Shining Waters

Conspiracy Theories and Religion an Evening with Justin Ling
2025-01-30 19:00 - 20:30 (America/Toronto) | St. Andrew’s United Church, Toronto, 117 Bloor St. East, Toronto, Ontario, M4W 1A9, Canada
Join award-winning journalist Justin Ling at St. Andrew’s United Church to explore the relationship between “religion” and “conspiracism.” After his keynote presentation, Justin will dialogue with the Rev’d Morgan Bell (a minister at St. Andrew’s and PhD candidate in theology at the University of Toronto) before fielding audience questions. Freewill donations will benefit the Canadian Journalists for Free Expression. This in-person event will also be streamed to YouTube.
Justin Ling is a freelance journalist who covers politics, democracy, national security, misinformation, extremism, and where all those things intersect. He is a contributing columnist to the Toronto Star, a contributor to Foreign Policy, WIRED, and
The Walrus, and has contributed to a swath of other outlets. He hosted the podcasts The Village and The Flamethrowers, and he writes the newsletter Bug-eyed and Shameless, all about our current information ecosystem.
Live stream link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VUIyc0c-q-g

Conspiracy Theories and Religion: An Evening with Justin Ling
2025-01-30 19:00 - 21:30 | St. Andrew’s United Church, Toronto, 117 Bloor St. East, Toronto, Ontario, M4W 1A9, Canada
Does ‘religion’ cultivate conspiratorial thinking? Are theology and conspiracism the same kind of ‘knowledge’? Or can theological thinking and faith communities offer critical resources to counter the conspiracism that increasingly threatens public life?
Join award-winning journalist Justin Ling to explore the relationship between ‘religion’ and ‘conspiracism’ at St. Andrew’s United Church (Yonge/Bloor) on 30 January. After his keynote presentation, Justin will dialogue with the Rev’d Morgan Bell (a minister at St. Andrew’s and PhD candidate in theology at the University of Toronto) before fielding audience questions.
In lieu of admission, freewill donations will benefit the Canadian Journalists for Free Expression. This event is offered online and in-person.

Jazz and Reflection with the Ferrport Jazz Ensemble
2025-02-01 16:30 - 17:30 | Beach United Church, 140 Wineva Ave., Toronto, Ontario, M4E 2T4, Canada
Beach United Church is excited to present The Ferrport Jazz Ensemble on Saturday, February 1st at 4:30pm featuring special guest guitarist, Michael Vuscan, as they share a concert filled with old jazz standards that will leave you humming along in recognition.

Play and Sing!
2025-02-02 08:30 - 11:30 | Islington United Church, 25 Burnhamthorpe Road, Toronto, ON, M9A 1G9
Play & Sing! offers space for children and their care-givers to connect in community through play, stories, and music. We offer two 10-week programs beginning January 11th (50 minute sessions on Saturday mornings).
Kids will have time to play freely in the space while parents enjoy tea or coffee before gathering for story time.
Story time will help us get ready to make music, where we will sing and use instruments to help develop basic musical skills and explore the world around us!
Learn more and register online: https://islingtonunited.org/event/play-sing/2025-01-11/

Make a Difference speaker: Sistering
2025-02-02 12:00 - 13:30 | St. Matthew’s United Church, Toronto, 729 St. Clair Ave W., Toronto, Ontario, M6C 1B3, Canada
Everyone is invited to our latest Make a Difference speaker series talk on Sunday, February 2 at 12:15 pm.
Lesley Hendry, Director of Growth & Development at Sistering, will tell us about the unique issues facing single women and gender-diverse individuals experiencing homelessness, hunger and trauma in downtown Toronto. Come to hear how Sistering, the only multi-service agency in the city dedicated to serving this vulnerable population, provides low-barrier, practical, and emotional support.
About Lesley: Lesley has extensive experience in the social service sector, and is proud to represent Sistering, a charity that has been empowering women for over 40 years. She looks forward to growing the organization’s capacity and ensuring its sustainability for as long as their services are needed, and is excited to come speak to Bloor Streeters about Sistering!
Learn more about Sistering on their website at https://sistering.org/
The talk and Q and A will take place following the Sunday service in the Oakwood Room behind the Sanctuary at St. Matthew’s United Church (729 St. Clair Ave West, Toronto), and on Zoomchurch. Get the Zoom link at https://bloorstreetunited.org/worship/worship-with-us/

Speaker Series: United Against Hate––Racism, Religion and Conflict in the Middle East and at Home
2025-02-02 13:00 - 14:30 | Islington United Church, 25 Burnhamthorpe Road, Toronto, ON, M9A 1G9
Registration for the Islington United Church Anti Racism Working Group’s upcoming Speaker Series: United Against Hate––Racism, Religion and Conflict in the Middle East and at Home, is now open. Join us on January 19, 26, and February 2 to learn more from our guest experts about combatting hate and violence in Canada and the challenges of achieving peace in the Middle East. Each week will cover a different topic, including Antisemitism, Islamophobia, and Understanding the Historical Causes of the Israeli Palestinian Conflict.
The Speaker Series will be held in the Sanctuary at IUC on Sundays from 1-2:30 pm. Moderated by James Aitchison, all sessions will take place in person as well as live streamed on Zoom.
All are welcome and we hope you’ll join us. Learn more and register online at https://islingtonunited.org/event/speaker-series-united-against-hate-3/

Davenport Community Land Trust Charter Talks
2025-02-06 15:00 - 17:00, 2025-03-06 15:00 - 17:00 | Davenport Perth Community Ministry, 1900 Davenport Rd, Toronto, Ontario, M6N 1B7, Canada
Join us on Thursdays over the next 10 weeks (January 16 – March 20, 2025). The Charter Talks build upon earlier initiatives to have Davenport residents put together their own Davenport Community Land Trust (DCLT) Charter.
This Charter contains several articles dealing with how potential DCLT residents can support one another through resolving conflict, providing appropriate services, ensuring access to recreation activities, and several other initiatives. These talks will take place over 10 weeks in 2025, and each week will include discussions about how we can add to each preexisting Charter article and whether we should include new articles as well. These talks are taking place in the hopes of having a fully completed Charter at the end of 10 weeks.
Help Create a Davenport where:
– No One is Under Threat of Displacement.
– Where Members of the Community feel Safe, are Joyful, have Dignity, and can be Housed; Where Members of the Community have Access to Spaces where they feel a Sense of Belonging.

Queer Youth United
2025-02-11 16:00 - 20:00, 2025-03-11 16:00 - 20:00 | Beach United Church, 140 Wineva Ave., Toronto, Ontario, M4E 2T4, Canada
Please join us on Tuesdays from 4 pm – 8pm every week – you may drop in at any time between those hours!
Queer Youth United (QYU) is a 2SLGBTQ+ youth group for ages 15-29, where you can come and engage with others in a safe space within the community, while sharing meals, finding support and resources.
We will have more information and photos on our Instagram account over at https://instagram.com/queeryouthunited

Feb 13 Webinar: Coffee with Franklyn James
2025-02-13 12:00 - 12:30 | Zoom
Rev. Franklyn James is a theologian, poet, educator, and passionate advocate for social justice. Originally from Kingston, Jamaica, he now serves as the minister at West River United Church in Cornwall, Prince Edward Island. With extensive experience as an author and educator, Franklyn has devoted his career to fostering holistic growth and empowerment. He also sits on our Scholarship Committee and chairs the Black Clergy Network.
In this webinar, we’ll catch up with Rev. Franklyn! Don’t miss the opportunity to learn more about his impactful work and his efforts to inspire and uplift through his writing and ministry, exploring themes of faith, community, justice, and resilience.
Register here: https://unitedchurchfoundation.ca/upcoming-webinar-coffee-with-franklyn-james/

Book Launch - Soul Care for Self-Injury
2025-02-13 17:00 - 18:30 | Emmanuel College, 75 Queen's Park Crescent East, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 1K7, Canada
Thursday, February 13, 2025, 5–6:30 p.m., Emmanuel College Chapel and Online, Free.
“Soul Care for Self-Injury: Theological Reflection and Spiritual Care Strategies,” a new book by Amy Panton, assistant professor of practical theology at Emmanuel College.
Through a thoughtful theological lens, Amy explores the complexities of self-injury, offering insights and spiritual care strategies for those who support individuals on their healing journey. At the event, Amy will engage in a conversation with Dr. Iris J. Gildea and Shauna Kubossek, discussing key insights from the book, followed by an open Q&A session. Attendees will have the chance to purchase copies of the book with a 10% discount. There will also be food and fun giveaways!
Target audience: spiritual care providers, psycho-spiritual therapists, practical theology students, youth workers, friends and family members of people who self-injure, members of the disability community, mental health researchers, social workers, and people with lived experience of self-injury.
There is a zoom option to attend as well. To RSVP please see their website here.

Supercharge Your Life With Purpose and Impact
2025-02-13 18:00 - 21:00 | Toronto Reference Library, 789 Yonge Street, Toronto, ON, Toronto Reference Library, 789 Yonge Street, Toronto, Ontario, M4W 2G8, Canada
United Church of Canada Moderator Carmen Lansdowne and author Afdhel Aziz invite you to join them live in Toronto for a fireside chat on unleashing your ‘inner intrapreneur’. In today’s fast-paced world, finding purpose and meaning in your work is more important than ever. Discover your personal strengths, create a more meaningful career, and enhance your wellbeing.

Valentine Dinner
2025-02-14 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
at
“chez Valentine”
(a fine dining experience)
Midhurst United Church
Friday February 14 2025
~ Doors open at 6:00 PM ~
(Donations will be discreetly welcomed following dinner)
RSVP
phone: 705-722-6331
email: office@midhurstunitedchurch.ca
*If you do not receive a follow-up phone call or email
confirming your reservation, please contact us again.
Seating is limited; please book early to avoid disappointment!
Note: Our menu this year is gluten-free
(gluten-free bread provided)

Spend the Day with The Moderator - Flourishing: Bold Ideas, Daring Connections
2025-02-15 09:00 - 16:30 | Jubilee United Church, 40 Underhill Drive, Toronto, Ontario (ON), M3A 2J5, Canada
Flourishing – Bold Ideas, Daring Connections
Saturday, February 15, 2025
Jubilee United Church
9:00 a.m to 4:30 p.m.
Spend a day with the Moderator, engaging in reflection and energizing activities towards dream-oriented actions for our churches and communities.
This free workshop is open to all UCC members, attendees, and youth and young adults. Childcare available if requested. Continental breakfast, coffee breaks, and lunch are provided.
Saturday, February 15, 2025, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
9:00 am – 9:30 am Registration and coffee/tea
9:30 am – Welcome and Introductions
In person only event held at:
Jubilee United Church (MAP)
40 Underhill Dr. (DVP/Lawrence)
North York, ON M3A 2J5
All around the world – from universities to the United Nations, from corporations to community organizations – people are talking about flourishing. Rooted in belonging, flourishing means living with purpose and joy, and bringing bold collaborative solutions to our world’s challenges.
The Moderator, the Rev. Dr. Carmen Lansdowne, wants to bring that conversation to The United Church of Canada. She invites us to connect to one another in hope, with a deep conviction by a belief that, despite all the challenges of church life in this day and age, we can move from despair to transformation – from languishing to flourishing.
Is your church flourishing?
(Perhaps that’s the wrong question.)
Is your church contributing to the flourishing of your community?
How might we truly be a flourishing church in the world? How might we live in deep spirituality, bold discipleship and daring justice, linked from coast to coast to coast in ministry that transforms us and the world around us?
Deadline to register is February 12, 2025.
Register online here
Please share this invitation widely within your Community of Faith and with friends and neighbours. All are welcome, we hope you can join the conversation!
PDF of Flourishing Poster
PDF of Flourishing Bulletin Insert

Emmanuel College - 'Day with Emmanuel' Open House
2025-02-15 10:00 - 15:00 | Emmanuel College, 75 Queen's Park Crescent East, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 1K7, Canada
Discover what makes the Emmanuel community unique!
Join us for an exciting day where you can:
-Meet current faculty and students
-Attend a mini-lecture
-Explore our programs and admissions process
-Get your questions answered
-Connect with new friends over a free lunch
Experience Emmanuel College firsthand!
United Church of Canada members engaged with the Candidacy Pathway towards ordination are eligible for our 100% tuition coverage in the MDiv program!

POSTPONED: "Mziki Wa Injili: A Celebration of Kenyan Gospel Music"
2025-02-23 10:30 - 12:00 | Humbercrest United Church, 16 Baby Point Rd, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
POSTPONED – Humbercrest United Church’s special Black History Month event to be held on February 23 has been postponed due to unforseen circumstances. Mziki Wa Injili: A Celebration of Kenyan Gospel Music featuring talented Kenyan singer, Ruth Matete, backed by The TLW (Toronto Let’s Worship) Band will be rescheduled, and we will share those details in our regional Event Calendar when they become available.

Author Reading with Roxana Spicer
2025-02-24 19:30 - 21:00 | Beach United Church, 140 Wineva Ave., Toronto, Ontario, M4E 2T4, Canada
Join us on Monday, February 24th at 7:30pm where author Kim Echlin will be introducing Roxana Spicer. She will be reading from her latest book, The Traitor’s Daughter, with a Q&A to follow. We will also be giving away one copy of her book at the reading!
The Traitor’s Daughter is a daughter’s decades-long quest to understand her extraordinary mother, who was born in Lenin’s Soviet Union, served as a combat soldier in the Red Army, and endured three years of Nazi captivity—but never revealed her darkest secrets. It is a true labour of love.
The reading is pay-what-you-can, with proceeds going towards our many community programs. We look forward to seeing you there!

Tell Me More: An information session for adults supporting 2SLGBTQIA+ youth
2025-02-25 19:00 - 21:00 | Fairlawn Avenue United Church, 28 Fairlawn Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, M5M 1S7, Canada
Fairlawn Avenue United Church’s Affirm Ministry and Toronto Pflag are partnering to host Tell Me More: An information session for adults supporting 2SLGBTQIA+ youth
We invite you to join us at this introductory information session for parents, caregivers, educators, and other adults who care for and about queer and questioning youth.
The session covers key 2SLGBTQIA+ language and concepts, inclusive parenting, and how to prepare for and/or handle the coming out conversation.
Our goal is to help attendees support the queer youth in their lives by providing basic, accurate information and creating a safe space for questions and conversation.

Take-out Lunch $10 Friday Feb. 28th 11:30-12:30
2025-02-28 11:30 - 12:30 | Queensville Holland Landing United Church, 20453 Leslie Street, Queensville, Ontario, L0G 1R0, Canada
Queensville Hollland Landing United Church
2043 Leslie St., Queensville
Delicious Chicken Divan + home cooked carrots & dessert + bun
Please pre-order by Monday night Feb. 24th. 905-478-8450

Singing A Century
2025-03-01 14:00 - 16:00 | St. Andrew’s United Church, Toronto, 117 Bloor St. East, Toronto, Ontario, M4W 1A9, Canada
An Afternon of favourite hymns and music from the new songbook Then Let us Sing.
Celebrating 100 years of the United Church of Canada.
*Freewill donations are welcome.

Centennial Songs
2025-03-01 19:30 - 21:00 | Runnymede United Church, 432 Runnymede Rd, Toronto, ON, M6S 2Y8, Canada
Enjoy a wonderful evening of song (Broadway, Classical, and Pop) featuring Runnymede Chancel Choir and special musical guests such as Jennifer Taverner, Jaccee Dallyn and Brian Withnell, Sabrina Santelli-Perez, Janie Kim and Christopher Widner and more! Tickets are $25 and all proceeds support the music program at Runnymede.

Pancake Dinner
2025-03-04 17:00 - 19:00 | Midhurst United Church, 91 DORAN RD, Midhurst, ON, L9X 0L5, Canada
Our Pancake Dinner will be drop in from 5-7 PM on March 4. There will be a variety of pancakes including traditional pancakes, crepes, cornmeal pancakes, poffertjes (Dutch buckwheat mini-pancakes), and gluten free pancakes. Coffee, tea and juice will be available. You can choose fruit salad or sausages as a side. A donation basket will be available, should you wish to leave a donation.

God in the Dark Lenten Movie Series
2025-03-06 08:00 - 17:00, 2025-03-06 19:00 - 21:30 | ON
Lights! Camera! Action!
Upcoming Movies for our “God in the Dark” Lenten movie series.
at Trinity United in Huntsville, Ontario!
– March 6th – “Where the Crawdads Sing.” It’s a captivating mystery from a best-selling novel by the same name, set in the dangerous Carolina marshlands. For years, rumours of the “Marsh Girl” haunted Barley Cove isolating this young girl from her community.
– March 13th – “The Help.” In 1960s Mississippi, a Southern society girl returns from college with dreams of being a writer. She turns her small town on its ear by choosing to interview the Black women who have spent their lives taking care of prominent white families.
– March 20th – “The Hundred-Foot Journey.” An extraordinarily talented and largely self-taught culinary novice from India settles with his family in a quaint French village and decides to open an Indian eatery. However, the proprietress of an acclaimed restaurant just 100 feet away, strongly objects and war erupts between the two establishments.
– March 27th – “Hope Springs.” This comedy features Meryle Streep and Tommy Lee Jones, a long-married couple who still love each other but feel the need to spice things up. Hearing of a renowned marriage counselor (Steve Carrell) in the town of Great Hope Springs, they attend a retreat and find the real challenge is reigniting the spark that originally brought them together.
– April 3rd – “Ordinary Angels.” Based on a remarkable true story about a struggling hairdresser who sets her mind to helping a widower and his young daughter who is waiting for a liver transplant. What unfolds is the inspiring tale of faith, everyday miracles, and ordinary angels.
– April 10th – “The Great Escaper.” In the summer of 2014, the 70th Anniversary of the D-Day Landings, octogenarian Bernie Jordan (Michael Caine) stages a “great escape” from his care home to join fellow war veterans on a beach in Normandy, commemorating their fallen comrades.
After watching our stories, we will briefly discuss where God shows up every day.
Please bring whatever you need to be comfortable sitting for these movies.
Show time is 7:00 pm and admission is $5 including movie treats! There will also be an intermission.
See you at the movies!
Lenten Blessings, Rev. D and Trinity’s Inspirit Team

Psalms in a Sacred Space: A Graduation Recital for Jason Locke
2025-03-08 19:00 - 21:00 | Islington United Church, 25 Burnhamthorpe Road, Toronto, ON, M9A 1G9
Jason Locke, Islington United Church’s Minister of Music, is nearing the end of his degree program at Western University. On March 8th, at 7:00 p.m., he will be presenting his graduation recital at Islington United Church: Psalms in a Sacred Space. This program will feature a variety of Psalm settings, including a number of Jason’s Psalm settings from an early composition: “Suite of Psalms”.
The Senior choir will present this evening of music in collaboration with our pianist Marjorie Wiens, bassist Malcolm Connor and drummer Jake Wiseman. Please come and join in this evening of inspiring and uplifting choral music. If you are unable to make it in-person, the event will be live-streamed. The link will be available at islingtonunited.org
There is no admission for this event. A freewill offering will be received and donations will be put towards Windows to the Future.

Film Screening: 1946 – The Mistranslation that Shifted Culture
2025-03-14 19:00 - 21:00 | Islington United Church, 25 Burnhamthorpe Road, Toronto, ON, M9A 1G9
The Islington United Church Affirm team invites you to an upcoming film screening on PIE Day––March 14, 2025, at 7:00 pm––in the Sanctuary. Pie will be served!
Please join us to view the highly acclaimed documentary film, “1946: The Mistranslation that Shifted Culture.” The film follows the story of tireless researchers who trace the origins of the anti-gay movement among Christians to a grave mistranslation of the Bible in 1946, casting significant doubt on any biblical basis for LGBTQIA+ prejudice.
Immediately following the screening, the film’s researchers, Kathy Baldock and Ed Oxford, will join us via Zoom for a Q & A session. Kathy Baldock is an author, LGBTQ advocate, international speaker and educator, and a leading expert on LGBTQ issues in the United States, especially dealing with historical and current discrimination faced from the socially conservative Christian church and political sector. Ed Oxford is a gay Christian, a graduate of Talbot School of Theology, and a researcher in how the Bible has been weaponized against LGBTQ people.
Don’t miss this exceptional opportunity to see an important film that helps unpack the relationship between culture, bias, and belief.
The event is free, but please register so that our amazing Hospitality Team knows how much pie to prepare!

Seniors Social
2025-03-18 13:00 - 15:00 | 729 St. Clair Avenue West, 729, Toronto, ON, M6J 2X1, Canada
Save-the-date and plan to attend our next Seniors’ Socials at St. Matt’s! We meet every two weeks. We will meet in the Parlour from 1:00-3:00. All welcome!

Planet Care Share
2025-03-25 19:00 - 20:30 | Online via Zoom
Beginning in January 2025, and piloted until May 2025, we will be holding, with the blessing of the Shining Waters Social and Ecological Justice Commission, a series of “Planet Care Share” events in an effort to begin to grow an ecological justice network in the region. For the spring term, these drop-in events would replace the Ecological Justice information webinars hosted over the past few years, but would point to these and other resources on the Shining Waters website (https://shiningwatersregionalcouncil.ca/justice/ecological/).
The next Planet Care Share online event will be on February 25th, 2025.
The other events will be on March 25th, April 29th, and May 27th.
Click here to register!

Tending to Soul
2025-03-26 | The Rosedale Centre, 159 Roxborough Drive, Toronto, Ontario, M4W1X7, Canada
Make space for your soul. Take time for rest, courage, and renewal. A moment to explore your deep questions, listen to your inner wisdom, and gather strength for daily living.
This monthly, drop-in, mini-retreat is for anyone wanting to listen more deeply for the authentic and genuine within themselves and to find the courage to flourish in every season, even in the midst of challenge. Tending to Soul offers time and space to take a deep breath, to make space for the soul to show up and to listen to its wisdom for us in our living. These gatherings are designed to help you hear more clearly what is going on inside of you, especially in chaotic times, and to find a way through that is guided by your most authentic self.
If you are looking to reconnect with your soul and your sense of purpose; if you long for space to reflect on important questions for your life and work; if you are discerning what is next for you as a leader in your community or your family; if you want to feel a clearer sense of your integrity in living an undivided and authentic life, making a difference in the world, then Tending to Soul is the gathering for you!
Dates and Registration, Spring 2025
This circle is offered on the 4th Wednesday of the month, March 26, April 23, and May 28 at either 9:30am-11:15am or 6:45pm-8:30pm at The Rosedale Centre in Rosedale United Church. You do not need to attend every month; this program is drop-in.
Cost: FREE
To register click here: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/tending-to-soul-tickets-1272689581799?aff=oddtdtcreator
Facilitator:
Kristin Philipson (B.A. Hons, M. Div, D.Min) is a Courage & Renewal Facilitator prepared by the Center for Courage & Renewal. She is passionate about helping people to make meaning in their lives and live by their own convictions.
Questions? Please email Kristin at kphilipson@rosedaleunited.org
