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Leaside United Upcoming Guest Preachers

March 18, 2021

Jordan Sullivan – Sunday March 14th, 2021 – P.I.E. Day / National Affirming Day

Jordan Sullivan

Bio

Jordan Sullivan is a trans man who worked at the United Church of Canada’s General Council Office from 2000 to 2020, where his work included the work of LGBTQIA2S+ Justice. In a previous life Jordan was a teacher in Seventh-day Adventist schools (his faith roots), and he worked for the Canadian Mental Health Association in Durham Region for 10 years. In 1999 he received an MA in Religious Studies. Jordan transitioned in his early 50’s and blogs intermittently at On Becoming Jordan, from his home in Toronto. 

The Rev. Dr. Rob Oliphant – Sunday March 7th, 2021

The Rev. Dr. Rob Oliphant

Bio

Rob Oliphant was elected as the Member of Parliament for Don Valley West in 2015 and again in 2019. He previously served in that role from 2008 to 2011. He is currently  Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and has also served as Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security and the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration.

An ordained minister in the United Church of Canada, Rob has served congregations in Newfoundland and Labrador, Quebec, Ontario, and Yukon, and was the Senior Minister at Eglinton St. George’s United Church in North Toronto.

He has been actively engaged in social and economic justice issues, housing for vulnerable Canadians, welcoming of refugees and newcomers, gender justice, the inclusion of people with disabilities, LGBTQ2S and other human rights issues.  From 2011 to 2015, Rob served as President and CEO of the Asthma Society of Canada.

He earned a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Toronto, a Master of Divinity from the Vancouver School of Theology, and a Doctorate from the Chicago Theological Seminary located at the University of Chicago.

Lent II – “On Eagle’s Wings” Sunday February 28th, 2021

March 6, 2021
Photo by: Murray Fenner

Today we hear and sing the words from Isaiah:

“those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles.”

Today is our final Sunday of Black History Month. Leadership throughout the service will be conducted by one of our families, from the Call to Worship to the Final Blessing. Thank you! They are sharing words from a UCC service by Charmain Bailey Foutner, “On Eagle’s Wings: A Service for Black History Month.”

For those joining us on Zoom, we will also be watching a short documentary “Secret Alberta: the Former Life of Amber Valley” that connects to the sermon, giving more of the history. If you’re not watching on Zoom, you can find this on YouTube as well.

Stories and Crafts will be at 9:55am, or any time on YouTube. This week the story we will hear is Jesus feeding a crowd.

Sunday March 7th
Next Sunday, we welcome Rev. Rob Oliphant who will be sharing his sermon live over Zoom. The YouTube service will include readings, prayer, organ improvisations, and the hymn Bless Now, O God, The Journey.

Then, come for the Annual General Meeting over Zoom at 11:30am.

Sunday March 14th
For P.I.E. Sunday, we welcome guest preacher Jordan Sullivan who will share his reflection “The Stranger Who Dwells Among Us.” There will be a few more sweet surprises as well!

LENT 1″Desert Times” – Sunday February 21, 2021

March 6, 2021

Today is our first story during Lent, and we hear of Jesus being tested in the wilderness. What insight might this story offer us during our own wilderness times right now? Just one of the things I talk about is community even in wilderness times. When Jesus begins his ministry, he speaks to groups not individuals, and invites us to respond together. Jesus’ time in the wilderness harks back to the Israelites’ 40 years in the wilderness, a community together facing dangerous times. Even Jesus does not encounter the wilderness alone.

At Leaside this past year, even while we have been apart we have not been alone. Worship, groups during the week, and events have all offered ways to be connected with one another. Our virtual choir projects have connected people across the country and even around the world. During Lent this year we now have over 90 people reading the daily Lent emails, many from Leaside and many more from other churches, family and friends (email emily@leasideuc.com to be added to the list). Even though not all in the same place, we are on this journey connected with one another through music, art, reflection, poetry, and prayer. We work together as a community in so many ways during these COVID times.

Where will Lent take us this year? Let’s find out together.

Our service today will include the first of Matt’s Lenten organ improvisations, and an opening prayer that celebrates diversity. For those joining over Zoom, we will take time to light candles for joys and sorrows together as we mark the beginning of Lent, and a short United Church video “The Journeys of Black Peoples.” Either way you join in worship, join on Zoom at 11:20am for a time of conversation together.

Our Stories and Crafts program will explore the story of when Jesus meets the Samaritan woman. For today’s activity, we will be using things you might find in your kitchen, such as tea leaves, coffee grounds, and hot chocolate… Watch at 9:55am on Zoom, or any time on YouTube.

Looking Ahead
Next Sunday, we will draw on the service “On Eagle’s Wings: a service for Black History Month” and hear the reflection written by Charmain Bailey Foutner read as a part of it.

Then, we look forward to two weeks with guest preachers. Rob Oliphant will join us preaching live on Zoom on March 7th and for P.I.E. Sunday on March 14th we will welcome Jordan Sullivan with the sermon “The Stranger Who Dwells Among Us.”

Valentine’s Day Sunday – February 14, 2021

March 6, 2021

Today our service reflects on ideas related to love, drawing on Song of Songs for our scripture and our music. The music is all recordings from last year’s beautiful Choral Evensong service, and we are so pleased to be able to share in these once again.

The service will be the same on YouTube and on Zoom, so you are invited to worship either way, before joining Zoom at 11:10am for conversation. You may also wish to share the YouTube link with family and friends.

This Sunday is the final Sunday before Lent, and our Stories and Crafts program looks forward to Lent, creating a Lent Pathway. Watch at 9:55 on Zoom, or any time on YouTube.

Ash Wednesday
We will begin Lent with a short Ash Wednesday service with song, scripture, and prayer at 7pm on Zoom and YouTube. (Please note it is a different Zoom link and phone in information than Sunday worship).

Next Sunday
We begin Lent with a “Desert Times” service, hearing of Jesus in the wilderness and the first of Matt’s Lent Hymn Improvisations. Over Zoom, we will begin Lent by taking time to light candles for our joys and sorrows.