Nurture & Education

Nurturing your soul, educating your mind

The Nurture Team assists the Rector in the development and offering of programs geared to deepen our faith and spirituality.  Regular components of All Saints’ parish life include:

• Spiritual Retreats and Quiet Days
• Speakers sharing social concerns at our Coffee Hour Forums
• Lenten Noon-Hour Series
• weekly day-time and seasonal evening programs

Our Quiet Room is a sacred space for contemplative prayer and meditation.

Seasonal Programs

All Saints’ Lenten Program for Faith Formation – First Light: Jesus and the Kingdom of God.

Encountering God Through Scripture – A weekly day-time program offered in between the seasonal evening programs.

The Intercessory Home Prayer Group members pray daily for those who have asked us to pray for them.  What concerns would you like us to offer in prayer?

The Wendy Fraser Library is located inside the south entrance to Scott Hall provides current and classical books focused on spirituality, life as a Christian, and biblical exploration.

Sunday School & Youth

All Saints’ is a spiritual home for all ages! Adult volunteers for all levels have been fully screened and work in pairs for your child’s safety.  Children spend a bit of time with our priest at the beginning of Sunday worship, then process with their leaders to the Church School rooms.  They return to their families during the Offertory Hymn so that they are able to participate in the eucharist (greek word meaning ‘thanksgiving’ – another word for communion).  All baptised people are invited to receive communion (consecrated bread and wine) regardless of age.  Unsure about your child’s readiness for the sacrament of holy eucharist/communion?  Speak to our priest, Archdeacon Kim.

Preschoolers

spend time learning about Jesus and God’s creation in a playful and safe setting.

Church School

offers  a program called ‘One Room Sunday School’ creating dynamic, bible-based sessions to engage school aged children up to grade 6 in the life and ministry of Jesus, prophets and people of the Hebrew scriptures, and seek to participate in God’s hope for the world.

Tweenies

is a gathering of grade six and up, preteens, and young teenagers who long for conversation about their faith, the reason we learn about Jesus, and what any of this means for our lives today.  Using a program entitled ‘Solid Rock’ our teen and adult leaders seek to help young people relate their faith, all they’ve learned, with the lives they are leading.  Some may feel they are ready to prepare for confirmation as Anglicans at this point; others may chose to wait until they are older.  Either way, this Sunday morning offering is a positive addition to any pre-teen’s world-view. Offered every second Sunday during worship (until time for communion).

Youth

Our Youth Program involves young people in high school, college, or university.  Led by a high school student and our Chaplain to Youth, the teenagers pray together, share their concerns, and ponder the scriptures for meaning.  They do participate in Windor/Essex Deanery youth events.

Pastoral Care

• The St. Luke’s Healing Service and Luncheons enable home-bound adults to worship together with the assistance of volunteer drivers.  These events are planned monthly with the exception of summer.
• The Pastoral Care Visitors are volunteers who feel called to be with others and who are compassionate listeners. Time is spent visiting and taking communion to parishioners who are in their homes, in hospitals or long-term care facilities.

Outreach

• Outreach at All Saints’ is an attitude, a mission that permeates every activity in the church.
• Many acts of outreach occur that are individual, low key, private and discreet. However, there are also specific church activities which involve members in ministry that makes a difference.  For example, Haiti Outreach involves fund raising events such as the annual youth group bike-a-thon currently to Pelee Island supporting the work of Rayjon (a Canadian charitable organization based in Sarina) which funds projects in Haiti. A current example of this is a project which provides drugs for medical clinics in Haiti.
• Christmas Giving Store is a way of providing gifts for families in need.
• We collect fresh vegetables, fruit, and non-perishable food to support the Food banks at the Downtown Mission and Canterbury College.
• All Saints’ actively supports the ministry of the Anglican Church in Canada’s international work:  Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund.
• In partnership with other downtown organizations, All Saints’ sponsors a lunch hour ‘Souper Skate’ in early December.  Healthy food alternatives and an active lifestyle are the goal.

The Clothing Cupboard

Open Tuesdays, 9:00am to 11:30 am

The clothing cupboard operates out of the space under the church office.  A team of volunteers opens the doors once a week to anyone with a need for clothes or shoes free of charge.  We are extremely grateful to all of our contributors:  individuals, groups, businesses.  Your generosity makes life a little easier for someone else. Our guests are welcomed with coffee and cookies.

Ice Skates Program

Open Saturdays, 10:00am to 12:00pm, early December until late February.

• The Ice Skates program collects and lends skates for the season to anyone who asks.
• Free skating lessons are provided by experienced volunteers (ie. hockey coaches, figure skating instructors) on Charles Clark Square Saturday mornings in January and February.  Healthy lunches are offered for children, parents, and volunteers following their Saturday morning skate lesson.  We are grateful for the gift of time from our community partners, the generous donations of money to fund our program, and skate sharpening by local skate shops.