All are Welcome

This Sunday, I will have the opportunity to worship with the people of Queen Street Baptist Church before our service at Trillium. Their service time and location have changed because their building is currently uninhabitable, having experienced two bouts of flooding followed by a fire. For now, their neighbours at Knox Presbyterian Church have opened their doors and offered them space to worship at an earlier time.

My colleague Rev. Karen Orlandi gathered with members of Queen Street Baptist on Wednesday evening. Seated in lawn chairs on the grass behind the church, they shared in Scripture, song and prayer. Karen described a prayer circle in which almost everyone prayed aloud, expressing gratitude and faith. They gave thanks for the reminder that the church is not the building, but the people who love and care for one another. Their expressions of faith were carried on the evening breeze.

We are grateful to John Senn, Carey, Jerry and the whole property team for their work and for keeping the wider community informed about the ongoing cleanup and restoration. Also for Kim's sense of humour and constant calm, and steady presence and Linda's care in reaching out through social media.

The effects extend well beyond the congregation. We continue to hold in our thoughts and prayers the Handweavers and Spinners, the Niagara School of Music, neighbouring residents and businesses, and everyone whose home, work or community space has been affected.

We give thanks for all who have responded with compassion, providing housing and meals, assisting with cleanup, sharing resources, or simply offering a safe and caring presence. In the midst of exhaustion and uncertainty, such acts remind us that a community is held together by people from many places and walks of life who choose to care for one another and that we do not walk this path alone.

God Bless,

Rev. Barb