Michelle Hauser

The team at All Saints is very tongue-in-cheek about the competition. There are only winners in this Say Yes! to Kids effort. “This Family Fun Day will signal to our community that All Saints is a safe, welcoming, and inviting place.”

The expansion grant for Emmanuel Mission will roll out this spring as the program moves to three days per week. It will allow children and their parents to experience learning and working together and with others. The parent component was identified because of learnings from the summer program.

“The Say Yes! to Kids initiative speaks volumes about our capacity and willingness to be a force for hope in our communities,” said Archbishop Linda Nicholls. “And a force for hope is exactly what we need to be, especially in these times, when it is so easy to give in to despair.”

“We are doing so much more than raising money,” says Archdeacon Deborah Kraft. “We are showing the Indigenous students of Thunder Bay that we truly care about their learning journey and that we are making it a priority to help close the education gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous students.”

“Every day across Canada, Anglican churches are growing a brighter future for children, youth, and young adults, and so often it is the smallest projects that can have the biggest impact. And with a matching gift like this, that we can share among many participants, there’s never been a better time for our churches to find a way to Say Yes! to Kids.”

“After these past years’ tough lock-downs, these children will more than benefit from a week at this camp with its beautiful open spaces,” says Linda Hachey. “They will also be able to revel in the freedom, independence and growth that comes from being away from home, probably for the first time in their lives.”

“Children have experienced a much higher degree of social isolation because of the pandemic,” says the Rev. Rhonda Waters, Incumbent. “It is our hope that we can contribute to pandemic recovery by sharing the gifts of connection, play, and joy with the children of our community.”

“The people of St. George’s are highly supportive of their youngest parishioners. No matter what your age or interests, our church offers a rich program of ways to belong, to learn and to help others. Our young people had a vision for Music from Around the World and now that vision is ready to come to life.”

May this jubilee year for AFC can be a time of recommitment to our mission: to provide abundant resources for the Anglican Church of Canada. May it be a celebration as we look forward to the next 50, 65, 100 years, with hearts full of gratitude, and a generous capacity to imagine more.