Peggy Plet:
As most of you probably know Alex, the girls and I moved to Canada in August 2007 from the Netherlands. We did not know anyone in Kitchener and we thought that a good way to get to know people and the new community would be to join a church. Now, there are many churches in Kitchener and we were invited a couple of times to visit other churches, but we felt we had to do some research before we joined a church. We had decided that the church we would join should be a place where we, as a multicultural family, felt welcome. A church that is inclusive and diverse, where straight and gay people practice and celebrate their faith in God.
In his book: Buch der Sehnsucht (book of desire) the German monk, Anselm Grun, writes about the desires human beings have. According to the author every desire ultimately is the desire for God. He also talks about why nowadays many Christians decide to no longer attend church. According to Grun many Christians are longing for a spiritual home port. They are longing to be with other people who are also going through a spiritual process and who support them in their own spiritual process. Many Christians are also longing for a liturgy in which they recognize themselves, a liturgy that addresses you personally and touches your heart. Church should be a place where you are allowed to be yourself. His conclusion is that many churches fail to fulfill these needs. But my experience with this church is different. I must admit that I too have this desire, the longing for God. Every time I’ve been here at Trinity United there has always been a part in the sermon that has touched my heart or a song that lifted my spirit. That for me is a reason to join this church.
I was born in Paramaribo, Surinam and at the age of 13 her family emigrated to Utrecht, the Netherlands. I was baptized in the Moravian Church, but was confirmed at the Dutch Reformed Church in Utrecht. I have been a member of the Moravian Church, while also visiting the Dutch Reformed Church. In 2005 our three daughters were baptized in the Moravian Church Utrecht. I am married to Alex who was born in Utrecht and raised in a non Christian family.
Alex Plet:
Coming to Canada means a new beginning. For the family: for Peggy, the girls, myself, the beginning of a new life, in a new town, in a new school, as part of a new culture, but it also is a new spiritual beginning.
I did not grow up in a religious family and I never went to church on a regular basis before we came to Canada. I was never baptised, but I always believed in Christian values, love, peace and justice. Especially since the birth of our children I felt the presence of God, I realized that life is a miracle and God is the beginning of everything. My wife and my daughters have been baptized and I would like to proclaim my faith in God, with baptism as a new beginning in life and faith. God has given us everything and I hope we can give back to God and the community .
Christopher Jagger-Parsons:
Almost one year ago, I was presented with a situation that many couples face in their lifetime. I was going to be moving out of Toronto because of my spouse’s work. As we jumped through some hoops, and finalized some processes, we found out that we would be moving to Kitchener and that my husband would be working at a little place that you might have heard of, Trinity United Church. Unlike many couples, our church home has significantly different connotations for each of us. So for me, I had to figure out whether it was possible to build a community for myself, to hear God’s calling, and to feel truly alive in the place I worshiped, that was also the place where my husband was employed, or whether I would look for a church home in Kitchener for myself.
How wonderful it has been to be welcomed in this place, to share my gift of music with you, to enjoy the fellowship of the choir, the Sunday School Support Team, and the Whatever Club, or the Friday Nighters, and to participate in such meaningful worship as the Good Friday service, Advent Lessons and Carols and today, Pentecost Sunday. As good friends say, “The Spirit moves you in this church.” For me there was not a choice. I have felt the Spirit move here and have felt alive. Trinity United Church chose me.
Elizabeth and Ramond Staples:
Why Trinity? Familiarity. Elizabeth was baptized, went to Sunday School, Explorers, CGIT here. Elizabeth and Ray were married in the chapel here in 1958. Elizabeth and Ray particularly like the old sanctuaries with the stained glass windows and the big pipe organs. Elizabeth and Ray came to Trinity considering where they would go to church having moved to Kitchener, and say they were warmly welcomed. Both liked the music that Trinity was offering. They recognized many faces from 50 years ago – Carol Tyack as they remember her and Ivan Hurlbut, Paul Gilmore, Don and Joan Archer, and Richard Ernst who Elizabeth babysat for. It was coming home. They say - it hardly seems possible 50 yrs have past! If the same people are here for that amount of time, Trinity is doing something right! We know that downtown churches are struggling and we hope two more members help that particular dilemma.
Mark and Kelly Lee:
As
christian parents, we believe it is our duty to teach our
children values such as love, faith forgiveness, and
understanding. These are values by which we try to live our
daily lives, and which we feel represent some of the fundamental
teachings of the church. We believe the Sacrament of Baptism is
an essential first step in Hannah's Christian life and spiritual
education.
Frank and Marilyn Abthorpe
Marilyn was born in Oshawa and attended Simcoe Street United Church. Frank was born in Belleville and he attended Christ Memorial Anglican Church in Oshawa. Marilyn and Frank were married March 31st, 1956 in Christ Memorial Church. Over the years they were very active in various Anglican communities. After Frank left the Royal Canadian Air Force, having served in a number of places, including Baden-Solingen, Germany, they returned to Pickering with their two daughters: Mary Frances and Suzanne Viola who later died from cancer at 22 years of age.
Nine years ago, Frank was diagnosed with Parkinson’s. The next year they moved to Foxboro Green, worshipping at Holy Savior Anglican Church. In October 2007, Marilyn and Frank decided to visit Trinity United Church to hear Rev. Jack Paleczny preach and they never left.
They find "Trinity United" just what they were looking for - a friendly Church Community with an outlook that encloses the Church Doctrine, the Church Community, and especially the People who attend.
Christening of Katelyn Rosetta Porter
Katelyn as your parents we wish for you to have a wonderful healthy life. A life filled with friendships and love with others and with God. We hope you live a prosperous life.
We hope that your life is enriched with happiness. We hope that you do not experience much sadness but that if you do, it will teach you humbleness and forgiveness. We hope that in times of sorrow you have people to embrace you and that you will lean on God for support. We hope that you will embrace God and live your life with the utmost faith.
We hope you will continue to be devoted to Trinity and spend your life growing as a member there.
Kerry and Trevor