See the Pre-Summer Newsletter 2026
For more news, reflections and community content, see NEWS & EVENTS
HR HAPPENINGS
HR Warden Kelly hrwarden@allsaintswhitby.org
Adriaan’s Final Sunday (August 16) (click to see pics)
We’re Hiring
Please view and forward the job posting information to colleagues and acquaintances who may be suitable for the roles.
- Permanent Part-Time Office Administrator (details forthcoming)
PROPERTY NEWS
Property Warden George propertywarden@allsaintswhitby.org
Stairwell Repairs
Work on the historic stairwell on the east side of the church has begun. Required repairs were estimated at $41,500; with costs now rising closer to $50K, due to unforeseen drainage issues. The cost exceeds the funds currently available in the Preservation Fund.
This stairwell is more than an architectural feature. It is also a required emergency egress from the lower level of the church building. Restoring it is essential both for public safety and for preserving the historic character and heritage craftsmanship of our worship space. Learn more about the restoration project and how you can help: Heritage Stairwell Restoration
Like many churches, we are working to manage rising costs and currently have a challenging operating budget. And yet, some maintenance cannot be postponed. The stairwell restoration must be addressed despite the financial pressures we face. Please prayerfully discern how you can help. Member donations to the Preservation (Building) Fund are strongly encouraged at this time to help advance this work and to support future heritage preservation work. Even the smallest donation will help offset this projected expense. Click to see project pictures
Accessibility Survey
This spring, we’re measuring how our new accessible entrance is serving the parish and community. There is a brief, anonymous survey available inside the new accessible door. It can be answered on paper or online via the posted QR code. Please take a minute and complete the survey when you use the ramp and door. Your answers will help us understand how the accessible entrance supports our church mission and common life together, and we will report the findings to the Ontario Trillium Foundation, which provided a grant for this important accessibility improvement.
COMMUNITY NOTICES
Community Warden Jamie communitywarden@allsaintswhitby.org
Screening Tim screening@allsaintswhitby.org
Save the Date (details to follow)
- September 13: Kick-Off Sunday (last Sunday for 8am and 10am services only)
- September 20: Return to three Sunday services at 8am, 9:30am and 11am with Instructed Eucharists (a “service explainer” narration) at all three services
- October 28 (TBC): 2026 fall retreat on the theme of ‘Gratitude’ with bible study, chair yoga, lunch and a
short worship service with themed prayer stations. Cost: $10 per person. - November 1: Anniversary Sunday Service and Celebrations (it’s our 160th this year!)
- November 6: “Hope in Harmony” Fundraising Concert
- November 12: Annual All Saints’ Bazaar
Prayer Life
All Saints has a network of people who pray confidentially for those experiencing urgent needs or long-term conditions. Prayer requests can be sent to prayer@allsaintswhitby.org See also seasonal prayers at PRAYER LIFE
Learn more about ongoing Bible studies and small groups at All Saints.
STEWARDSHIP MATTERS
Finance Warden Arleane financewarden@allsaintswhitby.org
Stewardship Linda stewardship@allsaintswhitby.org
A Thank You to All Volunteers
Serving through Participation
All Saints has 60+ ministry groups for you to get involved with! Plus loads of events and committees where you can contribute your talents. There is a place for you! For example,
- Men’s Group meets the 3rd Saturday of every month for breakfast in the parish hall.
- Choir rehearses every Thursday evenings (Sept-June)
- Youth Group (ages 12-17) meets the last Friday of every month at 7pm.
- Rainbow Ministry Group is a 2SLGBTQ+ working group for education and social events
There’s also current volunteer opportunities with the Knitting Club, Chancel Guild (for Sunday set up and flower arranging); Digital Vergers (Sunday worship tech team), Food Bank, and the Community Garden. Reach out to group leaders or contact one of All Saints clergy to learn more about ways to offer your time and talent.
Serving through Giving
All Saints relies on donations to accomplish its ministry work in the community. Please consider donating through Canada Helps or sending a request to become a pre-authorized giver. The church also has many special projects and ongoing campaigns to help encourage financial or material donations. Consider the following (click on underlined titles to learn more):
SOCIAL JUSTICE & ADVOCACY
Food Bank Ministry Letter-Writing Campaign
A recent provincial policy change requires charitable organizations to pay for recycling collection services. This has negatively impacted foodbank operations, creating additional costs that reduce funds available for those we serve.
We invite parishioners to join a letter-writing campaign asking the local member of provincial parliament to support reversing this policy. A template letter is provided here to make participation easy. Print out the letter, add your signature and any post script you feel might be helpful. Mail it to the MPP’s office or send it by email to lorne.coeco@pc.ola.org (cc financewarden@allsaintswhitby.org, so we know how the campaign is going).
Your voice can help ensure that financial resources of the food bank are spent on the people who depend on it, and not on waste pickup.
You can also modify the letter and send to the Mayor of Whitby or the federal Member of Parliament, asking them to help keep up pressure on behalf of All Saints’ Foodbank.
Better Together
All Saints is publicly and proudly affirming. We were pleased to be a part of the Pride Durham parade in Ajax this month. We are grateful to the anonymous donor(s) who made the Dundas St front-facing rainbow bench possible. All Saints’ Rainbow Alliance Group is a 2SLGBTQ+ working group for education and social events.
Reconciliation with our Indigenous Siblings
As a congregation we continue to educate ourselves on the history of Indigenous peoples in Canada and the work to date towards reconciliation. See current event recommendations from All Saints TRC Committee.
As First Peoples have done since time immemorial, we strive to be responsible stewards of the land and to respect the cultures, ceremonies, and traditions of all who call it home. As we open our hearts and minds to the past, we commit ourselves to working in a spirit of truth and reconciliation to make a better future for all.
Water Project
Alongside our educational pursuits, All Saints has also committed to praying for and raising funds for The Spiritual Ministry of Mishamikoweesh (Big Beaver House) in Northern Ontario in partnership with PWRDF. You can read more about this and donate by visiting https://pwrdf.org/WATER-PROJECT/
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- The TRC Final Report (2015)
- 94 calls to action from the Truth and Reconciliation report
- calls 71-76 about Missing children and burial information
- Anglican Church of Canada’s Reconciliation Toolkit
- United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
- CBC’s 10 books about residential schools to read with kids
- “Doctrine of Discovery: Stolen Lands, Strong Hearts” documentary
- “Indigenous Canada”, online course offered by the University of Alberta
