10 Trinity Sq
Toronto, ON
M5G 1B1
416-598-4521
416-598-1432 (fax)
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Weddings at Holy Trinity

weekly services
Sun. 10:30 am, 2:00pm;
Wed. 12:15 pm

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...But We Dance!

SARA BOYLES
My arrival at Holy Trinity was marked by a visit to Willa Vetter, the first woman delegate to a Synod in the Anglican Diocese of Toronto. It ends, this week, with the burial of the ashes of Helen Gough, the first woman to be a warden at Holy Trinity. In between these brackets has been a rich and full experience.

In the early days, the social justice committee and the Sanctuary group were fighting for the rights of 31 Eritrean refugees in Toronto. I leave as the parish walks to the edge with those of us who are unable to have even their civil marriages and committed relationships blessed openly and easily. As I write, the outcome of the General Synod vote is unknown. The last few weeks have produced some amazing allies and companions. As with the ordination of women, there is great uncertainty whether the organized institution will be able to move. I do not know whether I dare allow myself to hope for the outcome I want and the place I believe the spirit has led. Whatever the vote I will continue to listen and work to respond to the moving of God in this place, at this time.

So I write my last From the Incumbent grateful for this place, its life and energy, grateful to be invited to participate in the journey of this people, overwhelmed by your remarkable show of love and affection last week end. It felt like being Queen for a Day. It deepens my ability to see myself in the company of many wonderful women (and men) who are here now and who have gone before to know the esteem in which you hold me. Overwhelming thanks to everyone. It is impossible to name you all. It would be even greater than all of the names on the Parish List and an impossible task.

And then Sunday afternoon, we necessarily plunged back into the grittiness of life trying to bring together symbol and truth, a committed community of queer justice seekers even when we were worn and frayed from such a wonderful week end of celebration and sadness. Interestingly, the queen for a day and the justice for same sex partners/spouses piece create the north/south brackets (with Willa and Helen the one that runs east/ west). Amazingly, the brackets become axis and the whole image takes the shape of a cruciform with a circle holding the edges. From that circle and cross shape comes the food that nourishes and steers our course as we travel through this endangered world, in this conflicted time.

We dance towards and away from the centre whole and broken, dark and light but we dance.

Farewell my friends and many blessings. All of the time with you has been wonderful, even in the rough stuff I know I have been loved. It has been more than I could ask for or have imagined. It has been an honour and privilege.

Sara

November 30, 1999