Pastor Simon's Summergreeting in the Sunset Villa bulletin, Juli 2020: 

In the days around Skt. Hans, I went to Sunset Mindepark to do an interment ceremony at the Danish cemetery. As usual, the Sunset Mindepark and the rest of Sunset Villa were beautifully covered with green summer leaves, flowers and birds singing in the air. 

But something was different: there was a strange quiet at the cemetery and in the park, of course because of the pandemic. Normally, it is quiet at a graveyard, but this summer day, it was a different kind of quietness. 

There can be something beautiful in the silence, but I think it is because we know that someday the noise, joy and celebration will be back. We are longing for fellowship and company because Danes want to be together - and the fellowship will be back! The strong support shown this spring to the Danish Restaurant during the pandemic is one visible proof of that. 

We have the same feeling of support in and around the Danish Church in Toronto. Here we have reached out to many Danes via different media and made Video-Worships from the church and presented an online Skt. Hans Celebration with the other Danish pastors all over North America. 

The bears go into hibernation in the winter. I feel we have done the same this summer, and I am so much looking forward to coming out of the cave and exploring life and community again when the Danish Church, Sunset Villa and all the other places we love will open again.

As far as the Danish church is concerned, we hope to invite you all to worships from September 13th - I guess still with some restrictions. You can read more on the website www.danishchurchtoronto.ca and newsletter about the actual plans. 

Until we open, we will continue to make short video worships in Danish and English every Sunday from the Church in Toronto – find them via our website. 

Stay tuned! Stay safe! - and have a beautiful summer! - hopefully with some joyful noise. 

Pastor Simon Kangas Larsen, The Danish Church in Toronto

Read the whole magazine here.