Every Tuesday morning, the doors of St. John the Divine Anglican Church open to a stream of parents, grandparents, nannies, and toddlers, all joining together for a free two-hour community Tot Time. It is exactly the kind of program Rev. Cameron Gutjahr had in mind when the church decided, four or five years ago, to make children, youth, and families a priority, even before there were many in the pews.
These programs received a boost this week, as on June 10 St. John the Divine announced they surpassed their $2,500 fundraising goal through the Anglican Foundation of Canada’s Say Yes to Kids campaign.
St. John the Divine have raised $2,600 from parishioners, friends, and local supporters so far, with the national campaign ending June 30, 2026. The donations help fund a variety of community initiatives including Tot Time, Family Feast, a youth group, and summer day camp that the church offers.
Rev. Gutjahr said the church’s focus on young families was a deliberate choice from the start. “We identified that this was going to be a priority for us,” said Rev. Gutjahr. “We wanted to serve families.”
Rev. Gutjahr says that early bet is now paying off. The Tuesday drop-in, which draws between 12 and 25 kids, has grown almost entirely through word of mouth.
Rev. Gutjahr says that the Say Yes to Kids campaign has been a huge factor in funding for community events like the Tuesday Tot Time. The campaign helps support ministries for children, youth, and young adults across Canada’s Anglican Churches, funding everything from leadership programs and music to mentorship, outreach, and community connection.
St. John the Divine has participated in the fundraiser for the past four years, where the church raises donations from the community toward a specific goal, and the Anglican Foundation matches the first $1,000 raised. For a small church, Rev. Gutjahr says the matching component makes a tangible difference. “A little bit of money like this can make a big difference,” Gutjahr says. “It’s really helped jumpstart our programs and fuelled our imaginations.”
Those funds have helped the church steadily grow its offerings. Since starting Tot Time, the church has worked to expand its family focused programming. This includes a monthly Family Feast, and this year, a youth group for middle schoolers and teenagers. This summer, a day camp for kids aged 5 to 10 runs July 6 to 10. While the cost is $250 for a family’s first child and $100 per additional child, Rev. Gutjahr said that bursaries are available so cost is not a barrier.
One of Gutjahr’s favourite parts of the Tuesday drop-in is an unplanned tradition that grew out of it. Families discovered he plays ukulele, and now circle time with songs is somewhat of a fixture of the program. Rev. Gutjahr describes watching shy kids sit silently for months and then, one day, start singing.
“After several months, the switch goes,” Rev. Gutjahr said. “That’s probably my favourite part.”
The church has also recently hired a program coordinator, supported by a separate Anglican Diocese grant, to help manage the growing slate of offerings.
Donations to the Say Yes to Kids campaign can be made here, and the July day camp is open for registration now.
