For years church has been a place of worship and for religious ceremonies. Today, it’s hard for churches to keep a loyal following. Many of Toronto’s are now offering more social activities such as concerts, parties and even yoga to attract more members.
Troy Beharry who lives in the Danforth and Coxwell attends Danforth Church regularly says, “I’ve been coming to this Church for about ten years to get a sense of community. I’ve met many friends here that enjoy the gatherings, music as well as the feeling of belonging.”
When Lucina Macpherson moved from Vancouver to Toronto, it was difficult in a busy city to get settled and make new friends, she says, “I joined a social group at the Bloor and Lansdown Christian Fellowship Church because it was close to my condo and it was a cute little church with good vibes. I probably wouldn’t have made friends so fast if it wasn’t for the church.”
Church director Sophie Mickelson organizes a weekly community dinner with music and nourishing meals for low-income and homeless people. ” Without churches such as ours, there wouldn’t be a place where a growing number of homeless people can get the little bit of help and encouragement that they need,” Mickelson says,
St. James Cathedral in downtown Toronto is taking a different approach, offering yoga sessions on Wednesdays at noon.
Louise Peters. a vicar for the church, says,”The cathedral is a place for the city and yoga invites people into this sacred space to pray and yoga is one of many ways to pray.”
Fatima Kahn, who works near the Holy Trinity church downtown, attends their Lifting Spirits social event on selected Thursdays. “They have food, drinks and singing, so I love going here because I’m a young person in an expensive city. “
