Celebrating Pride Month at Leaside United Church
#PrideMonth #Pride #lgbtq #lgbt #rainbow #loveislove #gaypride #trans #lgbtqa2s #lesbian #gay #bisexual #queer #ally #2spirit #prideparade #Toronto #Leaside #EastYork #UCCan
Pictures by: Murray Fenner
Affirming
Thank you Emily Pollock!
On Sunday we acknowledged Emily Pollock’s dedicated service over the last four years to the kid’s and youth program at Leaside United Church as our Youth & Children’s Program Assistant. Emily will be leaving us at the end of June to take some time off for reflection and will resume her career as a Science Journalist with an engineering publication in Mississauga.
We wish Emily all the best and will carry her delightful energy with us for years to come.
Pictures by Murray Fenner
A Week as a Minister by: Emily Gordon
EVER WONDER …
“What does Emily do in between Sundays?” Well here you go in her words what last week looked like at Leaside United:
In ministry, there is rarely a “typical” week, but I thought I might
occasionally share a particular week, as a glimpse into the activities
that I and others in our church take part in outside of Sunday morning
worship. I hope you find it interesting.
Of course, every week I also send and receive many emails. This week, between Monday and Sunday, I received 170 emails and sent 53.
Rev. Emily Gordon – emily@leasideunited.org
Monday, June 10
Mondays are my Sabbath, so I spent most of this day reading and with family.
Tuesday, June 11
- Worship planning meeting
Natalie, Matthew and I meet on Tuesday mornings to review the past Sunday, and plan worship for future weeks, as well as discuss anything else that has arisen for a planning team. Many of you have noticed how integrated the scripture, music, liturgy (prayers and responses), and children’s program are – and that’s because we take the time to make this happen and make sure we know each other’s plans. - Children and Youth check-in
Natalie and I follow the Tuesday worship planning meeting with a quick check in on anything else to discuss during the week. Right now, Natalie is planning an end of year LUCY ice cream outing, as well as coordinating saying goodbye to Emily Pollock after four wonderful years with us. - Pastoral Care Committee meeting
The committee had its final monthly meeting before the summer. We discussed pastoral care visit updates, plans for a simple Circle of Friends gathering to begin in the fall, and the effect that Renovations will have on this year’s Christmas Tea – all over a delicious meal organized by the committee to celebrate the end of the year. - Renovation Team meeting
The Renovation Team has met every two weeks since last August – a huge commitment for everyone taking part! One of the items discussed was how to present information at the June council meeting, and the June 23 congregational information session following the service. - Preparing prayers and other service information for Sunday’s bulletin
Joyous Sounds Abound!
A Birthday Celebration of Leaside United Church
Days later and the joyous sounds of voices and instruments still ringing in my ear. Someone came up to me and described it as a “welcoming Spirit” as we have the opportunity to sing in community and share bread at the Common Table. What a way to mark the first Sunday of Pentecost!
The past Sunday we celebrated the two-year anniversary of the coming together of Leaside and Presteign-Woodbine United Church. This celebration was marked with a slideshow during the morning service, followed by cake and face painting.
In the afternoon, we had a Festival of Hymns. I was astonished to see the community come together even in June with beautiful weather! For this event, I formed the Leaside Festival Choir with members drawn from the Chancel Choir, congregation, community at large, friends, and those who just love to sing!
We were also fortunate to have guest commentator John Ambrose and organist, Lydia Pedersen, as well as the Venabrass Quartet join us for this celebration. This festival could not conclude without a supper as the community packed the gym in fellowship.
This event could also not have been possible without the work of many. What a birthday celebration to remember!
Matthew Boutda, Director of Music at Leaside United Church
Watch this video of the powerful Anthem Greater Love Hath No Man performed by the Festival Choir, conducted by Matthew Boutda.
Listen to Rev. Emily Gordon’s thoughtful sermon titled: Diverse Voices, Common Vision from last Sunday’s June 9th celebration service:
Look at these fabulous pictures captured by our Volunteer Photographer Murray Fenner of a very special day at Leaside United Church:
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