The Presbytery of Pickering has figured out a recipe for growth: take a strong devotion to mission, add a generous willingness to adapt to change, and sprinkle with multiculturalism. Mix well.
Although formed only 16 years ago, the presbytery located just east of the city is doing well. In fact, its very creation is a story about growth — created out of the Presbytery of East Toronto to accommodate a rising population in the city's outlying areas. Between 2002 and 2003, the presbytery actually gained 169 adherents (although losing 58 members off the communicant roll). The growth of the geographic area plays a role in this increase. However, the commitment to mission, outreach and service to diverse communities also impacts the health of many of the presbytery's 27 congregations.
St. Paul's, Leaskdale, is a prime example. Established in 1862, they call themselves a "missional" church. "Everything we do has to make sense to the people outside the church walls," said Rev. Andrew Allison. The rural church sees as many as 300 people attend each Sunday — a huge jump from 35 in 1995.
"People are moving here from the city because they want to be connected," said Allison. "So we have life groups for just about anything from parenting, to marriage, to addiction recovery. As important as Sunday is, you can get lost in church. You need somewhere to plug in."
The congregation also raises grain for the Canadian Foodgrains Bank, a food aid organization supported by the Presbyterian Church. They use part of their vacant 100 acres, bought several years ago, to grow corn and winter wheat. "The congregation is involved, but it also attracts people who are not connected to the church. The community is a big part of it." The rest of the 100 acres will eventually house a new church — a $3.7 million project that's needed to accommodate growing membership. The congregation has already raised $1.8 million.
The presbytery itself is a mix of old and newer congregations. Traditional Scottish blood is still prevalent in the presbytery's parishioners, like St. Andrew's, Scarborough, where an annual Robbie Burns dinner has been held with great enthusiasm since 1970, although the congregation has been around since 1818. The original pine trees, planted in 1887, still grow on the grounds. St. Andrew's-Chalmers, Uxbridge, also has deep roots, with more than 160 years of service.
Along with such rich Presbyterian roots a growing number of congregations also include multi-cultural contingents:
- Malvern, Scarborough, serves an often troubled neighbourhood, and outreach in the community is paramount to the congregation's mission. Special dinners and worship songs sung in other languages celebrate its myriad ethnicities. Amberlea, Pickering, has a large ethnic contingent, and celebrates them annually with a Caribbean night.
- Wexford, Scarborough, supports numerous outreach projects and is represented by more than a dozen countries of origin. Steel drums have been added to the worship ensemble, and May Day celebrations and pre-worship praise services are also included.
- Bridlewood, Toronto, has ESL courses and a Chinese Bible study.
- Guildwood, Scarborough offers an ecumenical Bible study group to reflect its diversity. Rev. Douglas Rollwage is the Presbyterian Church's representative to the Canadian Christian Jewish Council. Guildwood also helps kick off the community's annual Guildwood Day with a pancake breakfast at the church. The church's 307 members are heavily involved in local community events. New members, both young and old, are steadily joining the church.
- St. Andrew's, Whitby, is led by Jerusalem-born Rev. Issa Saliba who leads his congregation to serve the needy in the community by operating a small food and clothing bank as well as a Christmas hamper program. Volunteers help at St. Vincent's Kitchen in Oshawa, and the congregation supports Armagh, a facility that helps abused women, and Evangel Hall, a Toronto inner-city mission.
- Knox, Oshawa, also operates an inhouse food cupboard and volunteers at St. Vincent's Kitchen. They also donate food packs to Gate 3:16 outreach centre, and recently installed two chair lifts to make the building wheelchair accessible. Formed in 1925, the congregation is currently redefining its mission, working with the synod mission consultant to discern a long-term vision for ministry.
- St. David's, Scarborough, was instrumental in the creation of St. David's Village, a non-profit apartment residence for people aged 65 and over. The facility opened in 1979, while the church celebrated its 50th anniversary last year.
- Fallingbrook, Toronto, recently decided to switch to fair trade coffee on Sunday mornings — an initiative bolstered by an article in the Record. Fair trade principles ensure farmers are paid a fair wage for their work, while the community often receives social support through coffee buyers. Although a slightly higher price than grocery store brands, the congregation decided the extra cost was worth it. "It was a thoughtful decision," said Elizabeth Thorsen, a member of the missions committee that trumpeted the idea. "I'm glad we did it. It's really important for people to see we practice what we preach."
- Melville, West Hill, celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2002. To accommodate its approximately 300 communicant members, Melville holds two services on Sunday mornings — a practice that started in 1979. Consisting of a mainly WASP congregation set amidst a multicultural neighbourhood, Melville is constantly looking for ways to respond to this reality. With a steady infusion of immigrants and refugees being housed by the government in nearby motels, the congregation along with social agencies visits the newcomers. Time-Out program, which invites young mothers in the community to a learning and sharing morning while babysitting is provided. It is also one of the few Presbyterian congregations to employ a parish nurse, hired in 1999.
Although the Presbytery of Pickering is not without its problems and struggling congregations, the general feeling is that there are good things in store. "I think it's an excellent presbytery — there's a lot of caring," said Rev. Dr. Everett Briard, presbytery clerk.
As the presbytery looks to the future, responding to a growing ethnic population will continue to provide opportunities for varying kinds of community service, as well as a chance to grow congregations. "There ought not to be any room in the church for colour distinctions," said Briard. "There can't be a 'we' and 'they' attitude. We serve everyone."
