Welcome to the web site of Davenport Perth and Jane Finch Community Ministries (social justice/outreach ministries) of Toronto Conference’s South West Presbytery of the United Church of Canada. The ministries are located in what are considered low-income areas of west-end Toronto and through a ministry of presence, we are engaged in providing community development support, pastoral care and advocacy through coalitions and networks.

Before July 2009 the ministries were part of the Toronto West Presbytery until the Toronto Conference restructured 9 presbyteries into 4.  Until 2007 there were three community ministries of Toronto West Presbytery but due to financial constraints it was decided to close Shalom Community Ministry (which at one time was called King Dunn Community Ministry). For archival purposes we have still kept a Shalom page.  Also through the restructuring process the position of mission strategist of the presbytery, which was held by Judy Shand for 26 year was eliminated but we have left some of her stories and reflections on the web site as well as some of the other bio of Shalom staff.

The web site provides specific information about the ministries, as well as, links to community and congregational resources and ways that you can further support these vital ministries.

Davenport Perth Community Ministry is a ministry of the South West Presbytery of Toronto Conference of the United Church of Canada. In partnership with the residents of the neighbourhood, and other community groups and churches, ours is a mission of active visioning – joining with others who hope for a more economically just and a socially more compassionate society and who believe that collectively we can put that hope into action. Our primary role is to engage with others in community development and community organizing in response to the identified needs and dreams of residents in this area. We also provide spiritual care and advocacy as requested. In addition, we are involved in several advocacy and transformation-seeking coalitions.

The Jane Finch Ministry is a community ministry of Toronto Conference’s South West Presbytery with the United Church of Canada.  It is situated in the middle of Toronto Community Housing’s Firgrove Community and works quite closely with the Firgrove Tenant's Association.  Although this public housing community of 380 households is the immediate catchment area, the ministry provides support and is also involved in initiatives taking place in the larger area of Jane and Finch.  Although the community suffers from issues related to poverty, it is rich in culture with over 70 different languages and dialects spoken and representation from 110 nations.  The neighbourhood does however experience systemic barriers towards social inclusion.  With the United Church’s historic involvement in the Social Gospel movement and it’s commitment to social justice and working in partnerships with poor and oppressed communities, the presbytery, through this ministry has tried to stand in solidarity with the Jane and Finch community in their struggles and issues since 1982.  The role of the ministry is to provide community development and community organizing support, offer pastoral care and do advocacy through coalitions and networks.  Many of the programs and initiatives are done in partnership with others.

The Jane Finch Ministry is a community ministry of the Toronto West Presbytery with the United Church of Canada.  It is situated in the Firgrove Community, of Toronto Community Housing Company (TCHC) and works quite closely with the Firgrove Tenant's Association.  Although this public housing community of 382 households is the immediate catchment area, the ministry provides support and is also involved in initiatives taking place in the larger area of Jane and Finch.  The role of the ministry is to provide community development and community organizing support, offer pastoral care and do advocacy through coalitions and networks.  Many of the programs and initiatives are done in partnership with others.