Report from Evangelism Committee
The Evangelism Committee was formed in 2025 with the goal of doubling St. Jude’s attendance by late 2028. This year we have visited three churches that have returned to pre-Covid attendance, we then visited St Paul’s Bloor Street who are bursting at their seems and have added a church plant. This fact finding, together with internal research conducted last year provides the foundation for Six major recommendations that will help St. Jude’s to reach our evangelism target. We submitted a report to Parish Council that recommends two Phases toward a Nine-month implementation plan to ensure success. The two phases will push out our timetable but will ensure we have buy-in from critical resources. Thus our 3-6-9 report.
Get Active on Social Media – led by Nicole Marenick. We are advertising (minimum $100 a month) to boost Bea’s social media posts and we will systematically continue to do so especially boosting support of major events.
Our Greeting Teams play a strong role in our worship life. This team lead by Chris Punnett will continue strengthening our culture of intentional welcome, particularly engaging with all parishioners. It’s the small intentional welcomes from each of us that encourage searchers to join us. Jesus was clear when he sent out his friends and followers to share the good news, it is our Christian mission. If we learn to do this together, our bold target will be accomplished.
Retention – led by Darcey Lazerte. Coordinating with the Stewardship Committee, the Pastoral Visitation Team, and Newcomer’s Welcome, we will look to gather stories and strengthen belonging. This work will also begin immediately.
Youth ministry is a priority for growth. Two teams will begin with relationship‑building and discernment as we prepare for September. As an immediate step Robert Maxwell has upgraded the pool table and refurbished the youth room they are inviting youth members of the parish to gather, build relationships, and speak about their own longings and interests and those of their peers. Genevieve de Carcenac is building a team to build out activities with parents of early highschoolers.
The final two priorities make up Phase Two, they will take longer to implement.
Fresh Expressions of Worship, led by Revd David Anderson exploring what kind of new gathering might genuinely serve the people with whom God is calling us to build relationships.
Small Groups, Further discernment will allow us to consider how ‘circles of belonging’ as well as traditional small-groups function within our larger strategy. We will be meeting with Revd Ian Mobsby, Diocesan Community Missioner as an early next step on this topic.
We welcome parishioners who would be interested to work on one of these topics to speak to Revd David or one of the team leaders identified above.