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“We are tremendously grateful for the support of the Anglican Foundation of Canada,” says The Ven. Cathy Laskey, Episcopal Archdeacon. “By investing in our churches—so that our buildings are safe, accessible, and welcoming—and by driving innovation with their special focus on children and youth through the Say Yes! to Kids program, AFC is not just a dependable partner in ministry, but a visionary one as well.”

“We are very fortunate to have a compassionate partner like Burgundy to boost our support for this year’s Say Yes! to Kids campaign,” says Dr. Scott Brubacher, Executive Director, AFC. “Burgundy has a history of support for AFC through both the SYTK campaign and the Kids Helping Kids Fund. This donation is yet another example of their generosity and commitment to helping young people reach their full potential.”

Delegates were reminded as well about the importance of a well-managed foundation as a critical part of the financial and philanthropic ecosystem of every denomination. “The legacy that we have inherited, this sacred trust, is meant to benefit the church in the present, but it is also intended to stand the test of time to support future generations of Canadian Anglicans.”

“We have also been influenced,” said Dr. Brubacher, Executive Director, AFC, “by the writings Hildegard of Bingen who broadened the understanding of ‘viriditas,’ from the Latin word for green, to include this creative and regenerative divine activity, in which we as Christians are invited to partake. It’s both an age-old message, and an urgent message for the church today.”

The AFC Board of Directors met in Halifax, Nova Scotia on May 17–18, 2023, and approved $245,000 in grants to 32 applicants in 19 Dioceses, bringing the 2023 grants total to date to $328,000. “All grant applicants were approved, unanimously, and loans totaling $182,000 were offered to applicants who requested additional financial support.”  

Bowcott points to the exemplary field of leaders across the Canadian church who have benefited from an AFC bursary in the pursuit of their doctoral level training. “Mrs. Boyce’s investment is paying great dividends…If you follow the pathway, you see how Ms. Boyce’s legacy is supporting leaders in the church who are in turn leaving a legacy.”

“Participants were offered the opportunity to learn the history of colonization and learn about the contemporary relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people. The KAIROS Blanket Exercise gave them a much-needed safe space to talk about racial inequality with peers, and with Indigenous Elders.”

Since it was launched in 2021, Say Yes! to Kids (SYTK) has provided over $625,000 to more than 100 unique beneficiaries and fundraising partners in support of youth-focused ministry and outreach. All SYTK projects are different, but they share a common goal: to imagine more and to put that imagination into action to grow a brighter future for young people today.

The Anglican Foundation of Canada will be hosting its Annual General Meeting of members on Wednesday, May 17, 2023 at the Cathedral Church of All Saints, Halifax at 7:30 p.m. Atlantic. This will be a hybrid meeting and will allow for attendance via the ZOOM platform at the same time (6:30 p.m. Eastern).