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Serving God's World
 Our Diocese enables people to serve God's world
The Diocese of Ottawa is enthusiastically engaged in an initiative that goes by a variety of titles, including "Serving God's World", "Community Outreach", "Focusing Ministry Outwards" and "Parish Outreach".
Regardless of the title, parishes of the Diocese of Ottawa are thinking more and more creatively about the needs of the communities, neighbourhoods or districts within which the parishes can be found.
When their thinking leads to action-strategic action, community-focused action, effective action, whether complicated or simple-parishes respond to a challenge laid down by our current strategic plan and by the needs in their community or area. They are also complementing the ongoing outreach of Community Ministries like Centre 454, diocesan committees such as the Refugee Working Group, and the many loyal supporters of the Primate's World Relief and Development Fund.
Our Serving God's World program enables parishes to develop community programs
A parish can start Serving God's World by:
- Looking around your neighbourhood, community or district
- Talking to the neighbours
- Reflecting on what's been seen and learned
- Studying and praying about the mission of your church as well as what been seen and learned
- Dreaming about what could be done and what you could do.
- Planning a response to the needs of the neighborhood, community or district.
As with God's Word, all of this never comes back without bearing good fruit. Sometimes, just having the conversation is useful in and of itself.
Using the recently published Serving God's World: Focusing Ministry Outward Parish Workbook is a good way to start the discussion in your corporation, outreach committee or parish council. The tools provided in the workbook will help and guide you in your initial conversation. As your confidence grows, you might consider hosting a community consultation attended by community leaders, your neighbours, other serving ministries and agencies, as well as anyone else you see as being able to help with your reflection. Serving God's World: Focusing Ministry Outward Parish Workbook is available by contacting the Synod Office or you can download either the complete book or the consultation resources using the link below.
Building on this new wave of creative reflection, parishes are invited to identify what could be done, establish the appropriate community-based partnerships, and engage in ministry that will better meet the needs of the people in your neighbourhood, district or community. To help make this happen, we have set aside a small fund to assist parishes in developing, beginning or growing ministries that serve the world God loves.
To qualify for a Serving God's World grant, you must prepare and submit a proposal. There is no set application procedure and form, because each project will be different in scope, form and content. Nevertheless, the hallmarks of a good proposal are clear.
The hallmarks of a good Serving God's World proposal are:
- The sense of Christian mission is clearly defined and is fulfilled through the activities of the project
- The sense of Christian mission pushes the parish/ministry into the field of community service
- Is program-based or supports defined program needs.
- Originates in or is supported in a significant way by a parish of the Diocese of Ottawa and is clearly endorsed and supported by the parish
- The ministry/project/activity is done in partnership with others (when appropriate)
- Responds to a clearly defined need in the community
Downloadable resources:
Helpful questions to answer as you prepare a proposal
Serving God's World: Focusing Ministry Outward Parish Workbook
Sample questionnaires to use when researching community needs
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