Welcome back, everyone, as we begin the journey through Holy Week. Since we won’t be able to be together holding palm branches this year, you might want to create your own branches or bring one in from outside.
The service this morning was led by Sherman Hesselgrave with musical support from Rachel Warden and technical support from Keith Nunn. Recording of the service (somewhat truncated by an error) is below.
Holy Trinity continues to play an important role as a centre of compassion and support in the midst of this epidemic. We are thankful for the outpouring of donations that you have very generously made available to folks who need them. We are now serving 150-200 meals a day, and making food available to take away. We have also distributed many tents, sleeping bags, hygiene items, and cold weather gear. We see how essential these items are becoming for survival as folks on the street, who are facing gridlock in finding appropriate accommodations or places to isolate. We are also seeing more and more housed people who do not have access to food coming for assistance. As almost all services are shutting down, or operating with limited means, these folks need our continued witness and support.
As we approach the peak of this epidemic, we are asking that if you can give, please continue to do so. We have a safe drop-off set up at 10:30am for deliveries (great reason to get out of the house) at our south door. Someone will be there each day to receive your donation. We are still accepting bread, cheese, meat, eggs, cookies, granola bars, and fruits that are easily served like apples or oranges. If you would like to make drop off arrangements in advance please write to zgrant@holytrinity.to or call 416-598-4521.
If you would like to make a financial contribution to our work, a gofundme page has been set up by Leslie Norton, the Director of Trinity Square Cafe. All of the proceeds go to providing meals and equipment for those in need. The secure link is here – https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-holy-trinity-offer-food-for-those-in-need
And finally, in the midst of all that has happened, we continue to smile, laugh, reflect, and offer relationship with our community here in Trinity Square. Please keep our staff, our work, and all people in your thoughts and prayers, as we look to a more just and loving world in each sunrise.
A huge thank you to Susie and Jennifer for hosting the service this week from their home and to Moon for providing the music from New Brunswick. We were up to 39 households this week from 27 last week. It was so good to see everyone.
A recording of the service (minus all the visiting before and after) has now been uploaded to Youtube in our channel (links at right) or you can click to view it at the bottom of this page. Jennifer’s excellent homily (preceded by the readings for context) is also available separately in our Youtube channel or immediately below this text.
A big thank you to everyone who made sandwiches, brought supplies, cookies, and goodies for the folks outside. Today we saw upwards of 130 people. We received a large donation of survival gear from St. Andrew Kim’s and from TDIN to distribute and handed out every last thing. Our safe donation drop-off at 10:30am worked very well, and we are updating our protocols about receiving donations so that there is further risk mitigation of transferring the virus person to person.
We have heard that the shelter system is becoming overwhelmed and that they do not have the staffing to carry on their work through the coming weeks. More smaller shelters and respites are coming on line each day–however we are being told that next week will see more shelter closures.
People are very grateful for what we are doing, from city government, to social services, to folks directly impacted. I want to again today extend their heartfelt thanks to each of you for your support and prayers. We will get through this with the grace of our creator, good thoughts and togetherness.
Peace, love and blessings,
Zachary
Hi Folks,
Things are humming along at Holy
Trinity, and I want to let everyone know that all our staff and
volunteers are doing good, in good health and spirits.
Thanks to everyone who, in their own way, and in their own abilities, have been helping out serving the most vulnerable. The scene at Trinity Square is very interesting, during our lunch there are droves of people, who then quickly clear off. Lots of new faces.
We have gotten word that the Provincial prisons are releasing people each day, and we are seeing no further advancement on new shelters being opened. Lots of talk, not much action. Our downtown churches are each doing their part in the ways that they can serve the people and there is a lot to be proud of, it feels like we are growing in spirit each day, and our communities are growing in generosity and heart.
If you have the ability to do so, we are accepting donations of pre-made food, or food making supplies, like bread, luncheon meat, cheese, margarine, etc. We are also accepting donations of raincoats, tarps, sleeping bags, tents, clean warm clothing.
We have set up a safe drop time at 10:30 at the south doors of the church. If you are planning on coming, you can respond to this email or call the office line as you make your way down. Please DO NOT COME if you are at risk of the health impacts of coronavirus. We can arrange a way to have your donation picked up, or make alternative arrangements.
We are also accepting prayers! prayers for all the people, the animals, the waters, air and lands, and all the spirits of this place. Pray for us, send your energies, light us a candle!
Peace, love and blessings,
Zach
