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Like every congregation, we have a distinct flavour.
A few key factors contribute to that distinctiveness:
Evangelism
Diversity
Worship traditions
Being downtown
Evangelism
The focus on evangelism has dominated this parish since its beginning.
I do not know who shall be my successor. You will choose wisely. Let him be a man of God holding the faith
of Our Lord Jesus Christ in all its Evangelical simplicity
and fullness. Farewell Sermon, Archdeacon Octave Fortin, Rector 1875-1917
More recently, the Decade of Evangelism had a profound effect on our parish. It gave us a renewed sense of mission.
It also resulted in significant growth. Many of our current ministries were established at that time.
Diversity
Diversity marks us. Our congregation members are diverse in theology, in wealth, and in origin.
The theologies within our congregation range through all the currents of Anglican thought. We have people from all walks
of life in our congregation. The current members of our congregation were born in more than 30 countries,
including more than a dozen islands in the Caribbean.
The congregation is an immigrant congregation in other ways as well. Quite a few members have moved to Winnipeg
from other parts of Canada. Others have come into the Anglican Church after being raised in other denominations. Still others
have grown up completely outside the church.
No matter how they have come into our congregation, those who were here before them have welcomed them.
Worship Traditions
The core of this parish's liturgy is the Book of Common Prayer. While not bound by tradition, we also don't treat it as something we have left behind.
It is present and alive.
Music plays a prominent role in our worship. Our music covers a very broad range of styles - from classical to gospel,
from Anglican Chant to Christian contemporary.
Music is to the soul what wind is to the ship, blowing her onwards in the direction in which she is steered. William Booth
Both the Junior and Senior Choirs take part in the 11:00 am service, along with the pipe organ (primary instrument) and the piano.
Heart's Refuge is the band for the 9:45 am service. It has played a role in that service bringing new people into the Parish.
While there is a long history of excellence in our music ministry, there is an equally long tradition of music being
seen not as an end in itself, but as an enhancement of worship.
Being Downtown
Holy Trinity is in the heart of Winnipeg. In fact, it was here before the city existed.
Being a core-area church means that we are accessible to everyone, from every part of the city. It also means that we
are able to respond to the needs of street people and people struggling to survive.
As part of our response to where we are, our Mission Ministry has grown significantly
over the last decade. Currently, it provides more than 100 lunches each day to street
people. It also provides clothing, household goods, counselling, and advocacy to anyone in need.
The Holy Spirit has blessed us with a remarkable momentum and growth in our ministries, especially over the past 10 years.
We know this momentum is not self-sustaining.
Being a downtown church, almost all members of our congregation live outside the geographic boundaries of our parish.
Virtually everyone who attends a service or who is involved in any ministry has driven past a church (or two) to get here.
To continue to grow, we must build and strengthen the reasons for them to make that drive.
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