On Saturday, we hosted a “Migrants Lenten March” organized by Saint Luke’s newly initiated Ministry with Newcomers. Gathering together were participants from various United Churches and representatives from migrants advocacy organizations and refugee support groups with a large number from the network of the African Centre for Refugees that we host at Saint Luke’s and which works to support LGBTQ+ refugees in Toronto.
We marched around Allan Gardens Park following a liturgy of fifteen stations of the cross that integrates the events of Passion Week with meditations on the plight of migrants. For example:
Station 2: Jesus Carries His Cross
● Scripture:
“And carrying the cross by himself, he went out to what is called The Place of the Skull, which in Hebrew is called Golgotha.” (John 19:17)
● Meditation:
Jesus begins his painful journey, carrying the heavy burden of the cross on his shoulders. In the same way, migrants set out on perilous journeys, burdened by fear, hunger, and uncertainty. Many flee violence, persecution, or the despair of poverty, knowing they may never return home. Despite the immense weight they bear, they continue forward with hope in their hearts for a better future.
● Prayer:
Lord Jesus, grant us the generosity to accompany those migrants forced to flee their country and grant our leaders the compassion to ensure their journey is safe. Teach us to welcome migrants warmly so that they may find peace and integration in our communities.
Following the March, we gathered for a community networking meal:
Today, Palm Sunday, our guest preacher was Richard Chambers who meditatively walked us through the scriptures of Passion Week grounding his reflection in the real-life darkness of our current times while holding onto glimpses of the light of the coming Easter.
Then, after the service we had a very special lunch hosting thirteen members of Rosedale United Church as an expression of our appreciation for the support that Rosedale UC has provided over the years to the Saint Luke’s Out of the Cold Meal Program and as an opportunity for our two communities of faith to get to know each other better. In addition to breaking bread together, members of Saint Luke’s shared personal testimonials about what Saint Luke’s means to them as a welcoming church family.
We also shared with our Rosedale UC guests this new flyer about the life, ministry, and outreach missions of Saint Luke’s:
It was a deeply meaningful and spiritually rich time for all of us members of Saint Luke’s and members of Rosedale United Church.
