Hello LUC Members, Friends of Leaside United Church, and Community Members,
The last few months have presented us with many challenges in our day to day lives in Leaside and all over the world to say the least. During these unusual times, the renovation of Leaside United Church has been moving forward.
We have included a few pictures so you can have a peek inside. The new chancel is now accessible. There is a ramp that will have a railing that is still to be installed; new lighting, and sound system that are amazing!
Our organ remains, and will be repaired once the renovation is complete. The baby grand piano will be on the main floor in front of the chancel.
The gym looks terrific with a new floor and ceiling. Ready for action as soon as we are able to rent it out!
In the lower level of the church you will also see the beautiful new kitchen. Outside of the kitchen where the stage of the auditorium used to be, a new space has been created. We are currently calling it the “Gathering Space” and see it as an area for art displays or get-togethers.
The new front steps are completed on Millwood along with a fabulous new driveway. We are waiting for the delivery of the glass to enclose in the new entrance on Millwood. Inside there will be renovated staff offices and a welcoming reception area with a coffee bar.
Facing McRae, the main entrance steps have been repaired and landscaping of the entire property is happening now!
There are still a lot of details to finalize, but the renovation is looking at a timely end later in October or mid-November.
If you have any questions or comments, please reach out to us. Looking forward to sharing this wonderful new space with all of you.
This Sunday, for Thanksgiving Sunday we will share identical services on YouTube and on Zoom (with gathering music beginning at 10:25am). Worship in choose whichever way you prefer, and then join Zoom at 11am for a time of conversation.
Highlights this Sunday include our first fall virtual choir project with 25 singers, our pastoral care minister Jean Marie leading the prayers, and a visit from Robbie.
Gather on Zoom at 9:45am if you would like to watch our Stories and Crafts program – all ages welcome! (You can also watch it on YouTube at any time.)
Next Sunday We look forward to World Food Sunday next week.
On March 11, 2020, the Leaside United Church (LUC) Council approved the COVID Response Team. It was formed due to the emergence of a COVID-19 pandemic and the realization by the Council that it was imperative to have a team with medical and administrative expertise to monitor, communicate, and if needed, provide guidance and recommendations regarding the ongoing safety of the membership, staff and renters. The members have worked diligently and respectfully to provide this mandate.
On September 28th, Dr. Eileen de Villa, Medical Officer of Health for the City of Toronto warned, “There’s an immediate rising risk in Toronto of continued and significant COVID-19 resurgence. What we need you to do is to think carefully about how to protect yourself as you go about your daily activities by limiting contact with people you don’t live with.” Later that day, she tweeted “……..We all play a role: as much as possible limit contact with anyone you don’t live with & keep 6 ft apart, wear a mask, wash your hands, & stay home if sick.”
This week the COVID Response Team met and discussed the recent increases in COVID-19 cases in Toronto. Due to the recent rapid escalation in COVID-19 positivity the team agreed:
In-person Worship There will be no indoor worship at least until the end of 2020. The team will continue to monitor the effects of the pandemic and its safety implications as to the resumption of in-person worship. We will continue our current virtual worship services.
Church Building and Property The church building will not be accessible at least until the end of 2020. The exceptions are the required construction workers, the custodians, other staff and the Renovation Team. Regarding the staff and the Renovation Team these visits will be scheduled with Ann Fraser. Impromptu visits are not permitted at this time.
Church Rentals LUC will not be renting the church building at least until the end of 2020. The team will continue to monitor the effects of the pandemic and its safety implications as to resumption of rentals.
To all, we encourage everyone to continue following the public health recommendations closely, as we work to protect one another from COVID-19. The worship planning team is exploring creative opportunities for our Advent and Christmas Eve services, and we would love to hear ideas you have as well. We will share our plans later in November.
Lastly, we know that there are many questions about what is happening with COVID-19. Given how quickly things keep changing, we have decided to begin a Question and Answer section in the mid-week email to help keep everyone up to date on what is happening with LUC. Questions can be emailed to Ann Fraser, ann@leasideuc.com, which will be shared with the team, with the answers shared with everyone in Thursday’s email. Do you have questions about who can be in the building, why we aren’t reopening yet for worship, or what we are doing online? Let us know your thoughts and questions, and watch here each week for our answers.
Rev. Emily Gordon Anne Raby, Chair of the COVID Response Team
Only Outdoor Pastoral Care Visitations (September 24, 2020) Leaside United Church members value our Pastoral Care Ministry and the dedicated individuals leading this program. Pastoral Care is an integral part of keeping our church connected through visits, phone calls, emails and cards. With respect to visiting, at this time, the COVID Response Team has advised the Pastoral Care Committee that only outdoor pastoral visits take place. This decision has been made to ensure the safety of everyone involved.
The Mission of Leaside United Church is to grow a caring and vibrant spiritual community that embodies God’s unconditional love following the teachings of Jesus and takes responsibility for being co-creators of a world that works for all.
As an affirming ministry, we celebrate the diversity of God’s creation. We celebrate the richness of our community when we have diversity in age, gender identity, racial/cultural backgrounds, sexual orientation, ability and family configurations. We seek to create a safe place with an open invitation to bring every aspect of one’s whole self into one’s participation within this ministry.
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