Living Beyond



The mission of Redwood Park Church is to become fully alive followers of Jesus and to

become people who Love God, who Love One Another, and who Love Our World.

Living Beyond is how we express our heart and passion to love our world. 


Living out this mission means that as followers of Jesus, we are evidenced as people who are actively engaged as we Serve the City, Serve the Region, and in broader contexts overseas as we Serve the World.

It is Redwood's desire to be a church that lives beyond itself - a core value of who we are. 

SERVE THE CITY

A primary focus of Redwood’s outreach strategy will always encompass social justice issues and poverty, as well as address issues of racism, discrimination, and understanding right uses of power and privilege.  It is also a part of the fabric of Redwood to be a Church for the City, and to be people for all people of the City.  

As such, initiatives will be developed to encourage Redwood congregants to commit to being for specific families in their circles (who are outside of the church), and to commit to love and support them and to build relationship with them and be there for them in tangible ways.

City Ministries & Partnerships

Redwood Park Food Bank

About us: We are a volunteer organization run by Redwood Park Church.  We are a member of the Regional Food Distribution Association (RFDA).  We operate out of the basement of New Hope Church at 532 Redwood Avenue.


When we are open:  We are presently open to serve clients every second Thursday.  We are open from 12:30 to 2:30, although we sometimes open earlier if our deliveries are on time. Open:

Thursday, November 11

Thursday, November 25

Thursday, December 9

Thursday, December 23

Thursday, January 6

Thursday, January 20

Thursday, February 3

and every second Thurs.


Who we serve:  We serve clients and their families  throughout the city and area who are need of  emergency food.  


What you need to bring:  Bring current picture ID for yourself, and current ID for everyone in your family that lives with you.  Also bring something that has your current address on it.  Clients are asked to pre-register by calling 211.  


Pandemic protocols:  We have been operating outdoors since the pandemic, and are moving back indoors as of NOVEMEBER 11, 2021.  Limited numbers of people will be allowed indoors, so there may be a short line up.  But our system works fairly quickly.   Please, WEAR A MASK, and keep SOCIALLY DISTANCED.  We have hand sanitizer available.  


What to expect:  We aim to provide 5-7 days of food.  We try to have some fresh produce, and do have some specialty items available on request, like diapers.  Presently we are supplying boxes and bags.  


You can contact us at: foodbank@redwoodpark.ca


Redwood 'Unleashed'

There is a team of people from Redwood who also serve a meal at the Shelter House on the third Wednesday of each month. For more information or to volunteer with this team, join the facebook page or email Debbie at debbiec.alanon@gmail.com

 


Partnerships & Annual Events

The Coldest Night of the Year - in support of Grace Place

The Day of Caring - in support of United Way

Christmas Wish Bags - in support of Dilico Anishinabek Family Care

SERVE THE REGION


The largest number of people with Indigenous ancestry in Canada live in Ontario-  with almost half of the registered ‘Indian’ population in Northwestern Ontario (45,000) living on sixty-six reserves.  Thirty of these First Nations are small remote communities, accessible only by air year round, or by ice road in the winter.  


The majority of First Nations living on reserve, including children, live in poverty. It is Redwood’s heart to address issues of poverty and justice with northern communities for which Thunder Bay has become an ‘urban hub’. Access to clean water is one of these major issues.

SERVE THE WORLD

More than 80% of the population of the world lives in poverty.  There are approximately 370 million Indigenous Peoples worldwide, and although they make up 5 percent of the global population, they make up 15 percent of the extreme poor.  Redwood recognizes that Indigenous People world-wide seem to face similar issues at the hands of the dominant society, so it is Redwood’s desire to learn with and from Indigenous Peoples of other countries (and organizations who are working well with them), to gain knowledge on how to live in a better way with our own Indigenous neighbours.  


Redwood will also focus its global efforts on identifying organizations who are in alignment with Redwood’s vision and values, working globally to address overall issues of poverty, health, AIDs and access to clean water, and will partner with organizations financially to help address these global concerns. 

Opportunities & Partnerships

Lifewater Canada

In the summer of 2018 we successfully raised over $20,000 to provide safe clean water, sanitation, and basic health and hygiene training in support of Lifewater Canada. Our donation helped to drill a village well for the people of Old Community Land in Liberia and we also drilled a well for the people of Happyville Community in Liberia.

For more information about Lifewater Canada see www.lifewater.ca


Christian & Missionary Alliance Global Advance

We support global outreach projects by contributing $25000 annually to the Alliance Global Advance Fund. “Jesus motivates us to go, to live on mission, aiming to be a Christ-centred, Spirit-empowered, Mission-focused movement.

With approximately 250 international workers, spanning the globe, more than 40% of are in countries that closed their doors to traditional missionaries long ago. These countries are now referred to as Creative Access Countries. Each area in our global regions (Caribbean Sun, Desert Sand, Silk Road and Asian Spice) has a broad range of both physical and spiritual needs that intertwine in the lives of those who live there.”


To learn more about CMA's Global endeavours see https://www.cmacan.org/global-ministries