A generous advent.
This Christmas, we can do something incredible again. Together.
Each year during Advent, we pause to practice generosity together — reminding ourselves that God’s story begins in unexpected places and invites us to make space for others. Our goal this year is to raise $75,000 to support benevolent care and local and global partners who are doing essential work in our city and around the world. Your gift — of any size — helps create safety, dignity, and belonging for someone who needs it.
We have chosen areas where we can make a significant impact for our friends and neighbours.
• • •
NEIGHBOUR CARE $25,000
Our annual Advent Campaign provides the resources for benevolent care for those in the Commons community and our surrounding neighbourhoods who need support throughout the year. This includes intervention when housing is at risk, providing groceries and food for families and individuals experiencing financial strain, and offering financial counselling and crisis support where needed. Many of these stories are delicate and private, but it is an honour for our community to help when invited—this work is a meaningful part of our presence in the neighbourhood.
In addition, this Christmas we are again partnering with local restaurants to prepare and deliver hundreds of Christmas meals to vulnerable seniors in the housing units closest to the church.
FOOD SECURITY $25,000
In 2021, we opened the Commons Cupboard as a simple act of hospitality—a small way of sharing what we have with anyone in our neighbourhood who might need support. Since then, the need for food security has grown in ways none of us expected, and the Cupboard has become a lifeline for many in our community.
In 2026, we are deepening our commitment to keeping it stocked and available around the clock, ensuring that no one in our neighbourhood has to wonder where their next meal will come from. Last year, we moved the Cupboard to a more visible location near our Kensington Road entrance, and with its easy access to transit, it has become a trusted and familiar spot for those who rely on it.
COMMUNITY PARTNERS $25,000
Commons has long-standing relationships with several key neighbourhood partners, and these partnerships reflect our belief that care for our city is something we do best together. We support Made by Momma and the Hillhurst Community Centre in their work to provide education, stability, and housing for young mothers and vulnerable seniors in our neighbourhood. We also have a long history with the Louise Dean Program through Kindred. Although the Young Moms’ Program relocated to a new school in 2024, we remain committed to offering scholarship support for young mothers graduating and stepping into post-secondary education. This is one of the quiet but deeply meaningful ways your generosity changes the trajectory of someone’s life.
Commons also holds a long-term commitment to using our resources in ways that contribute to Indigenous reconciliation. Over the past decade, we have built new partnerships with Indigenous-led organizations in our city—relationships that continue to teach us, challenge us, and call us deeper into justice.
This Christmas, we will be supporting the Urban Society for Aboriginal Youth, continuing our funding for access to an Indigenous elder at Alpha House, and partnering with the Brenda Stafford Centre in their Indigenous housing initiative. We are also proud to support Makwa Dodem, a local Indigenous-led program equipping and empowering communities to prevent sexual exploitation.
Finally, Commons is excited to continue our support for two incredible global partners whose work extends hope far beyond our neighbourhoods. Hands at Work in Africa serves some of the most vulnerable communities on the continent, providing essential medical care, education, and food security in places where support is scarce and the need is great. Their work reminds us that compassion has no borders.
We also remain committed to supporting the work of IJM, which serves upstream by addressing the systemic issues that trap people in cycles of violence and injustice. Through legal advocacy, survivor support, and structural reform, IJM helps create safer communities and stronger protections for those most at risk.
BONUS: MARDA LOOP
In September 2014, on our very first Sunday as Commons Church, we wrote these words in our Season One journal: “Our vision is the revitalization of the neighbourhood church for the urban context in Calgary.”
Ten years later, that vision took on new life when the members of Marda Loop Church voted unanimously to partner with Commons in their next great adventure.
Over the past 12 months, we have conducted extensive research to understand every option for our new facility. This fall, we initiated an ambitious renovation plan, with the hope of launching a new parish in late 2026. Any funds received beyond our community giving goals will help ensure that we can complete these renovations and bring new life to our presence in Marda Loop.
This Advent, we hope to raise $75,000 together. Thank you for your contribution. Your gift means the world to someone.
Donations to Commons can still be made for a 2025 tax receipt until midnight on December 31st.
Join us for
CHRISTMAS EVE
We love the celebration of Christmas Eve!
After waiting well through Advent, we are ready to burst into the new world of the Christ Child, who has arrived in our midst. We invite you to join us for a Christmas celebration. With six service times to choose from, everyone is welcome. These services are designed for the whole family to participate together.
SIX in person services and live on our YouTube channel.
All donations received will be designated for the specific projects above. Any donations received beyond the goal will be used to help launch our new Marda Loop Parish in late 2026, allowing us to welcome more people to explore the story of Jesus.