Final procession brings tears and hope
They carried a huge wooden cross, a thick Bible and, in a little red wagon pulled by a child, a candle and suggestion box.
About 60 members of Trinity United Church made a symbolic journey Sunday, stepping away for the last time from the Frederick Street building that has been home to the congregation for 111 years.
As a cold wind blew, they walked in procession to leased space four blocks away in the chapel at St. Matthews Lutheran Church at Benton and Charles streets.
“I was shedding some tears,” said Ginger Comission.
But, as with other United churches, she said the demands of a large, aging building have become more and more onerous on the congregation.
Pat Tummon, 90, sat in a minivan with her son, John, watching the procession. She wasn’t well enough to walk, but wanted to be part of the occasion.
Tummon is involved in the ministry team that came up with the idea of the procession for the first service in the chapel at St. Matthews.
“It’s our future,” she said of the move. “It’s progress.
“We are blessed that we can be together.”
The church building on 74 Frederick St. is being sold and will eventually be demolished. The stained-glass windows, carved wooden pews and Casavant pipe organ will be removed and stored for when the church finds a permanent home.
Inside St. Matthews, the new repainted chapel was filled with worshippers as representatives from the Waterloo Presbytery, other United churches, and officials of St. Matthews all brought greetings.
“I’m sorry for your loss,” said Rev. Sebastian Meadows-Hemer, pastor of St. Matthews, as he welcomed the group into their new home.
During the service, candles shed a warm light on the room and the choir faced the congregation.
Transition minister Bill Bruce spoke about the Hebrew prophet Jeremiah. He was in prison while the Babylonians were besieging Jerusalem in the sixth century BC. But as an act of hope, Jeremiah purchased some land in his home village nearby.
“Houses, fields, vineyards shall again be bought in this land,” Bruce quoted Jeremiah as saying.
Bruce reminded the congregants that humanity has been on the move since the beginning of history. And Trinity United, which began before Confederation, 176 years ago, has moved several times before.
“We are the church, together,” he said.