Community Healing Day

On Saturday, September 6, our community gathered at St. Margaret New Toronto for a day of cleansing, healing, and renewal.

We began with a community clean-up — neighbours, both housed and unhoused, side by side taking care of our streets and church grounds. At noon, we joined in an Indigenous-led smudging ceremony, a sacred act of purification and blessing.

Afterward, we shared a mindful lunch — a meal that became its own lesson. Together we traced the food on our plates back to its many sources: worms and rain, soil and sunshine, farmers and workers, shipping and cooking. We saw how deeply interconnected we are with all of creation, and how every meal is a gift of countless hands and histories.

We then entered a session on mindfulness and healing. It was practical, eye-opening, and deeply relevant:

• 🌬️ Breath Meditation We practiced simply noticing the breath — seeing the breath as it is. This gentle awareness helped us realize how thoughts, emotions, and breath are linked. Just sitting with the rhythm of inhaling and exhaling gave us space to observe without judgment.
  

• 📦 Box Breathing In contrast, we also practiced an intentional breathing pattern: inhale – hold – exhale – hold. This deliberate rhythm, like drawing a square with the breath, shifted the nervous system into a state of calm. Participants discovered how quickly this practice can reduce stress and bring clarity.
  

• 🕊️ The Science of Stress & Health We learned how chronic stress wears down our bodies and even shortens our lives. Yet mindful breathing, meditation, and compassion-based practices can protect us — slowing the toll stress takes and even helping the body repair itself.
  

• 💗 Metta (Loving-Kindness) Practice Finally, we practiced sending compassion to people we like, to those we feel neutral about, to those we find difficult, and to ourselves. Bit by bit, our hearts soften, and we see each other not as enemies or strangers, but simply as humans who can be met with kindness.
  

The wisdom in the room was as rich as the teaching. Participants reflected with deep honesty:

• “This was deeply insightful.”

• “I needed this one breath to calm down.”

• “It’s true… we are just humans. Why do we beat ourselves and each other so much?”
  

By the end, many of us left with a lighter spirit — reminded that healing begins with small practices of breath, compassion, and gratitude.

This event was possible thanks to the support of the City of Toronto through the Community Crisis Response (CCR) grant, and to the ongoing support of the Anglican Diocese of Toronto and the Faithworks program. Their support allows St. Margaret’s to keep serving as a place of safety, peace, and community healing.

Next: Join Us on September 14

Our journey continues on Saturday, September 14 (12–3 PM) with another special gathering:

• 🍔 Community Barbecue

• 🌿 Session on Mindfulness and Healing

• 🌱 Celebration of Service – honouring the many people and groups who make St. Margaret’s what it is today through their generous hearts and service.
  

At St. Margaret New Toronto, some believe, some belong, and some both believe and belong. Whoever you are, you are welcome. Our doors and our hearts are open.

Come celebrate with us in this historic sacred place.

📅 Saturday, September 14, 12:00–3:00 PM 📍 St. Margaret New Toronto, 156 Sixth Street