Happiness and community

One of the items on this morning’s broadcast of Metro Morning was coverage of a report on the happiness of Torontonians (or rather the apparent lack thereof). One of the things that emerged from the conversation is that often people in smaller places are happier because they have stronger community connections and that sometimes the connections we make in cities feel more fleeting.

Like many people I have felt some version of this. One of the places that has tried to hang onto stronger connections is churches. Churches however are also struggling against (sometimes justified) suspicion that they have another agenda to win converts. Like many churches we want to keep the vision of an intergenerational community alive, but we have never been about evangelism. If we are evangelistic about anything, it is our desire for a more just and caring neighbourhood, city and world.

We want you to feel welcome to join the HT community, but no specific belief system is required–just a desire to be part of a community that cares about you and others. Many of us are Christians, but we hold an assortment of beliefs with respect to spirituality, including some who are entirely non-theistic. We host events and activities that we hope appeal to people in different places in their lives from cocktail parties, and discussions of the issues of the day to Sunday worship, and concerts.

We have begun developing co-working space in our historic buildings to let us build partnerships with people and organizations who would like to join and build a strong and diverse community of common care in downtown Toronto.

If any of this resonates or you’re curious about this weird and wonderful place, please check out at an upcoming event (I personally recommend Lifting Spirits) or talk to our Community Director about how we might connect with you and what you care about.

Keith Nunn, 2019 OCT 10

Share:

Facebook
Twitter
Email
On Key

Related Posts

Oliver’s Baptism Service

This week we celebrate the Baptism of our friend Oliver. We read from Lamentations, Malcolm Guite and the Gospel According to Luke. Pam Trondson offers

Hub Service

The service centers on the ministry of The Hub, a community outreach program that serves vulnerable people in Toronto by offering food, clothing, hygiene products,

Pentecost 14

This week we continue our Season of Creation with the Theme of: Air. We read from Genesis and The Gospel According to John. The Homily

Fran’s many gifts

We celebrated Fran’s life today. During the service there were many wonderful moments shared including a poem Fran wrote shortly after Ian’s death: This sweet

Pentecost 13

This week we celebrate the beginning of the Season of Creation. We read from Genesis, a Poem by Mary Oliver and the Gospel According to