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Participating in the celebration were Bishop Riscylla Shaw, the colour party from the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 68, costumed interpreters from the Penetanguishene Museum, and costumed naval interpreters. (The Anglican parish of St. James-on-the-Lines was built for and by the soldiers stationed at the local garrison, which is now called Discovery Harbour.)

Bringing greetings on behalf of the province and the country were Adam Chambers, MP for Simcoe North, and the parents of Jill Dunlop, the local MPP.

Future anniversary plans involving the historic cemetery include the planting of a children’s memorial garden in remembrance of the boys of the Boys Reformatory of Upper Canada (the province’s first juvenile detention centre) and the many other children buried there. Children from Burkevale Protestant Separate School will also be participating in the No Stone Left Alone program, honouring and remembering Canada’s veterans. The program will conclude with placing white crosses made by clients of the Waypoint Mental Health Centre at the grave of every veteran in the historic cemetery.

Submitted by the Parish of Penetanguishene

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The Ven. Steven Mackison, incumbent of Redeemer, Bloor St., describes the mural as a “visible message to Torontonians of Indigenous art and culture that we believe will contribute to understanding and reconciliation. It is strong evidence of our parish’s vision to reach out to the world around us.”

On June 7, parishioners were joined by Ojibwe artist Donald Chretien for the mural’s dedication led by Archbishop Chris Harper, the National Indigenous Anglican Archbishop and Presiding Elder of Sacred Circle. Chretien, a member of Nipissing First Nation, based the colourful mural on traditional bead work, devising a striking fusion with digital technology. The exterior placement of the 72 ft. long, 17-panel mural emphasizes connection to the earth and the beads that symbolize the church’s roots, Chretien explained. “The roots are the base of the tree of life from our ceremonies and reach to the sky.”

The mural is accompanied by plaques in English and Ojibwe that read, “We invite you to walk the path of beaded roots. They reach deep towards an ancient, buried creek. They spring from land lived upon by humans for 18,000 years; from the Huron-Wendat and the Petun and the Seneca to the Mississauga of the Credit River. These roots now rise to embrace the living church. What comes before nurtures what comes after. With stories. With healing wisdom. With hope.”

Stephen Allen, the dedicated leader of the church’s active Indigenous Solidarity Working Group (ISWG), shepherded the project to completion over many years. Reflecting on the culmination of this project, he said, “At this busy intersection of Bloor Street and Avenue Road, may this mural communicate our commitment to truth and reconciliation, and may this mural be a celebration of Indigenous art and culture.”

Dawn Lee, the design and project coordinator, highlighted the mural’s dynamic inspirations and the significance of Indigenous roots holding up a church. “The colours shift in ‘waves’ travelling along the wall to represent the four stages or ‘hills’ of life, the four seasons, the four cardinal directions of the compass and the four colours of the Medicine Wheel,” said Lee.

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“For a long time, I wanted to forefront an Indigenous, female presence within the interior of an Anglican Church. I have called this a Grandmothers Chapel,” writes Homer. “This hope has been manifested, and it is beautiful.”

Reconciliation looks at Christianity and the Indigenous spiritual traditions of the land called Canada and sees that they have been in contrast with, and at tragic odds with, each other. Christianity stems from the Abrahamic world view, in which the creator of all is assumed to have a special relationship with human beings. Contemporary Christianity also has roots in a European world that has been largely patriarchal and misogynistic. In contrast, Indigenous traditions place high value on women and the feminine as creative and life giving. In these traditions, the creator of all is seen to have equal and full relationships with all beings, human as well as plant and animal.

The upsetting history of the meeting of these two traditions is well known and does not need repeating here. The Grandmothers Chapel invites us to something different — to see the two traditions not as antagonists but as complementary, able to create wholeness within each of us and with our world, our oneness and equality with all God’s creation. The equality of Woman with Man.

In the Grandmothers Chapel we find three grandmothers, and among them a stained-glass vision of Mary as the Madonna of the Wheat that seems to have been waiting for them. Many scholars agree that this representation of Mary harkens to ancient portrayals of the sacred feminine. It is as if our Madonna of the Wheat has been waiting for her mother and grandmothers to come to her.

Grandmother Moon

Our Grandmother Moon is a feminine figure deeply associated with the waters. She creates the tides in the seas and oceans and within all women, who are connected with the waters. From the waters of the moon within women, all new human life emerges. Grandmother Moon is paradox, light in darkness or, in the case of an eclipse, darkness in light. Stillness and vibrant power at once.

In our painting of Grandmother Moon, we see the quiet power of her darkness, which still allows light. We see her in her waters, luminous and female, illuminating the waters with the colours of the night. We can feel great stillness and great power.

Grandmother Hannah

The painting of Grandmother Hannah (St. Anne) shows her holding the infant Miriam (Mary). St. Anne is honoured as the grandmother of Jesus of Nazareth.

Our St. Anne is surrounded by echoes of the luminous moon in the waters of the Grandmother Moon painting. This birth of a daughter is presented as emerging from the depths of creation. This is a story of long ago and far away, being repeated here on Turtle Island. Baby Mary is dressed in Mary’s traditional blue. Around mother and child we see a symbolic representation of all creation, the four directions, the four colours of the medicine wheel. Here, to suggest the power and protectiveness of life, the colours are represented as living flowers, drawn in the woodland Indian style.

Roses are said to be the flowers associated with both Mary and Anne, white and red. Here those colours are combined in a circle of wild roses, showing the natural capacity of our land to hold and honour holiness. The colour green is also associated with St. Anne. Here it is depicted as the living green of the Earth, sacred in itself. Surrounding all, a turquoise necklace, protection to the newborn and carrying the meaning of the connection between the sky and the waters.

Looking at this painting, we rest in the assurance that in the vastness of creation, we are always held.

Grandmother Spider

The third painting is of Grandmother Spider. Spiders always have something to tell us, with their beautiful, hopeful webs, spun with endless patience and perseverance. Grandmother Spider is a figure of incarnation and mystery. These words accompany her: Giving birth to the world, she lives within it.

Three swans fly at the centre of this painting. Grace, beauty and spiritual significance, messengers of faith, flying free within the web of life. Guides to self-awareness and transformation.

Submitted by Epiphany and St. Mark, Parkdale.

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Several of us responded to Irina’s call. None of us had experience teaching English as a second language, but we were game to support our new priest as she set about reconnecting St. Tim’s with the neighbourhood. There were those of us – I was one! – who wondered whether such an initiative could ever fly in a posh, two-income neighbourhood like North Toronto. Who did we know who needed to learn how to speak English?

At the first ESL session in June 2023, six volunteers showed up. To our surprise, so did six willing students. A single mother from Brazil teaching at university, a young man from Turkey, someone from India, someone else from Hong Kong… and all they wanted to do was talk in English so they could improve their speaking skills. The skeptics among us left that first get-together feeling that we were truly doing God’s work. Those six students were so grateful to be able to sit in our library with no fear of judgment or criticism, working their way through tough words like “enough” as we helped them as much as we could.

By the end of the first year, the leadership of the Rev. Carol Shih, our assistant curate, had grown the attendance to 10-20 students who arrived every Tuesday morning from all over the city. A real community had developed within St. Tim’s ESL program. Friendships were created as newcomers from all over the world found comfort in each other’s experiences. They went on weekend trips together around the city, they supported each other when interviews didn’t turn into jobs, and we all celebrated when someone arrived and said it was their final meeting because they had found a job. A reading group formed spontaneously and met for an hour every two weeks to discuss the English book they were all reading. A career mentoring group also met every two weeks, and we helped several newcomers find jobs to support their new lives in Canada.

Jonathan Kang took over from Carol after her departure in 2025. The ESL program continued to thrive during his time with us. The development of a greater degree of lay leadership was a hallmark of his guidance during the third year of the ESL program.

In April 2026 – three years after the ESL program was started – the wife of an Iranian couple who often attend our sessions asked if she could address the group. Farnoosh stood up and read this letter:

Dear volunteers,

We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude for everything you have done for us. Your kindness, patience, and dedication in teaching us English during this time have truly made a meaningful difference in our lives.

Because of your support, we have gained more confidence in speaking, improved our skills and feel more connected to the community. You didn’t just teach us a language – you opened new doors and gave us hope for a better future.

Even in the cold of winter, through snow and harsh weather, you came and continued to support us. This showed us your true commitment and kindness, and we will never forget it.

This week is Volunteer Week, and we would also like to congratulate you on being part of this meaningful and inspiring community.

We deeply appreciate the time and energy you shared with us. Your encouragement has inspired us to keep learning and growing. Thank you for your generosity and for believing in us.

With sincere appreciation,

Farnoosh Darooie

In the shadows of the photo from that day are the 150-200 other volunteers and participants who have passed through the St. Tim’s ESL program since 2023, including my late wife Sheila, to whom this program was so dear that we talked about it in the hospital up until the end. It’s good to recognize the number of lives – both students and volunteers – that we have touched so positively in such a short time. Not all of the volunteers are members of our congregation; several live in the neighbourhood, heard what we were doing and wanted to participate.

Several of the folks who first walked through our doors hoping to learn how to speak better English have themselves become parishioners and begun to volunteer in other parish initiatives: gardening, arranging altar flowers, running AV during services.

And finally, it’s important to acknowledge that Irina “stepped out in faith” when she suggested we do this three years ago, despite the misgivings some of us had. She knew we wanted to reconnect with those who needed what we had to give. She understood that if we were successful that we could change many lives for the better.

She was right: we have.

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Name tags affixed and coffee and music in hand, participants moved into their respective sections – soprano, alto, tenor and bass. In addition to Holy Trinity, Aurora (where choir camp director Mary Ridgely, ODT, is the director of music), the singers came from across the diocese, representing St. Christopher in Richmond Hill, St. Thomas, Huron Street, Church of the Transfiguration, St. James, Sharon, St. Mary Magdalene, St. Basil Roman Catholic Church, St. Olave’s and more.

The Toronto Diocesan Choir Camp ran for many years at Trafalgar Castle in Whitby as an overnight camp for youth. After the pandemic, Ms. Ridgely began offering intergenerational choir days to promote church choral music to a broader audience.

I wondered how we’d get through the thick packet of music by the end of the day. There was a Magnificat by Mary Catherine Rounsavall, the Howard Goodall arrangement of “The Lord is My Shepherd” (from The Vicar of Dibley), a Spiritual called “Ain’t That Good News” by Moses Hogan, as well as an Anglican chant psalm and two hymns. The plan was to sing everything in a service of thanksgiving at 4 p.m. The pressure was on.

Thankfully, vocal clinician Nicholas Nicholaidis was our expert guide for the day. He started with a thorough warm-up of our “instruments.” He explained how our voice resonates in our body and the process that is required when singing. “Our voice is the only instrument that changes from one day to the next,” he said. “So we need to understand the process for using it.”

Originally from South Africa, Mr. Nicholaidis sings with the Elora Festival Singers and the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir. With his calm yet infectious enthusiasm, we made it through to the end of the service. United by music, we were no longer strangers.

To inquire about hosting a choir day at your church, contact Mary Ridgely, ODT, at tdchoircamp@gmail.com.

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For the first service, Donna Scantlebury was our guest speaker. She is the co-chair of the Bishop’s Committee on Intercultural Ministry and works at the police college in anti-bias and anti-racism training. Her homily was inspiring and challenged us all to examine our unconscious biases and micro and macro aggressions. After the service, our coffee time consisted of Nigerian snacks provided by some of our Nigerian congregants.

For the second service, the Rev. Canon Dr. Stephen Fields, sub-dean and vicar at St. James Cathedral, preached on the four “P’s” – denial of the problem of racism, personhood, our presence and denial of our perspective. The Rt. Rev. Peter Fenty, a retired suffragan bishop of the diocese, was our preacher at the third service, which concluded our celebrations. Both Canon Fields and Bishop Fenty left an indelible mark on many of us. They challenged our core presuppositions, making us stop and think about what we thought we knew and how much more we need to learn, as well as to become more conscious of our beliefs and behaviours. All three guest speakers referenced various chapters in the Bible when making certain points.

Our services were enhanced by talented musicians, including the TrinBirds Steel Orchestra, saxophonist Joseph Callender, liturgical dancer Laila Dottin and pannist Trenyce Sweeney. They were invaluable in helping the congregation connect to the rich Black cultural traditions and heritage of so many of our parishioners. The joyful, upbeat mood of the services was palpable. On the last Sunday, we were joined by members from two other churches that are part of the campus: the British Methodist Episcopal and Presbyterian churches. They celebrated and enjoyed a Caribbean-influenced luncheon with us following the last service.

Enthusiasm for Black History Month was so high that we decided to conclude with one final cultural celebration of food and entertainment on Feb. 28. The night’s festivities featured the TrinBirds Steel Orchestra (expanded to six steelpan players); The Yerewolon, performing West African drumming; and singer Susan Grogan and DJ Curls both providing authentic Caribbean party atmosphere and fun. What was advertised as Caribbean appetizers turned out to be a variety of fantastic foods from various countries. We started off the night with a cup of warm and tasty corn soup and went on from there. We enjoyed jollof rice from Nigeria, Jamaican patties and jerk chicken wings, Trinidadian pholouries, Barbadian fish cakes, and Guyanese patties and pine tarts, just to name a few. Lots of fun was had by all and the success of Black History Month encourages us all as we look forward to even greater celebrations in the years ahead.

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His talk then focused on the rebuilding process, which will take several years. Most of the country’s public infrastructure and buildings were destroyed or severely damaged by Hurricane Melissa last October, as were many thousands of homes. Many church buildings on the island were damaged or destroyed. Mr. Davis concluded with his thanks for the relief efforts we have already undertaken. He appealed for our ongoing help and support in the months and years to come.

St. Paul’s has been raising funds for Jamaica relief since the day after the storm hit. Although the funds raised now exceed $7,000, we will continue fundraising and are hoping to take advantage of the Bishop’s Appeal for Jamaican Relief, which will match donations up to $50,000. The deadline for the appeal was April 17, but St. Paul’s is committed to raising funds for relief efforts well past that date!

The service was followed by a lovely luncheon where parishioners could meet and speak to Mr. Davis and his family.

Submitted by Phil and Dawn Claxton, members of the parish.

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