrate the work of ministries focused on service in the world.

  St. Timothy, North Toronto started an ESL program as a way of connecting with the neighbourhood. One participants wrote, “You didn’t just teach us a language – you opened new doors and gave us hope for a better future.”

  Where is your parish is already serving beyond its walls? Find ways to strengthen and celebrate that work!

• 14. Rethink clergy discernment, formation, and deployment for the church of the future.

  Consider what kinds of leadership your community will need in the years ahead — how can your parish help nurture them?

• 15. Introduce and use new ways to measure and nurture congregational health and effectiveness.

  Try asking different questions about how your parish is doing — not just how many people are in the pews.

We live and work as the Body of Christ, each member connected to the whole, and each valued for their unique gifts.

• 16. Cultivate an understanding of the diocese as a dynamic net of shared relationships.

  The parishes of North Peel Deanery joined together to hold a Newcomers Meet & Greet. It was an opportunity not only to provide some practical help about settling in Canada but also to forge new friendships.

  Who could your parish connect with across our Diocese? Share an idea, resource, ministry or challenge with another congregation.

• 17. Continue assessing recent diocesan leadership changes and adjust as necessary.

  Stay curious about how our Diocese is changing, and share what your parish needs from diocesan leadership.

• 18. Adopt an integrated, theologically-informed approach to property management.

  Look at your buildings not just as assets to maintain, but as resources for mission and ministry.

• 19. Ensure follow-through on this report, including implementation methods and metrics.

  Keep Cast the Net on the agenda: what have you tried, what have you learned and what’s the next step?

• 20. Invest in the vision with existing and new resources, using sound Christian stewardship principles.

  Ask where your parish’s time, money, buildings and gifts could have the greatest impact on its mission.