Faith in Action
We have lots going on at Faith besides our regular Sunday worship services. Here are a few highlights of some of our additional activities for feeding our bodies, and nourishing our souls as well as some information about how we use your offerings to support the wider church and other programs.
Stewardship and Generous Giving
Our Benevolence Story is a video highlighting the ways your benevolence offering supports the work of ministry in four key areas: The Wider Church, Martin Luther University College, Congregations and Leaders.
Ten percent of all undesignated offerings received at Faith are forwarded to the Eastern Synod Benevolence Program. This supports the wider church (global mission; ecumenical and inter-faith partnerships; compassionate justice), church leaders, congregations and Martin Luther University College. Details of how these funds are used is available in the Faith in Action section of the the Eastern Synod website.
Giving Garden
Our congregation collaborates with the Caldwell Family Centre to grow and supply fresh vegetables to the Caldwell Food Bank to feed those in need. They provide between 350 and 500 healthy breakfasts and lunches each weekday at the Drop-in Centre and 135 to 150 boxes of healthy food, baby supplies, and personal care items through the food bank to support 1,800 adults and 1,000 children each month.
We also support Carlington Community Connection to provide nutritious food, offer participant-driven hospitality and arts-based programs for residents in Carlington neighborhood, including a daily drop-in centre.
Spirited Discipleship in the Community
In 2024 the members of Faith Lutheran Church gave over $20,000.00 to outside charities IN ADDITION to their gifts to the church itself! Faith makes an annual corporate donation to the Carlington Community Connection, and members contributed an additional $11,000.00 on top of that.
Other outside charities that receive gifts through regular giving at Faith include Canadian Lutheran World Relief; Camp Lutherlyn; Ottawa Foodbank; Algonquin College Campus Ministry; Lutheran Association of Missionaries and Pilots, the Ottawa Mission; Centre 454; Multifaith Housing Initiative and the Ottawa Lutheran Refugee Sponsorship Committee.
Blessing of the Animals
St. Francis of Assisi, who died on October 3, 1226, was well-known for his love for all creatures, and the world they live in.
Faith celebrated the feast day of Saint Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals and the environment, with a Blessing of the Animals during the Sunday service on October 6, 2024. Pastor Martin blessed six dogs and two bunnies, along with their caregivers.
How many beloved animals will we have for 2025?