This year’s Lenten book is full of reflections on how to wend your way through the dilemmas of every day living. It’s good to read by itself; it’s even more exciting to read together with others! Join us!
Lesser Evils: Daily Reflections on Seeking Wisdom explores everyday dilemmas of seeking the good while choosing the lesser evil from a Christian perspective. The diverse group of contributors reflect on how their faith informs their daily choices, from “Do I take this parking space?” to “Do I wear this mask?” to “Do I choose to forgive you?”
Photo used with permission by Rev. Stephen Milton, January 20th Demonstration downtown Toronto
It’s cold out there!
The mix of the Omicron surge, frigid winter temperatures, and a lack of adequate beds to shelter those affected by the mounting housing crisis, is affecting our most vulnerable, the unhoused. This month, the city’s shelter intake ‘crashed’ turning people out into the streets. What is needed?
Emergency Survival Supplies: for those on the streets and in encampments
Organizations providing outreach are looking for tents, winter sleeping bags, warm gloves, winter boots, winter coats, hoodies, etc. LUC COVID Relief funds have gone towards such purchases this month; hoodies and sweatpants were delivered to Eastminster’s Out of the Cold, and survival supplies to Sanctuary, one of the downtown distribution depots. Donating to this fund is one way you can help, as disbursements to meet needs of food and shelter insecurity are ongoing. The church will not be collecting items at this time. If you have suitable items to donate, please contact Emily or me for information on drop off locations.
Immediate Pressure on the City
The Shelter and Housing Justice Network has identified core demands of the city for additional protection and services such as more warming centres, opening these at higher temperatures, a moratorium on encampment evictions during this crisis, expanded overdose prevention within the shelters, and demands relating to COVID / infection control. Dozens and dozens of organizations, including members of Faith in the City, have joined together, through rallies, letters, and press releases, in a united plea for the city to respond.
In the Longer Term
As faithful Christians we should be part of the bigger solution. How can we be an informed voice, working towards justice with partners and all levels of government, in how we frame sharing lands and space to ensure a safe home and community for all.
Sheila Lacroix on behalf of Leaside United
Note: If you are connected with real estate, development, or other work that relates to housing in our city, and would be interested in being part of a larger conversation about what we can do towards housing solutions in our city with the North Toronto Cluster of Churches, please contact Emily Gordon (emily@leasideuc.com)
Shortly before 10:30am our weekly service will be livestreamed on Zoom and YouTube.
Following the Anthem, those joining on Zoom will also share in Communion together. Bring bread (or something bread-like) and grape juice (or something else to drink) with you this morning.
Today we share communion live on Zoom as we hear the story of the Wedding at Cana. We’ll also share Psalm 36, and here the anthem Ave Verum Corpus.
Stories and Makers Nest
Our Stories and Makers Nest this week shares some of Jesus’ teaching. We will make a scroll using paper, markers, and a teabag.
Next Sunday Then, on January 30 we will begin our Healing Series (the last Sunday of each month this winter and spring). This month we begin by reflecting on love, and will also have time to light candles for joys and sorrows.
YouTube Playlists We have just updated our Small Spiritual Practices playlist here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfuCu94bEGC5eCVktVqxmrnx1E_jmeTLc Consider looking through the small spiritual practices Emily has shared over the last couple of years, and pass the video link on to someone you know who might be interested.
This event is a fundraiser in support of El Hogar Projects in Honduras, a non-profit organization founded in 1979 that provides an elementary and high school education – and in some cases, a home – to help lift disadvantaged children and their families out of poverty
The Details: The evening begins with a live greeting from El Hogar’s Executive Director in Honduras, Denise Vargas.
Then comes the online trivia game, in which teams of up to 4 people answer a total of 80 questions in 8 categories, from easy to challenging. You participate in the trivia game through a browser window on your computer; you also dial into a Zoom call at the same time to hear how the game works, etc. You may need a separate device (e.g., smartphone) to view the game and the Zoom call simultaneously.
Prizes will be awarded to the first, second and third place teams.
A tailgate pack for each team member (containing snacks and drinks) will be delivered to the team captain’s home several days in advance of game day (within GTA only).
Naturally, the focus is on having fun – and supporting this great cause during this particularly challenging period.
How to get involved: Assemble your team. Up to 4 players per team including a team captain. If everyone is not at the same location, arrange a way for you to quickly communicate (e.g., group phone call).
Register your team. By Saturday Feb. 19, each team captain emails us with the team captain’s name, address and phone number; the names of all team members; and the team name.
Pay your entry fee. By Saturday Feb. 19, EACH team member needs to pay a $25 fee to participate. Login to the El Hogar Projects (Canada) donations webpage and select “Trivia Night (Feb. 26)” in the dropdown box. Be sure to click the “Optional: Any other comments or notes” checkbox and enter the name of your team and team captain. If possible, please pay your entry fee via an e-Transfer (so we avoid paying credit card processing fees). Note that we cannot issue tax receipts for entry fees.
Get ready to play. In the week before the event, full instructions will be sent to the team leader, including the Zoom call details.
Game time! The zoom call will open at 6:45 p.m. on Feb. 26, so we can start right on time at 7:00 p.m.
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