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$100,000

Matching Challenge Grant for 2025

You can make twice the difference.

We are at 25%

and have a long way to go!

A generous donor has offered a $100,000 matching challenge grant for all new and increased donations. This means that for every dollar you donate over last year’s amount, by an individual or parish, FaithWorks receives an extra dollar. We encourage you to make a special effort this year.

Donate today at faithworks.ca or use the QR code

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The following is from the Report to Synod

about the

Migrant Workers Ministry

at St. Saviour, Orono,

a FaithWorks' ministry partner your donation supports.

The Migrant Worker Ministry again expresses our thanks to FaithWorks for your support of our ministry to our migrant workers in the Durham region, Northumberland, and beyond. This is a much-needed ministry. That follows our gospel teaching to walk alongside those in need and vulnerable in our community and respond with loving service. This is part of the 20 calls of the diocese.

Since our last report of 2023, we have continued to do this good work of being a support and blessing to our agricultural migrant workers in Clarington through the Migrant Worker Ministry. Thanks to primary funding from the Ministry Allocations Fund of the Diocese, and our continued partnership with Faithworks.

We are grateful that in 2023, we have been able to resume our pre-pandemic in-person outreach activities. With weekly church services for the men, welcome and farewell dinners, and a HUB at St Saviour’s where the men can obtain work clothes and non-perishable food.



We continue to partner with churches of all denominations, and organizations, like: The Adventist Development and Relief Agency, Durham Regional Police Services, Salvation Army and individuals from our community to provide work clothing for the Hub and dinners for the men. We continue to expand our network of donors who provide clothing and non-perishable food items.

Our clothing and food Hub, which started in 2021 out of St. Saviour’s basement, continues to be a much-needed part of our ministry. The men use it from January till October when they start returning home, and they come during the week or on weekends to access clothes and shoes needed for work. We are thankful that The Hub is stocked by our ministry partners' donations and the funding we receive.

We continue our weekly bilingual services (Spanish and English) at St. Saviour’s, Orono, to include worship in Spanish. From March till the end of October, the men attend the services.

In the Bowmanville and Orono areas, in June, we always have a welcome dinner and a small service for the men. We also have a farewell dinner at the end of October. About 100 workers came to our dinners. Overall, we continue to reach out to about fourteen farms where more than 400 men benefit from the ministry.

In 2023, the farms in Beaverton reopened, and workers have returned. Father Ted McCollum and I have resumed the Spanish services on a bi-weekly basis at St. Paul’s Beaverton. St. Paul’s also provides light refreshments for the workers after the services, and there is a time of fellowship and pastoral care. We also have a welcome dinner for them in June and a farewell dinner in October.

The ministry continues to work in respectful relationships, built on trust and integrity, with local farm owners. As a result, the owners continue to adjust work schedules and provide transportation for their workers to have the opportunity to attend Sunday morning services, visit the HUB and also our dinners.

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The workers continue to express deep and sincere gratitude for all that has been done for them. They greatly appreciate the support of the Migrant Worker Ministry, as it positively impacts their lives. This impact is reciprocal, and in closing, I would like to share some of the men's words of appreciation:

“Father, on behalf of all the colleagues at this Wilmont farm, we thank you and all the people who make this support possible. We are all very grateful to all of you, especially to you, who are aware of our needs throughout the season and all the seasons.

We sincerely wish that God always blesses and protects you, your entire family, and everyone in the ministry.”

Juan and others, Wilmont Farm men

“Hello, my name is Aaron. I come from Mexico, and I am an agricultural worker. I want to thank Father Ted, and Father Augusto for everything they do for us throughout the season we are working here. The truth is that they are of great moral support to all. This is for me and all our colleagues because, without them, we have no one to lend us a hand here with any problem. Thanks to them, we have someone to support us in anything. Apart from my colleagues, I am also very grateful to be with you and the community!”

Aaron, Goodyear Farm

“My name is Cortés Ayala. I work at Algoma Orchards, which is dedicated to everything related to apples. We thank all the people who support us, both Father Augusto and all the people who support us. He is here with us, but behind him, there are many more people. For all the pantry items, winter clothes, shoes, backpacks, and everything else, well, I am out of words in giving thanks to them. Thank you, God bless you, and thanks for helping me!”

Alejandro Cortés Ayala, Algoma Orchards

“Hello, my name is Owen from Watson's Farm, and I just want to say thanks to you, pastor and your group for helping us with all the stuff we have received. God's riches blessings upon you guys, and keep on doing the good work!”

Owen, Watson’s farm

“My name is Oscar I am from the state of Veracruz, Mexico. And so, giving thanks here to the parish, Father Ted and Father Augusto, for the church services that, when possible, we are invited to to come to. In the services, we thank God for protecting us at work and for taking care of our families. Thank you very much for all the attention they give us and the support you give us. Thank you”

Oscar Sanchez, Good Year Farm

“My name is Ricardo Johnson. I am from the Watson Farm! Pastor and team, you do wonderful, good work! God bless you and your team, and I hope and trust in the Lord that He will continue to bless you and your team, to guide you, to protect you, to lead you, and to direct you! God bless you, sir. God's richest blessings upon you, the team, and your family. Thank you very much! God bless you!”

Ricardo Johnson, Watson Farm

The Rev. Augusto Nunez

Incumbent, St. Saviour's Anglican Church

Pastor, Migrant Workers Ministry

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FaithWorks Sermon or Presentation

To assist and inspire, you can arrange for a sermon, presentation or visit by representatives of our ministry partners, the Director of Stewardship Development, Peter Misiaszek, or me, by contacting the FaithWorks Speakers Bureau at

fwspeakersbureau@toronto.anglican.ca

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If you wish to highlight your parish's events in support of FaithWorks, please forward the details to faithworks@toronto.anglican.ca

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FaithWorks Videos



The FaithWorks website, faithworks.ca has been updated with new videos to promote FaithWorks and our ministry partners. There are short, medium and long videos to include in your parish's online presence or in-person gatherings. They can be downloaded directly from the website.

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Peter Mentis (he/him)

FaithWorks Campaign Manager

135 Adelaide St. E.

Toronto, ON M5C 1L8

647-578-9757

1-800-668-8932

pmentis@toronto.anglican.ca

www.faithworks.ca

www.toronto.anglican.ca

Followers of Jesus, inspired by the Holy Spirit, serve the world God loves!

I acknowledge that my office resides on the territory of sovereign Indigenous Nations, the Anishinaabe, the Haudenosaunee, and the Wendat. I acknowledge especially the Mississaugas of the Credit and the Toronto Treaties.