Ministries
The various ministries of All Saints provide opportunity for parishioners to put their ‘faith into action’ in a variety of practical ways exercising their God-given talents, skills and abilities. In addition to the ministries that are directly run from All Saints parishioners can be found in almost every volunteer program in Huntsville: hospice, service clubs, youth sports, guiding, hospital auxiliary, school breakfast programs and many other areas needing time and commitment. We support work overseas and in isolated areas of our country. We attempt to live the gospel in practical deed.
We welcome you and invite you to join with us in our quest as we actively explore and strengthen our faith through the following ministries.
Pastoral Care
This ministry is exercised in a formal and informal manner. It takes the form of institutional/home visits, gifts of prayer shawls, Christmas/Easter remembrances, delivery of food and cards, as well as phone calls and emails. Simply, it is being present for others in their time of need, loneliness and bereavement. The knitting and distribution of prayer shawls is a very important part of pastoral care as it is a tangible sign of embracing the recipient in warmth and prayer.
Outreach
Outreach committee is a small gathering of women who have recognized and responded to particular needs in our community as well as abroad. To mention only a few of the many needs they have supported – Seafarers Thunder Bay, All Saints’ High School lunch program, Operation Christmas Child, Christine’s Place, Circles Muskoka, (anti-poverty initiative of the YWCA in Huntsville), Pastoral Care, Door Dinners, PWRDF, Knitters for Global Warmth, water purification tablets for Haiti, Ride for Refuge. Much of their monies for these local and international causes are gleaned from the Loonie and Toonie collection during Lent and from other fundraising events they have initiated.
Children & Youth
Emerging from the COVID-19 Pandemic, God has blessed All Saints with a number of new and returning families, and our Sunday School is alive and well. We have two committed and creative teachers and a regular group of children who are happy to welcome new friends. Children begin the hour in the service upstairs, then are invited (if they wish) to go downstairs for approximately 40 minutes of Sunday School time. They return upstairs to participate in the Holy Eucharist. Please contact the Rector if you are interested in exploring Baptism or Confirmation.
Starfish Program
The Starfish program has been operating for 25 years. Its purpose is to lend a ‘helping hand’ to community families in need. Families remain with the Starfish program for three years. They are then reviewed to see if they need a ‘helping hand’ for another year. Over the years some families have chosen to drop out saying “We think we can make it on our own now”. Many of the Starfish children are young and we have assisted with summer fun in the form of gift cards to Santa’s Village, camp, taxi rides to the beach, and gas cards. Each Starfish family is given a generous Christmas hamper full of food and appropriate gifts for the entire family.
Huntsville High School Lunch Program
A small group gathers once weekly to prepare twenty-five bagged lunches for high school students in need. This ministry is funded through our outreach budget and ongoing donations are most appreciated.
Coffee Hour
All Saints has a strong positive history of Fellowship. We like to eat together and laugh together. We linger after the 9:30am service and connect with one another over refreshments in the church entryway. We strive to form new relationships by welcoming newcomers into our church family and we strive to deepen the relationships we already share with one another. We aren’t perfect and despite our best efforts we may miss you, so please introduce yourself if that is comfortable for you as well!