A Space for Spirituality and Music

Daily Lent Emails

January 20, 2023

Every other year, Rev. Emily shares daily emails during Lent. Each short email has poetry, readings, art, a small spiritual practices or something else to begin another day in the season of Lent. Members of Leaside United Church, family, friends, participants at other churches and the wider community are all very welcome to sign up! Email Emily if you would like to be added to the list.

Our Lent emails will engage with this year’s Lent worship theme: Jesus said what?! (They will also be meaningful on their own, for those not participating in weekly worship.) This Lent our Jesus said what?! theme will explore some of the things that Jesus says in the gospels, and how they might challenge, confuse, encourage, or inspire us today.

Two years ago 96 emails were on our daily Lent emails list, reaching at least 100 people. How many will it be this year? Be sure to sign up before Ash Wednesday – February 22, so that you don’t miss any of the 40 days of Lent.

All Ages Afternoon Drop In: Loving February coming up!

January 20, 2023

Twenty people took part in “Let it Snow in January!” an All Ages Afternoon Drop In. We made scones and hot chocolate, discussed joy and created joy jars – a small spiritual practice that can be meaningful at any age. It was a wonderful afternoon, and we will be having another one soon! Loving February will be on Friday, February 17th from 12:30-4. We will make and eat cupcakes, among other things. Drop in for some or all of the afternoon! (Please note that we have a small number of unaccompanied child spaces, and unaccompanied children must register ahead.)

But these afternoon drop ins are definitely not just for children. They have been carefully designed to meet a number of our congregation’s goals, and to have fun while doing so!

These events:
– use our newly renovated kitchens
– take advantage of our beautiful outdoor space
– incorporate art, crafts and/or music (in different ways depending on the date)
– intentionally create intergenerational spaces where different ages can interact with one another and build relationships
– serve our community by offering (limited) unaccompanied child spaces on PA days (dates are chosen according to the PA days of the TDSB and TCDSB)
– connect with values that are important to our faith (gratitude, love, joy, and others)
– have opportunities to engage with mindfulness/small spiritual practices
– allow us to eat and talk together

In addition to February 17th, save the date for Friday, June 2nd: “Joyful in June” featuring Strawberry Shortcake.

Some of the scones made (and eaten) at Let it snow in January! on January 13, 2023 – shown hear before going in the oven.

In the Wild: a time for spirituality in nature for all ages

January 20, 2023

During In the Wild people ages 3 to 83 (or so), gather once a month outside to pay attention to nature. Come join us!

Usually we meet on the church lawn, and our themes and activities vary (see later in this post for some previous themes). This is a wonderful opportunity to pay attention to the sacredness of what is around us – in the world we experience with our senses and within each other – and there are opportunities for intergenerational conversations.

Save the date for our next four In the Wild gatherings, each at 9:30am on the Church Lawn, snow, rain, or shine!

Sunday, February 26th
Sunday, March 26th
Sunday, April 23rd
Sunday, May 28th

Remember to dress for the weather!

Past activities include:
creating a labyrinth with snow, leaves, twigs, and spruce cones (see the photos on this post!)
learning about our Burr Oak Tree
planting seeds in the spring to take home for our gardens
a summer picnic and scavenger hunt
a Winter Solstice worship with hot apple cider
planting wildflowers, particularly milkweed and others that support pollinators, on our church grounds
reflecting on the theme of balance with prayer and silence
a nature walk
mindfulness practices

14 people helped created this labyrinth, and even more walked it during the day!

Carols by Candlelight Dec. 4 and Dec. 11

January 20, 2023

Leaside United Church and Northlea United Church are joining together to share two Carols by Candlelight services. December 4th the service will be at Leaside United Church, with a joint choir singing anthems and leading carols. Our free will offering will be toward the TNO Food Collective.

The service will be in person and livestreamed to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/LeasideUnitedChurchToronto

Leadership by Music Directors Matt Boutda and David Jafelice, Rev. Emily Gordon and Rev. Lee-Ann Ahlstrom, and many others. The Dec. 11th service at Northlea United will have the same beautiful music, but the rest of the service will be different.