Multiculturalism isn't something one historically equates with the Presbyterian church. But the Presbytery of West Toronto is changing that. It boasts four congregations that cater to distinct groups — Ghanaian, Hungarian, Spanish and Portuguese. Several other congregations have significant multicultural contingents. They even have a church in Bermuda. "The Presbyterian church is currently holding services in 17 languages on a typical Sunday," said Gordon Haynes, associate secretary for Canada Ministries. "That's phenomenal. And West Toronto has picked up on that."
An integral part of the presbytery's make-up, multiculturalism has often had a negative effect on numbers, while also offering the best opportunity for growth. It is one of the largest presbyteries in the church (with 24 congregations, all single-charge), although six charges are vacant. Changing demographics have often decreased the number of Presbyterians in the area as new ethnicities and faith backgrounds move in and traditional Scots move out. "Some congregations have been struggling as the demographics change," said Rev. Joe Williams, presbytery clerk," but that keeps it interesting."
In many cases, new cultures simply picked up where others left off. First Hungarian was created in 1929 and later catered to the needs of some of the 20,000 Hungarian refugees fleeing from the Hungarian Revolution in 1956 and settling in Ontario. Along with the Hungarian Roman Catholic Church in Toronto, First played host to mass refugee weddings, as many who came to Canada were unwed. Numbers aren't what they once were, now that second and third generations are moving onto other churches (or no church at all). However, more than 100 people still attend Sunday worship there — no small feat considering most of the parishioners travel from well outside the city.
Zoltan Vass is the minister at First and current moderator of presbytery. He said the presbytery tries its best to respond to ethnic congregations, but there is still room for improvement. "It's not the welcoming that is the problem," he said, "but dealing with and understanding ethnic congregations." He said members from these churches should have larger leadership roles in the presbytery and involved more heavily in decision-making. "Ethnic congregations have special needs and have a special way of thinking. They come from different cultures and sharing this would be a good idea."
Haynes said welcoming ethnic congregations into the fold will be vital to the future success of the church. "The presbytery has had to close some churches in the past," he said, "but they're also willing to take on ethnic ministries. In many ways, at least for urban congregations, this will be the way to go."
North Park church is a Spanish-speaking congregation that began as an outreach program within an English- speaking church. Elias Morales, minister at North Park, headed up a refugee and Spanish ministry until the English group got smaller and the Spanish contingent grew. The church is growing with many new members from Central and South America. Williams, who has been in the presbytery for 25 years, said the congregation is improving all the time and is developing into a vibrant ministry.
The congregation at North Park writes a weekly page for a Spanish newspaper as an outreach to the community and in 2002 they developed several Christmas stories that were broadcast on a Spanish radio program. The youth group participates in services and developed a puppet ministry as an outreach to families in the neighbourhood. Their refugee ministry is still going strong, with Morales working with Justice Ministries and Presbyterian World Service & Development for support. "He's very dedicated," said Haynes. "You have to be to do the work he does."
Toronto's Portuguese-speaking congregation also began as a mission outreach. Continuing in this vein for two or three years, Lincoln Resende took up the post as minister and began drawing in people from the neighbourhood. They now have their own building and continue to grow with about 90 people attending on a Sunday morning.
The cultural diversity makes for rich music ministry. Parishioners from Brazil, Portugal, the Azores Islands and Angola participate. Guitars, violins, saxophones and Angolan drums are used during worship, and there are youth, child and Angolan choirs. They also help sponsor refugees.
The Ghanaian church has been growing since its inception nearly 11 years ago. With attendance well over 300 people, the congregation decided it was time to move to a bigger building. Construction began in Oct. 2004 and is expected to open this fall. "It is easily one of the largest churches in the PCC," said Haynes, "or it will become one of the largest if it isn't already." It began as a mission of the Presbyterian Church in Ghana, which still provides the church with ministers. The congregation was instrumental in establishing the Ghanaian church in Montreal.
Morningside-High Park, established in 1968 when two congregations amalgamated, is involved in countless projects and outreach ministries. Their website states that they "Strive to make worship services biblically sound, spiritually uplifting, culturally relevant, intellectually stimulating, appropriately inclusive and meaningful for all ages."
St. Giles', Kingsway, is a healthy congregation with about 250 attending church on Sunday. They have a senior and associate minister, two morning services and one on Sunday evening, provide sermons in audio format on their comprehensive website and are involved in numerous outreach projects. The fellowship committee gives individuals a ride to church who need it, the friendship club meets with developmentally disabled adults three times a month for fellowship, summer worship services take place in the courtyard, bringing in guest preachers and attracting passers-by, and they support Evangel Hall, Christian Blind Mission, Medical Mission of Canada and Compassion Canada, to name just a few.
Victoria-Royce church began in 1885 in the waiting room of the Toronto junction railway station of the Canadian Pacific Railway. About 50 people gathered there regularly. The first church building was known as West Toronto Junction Presbyterian Church but they changed their name in 1897 to honour Queen Victoria's diamond jubilee. Today the congregation's numbers reflect the original crowd, although it did at one point welcome about 250 members through its doors. The church lost about half of its members during Union in 1925 and it amalgamated with Royce church in 1969.
They now offer a homework club, mom and baby café, games and movie nights, first aid and CPR workshops, special concerts and an open stage night where people from the community are invited to perform music, poetry and dance. The neighbourhood around them has changed greatly since the days of the train station meetings, with various cultures and languages represented. Currently without a minister, the church website states that the congregation is "struggling to maintain the heritage of its ancestors in a greatly changed West Toronto."
Despite some difficulties resulting from changing demographics and traditional congregations being unsure what to do next, there is hope for the future. "The Presbyterian church doesn't have to be as it was in the past," said Haynes. "It can change."
