Generous Spirit is produced twice yearly for the clergy and parishioners of the Anglican Diocese of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island and distributed through the Diocesan Times.

Stewardship Links

Using God’s Gifts to Generate More

Allan Conrod of Halifax believes strongly that everyone has been given gifts by God and in turn these gifts should be used to benefit God’s kingdom. He also knows that actions speak louder than words. So he has committed to a generous “pacesetting” cash gift over five years to the Diocese’s new Leap for Faith Campaign. A pacesetting gift is a gift of $50,000 or more given over the five year lifespan of the Campaign.

As a retired Chartered Accountant, who throughout his career and retirement has been involved with many charities, he knows how much organizations like the Church depend on individual contributions to carry out its present work and to secure a viable future.

Allan has been a member of the Anglican Church all his life, with most of the past three decades being spent at St. James at the Rotary in Halifax. He is active in his own parish on a number of levels, including his former role as warden, and currently he serves as chairman of the finance committee. Both he and his wife Jean were in the choir for many years.  He also belongs to several committees at the Diocesan level and is well respected for his knowledge in the area of finance in particular.

While working on various projects in the Diocese over the past years, a need for a major capital campaign was realized and this May, the Leap for Faith Capital Campaign will be officially launched at Synod.

“This will be the first major campaign in over 25 years,” says Allan. That was when the Anglicans in Mission campaign was introduced but over the years it has fizzled out and it was time to start fresh.  The settlement fund for the residential schools was the catalyst for this new campaign and the other four areas recognized as needing the most attention are: healthy congregations; embracing youth; Growth for Ministry Fund; and Cathedral Church of All Saints.

Prior to the Campaign’s launch, Allan says that they have been approaching individuals such as members of the clergy and the Bishop’s Men asking for major contributions so that there is a solid foundation of support already when the launch takes place.  The goal of the campaign is to raise $3.4 million over five years. Allan is serving as treasurer for the campaign.

Allan says he learned early in life that “joy” stood for Jesus,  Others and Yourself. “If you put these things in proper order you will have joy in life and be able to carry out your duties as a follower of Christ,” he says.

“The Lord has been very good to me, having provided me with many talents that I have been able to use to generate more. These talents should be used for the glory of God and his Church.” He says that with the establishment of the Leap for Faith campaign, “we should offer our talents, financially, physically and mentally, in completing our project.” He believes this will lead to a stronger Diocese that is able to fulfill the campaign’s objectives. This is why Allan has already committed to a pacesetting gift; “I believe so strongly in the objectives of the campaign.”

But he also remembered his own church in his Will. While the campaign funds will support the Diocese’s current objectives, he knows that it is important to consider the work of the Church at all levels, now and in the future. So he has planned a gift in his Will that will go directly to support the work of his own parish in addition to the Diocese.

Through his personal stewardship, he is reconfirming and strengthening his relationship with God. He urges others to do the same.