Trinity York Mills, Toronto, and Evangel Hall are teaming up for the fourth straight year to raise money for the inner-city mission. “People in the community see a congregation doing something that's not abstract. And there's real excitement in the church,” said Jerry Crowder, an elder at Trinity.
Crowder said community involvement, cooperation among congregations and denominations, and raising the church's profile to attract newcomers are the “bigger picture” benefits of the event. “And it can be done with other projects, in other areas of the country,” Crowder told the Record. “The challenge is, how can this be replicated in Vancouver or Halifax?”
The event began as an idea of Trinity's minister, Rev. Ferne Reeve and the donation of a day's use of a nearby golf course owned by a congregation member. Happening this year on June 13 at Pheasant Run Golf Club in Newmarket, about 140 golfers pay $250 each to participate. About 50 companies and organizations sponsor the event to varying degrees, and in the last three years, $150,000 has been raised for Evangel Hall. Crowder said that where possible, congregations should set lofty fundraising goals – setting their sights on raising $50,000 instead of $500. “It's a lot of work, but we have a lot of fun and there's a lot of learning that happens.”
Trinity is willing to offer its insight to help other congregations get started. Contact: phone 416-447-5136 or email Trinityyorkmills@aol.com. – AM
