Through all the changing scenes of life,
In trouble and in joy,
The praises of my God shall still
My heart and tongue employ.
As I acknowledge the passage of the 48th anniversary of ordination as a Deacon, and the approach of the same length of service as a priest, I am glad to see that old Tate & Brady rendering of Psalm 34 included in “Common Praise”. In my current exciting appointment as Interim at Trinity Memorial Church in Notre Dame de Graces, Diocese of Montreal, I rejoice to serve a community whose hearts and tongues praise God in a wide range of styles and constantly inspiring devotion. We are with some fear and trepidation engaged in a redevelopment project that will convert this vast edifice, created as a Memorial to those who served in the Great War 1914-1918 into a multi-service centre that will include a famous Montreal library, two church communities and a range of outreach ministries to the broader community. By the Vision date of 2019, by God’s grace a second project, the restoration of the exterior “skin” of this monumental structure on busy Sherbrooke Street, assisted by grants from the Quebec Religious Heritage Foundation, will also be complete, and the congregation’s many gifts and talents will be freed for Mission. Encouraged by a Lenten Study of the 5 Marks of Mission, the leadership of this congregation, of which the majority is of Caribbean origin, would endorse all five but emphasize the need to reach out to the surrounding community and respond to its human need with loving service. Proclamation of Good News, teaching and nurture of new believers we take as givens to our identity in Christ.
For my own part I recognize that I will not be part Trinity’s ongoing journey. My six-month term that began in 2007 has long since expired, and a prayerful Search Committee has begun work on the Parish Profile. I pray with the community that somewhere there is a priest who feels called to the challenge of developing fresh expressions of ministry in a diverse community setting, especially towards the Francophone majority surrounding us, supervising a major reconstruction project, raising significant amounts of funding, teaching good stewardship, and as pastor celebrating among, inspiring and caring for the flock, helping them realize the dreams God is calling them to dream.
Having enjoyed the privilege of service in three Dioceses, all in Eastern Canada, my vision for what little I know of the National Church would be liberation of every congregation from “one size fits all” conformity and in many cases badly sited and costly buildings, so that communities can respond with creativity and compassion to the Mission opportunities presented by their individual contexts.
When full retirement does become my state, I would envision by 2019 being in my ninth decade of life, a member of an ecumenical, bilingual faith community in the beautiful Laurentian town where my wife and I live. I would hope on occasion to find a place to sing old hymns, hear some classic Anthems, and enjoy exalted liturgy (but please God neither in 16th Century language nor always in Gothic monuments). The main Mark of Mission for us then will undoubtedly be the safeguarding of creation and the renewal of the life of this magnificent, beautiful corner of God’s good earth.
he Rev. Canon David W. Sinclair
Retired priest of the Diocese of Ontario, onetime priest in the Diocese of Niagara, now in Interim Ministry in the Diocese of Montreal.
