Christianity teaches us that a life of service to others gets to the heart of what it's all about. There are those things you do as your personal service. We also come together. We accomplish more together. We build a sense of community and friendship, and we welcome you to serve alongside us. 

On one Sunday of each month, the St. Anne’s congregation prepares, cooks and serves a Community Dinner to those in need. Volunteers begin in the early afternoon peeling vegetables and setting up tables.  They are joined by more people who assist with serving dinner and cleaning up.  We take pride in serving a meal as wonderful as the best Sunday Dinner in our own homes. 

We are aware that many organizations require volunteers to make a dedicated ongoing commitment to their events. The St. Anne's Community Dinner welcomes first time and occasional volunteers. Try it out by joining us. It's a meaningful time and the sense of accomplishment means a lot to everyone involved.

Community Dinner preparations begin a few days ahead, with packing of items, and then volunteers join us again on Sunday at 2:00 p.m. for preparing the main course. 

"What would Reconciliation look like at St. Anne's?"

This question began our journey of learning and growing as a community. Our initiatives have included:

• Partnership with Naagmaagit Ki (Helpers of the Earth) to form a garden space with traditional Indigenous agricultural practices. The garden features traditional mound agriculture and plants known as Indigenous medicines, which are propogated and shared with regeneration sites along the Humber River that are being reclaimed from invasive plant species. The garden is a programming space for education events with local schools and community organizations.

• Art Exhibition Paddling Together and accompanying events focused in learning about the Truth & Reconciliation process in Canada, and re-learning the history of Canada where key parts have been erased, untrue, misleading. 

• Partnership with The Four Winds program of the Parkdale Queen West Community Health Centre, to provide the only ceremonial fire pit in the City of Toronto that is approved by the Fire Marshall. Ceremonial fires are led by Elders and approved Indigenous leaders to support healing and recovery especially for Indigenous people living in Toronto. 

Hike with us. Garden with us.  Participate in a Forest Eucharist. Walk with us in climate demonstrations. Join us as we plan our next art exhibition on the theme of Creation, Environmental Stewardship and Caring for the Earth. 

St. Anne's is a Neighbourhood Church and, as a national historic site and centre for the arts, a church for the whole city. We engage the neighbourhood with the intention that our local community will know that we care about their interests and needs, and know that St. Anne's is committed to the wellbeing of everyone who lives and works in the extended community and communities found within our geographic parish.

We invite you to get involved in how we engage in the local community. St. Anne's partnerships include:

• Organizations that share our space as tenants and collaborative partners: Theatre Gargantua, Roseneath Theatre, Vis Viva Gardens, Mondelez (Chocolate Factory). 

• Community Partners: LOFT St. Anne's Place, Oasis Dufferin Community Centre and Food Bank, The Four Winds project of the Parkdale Queen West Community Health Centre, Naadmaagit Ki (Helpers of the Earth).

Get involved by serving in St. Anne's worship services. Your participation is invited in the following ways:

• Become a member of our Welcome Team

• Become a reader of the scriptures or the prayers

• Become a server at the altar

• Become a member of the choir

• Become  a counter of the church offering

• Become one of our sound technicians

We have an intercessary prayer group that prays: people who commit to pray daily for those for whom prayers have been requested.

In many organizations, there is the challenge of encouraging people to take up leadership roles. Leadership does mean responsibility and a time commitment, but it is very rewarding. Get involved in ways that interest you, and in aspects of our church were we are especially asking for assistance. As you get to know the community, you may find that you are ready. We welcome and encourage your growth into a leadership role at St. Anne's.