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CONGREGATIONAL UPDATE: OCTOBER 13, 2019
VISION, GIFTS, MINISTRY & MISSION

Beginning with a parish retreat in November of 2018, St. John’s has been seeking
to identify how God is calling us to serve our community. We were blessed in
2018 with significant financial bequests and through town halls, open meetings
and discussions at Parish Council, we have been prayerfully discerning our
baptismal ministry and how to use our gifts wisely, faithfully and effectively,
ensuring fiscal sustainability for the physical structure and internal ministry of St.
John’s while responding to our call to serve the wider community.
In May, 2019 Canon Catherine struck a working group to investigate and explore
possible areas of ministry in response to some of the identified community needs.
Members of the Committee are Canon Catherine; Karen Bryan; Brenda Ferguson;
Paul Howard; Tammy Mulrooney and Kathy Porter.
October 6
A congregational meeting was held following the 10am liturgy. Approximately 30
members of the congregation attended. Archdeacon Peter John Hobbs, Diocesan
Director of Mission made a presentation to showcase the work of the Diocese’s
current Community Ministries and to provide information about new initiatives
(Centre 105 drop in centre at Trinity Church, Cornwall; Christ Church Bells
Corners Rectory Redevelopment; Julian of Norwich Redevelopment; Ellwood
House expansion; St. Paul’s Almonte Rectory redevelopment).
Paul Howard provided a brief summary of St. John’s journey of discernment since
the November, 2018 retreat. Of the interests and priorities identified by the
congregation, there are two for which St. John’s is uniquely positioned to make a
significant impact: Youth and Housing.
Youth
Members of the congregation have identified support for youth in the community
as important. St. John’s has reached out to Smiths Falls District Collegiate
Institute to discuss setting up two post-secondary scholarships in the amount of
$3000-$5000 each, which can be granted to two qualifying individuals and
renewed for up to four years, provided criteria are met.
If St. John’s was to commit to this initiative, we will need to establish the criteria
and have a system in place to ensure accountability for its renewal.
Housing
Karen Bryan shared that on September 30, St. John’s was approached by the
Mayor about a partnership opportunity between St. John’s and a reputable not-
for-profit organization that has a long and successful history with affordable and
supportive housing in Lanark County. The organization has secured Canadian
Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) financing to build affordable housing
in Smiths Falls.

At the October 6 meeting, not many details could be shared with the
congregation, as the early conversation was very preliminary and before
proceeding there had to be some sense if St. John’s was interested in pursuing
discussions. Of particular appeal for St. John’s is that the not-for-profit
organization would own, operate and maintain the housing (St. John’s would not
be landlords) and that partnership with St. John’s would involve capital
investment by St. John’s and accountability through participation in a volunteer
board of management. Those who were at the October 6 meeting were
supportive of the idea of partnering with a reputable not-for-profit organization
which seemed ready to build affordable housing in Smiths Falls. There was good
energy in the room, and excitement about these possibilities.
Finances
Bob Mulrooney provided a financial summary of St. John’s assets and a broad-
strokes breakdown of financial position and what it currently costs for us to
engage in ministry, and ways of funding scholarships and affordable housing
through our assets. A working estimate of $250,000-$300,000 for investment in
housing/scholarships was used for this presentation. A copy of that financial
breakdown is available from Bob, Canon Catherine or the Wardens upon request.
Who? What? When?
The Working Group is happy to share the name of the not-for-profit organization
referenced in the October 6 meeting. Jeff Mills and Robert Eves of Carebridge
Community Support (formerly called Mills Community Support Corporation)
met with members of the Working Group along with Mayor Shawn Pankow and
Bob Mulrooney on October 11 to share some of their vision for affordable housing
here in Smiths Falls.
Carebridge maintains that affordable housing isn’t building boxes for people to
live in but “building neighbourhoods” where social connection, support and
community can thrive. Jeff and Rob are very excited about the possibility of a
partnership with St. John’s.
Carebridge is not as far along the path of the project as we first understood, but
are very committed to affordable housing in Smiths Falls and should St. John’s
choose to become a partner. .
Next steps
Carebridge is happy to meet with the congregation of St. John’s to share their
vision. Such a meeting will be scheduled in the coming weeks.
If you have any questions, please speak with Canon Catherine, Karen Bryan, Paul
Howard, Bob Mulrooney or any member of the working group.

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