Tag: purpose

St. Margaret in the Pines

This one is near and dear to me, as it is my recently adopted spiritual home. One might say it is the current physical representation of my spiritual salvation. It is where I most often go to share in a spiritual community whose members seek a change in lifestyle that can only truly be achieved through a psychic change. It is about recognizing a power greater than oneself and accepting that former approaches to relationships, attitudes, and life itself are no longer working.

For me, this is a journey that began roughly 15 years ago and has over the past 8 years borne immeasurable fruit. As St. Margaret in the Pines is a place of refuge and solace for me and reminds me of my fallibility and my mortality, it is a place I seek humility. And it is this humility that makes me open to all these places of worship I showcase, recognizing in them all a common quest for meaning, purpose, and serenity.

Of course, you will have noticed more photos this time and that is because you will have noticed there are, in fact, two churches on this site, both of which are called St. Margaret. I have only ever been in the newer building. The grounds are lovely (if you can handle cemeteries), there are indeed a number of pines present, and it is one of the oldest faith sites in Scarborough. It is on a major thoroughfare and close to an intersection I consider representative of one of the most deprived areas in the city, but is set back far enough to almost be another world. It proves that not far off the beaten path, another world can be found, if one has a reason, an open mind, and the willingness to seek it.

As usual, a website exists: https://stmargaretinthepines.ca/

New Apostolic

I’m not sure what was wrong with the old Apostles and I’m also not certain who fits the classification of “new” Apostle (except, of course, Paul), but as any reader of this blog will know, for me it’s not so much about the religion and those specifics and tenets, rather that there’s faith and that there’s an abundance of diversity of faiths from which to find one’s own path.

I start this photo set with the rear views, as they struck me on this day as particularly functional and solid. The architecture and construction of this building is exactly those things. From the front, though, some serious efforts have been made to provide a certain look, more ethereal than functional even within the confines of the stark (almost brutalist) architecture in question.

In the last pic, we see an entirely different view … serene, rustic, bucolic. And that serenity is what I sincerely hope the parishioners here find. That is, after all, what makes all of these places so special and beloved to me. It is what goes on on the inside that matters, literally and figuratively, despite my providing simply glimpses of the outsides. Serenity, faith, hope … purpose. These places give people purpose and it is a commodity in direly short supply in a confused, greedy, misled, and strangely lacking society.

I’d urge anyone lost or feeling the lack to seek out faith and hope and purpose. These are not just words and the cynicism of today makes them seem hokey and dated and pointless. But I assure all, based on my own experience, it is only ultimately in these things that one may come to see the point.

As always, a website’s also on offer (although it’s not specific to this location). Take a look at: https://www.naccanada.org//imis_prod/nac

Spiritual Society

It’s an unfortunate lead-in here with the power pole and lines, but this place sits at an unfortunate junction of streets and electricity. The sad motel behind houses refugees and other unfortunate newcomers to the country. The mosque holds its own, though, and surely lights the way for many. I love the glint of sunlight shining from its spires!

As we move closer, it’s clear that construction is recent and detritus from the process is still evident. But the power lines again cannot detract from how God’s beauty sparkles more visibly in reflection. And God is surely any place that is called Spiritual Society.

I myself belong to a spiritual society. It is not of the particular faith denoted here nor any particular religion, sect, denomination, or creed. Mine is of a sort that is fluid and allows whatever works for the faithful to feel the spirit and let spirituality help them through dark times to find purpose and light. That is what makes me so open to and love all of these places I show/share.

My favourite shot here is from the side with the beautiful tree and a hydro pole and … another gleaming light!

Naturally, there’s a website for this place and what it means for those who do or may wish to worship here: http://www.spiritualsocietycanada.com/