Community Engagement
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Church Engagement
PREACHING
We have a number of staff who would be happy to share a message of hope and encouragement with your church congregation, small group, or event participants.
SEED SERVE
We offer week-long service-learning programs for youth aged 13-17 as part of a youth group. These alternative mission trips are an opportunity for teens to learn about poverty and homelessness, develop a deeper understanding of God’s heart for our city, and practice faith in action through service projects. Programming runs for two separate weeks in the month of July; we also offer weekend or spring break opportunities for youth groups who have previous summer commitments.
SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
Our presentations cover the forms & causes of homelessness, statistics relevant to Calgary, information about our programming, and opportunities for the community to get involved. Presentations can be tailored to address specific topics or relate to Biblical themes
Book a SpeakerEngaging Vulnerable People Workshop
Homelessness 101
SPIRITUAL LEARNING
Day In The Life
- An immersive and experiential day of learning. Groups will have a glimpse into the day in the life of someone who experiences homelessness and poverty. The purpose of the day is to gain compassion and empathy for the most vulnerable in our city.
Social Issues Walk
- Our self-guided social issues walk journeys to various landmarks around the Downtown Core and Beltline neighbourhoods and addresses social issues in our city relevant to each stop.
- To find out more or schedule email [email protected]
TOURS
If you would like to tour one of our facilities one of our staff would be happy to help you.
Seed Serve
Experience Seed Serve: A Week of Faith in Action
We offer week-long or half-week service-learning programs for youth (ages 13-17) or young adults (ages 18-25) as part of a group. These experiences provide an opportunity to learn about poverty and homelessness, gain a deeper understanding of God’s heart for our city, and put faith into action through service projects. Seed Serve invites participants to serve and be served, reflecting the spirit of Jesus through acts of compassion and kindness.
What is Seed Serve?
Seed Serve is a 3-5-day experience designed for youth and young adults to explore how God calls us to respond to poverty and homelessness. It’s a time of learning, serving, and growing in faith.
At Seed Serve, you’ll witness the presence of Jesus among our guests who are living in poverty and homelessness while actively serving the community. As Micah 6:8 tells us, we are called to “act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God,” and this program is an opportunity to live out that calling.
The purpose of Seed Serve is to grow in discipleship to Jesus and to better understand God’s heart for our most vulnerable community members. We would love for you to join us in this transformative experience!
Below is an example schedule of what your week with us could look like. The program is available in Calgary, Edmonton, and Red Deer. While the schedule may vary by location, the message of Micah 6:8 remains at the core of what we do.
Who is Seed Serve for?
Youth (ages 13-17) and young adults (ages 18-25) who want to be part of the work The Mustard Seed is doing in Edmonton, Calgary, or Red Deer.
Anyone with a heart for social justice and the alleviation of poverty.
Anyone eager to learn what it means to practically be the hands and feet of Jesus to the most vulnerable in our community.
Anyone interested in working alongside those committed to reaching out to our community’s most vulnerable.
Anyone wanting to discover God’s heart for the world and what it means to care for “the least of these.”
How does it work?
Through community, discipleship, and service, Seed Serve participants will explore how God is calling us to engage in our local communities. Each day includes teaching, worship, prayer, and hands-on service opportunities in partnership with those we serve. Participants will have the chance to experience the presence of Jesus in the lives of those living in poverty and homelessness.
How much does Seed Serve cost & what is included?
Seed Serve is $250 per participant. The minimum group size requirement is 10. The program cost covers meals (breakfast, lunch, and snacks), a Seed Serve T-shirt, and a journal for reflection throughout the week. It also helps cover the cost of guest speakers and other materials needed to enhance your Seed Serve experience.
*A $1000 deposit is required at the time of booking to reserve your Seed Serve experience, and will be applied to your registration cost.
Please register for Seed Serve here.
If you have any questions, please contact [email protected]
If you have any questions, please contact [email protected]
If you have any questions, please contact [email protected]
School Engagement
Universities & Colleges
SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
Our presentations cover the forms &
causes of homelessness, statistics relevant to Calgary, information about our programming, and
opportunities for students to get involved.
Presentations can be tailored to address specific topics or relate to programs of study (e.g. nursing,
social work, addictions & community health).
WEEKEND AND WEEK-LONG
Opportunities to volunteer, share meals
with residents, host community-building activities, and participate in learning on a variety of topics
related to homelessness and poverty
Grade Schools
SEED SCHOOL
A 5-day field study program through Campus
Calgary/Open Minds. Classes of Gr. 3-12 students can attend SEEDschool for an entire week of study to
learn about social issues, empathy, and
how we can create healthy communities together. During this week, students will learn from experts,
explore the Beltline and Downtown neighbourhoods, hear real stories of resilience and hope, and work
together to find ways to make their
own communities safer, more inclusive, and more vibrant.
SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
Our presentations cover the forms &
causes of homelessness, statistics relevant to Calgary, information about our
programming, and opportunities for students to get involved. Presentations can be tailored for various
time lengths and ages.
Experiential Learning
- Day in the Life
- An immersive and experiential day of learning. Groups will have a glimpse into the day in the life of someone who experiences homelessness and poverty. The purpose of the day is to gain compassion and empathy for the most vulnerable in our city.
- Social Issues Walk
- Our self-guided social issues walk journeys to various landmarks around the Downtown Core and Beltline neighbourhoods and addresses social issues in our city relevant to each stop.
- To find our more or schedule email [email protected]
Tours
If you would like to tour one of our facilities one of our staff would be happy to help you.
Book a
Tour
Resources
The Community Engagement team is also delighted to provide educational resources to teachers, including our Educator's Toolkit that provides curriculum surrounding homelessness, poverty, and empathy, as well as our Booklist that recommends children's books focused on these topics.
Please contact us or read our 2023 – 2024 Student Engagement Opportunities to learn more about how we can be a part of your students' learning!
Please visit SeedSchool tab or view resources
Seed School
Transforming Perspectives, Shaping Communities
SEEDschool is a program of The Mustard Seed in partnership with Campus Calgary / Open Minds, which provides Calgary teachers the opportunity to move their classes into a vibrant community site for an entire week of curriculum-based experience, designed to meet the needs of each individual learner. Teachers design and implement a year-long interdisciplinary study that uses the week at the site as a catalyst for learning.
History of SEEDschool
The Mustard Seed has long been engaged in intentional student learning experiences. SEEDschool evolved out of 22 years of summer learning programs, and two decades of speaking and teaching in school classrooms. During the 2016-17 school year, The Mustard Seed and Campus Calgary began to dream about initiating a pilot program at The Mustard Seed. After our initial pilot year in 2017-18 with 5 weeks of programming, we are now an official site running 14 weeks of programming per year.
Why Campus Calgary / Open Minds (CC/OM) at SEEDschool?
A week at The Mustard Seed is a catalyst for students to become engaged in the creation of their own year-long learning pathway. By incorporating student choice and design, teachers and site experts act as facilitators, working collaboratively with students and grounding education in the local community, students can see the relevance of what they are learning and therefore become more engaged in the learning process. Students engage in hands-on learning about poverty, homelessness, and social issues, thereby challenging students to consider their role in growing and nurturing the community.
Please email [email protected] for more information
Applying for SEEDschool
Any Calgary teacher can apply through Campus CC/OM for their class to participate in SEEDschool. However, we are currently only accepting applications from Grades 3 – 12. Applications become available in February for the following school year. Completed applications will include a proposal describing how you (the teacher) would implement an extended interdisciplinary study using the week at the site as a focus. Selections aren't made on a first come first serve basis but are based on the year-long inquiry plan and factors like whether students and teachers have attended a CC/OM program before, whether a teacher has applied previously and not been accepted, time of year requested, etc. For teachers new to the CC/OM experiences, further questions will be answered and forms explained at the information sessions offered in January and at the teacher’s convention. More information on applications is available here. If you have questions specific to SEEDschool, we invite you to contact us at [email protected]
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