Spirituality

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.

assorted color flowers

Summer with Leaside United

June 30, 2022
assorted color flowers
Photo by Leigh Patrick on Pexels.com

SUMMER WORSHIP


This summer we are sharing some of our worship services with Northlea United Church; NUC will join us some weeks and we will join them on others, and we will also have some guest leadership.

Here is how you can worship over the summer months:

Every Sunday up to August 7
Attend Leaside UC In-Person and on Zoom (10:30am)
or, on YouTube (any time)

August 14
Communion on Zoom (10:30am)

August 21 & 28
Join Northlea UC In-Person (10:30am)
or, on YouTube (later in the day)

September 4
Zoom (10:30am) and YouTube (any time)

GROUPS THIS SUMMER


In the Wild will have a potluck lunch and nature scavenger hunt at 11:45am on July 17 on the Church Lawn. On August 14 (a change to the 2nd Sunday) we will have an afternoon nature walk (more details to come).

Meet U will have two Zoom gatherings on July 13 and Aug 10 at 10:30am.

Meditation Group, Spirit Alive, and Arts and Crafts group will all resume in the fall.

A Time for Prayer will resume after the September long weekend. If you would like a short time of prayer during your week, you can watch this recording: https://youtu.be/dj1j4MInWvk

As our regular groups slow down over the summer, you are invited to sign up for the Small Spiritual Practices emails as a way to stay connected, and take part in worship in-person and online. Contact Rev. Emily for more information.

SUMMER OFFICE HOURS

The church will be open
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
from 9 am to 3 pm
during June, July and August.

Have a wonderful summer!

Pride Sunday – June 26, 2022

June 26, 2022

This Sunday we celebrate Pride Month with a service lighting rainbow candles throughout the service. The music includes the beautiful anthem “Morning Hymn” as well as a solo “Pie Jesu” by Rileigh. Our scripture story is about Jesus sending out 70 disciples ahead of him, as we think about some of the values behind our affirming work, including responsibility and community. If you enjoy an opportunity to move your body, we are invited to take part in the actions of “For the Child in Us” as we name just a few of the many parts of creation God loves.

Looking Ahead

On July 3 we will mark Canada Sunday, with Matt and all four leads offering musical leadership. Our music will include the hymn “Let Us Build a House”, anthem “All the Little Rivers of Canada”, the National Anthem, and more.