Thank-you to everyone who has already contributed to the Lenten offering for the Jamaican Relief and Reconstruction, in response to Bishop Andrew’s challenge. Donations need to be received by Sunday April 5, to be included in what we send from Trinity, and they will be matched with a challenge grant from FaithWorks, of up to $50,000. Additional donations can be made directly to FaithWorks before April 17 to be part of the matching challenge. (Give to Bishop’s Appeal.)  This appeal will greatly help the ongoing reconstruction in Jamaica following Hurricane Melissa, which was the worst hurricane to hit the island. Nearly six months later many are still without homes, living in temporary shelters.  Many others without basic utilities like water and electricity. As well, churches were badly damaged or destroyed, making it more challenging to respond to the needs of the community. 

Thank-you as well, to everyone who brought coats and sweaters on Palm Sunday. They were gathered up and four bags have already been delivered to Hand Up Clothing Room for distribution. As well, a few rain coats were kept aside to hopefully go to one of the agencies supporting those living on the streets to help protect them. These are both tangible ways we are living out our commitment to seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving our neighbour as ourselves. 


Earlier in Lent Rev. Dana highlighted as part of the series on the 5 Marks of Mission, our calling to seek to transform unjust structures. A recent example of that is the advocacy work that the Social Justice and Advocacy Department and some parishes of the diocese have untaken in response to the March 13th announcement that the Ontario Government is defunding the remaining provincially funded supervised consumption sites. These sites were the focus of our Social Justice and Advocacy Motion in 2025, when we called on the provincial government to reverse its decision to close many of them.  As we said at that time, while in an ideal world everyone who deals with addiction would seek recovery services, we know that the reality is that Supervised Consumption sites save lives of those continuing to deal with addiction. They provide a safer place because they have the resources to deal with overdoses and other aspects of addiction. The closure of sites that have already happened have led to a marked increase in overdose deaths, and strain on emergency services that often are called to respond, often in challenging environments. The defunding of the remaining sites, 3 of which are within our diocese, will only lead to more death; it will not force people into recovery. Bishop Andrew has sent a letter to the premier and other politicians and anyone who would like to do likewise is encouraged to do so. There is even a template which you are encouraged to modify, so that it becomes your words, which gives your letter greater impact.