Members of the 2007 Advisory Board were:

We welcomed new youth members, Victoria Mills and Kiara Morrissey, and new Deputy Warden, Leon Wilkes. Shalon Jeffers served as Secretary, and Iris Linton was Chair.

Meetings were held in March, June, July, September and November of 2007 and January 2008. They began at 12:45 p.m. and usually ended at 2:30 p.m. The meetings were led by the Chair, and commenced and ended with a prayer and Bible reading. During the meetings the following reports were reviewed:

• Rector’s Report: An update of Canon Stephen’s activities since the last meeting, and a report of important ministry-related information.
• Financial Report: The Treasurer’s report of the financial statements of the Church and the Downsview Youth Covenant for the period ending the month prior to the meeting date.
• Warden’s Report: The Wardens provided a review of church administration and rectory issues.
• Youth Minister’s Report: Progress and activities of the DYC are presented to the Board by the Youth Minister.
• Fundraising Report: An update of completed and upcoming fundraising events.

2007 Highlights
Theological Students: Kari Marcelle and Christopher Kelly were welcomed as new theological students in 2007.
Community Building: Our community is growing. Our Diocesan Bishop has challenged us to grow our church by 2% over the next year. We have joined the Jane-Finch Church Coalition, and we are also working on a public relations project, partly in response to the bishop’s challenge. We began ‘Second Fridays’ in the Fall of 2007.
Anniversaries: On Saturday, November 25, 2007, the Feast of the Reign of Christ, we celebrated the 51st anniversary of the dedication of our Church. We marked the occasion with a Rainbow Collection.
Youth & DYC: With funding assistance from the African-Canadian Christian Network and FaithWorks, our youth programs continue to expand. Our youth choir is becoming very well known in the community and outlying areas. The Homework Club now operates five days a week. A second site will be added in the new year. The membership of the local chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) has increased, and there were two NSBE trips in 2007. The 2007 Summer Camp was a success.
World Vision: After three preparatory workshops, The Downsview Youth Covenant (DYC) began a three year partnership with World Vision Canada (WVC). Beginning in October 2007, WVC will provide funding for three years, as part of their Partners to End Child Poverty Program, to support the After-School Enrichment Program of DYC.

Our Work: The Advisory Board made suggestions and recommendations on the following issues:

• Security- After much research, a new security system for the Church was installed in 2007. It consists of keypad access for staff and those who perform specific ministries in our church, motion detectors, window sensors and video monitoring.
• A Day Away- On December 1st 2007, some church members, advisory board members and youth members attended a retreat at the convent of the Sisters of St. John the Devine. The theme was ‘God Delights in You’.
• Parking Lot- A portion of the Church’s parking lot has been resurfaced. It has decreased the amount of ice that accumulates during the winter. We will look at resurfacing the rest of the parking lot in the near future.
• Fundraising- Some of our major events this year were the concert, “Tenor At Twilight”, Do-A-Thon, Aftershock, and the Evening of Elegance. All events were successful. We need the continued support of our members to help with our fundraising events.

Prepared by:
Shalon Jeffers    (Advisory Board Secretary, 2007)

152ND REGULAR SESSION OF SYNOD

The 152nd Regular Synod was held on May 3 – 5, 2007 at Durham College in Oshawa. This was a Residential Synod to enable community building and fellowship. In addition to planned events, such as a dinner on the Friday night, unstructured social time was arranged for members to meet and make friends. For me, by the time the days were done (10 p.m.) I was too tired to think about social time. I met and got acquainted and shared information during the day with others from different parishes. It’s amazing how listening to others makes you appreciate what you have even more. By the end of the weekend, it was clear that The Church of St. Stephen is very well known and respected in the Anglican Community – we should be proud of ourselves.

The Theme of this Synod was: Building Communities of Hope and Compassion through Healthy Vibrant Parish Ministries.

The sessions were filled with times of worship, fellowship and affirmation. Activities were provided for learning and sharing of ideas, engaging in important debate and carrying out the recurring business of Synod. The Youth Synod was held at the same time and joined Synod at several points to participate in activities.

We gathered as a Synod under the apostolic guidance of Bishops, united in our vision of our diocese, Worshipping, Embodying and Proclaiming to strengthen our vocation of building communities of hope and compassion by energizing equipping and empowering parishes to be healthy and vibrant. In our concurrent sessions, we followed the work of the early church as described in Acts 2:42. They devoted themselves to the apostles teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers and.

We began at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday night with The Holy Eucharist. Our Youth Covenant Choir also participated in the Opening Service. The Homily, given by Most Reverence Caleb Lawrence, was engaging and focused on the theme of Synod, how the Anglican Church has changed and what we must do to move forward. It can be seen on the Diocesan website. After the Eucharist, Bishop Johnson officially opened Synod, several announcements were made and we adjourned until Friday.

Synod continued on Friday with Morning Prayer. The Business Session immediately followed. The following matters were dealt with:

1. Issues of the Wider Church
   
   1. Bishop Johnson shared information and slides regarding his recent trip to Uganda. He explained the issues facing the Church in Urganda which surprisingly are not that difference from us in North America. One of the biggest issues facing the Ugandan Church is how to keep the church vibrant (i.e. keep the young people in Church interested enough to stay).
   2. Bishop Poole shared slides of his trip to Johannesburg. He identified the following four projects currently being run to help the people of Johannesburg:
   1. Kwaza Centre – a school is operated at the centre, they also assist with gardening to provide own health food supply
   2. All Souls Church – Computer Training
   3. Dukathole Settlement – Working to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS
   4. Tembasi Settlement – Home based care support for those suffering from HIV/AIDS
   3. Fiona Brownlee from the Council of the North, which provides pastoral and sacramental Ministry to isolated places in Canada’s North shared the challenges they face: travel, language and cost of living. She also shared the effects of cuts to the budget is having on the Ministry and the fact that they are now mostly depending on volunteers and non-stipendiary clergy.
   4. Bishop Yu gave a brief clarification and background to the House of Bishops’ Statement on Same Sex Debate which was issued before the meeting of General Synod. He urged everyone to read the actual statement and not listen to the media before forming an opinion. This was the only time this matter was discussed. The matter was to be discussed further at General Synod in June 2007.
2. The Budget Framework
   The budget framework was discussed and the motion to oversee and prepare financial plans for 2008/09 based on the framework was carried. The framework includes as recommendation $700,000 reduction to the $8.7 million diocesan budget.
3. Members’ Time
   During Members Time – which is basically “open mike” – a chance to discuss any issues / matters of interest. Some issues that were discussed included: 1. The Local option re: Same Sex Blessings 2. Parishes must have their books audited by a licensed Certified Accountant – this usually costs approximately $2K and will be a significant cost to some small cash strapped parishes. 3. Help is needed for the people being persecuted in Sri Lanka 4. How can the Diocese encourage vocations to the ordained ministry in minority parishes – Bishop Johnson spoke on this point and encourage all to start at the Parish Level. 5. Environment (global warming and climate change) – Diocese should press government for reduction plans
4. Canon 4
   After some lengthy discussions, Canon 4 – Parish Assessment – which was deferred at Synod 2005 was carried with no amendments. Most of the discussion was related to costs for staff such as organist, music directors, secretaries were not being included in the assessment.
5. Breakout Sessions
   As mentioned earlier, the Bible Student and Concurrent sessions were based Acts 2:42. Five key activities were identified in the early church community:
   1. Forming Community
   2. Worship
   3. Teaching / Learning
   4. Pastoral Care
   5. Proclamation (Evangelism and Social Justice, Outward Looking)
   In my concurrent session, Teaching/Learning, we identified several ways of spreading the word. However the one that stuck most with us is “Story Telling”. We need to tell and remind ourselves of the old Bible stories – not only the children but adults as well. Clergy should try and retell these stories sometimes rather than reading from a script.
6. Diocesan Structures
   The Motion to move ahead with the recommendations for the Transformation of Diocesan Structures and Processes was carried.
7. Focus on HIV/AIDS
   After Dinner, a discussion/presentation re HIV/AIDS took place. A 45 minute insightful video of a speech by Steven Lewis was shown. This prompted a challenge from a Synod Member to raise money instantly – A total of approximately $12,402.00 was collected. This money will be used to help those in Africa with HIV/AIDS. Synod ended on Saturday afternoon with a celebration of the Holy Eucharist and a challenge from Bishop Johnson in his Charge to Synod. The Bishop challenged each Parish to grow by 2% every year and to find ways to make the parish vibrant.
8. Synod Continued
   Synod reconvened in November to received the Audited Financial Statements for 2006. Canon 24, relating to Designated Ministries, which was deferred from the session in May, was approved at this session.

EPISCOPAL ELECTION
An Electoral Synod was assembled in November. The Rev’d. Canon Dr. Linda Nichols was elected as a Bishop-Suffragan. She will replace Bishop Michael Bedford-Jones who will retire in February, 2008. The other candidates were: The Rev. Andrew Asbil, The Rev. A. V. (Terry) Bennett, The Ven. Peter Fenty, The Rev. Millie Hope, The Rev. Judy Paulsen, The Rev. Canon Dr. Judy Rois and The Rev. Canon Mark Tiller.

Fanella Hodge & Ena Hordatt      (Lay representatives)
Iris Linton     (Alternate Lay Representative)

‘…Seeing the Multitudes…’

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Over 2000 years ago, a young man from Nazareth stood on the mountain top where he could be seen and heard by all the thousands of people that had followed him. I imagine that he must have been tired from traveling throughout Galilee teaching and healing with no place of his own to rest his head. Yet nothing deterred him from seeing the needs of the people that gathered to see Him. Jesus saw the multitudes, and responded, with what is today considered the greatest sermon every delivered. The Sermon on the Mount has become the cornerstone of the Christian doctrine and ethos. For among other things, it contained an admonition to the masses that was no doubt as timely then as it is now: Don’t worry about your necessities, He admonished them, ‘… for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things (Matt. 6:31-32).

Hundreds of years later, lives are still being built on that promise. Everyday somewhere in the world ground is broken, buildings are raised and organizations are launched on this simple premise – God knows what we have need of and he will provide. Nowhere is that more true than here in the community of Downsview. The hope that abides here in the confines of Toronto’s West End transcends the socio-economic disparities that threaten to smother the life out of this community.

It is this community’s commitment to run on despite the obstacles they face that serves as the greatest source of inspiration to us. We feel compelled to fill the gaps that are left behind despite their hard work and dedication. We know how important it is to the many single parent households in this community to have a program that serves as the extended family they lack. We understand that even in some of the two parent, two income households in this area, making ends meet may translate to no funds being available for extra tutoring for their child. The needs assessment conducted in 2007 under the auspices of the World Vision 3rd Cohort to End Child Poverty program, opened our eyes to some realities that we could not ignore. There’s the fact that over 40% of the young people 15 to 24 living in this area, are not currently enrolled in any level of schooling. Or that 25% of the adult population have less than a Grade 9 education. Like a bridge over troubled waters, we laid our commitment to community outreach down and fulfilled our baptismal covenant to help those in need. Over the thirteen years that this youth ministry has operated, we have proven time and time again that when we focus on fulfilling our baptismal covenant to honour one of God’s basic commandment (love thy neighbour as thyself) we are in fact ‘seeking first the Kingdom of God, and all of His righteousness (Matt. 6:33).’ And in so doing, we have historically found that God automatically provides the things that we need.

In under three years time, the outreach ministry of the Downsview Youth Covenant, has gone from a $60,000 budget to approximately $200,000 budget. We went from a three-day a week program to seven days a week, and from a largely volunteer base to a staff complement of seven part-time staff. The level of programming that we deliver at fully subsidized or minimal rates is unmatched in this community and highly competitive by City standards. Young people who participate in our programs and activities are exposed to opportunities to which they would not normally have access. We are always looking for opportunities to broaden the horizons of our participants; to affirm them, encourage them, equip and educate, build their self esteem and let them know, without a shadow of a doubt, that the sky is by no means the limit. It is just the beginning.

Looking back over the past three years and over 2007 in particular, it is hard to imagine how we were able to achieve so much, having begun with so little. We know for certain that it was not by might, but certainly by faith. Faith that God would provide a way for us to continue to serve His children. In 2007, we were blessed with two new partners in our journey to strengthen our capacity to deliver faith-based programming to the community of Downsview.

The African Canadian Christian Network (ACCN) has served as a great meeting place for churches who share the common goal of wanting to make a difference in the community even after their doors close on a Sunday afternoon. The networks created and relationships forged as a result of this partnership will have long ranging benefits for our organization.

World Vision Canada has provided more than just funding – the resources and training that they have made available to us are absolutely priceless. This partnership will help us to work at alleviating poverty in our community by helping children succeed academically.

The songwriter wrote that “we’ve come this far by faith, leaning on His arms and He has never failed us yet”. It is this same faith that will propel us through the challenging year ahead. Challenges that must be met in order to respond to the need in this community. This year we will be branching out into new territory by adding a satellite in the form of a second program site at Beverley Heights Middle School. Expansion of our services requires an expansion of our resources and the creation of an infrastructure that will help us achieve the optimal results we desire. More than ever, we will need to rely on support of parishioners, friends of the parish and our current partners and community stakeholders.

Earlier this year, as I sat at my desk trying to digest the news of yet another young person killed by senseless violence, I heard and felt the sounds of rapid footsteps making their way up the stairs to the upper room that serves as a youth office. The quick steps belonged to one of our Homework Club monitors. She was coming to tell me that she had received her acceptance letter from university. Normally this is happy news, but I was more than happy, I was ecstatic, because this particular student had been with us from the very early years of our program. We had watched her make her way through middle school and high school. She had volunteered with us and had been hired on as a staff person under the ACCN’s Hope Inspiring Peace Project. This year, three former program participants enrolled in George Brown College, Ryerson and York University. Rest assured, the work that will be required throughout this year, will not be in vain.

PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES

HOMEWORK CLUB

TRIPS

PROGRAM OBSERVATION/RECOMMENDATIONS

SPECIAL EVENTS

January - The 3rd Annual Martin Luther King Concert was held. The concert featured a very special guest speaker Runoko Rashidi who spoke on the African Contribution to civilization.

May - The Downsview Youth Covenant Choir performed at the Diocesan Synod held jointly with the Youth Synod in Oshawa.

September - The Downsview Youth Covenant Choir was invited to participate in a concert sponsored by the York-Credit Valley region. The concert was held at Trinity Streetsville and benefited PWDRF work on AIDS and HIV.

FINANCES (see statements in the Corporation’s Audited Financial Report)

OUR SUPPORTERS

Faithworks

FaithWorks has remained our core funder and ever faithful to supporting the work of community ministry partners within the Diocese of Toronto. In addition to being one of our main funders, Faithworks staff worked with us to initiate the vital dialogue that led to some of the projects we will undertake this year.

World Vision Canada

In 2006, we began discussions with World Vision Canada to explore a potential partnership that would bring their fight against child poverty to a community that has been identified as one of Toronto’s poorest. The yearlong process that has culminated in the After-School Enrichment Project also included a needs-assessment and feasibility study.

The African Canadian Christian Network

Aside from FaithWorks and the Anglican Foundation, the funding available to support faith-based social service is very limited in Toronto and certainly throughout Canada. The funding provided by the African Canadian Christian Network was a blessing because not only were much needed funds made available, but we were knit together with a family of churches and faith groups who shared the desire to tend to soul needs as well as social needs.

St. John’s, York Mills

For the second year in a row, St. John’s, York Mills became our “Santa”. They happily gathered the list of Christmas wishes from our Homework Club and with the help of our good neighbour, Canadian Tire, set out to ensure tha each child in our after-school program received a gift. Our warmest thanks go out to our fellow Anglicans who are models of the true spirit of Christmas.

The Church of St. Stephen

Our church leadership, parishioners, board members and officers provide us with encouragement, support and patronage of the many events held throughout the year. We would not be able to provide the services to youth that we do everyday, without their commitment to keep the church doors open and welcome in with open arms the community of Downsview.

Respectfully Submitted
Marie Green
Youth Minister

I am happy to report that for the 2007/08 Sunday School year we have two new curricula that serve our needs.

In the past, we have been developing lessons on a weekly basis. In light of the time demands placed upon us by this approach, a decision was taken to seek out appropriate curricula for our Sunday School.

The One Room Sunday School is used for children in Grade 1 through to 7 and Bible Zone which we use for our toddler to kindergarten group. These were chosen because they are straightforward and user friendly.

In May, the children had their annual children’s service. They stepped out of the box and we added some new components to the service. With the assistance of Simone Bartley, the children learned to sign to the song “Here I am to Worship”. They were very enthusiastic to learn something new. We also now have our own junior liturgical dancers. The service was lively and fun. We look forward to a bigger and better service in 2008.

It is also very apparent to me that our children are dedicated to their Sunday School. We held a bake sale in October, and raised over $100. The funds will be used to purchase a portable stereo for our Sunday School.

Thanks to Canon Stephen for visiting and sharing with us. We look forward to many more visits from you, the assistant clergy and the students.

I express thanks to the dedicated teachers and assistants: Nadeen Murray, Angela Whyte, Ruth Allder, Wendy Cottle, Janet Morrissey, Julia Hutchinson, Tamra Palmer, Natasha Austin, and my co-coordinator Iris Linton, for all your hard work. I trust that we will continue together to provide a positive Christian learning environment for our children of St. Stephen.

Submitted by Fanella Hodge
(Co-coordinator)

The Women of St. Stephen’s continue to play an active role in the ministry of the Church. I would like to express my sincere thanks and appreciation to our Vice President, Fanella Hodge, and all the other ladies for their continued support throughout the year.

Our Vision and Mandate

• Spiritual retreat
• Fellowship and outreach through social gatherings
• Emergency support Fund
• Support the youth of our parish through guidance
• Assistance with Sunday School and The Downsview Youth Covenant

Highlights for the year 2007

• The annual Eric Campbell Award: The winner of this year’s award was Aliceia Brissett.
• Easter Sunrise Breakfast
• One Day Workshop – Unwrapping Your Gifts. This workshop was led by Connie Kendall
• The annual Father’s Day Dinner
• Assistance with Open Air Eucharistic and Barbecue
• The Annual Seniors’ Lunch
• The Choir that performed at the Christmas Service of Nine Lessons and Carols

As we move forward into another year it is important that, as ladies, we think about the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-29). God is the distributor of our talents and he knows what abilities he has given each individual. It is important that we try to find out what these are and contemplate on how we can share and use them. It is my prayer and hope that we will see more ladies coming forward to take an active part in the women’s ministry at St. Stephen’s.

Submitted by
Iris Linton
President

Introduction:

This report will outline the works and efforts of The Men of St. Stephen for the Year 2007.

Elections 2007

The leadership and faces of The Men of St. Stephen were revamped with a change. Elections were held in February and not only did we have new leadership but some new membership to the group. As a result of the elections, a new President was elected.
Allan Austin a committed parishioner of our church brought several years in community and organizational group leadership to the table.
Hyacinth Edghill was elected as Vice President. Mr. Edghill also a very committed parishioner for several years is actively involved The Church of St. Stephen. Mr. Edghill has many years experience with a wide variety of church business.
Fitzgerald Grant and Ricardo Walters were also were re-elected to the posts of Treasurer and Secretary respectively.
The Men of St. Stephen would like to thank our Past President Foster Odlum and Past Vice President Norman Dacosta for their leadership and creating a foundation to make the group what it is today.

Annual Mother’s Day Dinner

Our Annual Mother’s Day Dinner has become tradition at St. Stephen’s. The Men hosted another successful and fun filled event. Mothers and all attendees were treated to a delicious buffet with fun filled activities and entertainment. A special thank you to Carnair Greene our resident chef for doing a fantastic job preparing the delicious buffet. We also would like to thank each and every member who contributed their time and help to make this event another success. St. Stephen’s church will look forward to this event again in 2008!

Men of St. Stephen’s Constitution & By Laws

The Men of St. Stephen decided as a group that the preparation of a Constitution and By-Laws document is necessary to outline the framework and operations of our group. We felt this was necessary to show our intent and the serious nature of our group. In order for us to move ahead and grow this document was decided to be put in place that we know who we are and what our mission is. All members and new members will now have this document that will communicate what the Men of St. Stephen is about and the way we are governed.
Preparation of this document took several months of our time in 2007. We would have liked to be involved in other activities and works in the church and community. We believe the time to produce this document was worth it as we now have a premise from which to work.
We thank each and every member who contributed their time in this very long process and a special thank you to Canon Stephen Fields for his guidance in organizing this Constitution.

Christmas 2007

The Men of St. Stephen were active at Christmas time with their choir performing at Christmas services. The Men’s choir has become a mainstay for the church. A special thank you all members involved in the choir and to Lucy Fields for organizing the arrangements and practices to produce a great sounding choir.
Christmas is time of giving so that we can be a blessing to others. The Men of St. Stephen presented two gift boxes to two church families within our parish. We extend our blessings to those families and wish them blessings and prosperity in 2008.

Conclusion

The year 2008 has approached and we look forward to continue our good works throughout this year. We really need your support and ask that all members continue to support our efforts. For new members and for men who do not know what the Men of St. Stephen is about, please inquire to any active member. We will make sure that you are provided with information about the activities of the group. Strength is in numbers and we put out a serious call to support our meetings and works in 2008 now that we have our vision clearly stated in our Constitution and By-Laws. We look forward to having your assistance in 2008 and working together as a team.

Submitted by
Ricardo Walters (Secretary)     Allan Austin (President)