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A congregation sharing Light with its community

3/12/2025

I love to travel by train, especially in winter. Last week, I took the GO Train to visit congregations in the area, and as I looked out the window, the Ontario countryside stretched before me, blanketed in pristine white snow—so different from the grayish piles of plowed snow and slush I’ve been navigating in the city. It has been a cold, dark, and snowy winter. As if that weren’t enough, the rising cost of living and ongoing political uncertainty only add to a sense of heaviness and unease.

But while sitting on that train, something caught my eye—a ray of sunlight breaking through the sky. At that moment, I realized how many days had passed since I had last seen the sun.

When everything has been dark, gray, and cold for so long, we forget how much we need light and warmth. No wonder scripture so often describes the creative power of God as light shining into darkness. When the world was in chaos, God said, “Let there be light” (Genesis 1:3). The opening verses of the Gospel of John proclaim, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overtake it” (John 1:5). And Jesus himself declares, “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12).

So too in the life of the church, as we look ahead to the future of our congregations in Canada, we often see declining numbers and aging leadership struggling to coordinate even a simple Sunday worship service. It’s easy to lose hope. But it is precisely in these moments of uncertainty that we can witness the Divine Light at work in the world. And yet, how often do we miss it? How often do we fail to see the Light simply because we are not looking for it?

Like the sunlight breaking through the clouds that day on the train, I see the Light of God shining in congregations across Canada. One such place is Stratford Congregation in Ontario.

Last week, I had the privilege of visiting their facility. As you enter the narthex, a large GLBTQ2IS+ flag welcomes you, boldly proclaiming, “Everyone is welcome here.” It’s a message impossible to miss—seen by every member and visitor who steps through the door. During my visit, the sun began to pour through the windows on either side of the altar, filling the sanctuary with an unusual warmth.

The congregation gathers for worship most Sundays, blessed with a talented and energetic group of leaders. But like many churches in Canada, they have seen better days, and the road ahead is uncertain. And yet, just as that sunlight filled their sanctuary, their light shines out into the local community.

Once a month, Stratford Congregation hosts a Community Breakfast. As their flag declares, everyone is welcome at the table, and the meal is offered at no cost. But something more happens here. Those who are able contribute to a fundraiser during the breakfast, and the money raised is given to local charities—an act of generosity that extends far beyond their walls.

As we envision the future of the church, glimpses of light like this give me hope. Stratford, like many congregations, faces challenges. Yet they continue doing mission—not only by feeding the hungry but by fostering generosity, practicing radical inclusion, and embodying love of neighbour in the simple act of gathering at table.

Next week, I’ll share about another congregation where the light is shining. Stay tuned!

By Leandro Palacios, Communications Team.

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