Programs: Holy Trinity Anglican Church, St. George

Poverty Outreach at Holy Trinity Anglican Church

In 2006 we began an intentional outreach to support individuals and families touched by poverty. Since that time in goods and cash we have donated the equivalent of $14000 to the Brant Food Bank, Our Daily Bread Food program and the Cambridge Shelter.

We have three goals:

1. To raise donations of money and needed goods for our partners: Our Daily Bread Food Program at Grace Anglican, the Brant County Community Food Bank, the Cambridge Shelter

2. To raise awareness of the root causes of poverty and to build a strong and supportive community to reduce poverty in Ontario by 25% in 5 years.

3. To involve the whole parish in an intergenerational outreach.

As a society we can do better, and individuals do make a difference.

Community Well-being Team

In 1998 a group of women from the St. George Baptist, United and Anglican churches met with representatives of the Brant Health care system to develop a community well-being team to respond to the needs of the community. A needs assessment by nursing students from McMaster University suggested that we focus on older adults. We began a series of bi-yearly events designed to promote health and provide information to people aging in place in the village. To augment the existing Meals on Wheels program a monthly diabetes clinic and a monthly drop-in program were begun offering more services to older adults and those with disabilities.

In addition, Reverend Margaret Shortell is padre to branch 605 Royal Canadian Legion St. George and Chaplin to the Anglican Church Women for the Diocese of Huron.

The Parish Council is the "clearing house" for all aspects of parish life. Chaired by the rector, led by the wardens, ten people chosen to represent the interests of a cross-section of members and groups meet once a month to prayerfully consider how best to move forward for the well- being of our church community. While finances and property concerns are knotty problems always at the top of the heap, there is so much praiseworty activity in our parish that also fills us with joy. We delight in hearing Sunday School reports, the magnificent results of our Poverty Outreach Committee, and the social event and fund raisers planned by the Ladies' Guild. Hoever, our spiritual life, music ministry, forward planning, cementing our role in the larger church, and commitment to our church and village community is the underpinning of all that is done - with God's love and guidance.

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Our Chancel Guild presently consists of seven members appointed by the priest, who leads the Guild. Our responsibilities include preparing the church for Sundays, or whenever needed for Holy Communion, baptisms, confirmations, weddings and funerals.

The Guild sets up Communion, takes care of and washes linens, polishes silver and brass, washes the vessels and provides floral arrangements. All Guild members help to decorate the church for special festivals, usually on a Saturday morning, working in teams of 2 with each pair working for a month.

The Choir, under the direction of Cathy Erskine provides musical leadership for worship at Holy Trinity Church. A blend of traditional and contemporary choral music is sung each Sunday morning while assisting the congregation in its singing. The choir sings at the 10 am service on Sunday between September and June. Choir practice is held on Thursdays from 7 pm to 8:15 pm.

Meditative Garden: The garden began as a vision by several volunteers to change a vacant piece of land adjacent to the church into a delightful garden open to the community. The garden is now beginning to mature and the gardeners work to maintain it as a quiet corner for reflection and meditation.

New additions are added to the garden, often as memorials or in Thanksgiving. In 2009 a walkway from the church to the garden was created. The Meditative Garden continues to evolve and grow.