Study

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.

The Meditation Group is looking for new Meditators!

September 2, 2021

The Meditation Group will start on September 9th at 10:30 am and continue with online (Zoom) gatherings. Please contact Rev. Emily or Ross Lawford if you are interested in participating.

Pride Sunday – June 27, 2021

June 30, 2021

Our worship this morning will include lighting rainbow of candles as we reflect on our call as an Affirming congregation. We will hear passages from scripture, including the story of David and Jonathan. We will also see a video created by our Affirming Team especially for this service!

Our Stories and Makers Nest will be the final one before the summer! We look forward to a return of Rebecca and Roberta’s program in the fall.

Today’s story is about David and Goliath.

The program can be seen at 9:55am on Zoom, or any time on YouTube. You are invited to continue to share these with other people who are young or young at heart in your life.

If you know families that would like a way to engage without screens, our monthly Church at Home packages will be continuing during the summer. Please email Rebecca or Emily to be added to the list, and share the information with extended family and friends!

Next Sunday
We mark Canada Sunday, with an opportunity for lamenting, celebrating, and committing to the future.

Then we begin our summer worship, taking a simplified approach to our worship as we all enjoy the summer weather and as our staff start getting ready for the fall. Here are a few highlights:

  • Robbie will be making an appearance in both July and August.
  • August 1 we will share a communion service live over Zoom.
  • We will hear a couple of guest preachers, as well as share more services with Northlea United Church
  • Themes include: Sacred Space, It’s Okay Not to be Okay, Live in Love, Wisdom and Deception, and more
  • We will have Zoom and YouTube options every week, which will range from shorter Worship Moments to full services.

We look forward to worshiping with you this morning, and throughout the summer.

National Indigenous Day of Prayer | Father’s Day – Sunday June 20, 2021

June 30, 2021

This Sunday is the second of our services with music and sermon shared with Northlea United Church. This Sunday, both congregations will be hearing Emily preach, along with music from both Leaside and Northlea.

Happy Father’s Day to all fathers, and those who offer fathering to others.

Today our service includes words written for use by non-Indigenous churches in the United Church to mark Indigenous Day of Prayer. The United Church has also shared a longer video “Apology to Action: Reflections on the 35th Anniversary.” Although not part of our service, we encourage you to watch it sometime over the coming week.

This week also marks the first of a four week series listening to and reflecting on stories about David. Today’s story is David and Goliath, and I share three takes on the story and how it might speak to us.

On Zoom, our service will also include a Learning Moment as well as Pastoral Prayers and the Lord’s Prayer. If you view the service on YouTube, you can join Zoom at 11:30am for conversation.

Next Sunday
We mark Pride Sunday with a service lighting a rainbow of candles. The service includes a video created by our Affirming Team, and the story of David and Jonathon.