A Visit to Trinity Church Streetsville

By Ian Oldaker

If ever you have wondered at the diversity of the Anglican Church you will see one part of it at Trinity Church in Streetsville. Yvonne, my wife said they rocked when she was there with some of her dancers at the re-opening after two devastating fires, but they weren't demoralized because "the Church is its people not the building" is what I heard - there the love ofChrist is very strong.

I went with Rob and Sheri Reid and their four children and we sat in the comfortable pews. what did I say? Yes, they are cushioned nicely and the sermon given by Rev. Harold Percy, though very long by our standards, wasnot a challenge to the backside!

Several people in a bright and open assembly area beside the worship space greeted us. Two main doors lead in, one at the back where the near pews are reserved for mothers with babies, and one at the front for the less intimidated. We passed a booth at the back for lighting and video control. The large hall is pleasant, with curved pews in three groups; I think about 300 can be seated easily in the essentially rectangular space. The only windows separate the worship space from the assembly area, with the one surviving stained glass window in a gothic style opening. A deep steel girder above the front holds the lights and video projectors. On the left on the raised stage area, a combo of five was performing gospel songs. Behind them an angled panel extended to the ceiling in a gentle forward curve, and above the singers a video screen showed the song's words, which were easily read. On the other side was a matching panel and screen; at centre the small altar, spot lit under a cross cut-out in the front wall with a brickbacking, nicely illuminated.

At the start of the service an assistant stepped smartly onto the raised stage area and welcomed visitors and newcomers alike. He offered a visit from a church member next week if desired. We then sang three songs with much emotion then sat for the reading. The children had meanwhile left for Sunday school. We said a psalm, reading the words off the screens (no books in the pews - no holders for books either, just for newcomers' cards), and then Rev. Harold Percy first stepped up and gave the sermon. And what a charismatic man! Sheri, who was brought up a Roman Catholic, allowed that the reason their family goes is because of Harold. He preached to the gospel for about one hour. Several messages came out of this, and Sheri confessed that she does remember and reflects about the sermon during the ensuingweek.

It seemed that the Eucharistic prayer was rather shorter than standard, and some knelt as we said the Lord's Prayer. Four stations across the front offered the bread, and we dipped this in the wine before eating. A last song followed the blessing. I noted that no vestments were used and there was noprocession, etc.

We had some coffee/soft drinks in a room on the other side of the assembly area where there were some stations set up for newcomers and parish activities. Rev. Harold Percy was in a designated spot for people to meet him, which I did briefly. He is without doubt an enthusiastic person with avibrant cross-section of our modern society in his church each Sunday.

A Happy Easter to you all!

Ian