10 Trinity Sq
Toronto, ON
M5G 1B1
416-598-4521
416-598-1432 (fax)
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Rental space available
Weddings at Holy Trinity
weekly services
Sun. 10:30 am, 2:00pm;
Wed. 12:15 pm
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reflections and sermons posted here are the work of individual members of Holy Trinity. Opinions expressed are those of the writer or preacher and do not necessarily reflect an official or even popular opinion within the parish.
Random Acts of Hospitality
SARA BOYLES
As I visit across the parish I am aware of how much it means to receive a message of care and love, especially when you are unable to move around in the city or when the stresses are high and you have a sense of being isolated and alone. I enjoy seeing cards propped up that are children have made in some living rooms. Other times I am just told how much a call or a little note has made. Recently, on the death of a parent, I got a call from an adult child telling me she had found in her mother’s belongings a stack of cards I had written/made over a long period of time. How important they had been to her mother. Writing little notes is an easy exercise in caring. Small acts of kindness enrich our common life.
Over the summer we need to exercise these acts of kindness with visitors come to our community.
- Children and parents need to know where the children’s corner is, where the crayons and reading material are, our attitude to children at worship. We want their visit to be pleasant and engaging.
- Strangers get support in using our books and bulletin. It is all so clear to us but we have all worshipped elsewhere and know that feeling of being an outsider, not belonging.
- We also need to acclimatise visitors to some of our peculiarities and traditions. I generally say something about the coffee pot, the moving around and the reshaping of the community for the liturgy of the eucharist. If I have time (and it seems appropriate) I sometimes point out The Saviour’s Prayer and the inclusive language we use throughout.
- At coffee guests need to feel welcome. Each of us is an ambassador.
Rumours do spread about us - our Sunday worship, our work of justice, our inclusivity, our passion. We need to be aware of the strangers among us all summer. We are all greeters whether it is our official job or not. Like all year round, we count on each other to be the church. November 30, 1999 |
