Kids & Youth

Mental Health Sunday and Communion – May 2, 2021

June 11, 2021
Photo by Murray Fenner April 2021 at Leaside United
Today we will be celebrating communion live on Zoom at 10:30am. Bring bread, or something similar, and juice, wine or something else to drink when you join the service. We will share in communion together.
The YouTube service will include a poem “A Single Grape.”

On both Zoom and YouTube, our service will reflect on words from John’s gospel, “I am the True Vine.” We will hear the Leaside Virtual Choir anthem “For the Beauty of the Earth,” as well as sing a new hymn text for “Abide with Me” that connects with today’s scripture (see below). We will also hear another small spiritual practice, and say A New Creed together.

During the reflection, I will also be mentioning that this is Mental Health Sunday, the start of Mental Health Awareness week. The United Church is sharing an online series for everyone May 3-7, including “Mental Health, Wellness, and the Medicine Wheel Teachings” on Monday, and “Trauma Fatigue” on Friday. You can learn more HERE.
Next Sunday is Christian Family Sunday, and we have another fully recorded service perfect for sharing with family and friends. Music will include a Junior Virtual Choir Hymn, a new Leaside Virtual Choir Project, a solo, and a flute duet. The service will celebrate the radical openness of God’s love.

May 16th our service “Singing Joy?” will have a few jokes, some lighthearted hymns accompanied by guitar, music from the Uniting Voices Collective, time for reflection and our final Easter Small Spiritual Practice will be a part of this service on what joy means during these difficult times.

Magnolia Moments at Leaside United

June 30, 2021

The Communications Team is pleased to launch Magnolia Moments. Starting this week, each Monday afternoon or evening a new poster with an inspirational quotation will be put up on the Leaside property (look in the general area of the Magnolia tree). Make the church property a destination for your outdoor exercise one day each week and take a moment to find some inspiration.

The poster will also include a QR code (open the camera on your mobile device and focus in on the QR code) that will link to another source of inspiration, such as a virtual choir video, a photograph, a message from Emily, or a poem. Invite others in the Leaside community to stop by the church and take a moment to find some inspiration. While you do so remember to follow all of the public health guidelines: wear a mask while on the church property and remain at least 2 meters apart from anyone not in your household.

Leaside United presents: The Virtual Variety Show 2021

September 2, 2021

Performers across Canada and all over the world gathered to share their talents virtually! The Coordinators and Virtual Variety Show Committee curated a virtual variety show across the globe! There are violins, rock bands, basketball hoops, soccer, dogs, babies, crooners, artists, poets and more! So get comfy and enjoy this year’s show!

If you would like to thank the performers for their talent and the crew who put the show together we are asking you to support this show by donating to these charities:

TNO Food Collaborative: https://donate.tno-toronto.org/

Kids Help Phone: https://secure.e2rm.com/registrant/FundraisingPage.aspx?registrationID=4879736&langPref=en-CA

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING!

Celebrating 5 years as an Affirming Congregation! April 25, 2021

June 11, 2021
Artist: Graham Lute

Today we celebrate 5 years as an Affirming Congregation! As an affirming congregation, we celebrate the richness of our community when we have diversity in age, gender identity, racial/cultural backgrounds, sexual orientation, ability and family configurations. Being affirming is an ongoing process of learning and unlearning. Let’s celebrate together and commit to continue this important work of love.

Our service includes an Opening Prayer written by Leaside’s Affirming Team, which invites us to repeat “All are welcome here!” We hear scripture, including “I am the Good Shepherd” and Psalm 23, and sing “Draw the Circle Wide.” The service begins with “There is Room for All” sung by the Uniting Voices Collective formed by five Toronto United Church Music Directors including Matt Boutda.

On Zoom at 10:30am this morning, we will also share the Junior Choir hymn “My Love Colours Outside the Lines” and will have a time to discuss being an affirming congregation in breakout rooms during the service.

Either way, join Zoom at 11:30am for conversation time.

The Stories and Makers Nest will hear about Moses and the Burning Bush. Join Zoom at 9:55am this morning, or watch any time on YouTube!

Next Sunday

May 2 we will be sharing Communion Live on Zoom, so remember to bring bread, or something bread-like, and juice, wine or another beverage. Our service on YouTube will explore another of Jesus’ I am statements: “I am the True Vine.”

Then, May 9 is Christian Family Sunday, and we look forward to our next Virtual Choir project!