Trinity Renews Its Mission (TRIM)

The story of TRIM must be remembered in the context of the increasing financial stresses of the seventies, when the basic maintenance of the church building, as well as the support of an adequate service staff, was stretching the resources of the congregation to the limit and beyond. It was clear that some new measures had to be taken to generate funds if we, as a congregation, were to continue to enjoy, and be, in some sense, good stewards of a building now designated as an "historic" one for Toronto.

The record of the Official Board on June 20, 1978, includes a report from the Trim Committee, which indicated that already there were some clear directions and various developments due to its renewal initiatives. The report begins: "A proposal regarding future ministries and use of space at Trinity United Church was approved by the Official Board on February 21st, 1978. This followed the establishment of a Re-Missioning Committee in November 1977, and a strong indication by the Annual Meeting that new directions were needed. In fact, "future planning" has been going on at the church since 1972.

"The Re-Missioning Committee was formed and is currently composed of Katharine Hockin, Ellen Willows, Colin Willows, Kay Fallis, Ruth Kells, David Fallis, Gordon Shaw, Bill Small, Sue Rollwagen, and Bill Phipps."

Later, other names appear as participants in the committee work: Anne Stinson, George Fallis, Alex Fallis, Gordon Shaw, Leon Leppard and occasional resource people like Lome Walsh or Doug Brown, an architect consultant. Sue Rollwagen was secretary and responsible for the newsletter "Trimmings" and much of the ongoing record. Katherine Hockin acted as chair when present.

Between the time of the Annual Meeting in early 1978 and the appearance of the above report a great deal had happened. Leon Leppard won the acronym contest with the now familiar "TRIM"—Trinity Renews its Mission. The newsletter thus became TRIMmings, there were TRIM buttons, and later TRIMfests where elders entertained groups in regions of the city to widen congregational understanding and participation. There was a large candle and a TRIM bulletin board in the Narthex, special events took place for families, while the Worship and Music Committee initiated a Forum to develop a related "Theology of Worship." Over 80 contacts had been made with community groups, organizations or individuals. The project was also actively set within the on-going context of Presbytery and Zone Remissioning development. This wider emphasis brought the churches of the Zone, and particularly the "southern six" together in a deepened sense of mutual sharing and goals, particularly in the "Advention" gatherings. At this time this process helped the different related churches to be conscious of one another and to claim a stance of partnership rather than of competition.

The June 1978 Trimmings gathered the concern of basic goal as follows:

"Renewal in Mission challenges us all to think and work together in the search for a creative role for Trinity church, as the people of God, and as a physical symbol through the building itself. We will remember that the church throughout history has never been an end it itself, but rather in its faithfulness an instrument of God's will and purpose, of His mission in the world of men and women.

"We live in a day when great changes have taken place, and indeed we are daily aware of the different influences and developments in the world and society, and in our own neighbourhood, which affect us all in some way. Our commitment together as a congregation to "Renewal in Mission" is a significant venture in faith and are-affirmation of the values on which a wholesome society can be established."

By the fall, the most viable of several carefully considered options became clear, which was to enter into negotiations with the congregation of St. Paul's Avenue Road congregation, itself experiencing many of the same pressures as those felt at Trinity. This community also committed to the discovery of a faithful response to the future of the church in the city.

In their Seven-point Affirmation of Purpose, clarified in May-June 1977 the following may be noted:

3. We are committed to maintain and strengthen a community which is founded on the statement of Jesus that "If one of you wants to be great, he/she must be the servant of the rest." We affirm God's love for each individual person and for the whole of human society." "We wish to establish a community without hierarchy, inclusive of a variety of persons and groups, with a wide scope of local and world concerns."

A formal Negotiating Committee met first on October 2, 1979 and frequently later that Fall, leading up to a proposal for future co-operation early in 1980. For St. Paul's the following names appear on the records: (those whose names are underlined are the ones who signed the final proposal.) Dennis Howlett, Paula Goering, Pat Baker, Paul Enhle, Maureen Morris, Harald Bohne, Norah McMurtry and Dinah Forbes. For Trinity the representatives were: Katharine Hockin, Margaret Porteous, John Ecclestone, Bill Small, Paul Miller, Gordon Shaw. (Jim Houston was present representing the Presbytery Remissioning Project).

The work of this joint committee was reinforced by many special events including a memorable potluck supper at St. Paul's when it was clear that there was a very intentional spelling out of their Affirmation of Purpose in the manner in which this congregation related to the groups regularly based in their building. Certainly this commitment to participation in responsible management and use the building was an important ingredient in the gift of faithfulness which has come to the new union with them. This stance gradually accepted by Trinity representatives and its Board, was influential in shaping the proposals that eventually led to the amalgamation of the two congregations. Not only was the financial dowry of the St. Paul's congregation to prove a relief to Trinity worries, but this philosophy based in faith shaping the nature of relationships in institutional Life Together really has been a greater gift, with the enrichment of challenge to all our concepts of ownership, tenancy and mutual use of property. As the two congregations came together this grew into a shared commitment.

So the final statement of the joint Negotiating Committee set the detail of the recommendations for amalgamation in a clear and definite theological and philosophi­cal context:

"For several years Trinity and St. Paul's congregations have been working independently to assess and determine their witness in a world vastly different from the times of their founding at the turn of the century. Recognition of the need for a relevant presence in the contemporary setting, combined with the divergent pressures of declining membership and increasing operating expenses, created a concern for some and a challenging opportunity for others. All were agreed on the need for serious examination of the present, and thoughtful planning to make possible a healthy future. We were determined to call on the great implications of our changed situation...

..."The Committee deliberated at great length, endeavouring to define our institutional goals, noting areas of common ground, compatible programmes and complementary resources as well as some divergent concerns...

"At this time we have an unusual opportunity to choose what we will become. What type of witness will we make, how durable will it be, how will it relate to the other congregations in the Mid-City Zone? The crisis opens an option for the continuation of parochial identities and unnecessary early decline."

The TRIM Committee actually concluded its work when the Negotiating Committee became effective, and this period probably marks the end of one strand of Trinity history. We would never be quite the same again! For all this led to the changes in building structure and use and in programme which are now part of our collective life, as we enter into the celebration of two anniversaries with shared celebration and gratitude! This occasion can challenge us again to recognize the gifts we both share, and for those of us in the Trinity stream perhaps there is special reminder that in this most recent decade of our life we can be very grateful for the commitment to partnership, sharing and mutuality which have been so richly deepened by the heritage which the St. Paul's component continues to emphasize as really important. This total life style and witness are precious but need on-going practice and nurture. Do we need to be more actively involved in and supportive of the on-going programmes of the groups who in fact are our partners in community service and outreach? Surely this is part of our call to confess our covenant faith in relationships! — continuing Re-missioning!

St. Paul's Avenue Road United Church

Affirmation of Purpose

We, the Congregation of St. Paul's Avenue Road United, declare the following to be the purpose and task to which we are called in ministry:

1. We affirm the Church, which is called into existence by God, through his Son, Jesus Christ, and sustained by the power of the Holy Spirit. It is our task to witness
2. to the presence of God in the world and, particularly, in this part of the city. It is our task to seek out and act on the Word of God for our time. We are called to both proclamation and discipleship. We affirm that there is a fundamental relationship between discipleship and human justice.
3. We are committed to maintain and strengthen a community which is founded on the statement of Jesus that "If one of you wants to be great, he/she must be the servant of the rest." We affirm God's love for each individual person and for the whole of human society.
4. We wish to establish a community without hierarchy, inclusive of a variety of persons and groups, with a wide scope of local and world concern.
5. We wish to provide for the nurture of our community by encouraging the development of talents and worth among our individual members, a sense of meaning in our life together, and a theological position which will sustain us, give us the power of critical judgment, and make us more effective in living in the world.
6. We recognize the family as the building block of human society. It is important to our congregational life that we recognize and make adequate provision for the Christian training of children.
7. Worship is most effective when it is both true to its historical tradition and responsive to the needs, ideas, and life of its participants. We will continue to develop forms and experience of worship that express and sustain our faith.

May, June 1977