Generosity

When Jesus spoke of beginning his mission in Jerusalem, he began with home, with the people and community right in front of him.

Giving to Jerusalem supports the daily life and ministry of St. George’s, including our staff, worship, and the community programs that have become lifelines in Banff.

Your generosity sustains more than a building. It sustains people. It supports the ministry of Rev. Seth Enriquez, our Rector, whose leadership helps shape our worship, teaching, and outreach. It also directly supports Ji Won Baxter, our Director of Arts and Families, whose music fills our sanctuary every Sunday, who leads our children’s ministry with care, and who welcomes new families and visitors with warmth and joy.

Your giving also keeps alive the ministries that make St. George’s a place of gathering and grace.

• Banff Food and Friends, where we share an average of 300 free meals each week with neighbours.

• Playtime at the Pines, a safe and welcoming space for families with young children.

• The Upper Room, a creative and quiet space for reflection, reading, and connection.

• Weekly Bible Study, where we open Scripture together and learn what it means to live out faith in our time.

• Philosophy Club for Kids, where children ages nine to twelve explore life, faith, and meaning in thoughtful and joyful conversation.

• Sunday Worship, where people find beauty, peace, and the presence of God.

Every gift to this circle keeps the heart of our church beating. It strengthens the people, the programs, and the presence that allow St. George’s to serve Banff with love.

When Jesus sent his followers into Judea and Samaria, he was calling them to go beyond what was familiar, to bring hope and renewal to new places. In the same spirit, this circle of giving strengthens the physical foundation of St. George’s so that our ministry can continue to grow and welcome others for years to come.

This year we are focusing on two key projects that will help St. George’s remain strong, safe, and sustainable for the long term.

• Electrical System Upgrade: Our current electrical system is aging and limited. We have experienced bottlenecks that restrict what we can host in our Upper Room and parish halls. Upgrading to a modern, reliable system will cost about $20,000 and will allow us to safely power future ministries, community partnerships, and programs such as the proposed daycare collaboration.

• Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU): According to the Town of Banff, there is less than 1% rental vacancy and an estimated shortfall of 700 to 1,000 homes in our community. We believe the ADU project at St. George’s offers a practical and faithful response to this need, while also supporting the sustainability of our church’s ministry here in Banff. We are in the early stages of transforming our rectory garage into a small, independent dwelling. With support from the Town of Banff’s ADU Grant (up to $30,000) and additional community giving of around $50,000, we can create a new housing space that serves two purposes: helping address Banff’s ongoing housing shortage and providing a steady, reliable income stream for the church.

These are not abstract goals. They are tangible, lasting investments in our ability to serve. Strong infrastructure means we can continue to feed, gather, and worship without interruption. It means our church will remain a place where faith is lived and love is shared.

Every gift toward Judea and Samaria helps ensure that the light of St. George’s continues to shine brightly in Banff.

When Jesus said, “You will be my witnesses to the ends of the earth,” he invited his followers to carry his compassion wherever suffering is found. Giving to this circle allows us to extend the care that begins here in Banff to our brothers and sisters around the world.

This year we are turning our attention to the ongoing crisis faced by Christians in northern Nigeria, where many communities live under threat of violent persecution. Through our partnership with Open Doors, a trusted international organization serving persecuted Christians, we can help provide food, shelter, trauma care, and safe spaces for worship.

We invite everyone in our community to give directly and generously to this effort. Open Doors ensures that gifts reach those who need them most and that every dollar helps restore hope and dignity where it has been nearly extinguished.

When we give beyond ourselves, we join God in mending the fabric of the world. Each act of generosity becomes a quiet witness to Christ’s love that knows no borders.

Every gift to The Ends of the Earth is a reminder that the light we share here in Banff can reach far beyond the mountains.

If you will accept the call to support persecuted Christians in Nigeria, the most reliable way to give is through Open Doors Canada, an audited Christian charity that provides direct relief, discipleship support, and community rebuilding in regions facing extremist violence. Every gift makes a real difference for brothers and sisters who are suffering for their faith.

You can make a secure donation by selecting “Africa / Nigeria” when choosing your giving destination at the link below: