Christ Church Rawdon is growing! Growth is evident in increased participation at worship, choir, community and parish events, and by a decrease in the average age of participants. In response to this new growth, the parish is working creatively – encouraged by prayer – to more effectively share the Good News.
A key part of the work in Rawdon has been the development of a strategic plan. In the spring of 2023, the parish with the assistance of Rev. Neil Mancor, completed a SWOT analysis [SWOT identifies the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats facing an organisation].
The meetings to develop this analysis were spread across several months and included more than thirty participants. A smaller group then worked with the data to build the report found at right. From this work, the action plan (below right) was outlined.
We chose four items for immediate action: Volunteer care, Housing, Music, Youth.
1. Volunteer Care: the parish corporation built a volunteer data bank to track hours and skills so that the large number of hours given in choir, parish meal prep, visitation, ACW, auction, etc… can be recognized.
In Rawdon, Christ Church works with ‘Choral Trad’, CIM [Centre d’Interprétation Multiethnique], ECOL [the English Community Organisation of Lanaudière], Friday Friends [an English language Senior’s activity group], the Legion, MLUC [Mid-Laurentian United Church], RRA [Rawdon Rural Association], St. Patrick’s Parish, and the WI [Women’s Institute], among others, to serve the community.
Cooperation is seen in events such as the Community Carol Service, which raises funds for the local food bank, and ‘Under the Pines’ [UTP]– a weekly lawn party at The Rawdon Rectory supported by six different groups. UTP saw 134 people – including 28 kids – participate on sunny Wednesday afternoons throughout the summer. UTP was supported by a dozen staff people and 40 volunteers.
2. Housing: the parish corporation brought to the table a plan – accepted by Bishop Mary and signed on September 30th – to see vacant parish lands transformed into 100 senior housing units, 90 market-rate apartments, 10 low-cost apartments, a theatre, and office space where non-profits and charities will be able to work together under one roof.
This plan will see Christ Church earn enough income from an indexed lease to fund ministry for the next hundred years. This plan was made real after much discussion, many pastoral visits, and four special vestry meetings. When the vote to proceed was taken on September 29th there were no votes in opposition.
3. Music: the parish has seen music explode. We have banjos, guitars, bass, fiddle, mandolin, drums, bongos, trumpet, flute, cello, clarinet, saxophones, keyboards, bagpipes, and many voices. Fifty or sixty gather to sing on the first Sunday of each month.
We sponsor Open Mic events once a month, and many musicians come to perform. Choirs have grown from NIL to three: Parish [mostly English], Community [mostly French], and Children’s [from Rawdon Elementary]. Our Christmas Carol service will have more than 50 voices. We will sing to gather funds and food items for the local food bank.
Christ Church has worked with the Town of Rawdon, with the CIM and a rich community of musicians to build a concert series for 2024-25 – from Bach to Quebec folk songs to Caribbean dance; all to get people into Christ Church so they can discover a beautiful space and meet a welcoming community.
4. Youth: the parish corporation has encouraged the development of youth activities to start in Rawdon. November will see two 1-day Rawdon Youth Initiative events. Christ Church will work with Shauna Bernier [the United Church Youth Work], Lee-Anne Matthews, our Diocesan Youth Ministry Coordinator, the Youth Initiative sponsored by the parishes of the West Island [Rev. Peter Lekx and Rev. Grace Burson], and with parents of Rawdon kids to offer a program that is cooperative, that empowers, and that teaches leadership skills.
People in Rawdon are singing with full voices. Laughter is heard at church and Singalongs.
With a new recurrent revenue source Christ Church is able to plan strategically: focusing on what needs to be repaired / improved so that we can better serve the community. Our hall, used more than 330 days a year and used each week by 250 people from nine different community groups, needs significant repair.
The town of Rawdon has recently asked to purchase a bit of land from our parish. This sale, once it closes, will give Christ Church sufficient funds to upgrade the hall.
The saints of Rawdon have worked to common benefit for eight generations. With prayer and a willingness to risk renewal and change, the saints of Rawdon are laying the foundation for the next eight generations.
“Hide it under a bushel? NO! I’m Gonna Let It Shine!” was sung with verve at Christ Church on the first Sunday of October [with guitar, violin, and bass]. This is how Christ Church is stepping forward in service to those who come to seek succour, refreshment, healing, and a life in a community of faith: ‘We’re Gonna Let It Shine’.
