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DiggLooking Ahead: Faith in Action
The death of Bob Parks reminded many of us that much of what Trinity is today took shape during his tenure. After leading the parish through the process of “setting free” a number of its chapels, Dr. Parks established St. Margaret’s House, the Trinity Preschool, and the mausoleum at the Trinity Church Cemetery, among other achievements. Even the pedestrian bridge connecting Trinity Church to 74 Trinity Place bears Dr. Parks’ mark.
The same is true for the Trinity Grants Program, begun in 1972, whose outreach work near and far continues to flourish.
You’ve read elsewhere in this issue of the renewed effort to work in partnership to strengthen the Anglican Communion in Africa. As you know, our work is set against a backdrop of news reports of dissension and conflict within the communion of which we are part. The conflict is more often than not related to issues of human sexuality and authority in the Church we share.
Ultimately, we acknowledge the disagreements between people, even as we acknowledge that we are not servants to the conflict. We also recognize that in our partnerships, those ongoing and as yet unrealized, we are hoping to find an expression of the truth that in our shared human origins is a unity beyond anyone’s comprehension.
How appropriate it is that this work emerges from and is implemented by the Faith in Action committee – a one parish collaboration of congregation, staff, and vestry – for I think that phrase sums up Dr. Parks’ ministry nicely. He was a man who put his faith into action, and a man who understood the power a community of faith could have on people’s lives. He was a humble man and a man with a great vision. He will be missed, and yet in the work that we do, in the life of our community, his influence lives on, near and far.
Faithfully,
The Rev. Dr. James H. Cooper, Rector
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