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Re-Imaginging Church/Our Faith Our Hope
Synopsis of Activities
Presented by Genevieve A. Chornenki, Rector’s Warden & Henry Zaluski, Deputy Warden
In 2012 two important initiatives took place at Christ Church Deer Park. Several seeds were sown.
Certain of them germinated and are now enjoying robust growth:
In The Works: In October, the Rector and churchwardens (now called “Management
Team”) welcomed everyone into a “bottom up”, participatory process. Parishioners were
invited to explore and initiate activities that would enhance the life and vitality of CCDP over
and above the good work that was already being done by dedicated volunteers. The
process was a bit of an experiment. It had no pre-determined outcomes and had never
been done before. But it was to be guided by 10 “vital signs” or ideals – hospitality,
discernment, healing, contemplation, testimony, diversity, justice, worship, reflection &
beauty.
What happened? Five active working groups emerged:
i.
Developing Spiritual Practices
ii. Discerning Our Gifts for Lay Ministry
iii. Opening Our Sacred Space & Grounds
iv. Raising Spiritual Kids; and
v. Welcoming
These groups convened, developed their mandates and took action. A number of
individuals also generated interesting and innovative ideas for outreach, education or other
activities. In short, there was much parish ingenuity, engagement and commitment in the
months since October 2012.
Our Faith Our Hope: This was a fundraising campaign initiated by the Diocese. Like the
above process, it too was intended to enhance health and vitality of the church, in this case
within the diocese as well as within our parish. Monies raised were intended for parish
growth such as through youth ministry or outreach, capital projects and re-imagining our
presence at Yonge & Heath. Our gratitude is extended to all who participated in this very
successful campaign. CCDP exceeded its initial fundraising goal and raised the third
highest amount in the parish. As a result, we stand to receive $406,000 over 5 years when
all pledges have been realized.
What happened? Management Team created an allocations process and appointed an
Allocations Committee. This was an advisory body mandated to receive applications from

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working groups and individuals and to make funding recommendation to Management
Team. To our knowledge, we are the only parish in the Diocese to do this.
By August 2013, CCDP had received $180.000 +/- form the Our Faith Our Hope campaign.
Management Team is responsible for this money. It is not to be used for operations but for
the general purposes for which it was raised.
In 2013, the In The Works process and the allocations process converged. Management
Team received and approved recommendations from the Allocations Committee for a
variety of individual and group activities. In this way, approximately $70,000 was allocated
to initiatives that speak to youth, diversity & growth as well as the advancement of
significant capital projects.
This particular Parish Forum was intended as a sampling of what is going on at Christ Church Deer
Park from the “bottom up” and the “top down”. In addition to the presentations that follow, there
are a number of ongoing Corporate/Management Team initiatives that parishioners should be
aware of:
Management Team Initiatives:
i.
EXTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS –
a. A new Webmaster has been hired and a re-vamp of the existing
website is currently underway. The new design is based on bestpractices research plus current analytics that reveal the most visited
pages and most sought after information on our existing site. The
new website aims to be user-friendly, consistent and clear. It will
highlight weekly worship services (including scriptural readings &
music), announcements and important events. I’m New Here will
take a visitor directly to pertinent information. For a peak at the
pending design click here. [Paul – please link this to Henry’s slide of
the home page. It’s slide #23.]
ii. INTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS
a. A Code of Behaviour was developed to guide parishioners and
visitors in the use of our space. Framed copies of this code will be
posted throughout the building. For a look at the text, click here. [Paul
– please link to Slide #33]
b. A hymn board has been re-purposed to display the photos and titles
of current parish leadership. This board will be displayed in the
atrium shortly.

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iii. TECHNOLOGY UPGRADES
a. Management Team is currently assessing and costing the hardware,
software and network needed to support our bookkeeping,
accounting, database management, publishing and other needs.
Once these short term items are addressed, we will consider
additional ways to communicate in a wireless world.
iv. LONG TERM CAPITAL PLANNING PROCESS
a. Annual Vestries in 2012 and 2013 expressed a wish for a long-term
capital plan for the building. Practical steps are now being taken to
this end.
b. In January 2013 a Condition Report was received about the
condition of the building.
c. Recently, Management Team approved a proposal from the Property
Committee to fund capital planning services. These services are
intended to produce a report that identifies priorities, costs and
timing. From this data, an informed long-term property plan can be
developed and appropriate fundraising can be conducted.
v.
BUDGETING FOR 2014
a. As at October 2013, Management Team has begun the budgeting
process for 2014.
vi. STEWARDSHIP
a. A letter was sent to all parishioners in June 2013 thanking them for
contributions to date.
b. Annual stewardship activities are continue with a second letter
pending this month.