This week I met a woman walking a small dog with
sunglasses on. I had never seen this before.
So I said “Cute dog but I’ve never seen a dog with
sunglasses before”. She answered, “My dog is
blind. Can’t see a thing.” What sprung to mind
immediately was the usual “What’s wrong with this
picture?. Isn’t it supposed to be sighted guide
dogs leading blind people?” Then the answer came.
Nothing is wrong with it. It’s just
different. Different doesn’t mean wrong. This is a
picture of love. Then I realized how often we bias
ourselves by focusing on what we think is wrong
and not seeing the positive aspects of a
situation.
We often feel uncomfortable with things that are
different because we don’t understand them and
fear they may require us to change. But
differences are valuable because they give us
opportunities for growth and increased
understanding. Growth and change are vital parts
of life. For example, getting to know people of
different cultures and learning from their
experiences and wisdom as we also help them learn
how to adjust to our society can be an enriching
experience for all of us. So maybe we need to
start asking ourselves, “What’s right with this
picture?” That will enable us to see the positive
potential in a situation.
That being said, there are many aspects of life in
which “What’s wrong with this picture?” is the
right question. Police removing homeless people
from their encampments but offering them no place
to go is a good example. I understand the fears of
neighbourhood homeowners and the importance of
police doing their job but as a society we need to
come up with a better answer. Homeless
people need their own community for social support
as we all do. Destroying that just makes
everything worse.
I think the right question in this case is “Why,
in a city as wealthy as Toronto, do we have so
many homeless people and what can we do about it?”
Some people think, “If they would just get a job
they could afford a place to live.” Unfortunately
it’s almost impossible for homeless people to get
a job. They have no address, phone number, social
and other skills that are necessary to access the
job market. I don’t have answers but a few ideas.
We need to find places to rehouse them while
providing them with mental health help and other
supports as we help them learn how to reintegrate
into our society. This is a long-term, expensive
process but God wants us to help the most
vulnerable in our society. We can at least pray
for them and give as we can to the organizations
that work to help them.
On a smaller but easier note, think about how you
can help someone you know, maybe a friendly call.
a small gift of cookies, or a smile to brighten
their day. It will also brighten yours!
And let’s learn to ask the right questions.
Margaret Black, Parish Nurse
_____________________________________________
"Thank
You" from
Northwood
Montessori
Daycare
posted
September 4,
2021
In
July 2021,
Northwood
Montessori
Daycare, who
rents space in
the Tri-Church
building,
received an
appeal from
Mademoiselle
Louisa asking if
they could help
with supplies
for Cuba
urgently needed
due to the COVID
virus.
Through the
generosity of
Northwood
Daycare, people
in the
surrounding
community,
and the people
within the
Tri-Church
building,
including the
Iona, St
Cyprian, and
St. Christopher
congregations,
Northwood was
able to send
over 300 face
shields,
200 boxes of
masks for both
adults and
children, hand
sanitizer, boxes
of gloves and
much more.
Medicines and
needles were
also included in
the shipment.
Also, donations
of over $2,000
will be used to
make more
purchases.
Our Northwood
staff, families
and friends have
‘stepped up to
the plate’ and
hit a grand
slam.
We are thanking
you so much.
_________________________________________________
Tri-Churches Pastoral Message
posted February 28, 2021
Dear members of the Tri-Churches congregations
We are deeply saddened to share with you that our
beloved minister, the Rev. Robert Reid, died last
Sunday on February 21, not being able to recover
from the Covid-19 complications.
We are so grateful for all the prayers that were
offered not only by this congregation, but by so
many friends, along with the Presbytery of East
Toronto - prayers for healing, for peace, for
courage and for comfort.
Robert himself knew that his life was safely in
God's care, and though this is not the outcome we
had prayed for, we too trust, as Marg Black puts
it, God has chosen to heal him in a different
way. We grieve together with the Reid
family, our family of faith here at Iona, and all
our friends of the Tri-Church. We give
thanks to God for Robert's life and witness to the
Risen Christ, for his ministry and wonderful
friendships in our midst.
We ask that you continue to pray for the Reid
family.
