Midweek Midrash
2023-03-01 19:00 - 20:30, 2023-02-15 19:00 - 20:30 (America/Toronto) | Online via Zoom
Bloor Street Church is offering a new opportunity for dialogue, learning, and community. Midweek Midrash is a dialogue that looks at different kinds of ‘texts’ – such as a Brené Brown podcast, a movie, a lecture by someone like Thomson Highway, or a book. MM will happen on Zoom, two Wednesday evenings per month (1st and 3rd) at 7pm. There is no commitment to come every week, just drop in when you can.
Let us know by emailing our minister, Russ Daye, at russ@bloorstreetunited.org if you would like to be added to the contact group for MM and we’ll send you the Zoom information in advance of each session, and let you know what our ‘text’ will be. You may want listen to, watch or read it in advance – but don’t worry if you can’t. We’ll read or play part of it during the session.
All welcome! Hosted by the Adaptive Conversations planning group at Bloor Street United Church.

PRSN Workshop for refugee sponsors -- Accessing the Trades
2023-02-25 10:00 - 12:00 | Online via Zoom
A training session for private refugee sponsors to learn more about opportunities for newcomers in education and employment in the trades

Connecting to You: Women's Retreat
2023-02-25 09:30 - 13:00, 2023-02-25 09:00 - 13:30, 2023-02-24 19:00 - 21:00 | Islington United Church, 25 Burnhamthorpe Road, Toronto, ON, M9A 1G9
All women are warmly invited to join us in person for a retreat at Islington United Church. Connecting to You: Engaging with Ourselves, Others, and the Holy will be an opportunity to explore the connections between and among ourselves, one another and God.
February 24 – 7:00 to 9:00 pm &
February 25 – 9:30 am to 1:00 pm
No experience or preparation is needed. Simply register in advance (Pay What You Want; $25 suggested; cost should not be a barrier to participating). Child care will be provided.
Bring a pen, notebook, water bottle, and bagged lunch. Assistance is available and light refreshments will be provided.
Registration required at https://islingtonunited.org/connecting-to-you-retreat/

The Criminalization of Indigenous World View: Colonial Narratives
2023-02-24 19:00 - 21:00 | Roncesvalles United Church, 240 Roncesvalles Ave, Toronto, Ontario, M6R 1M3, Canada
Join us for a discussion of Indigenous Cosmology and the incarceration of Indigenous people in Canada. Featuring Poet Margot Van Sluytman and artist and knowledge keeper, Philip Cote.

God in the Woods
2023-02-24 19:00 - 20:00 | Ontario
Our walk this month will be held on Friday, February 24, from 7 pm -8 pm.
This is always held on the evening of the full moon.
We walk together in silence with pauses to share insights into our theme. For those who are unfamiliar, we worship outdoors. We do not worship “out in creation” but rather as “part of creation”.
This walk will be held at the Barrie Arboretum. Bring a friend and a flashlight. Dress for the weather.
Directions to the Arboretum
The Arboretum is found in the North-West corner of Sunnidale Park.
As you are driving North-West on Sunnidale, towards the intersection with Cundles, the Arboretum will be on your right. And, as you approach the intersection, you will see a cleared space on the shoulder for parking. I will be waiting there for you here.

Let's Talk ... Black History
2023-02-24 18:30 - 20:00 | Zoom
Free Community Event
Online via Zoom (see website for link)
6:30 pm Dinner via Zoom
7 pm Guest Speaker
Followed by discussion

Pancake Supper and Ash Wednesday Service, February 22
2023-02-22 17:00 - 19:30 | St. Matthew’s United Church, Toronto, 729 St. Clair Ave W., Toronto, Ontario, M6C 1B3, Canada
We invite everyone to St. Matt’s and Bloor Street’s Pancake Supper and Ash Wednesday Service! They are offered as a 2for1 this year on Ash Wednesday. Pancakes and bacon with fruit and yogurt toppings and REAL maple syrup will be served in the Community Hall starting at 5:00 p.m. There will be gluten-free pancakes too! Please RSVP to Nancy Gordon – nancy@bloorstreetunited.org – to help us estimate how many pancakes to make. But do come even if you haven’t RSVPed. Pay What You Can donations are welcome at the door.
Our Ash Wednesday Service will be led by Russ and Betsy in the Sanctuary and on Zoom starting at 6:30 p.m. with music from Mikey and Diane. Please plan to come for pancakes and ashes as we prepare together for our 2023 Lenten Journey.
Location:
St. Matthew’s United Church
729 St. Clair Avenue West
Toronto, ON
Zoom link on our website at bloorstreetunited.org

Shrove Tuesday Pancake Dinner
2023-02-21 18:30 - 20:00 | College Street United Church, 454 College Street, Toronto, Ontario, M6G1A1, Canada
You are invited to come and join us for our annual pancake dinner with all the condiments as well as
German potatoe pancakes with sour cream and applesauce.
PAYC
To RSVP or for more info and how to volunteer, please call the office at 416 929 3019 or
Email secretarycsu@gmail.com

Pancake Supper & Free Movie "Chocolat"
2023-02-21 18:00 - 20:30 | Humber Valley United Church, 76 Anglesey Blvd., Toronto, ON, M9A 3C1, Canada
Enjoy pancakes with syrup, sausages, bacon, oranges, juice and coffee/tea in Steed Hall. Then popcorn and refreshments in the Hearth Room during the Lent-themed FREE movie “Chocolat”.
$15 Adults; $10 Children; 6 and under free
Hurry! Space is limited to 80 seats. Proceeds to support our Afghani refugee family. Please notify us of any allergies in advance. Inquiries: 416-231-2263 Ext. 39 hvuc.ca

Pancake Supper and Ashes Eve service at Islington United Church on Tuesday February 21
2023-02-21 17:30 - 22:00 | Islington United Church, 25 Burnhamthorpe Road, Toronto, ON, M9A 1G9
You are more than welcome to attend the Pancake Supper and Ashes Eve service at Islington United Church on Tuesday February 21! Dinner will be at 5:30pm, and the service will begin at 7:00pm. Details and tickets available at https://islingtonunited.org/event/pancake-supper/

Getting Started in Stewardship
2023-02-21 13:00 - 15:00 | online event
Getting Started in Stewardship
Tuesday, February 21 – 1 p.m. EST
Presented on Zoom
Join United Church people from across the country to learn some stewardship first principles.
Start with an on-line 2-hour course that answers questions like: What is stewardship all about anyway? Isn’t stewardship just a churchy word for fundraising? Why do people give, and why would they give to our church? What can we do to encourage greater generosity?
The practical assignments that follow will help you reflect on giving and generosity as part of your faith, gather and interpret some of the giving data from your community of faith, and build a stewardship team in order to start making stewardship a priority in your community of faith.
Completion of this course is a great first step before participating in Stewardship Best Practices, which will be offered next in March 2023.
Registration link – https://forms.office.com/r/idCxNLcBeg
Any questions? Please contact Melody Duncanson-Hales at mduncanson-hales@united-church.ca

God in the Woods - Cancelled
2023-02-19 15:00 - 16:00 | Ontario
UPDATE: We will only meet once in February.
Our first gathering on Sunday, February 19 has been cancelled, with apologies, due to a scheduling conflict.
~~~
And our next meeting will be Friday, February 24, 7 pm – 8 pm.
This is always held on the evening of the full moon.
For those who are unfamiliar, we worship outdoors. We do not worship
“out in creation” but rather as “part of creation”. Dress for the weather. We walk together in silence with pauses to share insights into our theme. All are welcome, bring a friend and a flashlight.
Directions to the Barrie Arboretum
The Arboretum is found in the North-West corner of Sunnidale Park.
As you are driving North-West on Sunnidale, towards the intersection with Cundles, the Arboretum will be on your right. And, as you approach the intersection, you will see a cleared space on the shoulder for parking. I will be waiting there for you here.

Queerspace!
2023-02-19 14:00 - 16:00 | Cummer Avenue United Church, 53 Cummer Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, M2M 2E5, Canada
The purpose of this program is to create a safer space for folks who identify as LGBTQ to build community together in North York, closer to where people live. Program content will be participant driven and will include a variety of things such as guest speakers, theme discussions and learning, social activities, and fun. Join other 2SLGBTQ+ folks and create community together. Meet new people. Find support and belonging. Enjoy some snacks. Share your Pride! Starting January 15, 2023. 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month from 2-4 pm. For more information contact 416-222-5417 x201 or queerspace@cummeravenueuc.ca

Family Day Weekend - Winter Fun Day
2023-02-19 11:00 - 16:00 | CAMP BIG CANOE, 1012 Sherwood Forest Rd., Bracebridge, Ontario, P1L 1X3, Canada
Join us at Camp Big Canoe to explore the site in winter!
Bring your skis, snowshoes or sled to play on our 240 acres.
Gather round the bonfire for hot chocolate and hot dogs.
Meet Erin (Executive Director), her family and some of our staff.
We can’t wait to see you there!

Music for the Soul with Gillian Stone
2023-02-18 16:30 - 17:30 | Beach United Church, 140 Wineva Ave., Toronto, Ontario, M4E 2T4, Canada
Join us for an intimate and stripped-down performance from Gillian Stone, whose music draws from post-rock, folk, ambience, and minimalism.
Born and raised on the traditional territory of the Quw’utsun on Vancouver Island, with a profound connection to her Icelandic heritage, Stone channels the influence of outer landscapes in her inner lyrical worlds and soundscapes. Her music processes riding the waves of mental health, particularly as it relates to dysregulation, addiction, shame, relational trauma, and dissociation. Because of this, she speaks candidly about her lived experience through her music and expressions of artistic identity as an act of destigmatization.
–
Our beautiful main hall serves as the perfect backdrop for this concert – donations are welcomed, and proceeds support the Beach United Church food programs.

Help Raise Money to Clear Landmines in Ukraine
2023-02-17 18:30 - 20:00 | Roncesvalles United Church, 240 Roncesvalles Ave, Toronto, Ontario, M6R 1M3, Canada
Presented by the Rotary Club of Parkdale-High Park-Humber, we welcome The Canadian Land Mine Foundation and the Consul General of Ukraine for a video presentation, refreshment’s and to raise money to help clear the landmines in Ukraine. For more information contact www.parkdalehighparkrotary.org or call 647-761-3306.

United Against Hate
2023-02-15 20:00 - 21:30 | Online via Zoom
Join Affirm United/ S’affirmer Ensemble and Affirming Connections to learn about the malicious misinformation campaign and threats that have been launched against the drag and 2SLGBTQ+ communities across Canada-and what you can do.
Our speakers will:
address some of the dangerous myths circulating around drag, trans and other queer identities;
look at recent Canadian online and in-person instances of anti 2SLGBTQ+ hate, some of which include Christian groups;
explain how these connect to wider hate, racist, and extremist anti-vaccination movements.
Then together we’ll plan what you and your community of faith can do to bring a faithful public response in your context, as well as support and care for those who need it. More information on resource people to come- please hold the date and join us!

Let's Connect! The United Church of Canada: The Big Picture
2023-02-15 19:00 - 20:00 | online event
Let’s Connect!
The United Church of Canada: The Big Picture
Wednesday, February 15, 2023
7:00 – 8:00 p.m.
This is the second in a series of forums for elected Lay Representatives from Shining Waters Regional Council with an overview of The United Church of Canada. This event is also being offered to any interested lay leaders in both Shining Waters and Canadian Shield regions.
Join us for a conversation with Jennifer Henry, Senior Program Development and Strategy Lead for the General Council. Jennifer will share details about the new strategic plan for the United Church and how it will be implemented.
For more details about the new strategic plan please see The United Church of Canada website: https://united-church.ca/community-and-faith/welcome-united-church-canada/our-call-and-our-vision
PDF of UCC Strategic Plan 2023-2025 (24 Pages)
Draft Agenda
6:45 Informal start: come and say hello, visit for a few minutes before we start
7:00 Welcome and opening
7:10 Big Picture The United Church of Canada: Jennifer Henry
7:40 Q+A and conversation
7:55 Wrap up and thanks
8:00 Closing Prayer
Have a question? Send it along on the registration form below. A Zoom link will be sent to you with the confirmation of your registration once you hit submit.
Register here: https://shiningwatersregionalcouncil.ca/communities-of-faith/lets-connect-registration/

Book Discussion - "Falling Upward" By Richard Rohr and Facilitated by Rev. Stephen Milton
2023-02-15 07:30 - 21:00 | Lawrence Park Community Church, 2180 Bayview Ave, North York, Ontario, M4N 3K7, Canada
Most of us tend to think of the second half of life as largely about getting old, dealing with health issues, and letting go of life, but the thesis of this book is exactly the opposite. What looks like falling down can be experienced as ”falling upward” in a spiritual, psychological sense. Rohr argues that in the second half of life we really start to understand what life is about , who we are, and what we can give to ourselves and the world to be fully realized people. But few know this path is possible in our modern world that values youth above all else. Join Stephen as we discuss this book together. If you enjoyed the discussions about Michael Singer’s book in the fall, you will likely find this very interesting, too. All are welcome, you don’t need to have read all of Rohr’s book to participate.
This event is available on Zoom.

My Unrequited Valentine: A Romantic Evening of Indian Classical, Bollywood, and Ghazal
2023-02-11 19:00 - 22:00 | Birchcliff Bluffs United Church, 33 East Road, Toronto, Ontario, M5A 4P8, Canada
No need to stay at home alone on a cold February night during the month of romance!
Join us for My Unrequited Valentine: A Romantic Evening of Indian Classical, Bollywood, and Ghazal, performed by Christopher Hale on sitar, vocals, and guitar and Ozzy Lyall on tabla – an exciting night of sweet musical anguish!
There’s no dress code, but why not get a little fancy, and take advantage of the mehfil style floor (and chair) seating of this beautiful hall, as sweetly spiced chai is served.
Hosted by Yeshu Satsang Toronto – www.YeshuSatsangToronto.com
Doors will open at 6:30 pm.
Where: Birchcliff Bluffs United Church, 33 East Road, Scarborough (one block north of Kingston Road at Warden Avenue). Parking is available on the south side of East Road and neighbouring side streets.
Tickets: $15 in advance; $20 at the door
The ticket proceeds will be received by Birchcliff Bluffs United Church to support their work in the community and as a thank you from Yeshu Satsang Toronto for offering them a new home.

We "Love" Love Songs
2023-02-11 19:00 - 21:00 | Lawrence Park Community Church, 2180 Bayview Ave, North York, Ontario, M4N 3K7, Canada
Spend Valentine’s Saturday with us at Lawrence Park Community Church for a special concert of music that we love and we fell in love to. Featuring singers Loralee McGuirl, John Alcorn and the Robert Horvath Trio. They’ll perform some of the best love songs of all time, and there will be a chance for some group singalongs, too! So come ready to swoon, sing and fall in love all over again. Music, laughter and love – the perfect way to celebrate Valentine’s Day.
This event is available in person or online.
Tickets are
Senior/Youth – $25
Adult – $35
Online – $35

Midhurst United Church - chez Valentine
2023-02-10 18:00 - 20:00 | Midhurst United Church, 91 DORAN RD, Midhurst, ON, L9X 0L5, Canada
Celebrate Valentine’s Day by enjoying dinner with loved ones ….
“chez Valentine” …. a fine dining experience…
Midhurst United Church, Friday February 10, 2023
Dinner will be served at 6:00 p.m.
Donations will be discreetly welcomed following dinner….
RSVP by calling the Church Office: 705 722 6331 or by email: office@midhurstunitedchurch.ca
Seating is limited; please book early to avoid disappointment!
Upon advance request, our menu can be modified for those who are vegetarian or gluten-sensitive.

Time, Talent and Treasure: When It Feels Like Your Community of Faith Doesn't Have Enough
2023-02-07 19:00 - 20:30 | online event
Time, Talent and Treasure: When it Feels Like Your Community of Faith Doesn’t Have Enough
Lay Leader Gathering
Tuesday, February 7, 2023
7:00 – 8:30 p.m.
All are welcome to this Canadian Shield and Shining Waters regional event exploring how to meet the challenge of being church today with courage, deep faith and practical tools!
Join Melody Duncanson-Hales, Community of Faith Stewardship Support Minister and Diane Matheson-Jimenez, Community of Faith Support Minister for an evening of discussion and exploration
Register here: https://shiningwatersregionalcouncil.ca/communities-of-faith/time-talent-treasure-gathering-registration/

Wintering Into Spring with Rev. Jean Ward ~ Online
2023-02-07 13:00 - 14:30 | Zoom
Four-week series Monday evenings online 7:30pm – 9:00pm
Instead of wishing away winter, what would happen if we embraced its gift to us? Sometimes winter is not just a season of the year – sometimes it is also a season of the heart.
You are invited to join Jean Ward in a four-week exploration of how our northern spirits are shaped by the rhythm of our seasons – in particular’ winter and its movement into spring. Through the use of music, poetry, readings and, of course, our collective wisdom, we will journey towards spring together.
“Wintering brings about some of the most profound and insightful moments of our human experience, and wisdom resides in those who have wintered.” Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times by Katherine May

Queerspace!
2023-02-05 14:00 - 16:00 | Cummer Avenue United Church, 53 Cummer Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, M2M 2E5, Canada
The purpose of this program is to create a safer space for folks who identify as LGBTQ to build community together in North York, closer to where people live. Program content will be participant driven and will include a variety of things such as guest speakers, theme discussions and learning, social activities, and fun. Join other 2SLGBTQ+ folks and create community together. Meet new people. Find support and belonging. Enjoy some snacks. Share your Pride! Starting January 15, 2023. 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month from 2-4pm. For more information contact 416-222-5417 x201 or queerspace@cummeravenueuc.ca

Toronto Welsh Male Voice Choir Concert
2023-02-05 08:00 - 14:30 | Humber Valley United Church, 76 Anglesey Blvd., Toronto, ON, M9A 3C1, Canada
We are so excited to finally be able to bring this fine choir to Etobicoke. Well-travelled with performances of some 300 concerts in churches, cathedrals, and concert halls across Canada, the USA, and the UK, this group of about 40 men sings in the beautiful, strong four-part harmonies associated with traditional Welsh choirs.
Their repertoire includes African-American spirituals, operatic arias, Canadian folk songs, plus Broadway show tunes!
The ticket price includes sweet treats and a mug of warm cider at intermission.

Jazz and Reflection: Faith Amour and Eric St. Laurent
2023-02-04 16:30 - 17:30 | Beach United Church, 140 Wineva Ave., Toronto, Ontario, M4E 2T4, Canada
Join jazz singer Faith Amour and guitarist Eric St. Laurent for an inspiring afternoon of wonder and hope at Beach United Church. Our warm, inviting hall serves as the perfect backdrop for this concert – donations are welcomed, and proceeds support the Beach United Church food programs.
