Affirming

Sunday September 12, 2021 – Blessing of the Backpacks

September 16, 2021

Experiencing Creation with All Our Senses: Touch
Blessing of the Backpacks

Today’s service includes a Blessing of the Backpacks. You are invited to bring backpacks or bags to the screen for this blessing, or anything that for you symbolizes our students and educators who have just returned to school (even drawing a picture of a backpack or an apple on a piece of paper). If you appreciate the blessing and would like to send it to someone you know, we are also sharing a link to just this part of the service. For those joining on Zoom, we will also share an additional responsive prayer for students and educators.

Today we begin the Season of Creation with the first week of our series “experiencing creation with all of our senses.” We begin with the sense of touch, and hear of Jesus teaching about the importance of being like children.

This morning we begin a musical fall, with a full quartet leading our hymns, sung responses, and anthem. You will notice that there is more recording in our beautifully renovated sanctuary, as we continue to learn about the A/V system and how it can work for us.

Come for our Stories and Makers Nest starting at 9:55am, or any time before our 10:30am service. If you are watching on YouTube, join Zoom at 11am for a time of conversation.

Sunday Worship in September

September 28, 2021

During September weekly worship will continue every Sunday on both Zoom and YouTube at 10:30am as we learn about our new A/V system and what is possible. We look forward to developing our livestream capability and moving towards adding an in-person option as soon as we have the technology in place and it is safe to do so. We will begin Creation Time and explore the theme “Experiencing Creation with all of our senses.” On September 12th we’ll also share a Blessing of the Backpacks as a part of our worship.

The Stories and Makers Nest will restart this Sunday, September 5th at 9:55 am and continue throughout the fall. This program is on Zoom and YouTube (on YouTube on an ongoing basis). The theme this month is “Fruits of the Spirit.”
We continue to collaborate with Rosedale United Church on creating this program and look forward to more weeks with Rebecca, Roberta, and some furry friends.

On September 19th we will begin a monthly outdoor time of worship, with some prayer and readings and more time spent engaging with nature as a way to connect with the sacred. Our theme on September 19th will be Balance as we approach the Autumnal Equinox, and we will take the opportunity to pay attention to the landscape, and native plants on the church property. This outdoor time will include options for all ages, and we welcome the youngest and the oldest to take part. Those who are spiritual but not religious might especially appreciate this approach to connecting with the sacred.

We look forward to the many different ways we will connect with one another in September and throughout the fall.

Ready to Sing Out Loud? Choir Rehearsals start this month!

September 12, 2021

We welcome all to the Junior and Chancel Choir rehearsals beginning on Zoom on September 16, 2021. Junior Choir will begin at 6:30pm, while Chancel Choir will start at 7:30pm.

Starting September 23, choir practices will begin outdoors on the lawn!

Choir practices will also be recorded so that those unable to attend in-person can still practice virtually.

We are excited about expanding our music options this fall, while continuing our wonderful Virtual Choir Projects. Is this the right time to start singing with the choir? New voices are always welcome!

Yes, Junior Choir practice is beginning as well! Do you know someone ages 6-16 who might be interested in the Junior Choir? Please let Matthew Boutda know.

Together in Prayer – Canada Day 2021

July 7, 2021

Together in Prayer
Canada Day 2021 Vigil
10:30 AM EDT
Thurs. July 1

Join with Indigenous and non-Indigenous leaders from the United Church of Canada regions of Antler River Watershed, Western Ontario Waterways and Horseshoe Falls as we unite in prayer. If you do not have a computer connection for Zoom, you can still join with any touch tone phone.

Check your email for Zoom link. Didn’t get an email? Contact HERE for more information.