Selfless Compassion – Helping Locally

 Extending the Table – Compassion and Justice in Halton

The Community Outreach ministry exists to link the ForestView community of faith with the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual needs of the marginalized and forgotten of the Halton community and beyond.

The Challenge

We are challenged by the realities and experiences of poverty around us. Yes, poverty exists in Halton and it is our call to respond.

In response, we pay attention to the words of Jesus in Luke 14 who calls us to extend our table:

“The next time you put on a dinner, don’t just invite your friends and family and rich neighbors, the kind of people who will return the favor. Invite some people who never get invited out, the misfits from the wrong side of the tracks. You’ll be—and experience—a blessing.”   (The Message)

As a form of Extending the Table, our desire is for individuals, families and groups within ForestView to create time and space for the forgotten of our community by ministering to them in the name of Christ.

The Response

In order to facilitate ministry ForestView has identified key Outposts for our engagement with the forgotten of our community.

These Outposts are:

West Burlington/Aldershot

  • Motel Ministry, Room at the Inn. The Motel Ministry provides a hot meal and hospitality to those living in the motels along Plains Road. For many, the motels are a step removed from living on the streets.
  • Compassion Society. Compassion Society provides free clothing, food and community referrals to those in need. ForestView helped establish this important community program.

North Burlington

  • Various Sites. ForestView looks to support and build the capacity of residents of North Burlington living in geared to income housing to identify and utilize their assets to make positive community change. This includes working alongside residents to host summer BBQ’s and kids programs.

North Oakville

  • One Site. Likewise, in North Oakville, ForestView has initiated work with one particular geared to income community to develop summer outreach BBQ’s leading to the building of relationships and social cohesion.

Hamilton

  • Micah House. Micah House provides temporary housing for newly arrived refugee claimants. ForestView is involved in a monthly breakfast program on the third Saturday of each month and has opportunities for service on the Board of Directors or Board Committees.

Oakville

  • Kerr Street Ministries. A multi-service facility in Oakville. ForestView is involved in a monthly breakfast program on the 3rd Saturday of each month.

And More

Rolling Horse Community Cycle. A year round team of bike mechanics from ForestView is involved in repairing, and refurbishing bicycles for donation while also hosting spring and summer tune up and repair clinics at the many outposts across Halton.

Annual Christmas Dinner. Our celebration event. On the final Sunday before Christmas ForestView hosts a Christmas Dinner at “our house”. Providing a wonderful meal for those who we have come to know through our community ministry. A true community celebration of people from many walks and languages.

Are You Prepared to Respond?

As a means of living out your calling to follow in the ways of Jesus, we invite you to participate with us. Opportunities exist from hospitality to serving on planning committees or Board of Directors. For more information on our engagement with the local community please contact Paul Millar Director of Community Outreach at 905-825-2992 ext. 224 or paul.millar@forestviewchurch.ca