Our HistoryCelebrating 60 Years of History and These Last 10 Years of Ministry Together

It has been a silver journey from the first service of a fledgling parish held in Poplar Road School in 1961 to now. The altar guild was the first group formed with mid-week services and social activities taking place in a church portable on the church site a few years later. 

We have been well served these past 10 years by an innovative priest, churchwardens, and ministry team leaders. Our spiritual life has been well nourished and allowed us to grow in Christ. In the last ten years, many workshops and courses have been offered to us in person and online. The church leaders have helped us stay connected and in touch. 

Many contribute generously of their gifts to bless us with meaningful and uplifting worship.  The Altar Guild beautifies the Sanctuary.  The Property Team keeps the church and property well maintained.  The Lay Assistants and Readers lead us in prayer and hearing the Scriptures.  The Greeters and Sides Persons offer the gift of welcome and hospitality on behalf of all.  The Word is opened by relevant sermons and engaging drama by the DramaWorks team.  Eucharist is prepared, celebrated, and shared – all through the work of many hands – Clergy, Lay Assistants and Communion Ministers.  The Choir and Music Director give melody to our worship, and the organ, keyboard and music library are well maintained.  In addition to our regular worship on Sundays, special liturgies are crafted to express the many seasons of the human spirit including baptisms, weddings, funerals, and special festivals. Our parish administrator prepares a weekly order of service. The life of the church encompasses worship, pastoral care, community outreach, education and nurture, mission, and fellowship. We have regular opportunities for all ages to connect with each other, such as at the Back to Church Celebration, and Scarborough Anglican Youth Ministry Baseball. We are a parish family where new friends are always welcome. Here are a few of our key items from the last decade: 

• In 2012, “Our Faith, Our Hope: Re-Imagine Church” Results: $236K 163% of goal;
• In 2013, the parish began a Missional Transformation Process including family events and Parish Nursing Support Group;
• In 2014, sadly we had to remove over 100 trees from our property due to the Emerald Ash Borer;
• In 2015, we expanded our worship with contemporary music and liturgies. We were able to improve our accessibility (chair lift) and visibility in the community (sign) due to the generosity of a legacy gift. In addition, we refreshed our website to attract more people in the community;
• In 2016, our drama group which was active from 2009 until 2017, enhanced many of our worship services with biblical readings and plays. We were the sponsoring member of Guildwood Refugee Action Committee bringing 10 Syrian refugees to the city;
• In 2017, our Vision –“We, at Holy Trinity, Guildwood are a caring, open-hearted community who dream, pray, and work with Jesus for a caring, equitable and peaceful world”; 
• In 2018, we received the Douglas C. Cowling Bursary in Liturgical Music;
• In 2019, we undertook an ambitious campaign to have our parking lot restored and expanded from 18 to 30 spaces.  We are thankful for the many Holy Trinity, Guildwood saints and angels who contributed to make this a reality. 
• In 2020, we were flexible and launched online worship ministry during the pandemic
• In 2021, we received a five-year Ministry Allocation Fund Grant from the Diocese of Toronto for our Lay Pastoral Associate (Missional Outreach and Discipleship Ministry).

Over the decade we have developed partnerships in our community such as Rotary Club of Scarborough, Chartwell Guildwood, Extendicare Guilidwood, Guildwood Community Presbyterian Church, Sir Wilfrid Laurier Collegiate Institute, Robin Hood Army Canada, YouthLink, Cobs Bread Bakery, and more.

Our heartfelt thanks to all who have dedicated time, talent, and treasure to create a church where God’s love is both lived and shared to build up the kingdom of God right here in our village and beyond. With God’s blessing and our ongoing prayer and devotion, may Holy Trinity, Guildwood continue to be a source of hope, faith, and growth in the future.  

For the next decade we “Remember, Reconcile, Rejoice and Renew”