Sep

t.-O

ct.

2015

Volume XXXIV, Issue 4

BLOORBEAT The Newsletter of

Minister’s Message

The message for this first fall issue of Bloorbeat, post-sabbatical and post-holiday, is about the Season of Creation, and the way in which we as the Christian community are called to expand our circle of friends to all who belong to God’s circle of life in this spinning blue-green planet home. The message given in the first Pentecost, which I missed because of the privilege of being on my first sabbatical, is that “the company of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things which they possessed were their own, but they had everything in common. And with great power the apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. There was not a needy person among them … distribution was made to each as any had need.” (Acts 4: 32-35) That first Christian community in the New Testament is the primal image of all Christian communities to follow, and the foundation for our social and worldly solidarity. We find three factors for our life together from this early Christian experience of the fullness of life and the overcoming of needs: 1) “With great power the apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all” – this is where it begins. In the resurrection of Christ, celebrated every Sunday by many millions of his followers, the fullness of eternal life here and now is thrown wide open, for death’s power over us has been taken away forever. To suffer need means being excluded from the fullness of life – not having enough to eat or drink; to be ill, or lonely; and finally to lose one’s life, the great permanent exclusion. The fear of death, namely the fear of all the deathly threats and losses that plague us, is so subtle and strong that we react to it with a greed for life and the securing of our lives. Because we suppress the knowledge that we have to die, we often feel we cannot get enough of life’s goods on this side of the grave. But with Christ and his resurrection, we are given an eternal quality of life no death can kill, a life of which there is more than enough, and therefore our competition for life’s presumably scarce resources becomes unnecessary, and we are freed to live by God’s grace. 2) “The company of those who believed were of one heart and soul” – in other words, a collection of arbitrary and unknown individuals becomes a community, a company in Christ, made one in heart and soul when given the experience of the Spirit. The Spirit overcomes the barriers that divide people, and oppression and domination of some by a few stops. Divisions and separations of race, class, gender, age, etc. are overcome, and all become, as our tagline says, a “circle of friends.” Privilege and discrimination end, and in the midst of a sometimes heartless and lonely world a community of trust is created. In and through God’s Spirit, the church embodies mutual and shared recognition of all, overcoming natural inclinations to fear one another or be aggressive toward each other. 3) “No one said that any of the things which they possessed were their own, but they had everything in common” – what a revolution! In the resurrection and through their experience

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Bloordale United Church 4258 Bloor Street West Etobicoke, ON M9C 1Z7

(416) 621-1710 www.bloordale.ca

Minister Rev. Brian W. McIntosh Pastoral Care Minister Rev. Nelsona Dundas Christian Development Co-ordinator Lisa Mazzariol Youth Leader Jo Dullard

Administrative Assistant Halyna Parypa Organist & Choir Director Mervin Fick Custodian Victor Nguyen

Church Council

Chair Roy Harvey Church Council Secretary Dana Bach Congregational Meeting Secretary Pat Nelson Board of Trustees Jack Lovatt

Ministry and Personnel Susan Prentice Nominations Pat Nelson Treasurer Norman Dundas Presbytery Representatives Norman Dundas

Paul Rose Minister Rev. Brian W. McIntosh

Committee Chairs

Congregational Life (co-chairs) Helen Hitchcock

Gladys Lewis Communications Julia Stavreff Christian Development Diane Mulholland

Finance & Stewardship Jack Lovatt Outreach Roy Harvey Pastoral Care Sylvia Williams Planned Gift Fund Bob Hitchcock

Property Bruce Jackson Social and Fund Raising Vanessa Mitchell United Church Women Joan Hollowell Worship Sharron Le Blanc

Members-at-Large Jim Bell Frank Sword

IN THIS ISSUE

Minister’s Message 1 Worship in the Weeks Ahead 2 Who’s Ready for Christmas 3 Thank You Office Volunteers 3 Fire Doors & Surveillance System3 Forum on Future in Etobicoke 3 Planned Gift 3 Semi-Annual Meeting Oct 25 4 New Cupboards - Thanks to UCW 4 Bulletin & Music Dedication 4 Book Review: “Chosen…” 5 Dementia & Alzheimer’s Seminar 5 UCW Invitation - Home Care 5 The Group 6 Our New Youth Leader Jo D. 6 Jazz Concert Oct 23 6 Pop Tabs, Eyeglasses & Stamps 6 In Memorium– Beve Moher 6 Stewardship Spot 7 Bloordale Outing to Nursery 7 Church Gallery Update - Pat McD 7 Upcoming Events Summary 8 UCC 90th Anniversary Bells 8 The Lunch Bunch Beat 8 Fall Property Cleanup Nov 7 9 A Word from Pastoral Care 9 Outreach and Advocacy 9 Yvonne in Mozambique 9 Tri-Church Discussions 10 Tapestry Ad 11 Submission to Bloorbeat 11 Police Appreciation Service 11 Bloorbeat Publication Schedule 11 Premier Homecare Ad 12 Anne Karda Ad 12

WORSHIP SERVICES IN THE WEEKS AHEAD

Sunday Worship Schedule Sept 20 Season of Creation 3 (Sky) / Welcoming Barbecue

27 Season of Creation 4 (Mountain)

Oct. 4 Worldwide Communion / COMMUNION

11 Thanksgiving Sunday

18 World Food Sunday / Police Appreciation Sunday / BAPTISM

25 Peace Sunday / Outreach / 22nd after Pentecost

Nov. 1 Reformation / All Saints’ Sunday / COMMUNION

8 Remembrance Sunday

15 25th after Pentecost / Children’s Sunday – Intergenerational

22 Reign of Christ / COMMUNION

All of our Sunday worship services begin at 10:30 am unless otherwise indicated

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Consider a Planned Gift to Bloordale United Church

Giving a gift to the Planned Gift Fund through your will is one way to continue faithful stewardship beyond your lifetime. When your estate plan is prepared please consider a gift to your church through the Bloordale Planned Gift Fund.

A message from your Memorial and Planned Gift

Funds Administrative Committee

Forum on the Future of the Church/Christian Community in

Etobicoke

Sponsored by the 427 Ministerial Sunday October 18, 2015, 7 – 8:30 pm

Rehoboth Fellowship Christian Reformed Church 800 Burnamthorpe Road

Come to hear from a Panel of active Ministers/Priests whose congregations face similar challenges, and join in conversation with people from Anglican, Baptist, Christian Reformed, Lutheran, Presbyterian and United Churches about the future of the church/Christian community in central/west Etobicoke. This Forum will not be about how we can each save our buildings or increase our budgets, but it will be about the common challenges we face as people of Christian faith, and about how we might be faithful together to what God may be calling us to do in the near future.

None of us have all the answers, but we can explore together how the Spirit of God may be blowing us in risky directions in coming years.

Join us.

Brian

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Thank you!!! To Shirley Jankus, Shirley Scott and Bob Hitchcock who graciously volunteered their time to cover our office during Halyna’s August vacation. Thank you for stepping into this role and helping out.

Sue Prentice, Chair, M & P

Who’s ready for Christmas??

The Social & Fundraising Committee would like to take you out to the Toronto Christmas Market to kick start your holiday season on Friday November 27th, 2015. We will meet at a restaurant for lunch in the

Distillery District at 1:00pm, followed by a stroll through this historical and whimsical market, taking in the magic & romance of the Christmas season.

Please contact Vanessa Mitchell at (416) 358-4504 if you are interested in joining us for this wonderful outing! Carpooling will be available if needed or you can drive or take TTC to get there.

Alternate date for this event if weather is not favourable will be Friday, December 11th, 2015.

http://www.torontochristmasmarket.com

Fire Doors, Broken Doors , and Surveillance System Wearing his other hat as a member of the Property Committtee, Bloorbeat Editor John Pauksens, was busy this summer with some property maintenance activities and upgrades.

In response to a fire code violation notice from the Toronto Fire Department , John arranged for the installation of emergency exit pushbars on both of the front sanctuary doors. This was needed in order to meet current code requirements for attendance in the sanctuary by up to 200 people. Otherwise we would be limited to 100.

One of the sanctuary side doors became unusable due to a broken hinge. These are unique commercial door hinges, and John had to order a replacement hinge from the US. Removal and repair of the door involved some heavy lifting, and assistance from Robert Pauksens and Victor Nguyen.

To improve building security and avert problems like the theft of car keys (and of a car from our parking lot!) , a video surveillance system was

purchased for Bloordale , and installed by John. Tony Resendes, a friend of Bloordale , assisted with the installation of a long communication cable that was needed along the lower CE building corridor for this system. Five surveillance cameras are now installed and working, and monitor entry into the sanctuary or the CE building. A digital video recorder continually records the images from these cameras. and makes them available for live viewing and replay on the church computers. Two additional cameras remain to be installed for monitoring the church parking lot.

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of the unifying Spirit, no one clings to what they possess, but gifts and life are shared abundantly. Anyone who lives a divinely filled life has no need for hording or grasping the elusive security that possessions and property give. In the first little Jerusalem Christian community, probably made up mostly of poor people, “there was enough for everyone” because no one valued individual wants above community needs. So another world is possible, as the World Council of Churches has said in recent years. This is a counter-image to all the social inequality and neglect that our contemporary societies have nurtured by either inattention or intention. In a competitive world there is never enough for everyone, so a struggle ensues of each against all for the means of life and living – a struggle of the strong against the weak, of the healthy against the sick, of the elite few against the common masses. But Pentecost teaches us that the opposite of poverty is not wealth, but community, and the Christian community is called, not to be a conglomeration of private, charitable individuals, but a community of mutual recognition in which people support each other in accessing the means to abundant life, especially the weak, the sick, the young, and the aged. We hear often in our age about a clash of civilizations or the necessary dialogue between different cultures. While the latter is valuable, the reality is that we’re way past the need for dialogue, since the variety of human cultures around the world has been overlaid and made relatively less important by a unified global culture which looks the same virtually everywhere.

High-rise buildings look virtually the same everywhere, as do affluent and exclusive enclaves of the rich. Transportation problems, traffic jams and pollution are the same everywhere. Big hotel chains are global, as are big consumer shops offering the same products, no matter the country.

English is the de facto global language, and in cultural matters it is the same artists and Hollywood stars who make their impressions on everyone. Only in India and Africa, as well as parts of China, do local customs still survive, and then only in rural communities. Having been in Denmark, Norway and Iceland for my August holidays, as only my latest fortunate global excursion, I can vouch for the rise of cultural sightseeing as a voyeuristic enterprise that is undertaken with only minor variations no matter the major city’s name or location.

The global unified culture is monotonous, uniform and uninspiring. It is not a reflection of a culture of solidarity, but a culture of competition and division. God’s creation was

Bulletin and Music Dedications Weekly Sunday bulletins can be dedicated, with a note about why, by any member for $15. This both helps defray our paper and printing costs and provides opportunity for special remembrances to be observed.

Music can also be dedicated in someone’s memory, or in honour of someone’s faithful living. A new anthem can be purchased for $75, so please speak to Sharron or Mervin about your wish to support the music program in this way.

astounding in its diversity and complexity, and our modern and post-modern unity is degrading of distinct cultures, languages, traditions – our own Canadian experience of this reflected, for instance, in the call for a recovery of specific First Nations language training, in the hope of saving cultural identities. The Christian community, of which we at Bloordale are a part, is a unique and particular global expression of resistance to this culture of domination and of the desire to live into the diverse fullness of life to which we have been invited from time’s beginning. In Christ, and by the Spirit, may we overcome our fears and needs by nurturing such a community of solidarity and support in creation, for each and all, so that all may have enough!

In addition to this post-holiday reflection, may I simply add that September, with its post-Labour Day call for children to return to school and adults to work, always brings new excitement about the possibilities before us. So as we welcome a new Youth Leader, Jo Dullard, and continue to discern, with intention, our strategic future directions alongside our Tri-Church partners Richview and St. James United Churches this fall, may we know the leading of the God who has secured our future in Christ, that we may be faithfully bold and fearless in mission and vision. Blessings to each of you! Brian

Plan to Attend our

Semi-Annual Congregational Meeting

Sunday October 25, 2015, after worship service

Come for an update on what’s been happening at Bloordale and on Tri-Church news!

New Cupboards. Thank you UCW!

The long awaited cupboard has finally been built on the stage and the walls have been painted. A big Thank You to the Bloordale UCW for funding and overseeing these projects!

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Book Review “Chosen? Reading the Bible Amid the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict” by Walter Brueggemann (Westminster/John Knox Press, Kentucky, 2015) Well, it's finally happened! A mainstream and highly regarded scholar, Walter Brueggemann, has taken what can only be called the courageous step of not only hinting about the injustices inflicted upon the Palestinian people by Israel's illegal occupation but actually stating it clearly and relatively unequivocally! In his recent short book - which will still cost you over $20 to purchase, despite being far less than 100 pages! - Brueggemann, undoubtedly the preeminent Christian Old Testament scholar of the last half-century, admits he's changed his mind about Israel's behaviour in recent years because of the "facts on the ground," as well as his distaste for poor biblical interpretation. In four brief chapters, as well as a more practical Q & A that follows, Brueggemann deals with how to read the conflicted Bible in the midst of a conflicted situation of oppression, siding firmly with a lens of human rights to which the prophetic tradition of Israel call people of faith. He goes on to speak of the blessing and curse of understanding Israel as God's chosen people, as well as dealing directly with the issue of land and addressing Zionism, both Jewish and Christian. The book closes with a useful four-session study guide that matches the book's outline. While much of the content of the book is unremarkable for anyone who has been a part of the Palestinian solidarity movement over the past 20 years or so, there are two reasons why this book is a crucial contribution to those efforts. First, Brueggemann has many, many influential friends and colleagues in the Jewish scholarly community, and this book's publication is therefore not without its attendant risks for those relationships. Second, the book is endorsed by luminaries of the above movement, including not only important Jewish voices such as Rabbi Michael Lerner and author of Fatal Embrace Mark Braverman, but also Palestinians Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb, author of Faith in the Face of Empire, and founder of both Sabeel and Palestinian liberation theology, Rev. Dr. Naim Ateek, to whom Brueggemann gives particular credit for changing his mind. The Presbyterian Church in the USA is also prominently mentioned in the book, though Brueggemann falls short of endorsing BDS as a socio-economic and political strategy to pursue justice. For these two stated reasons, this book is in the "must read" category for those Christians and Jews alike who care about how the Bible is used to equate ancient and modern Israel, for instance, or about the trajectories of Zionism's hardening from prophetic metaphor then into firm and exclusivist ideology today. Readers will

appreciate, as always, Brueggemann's deft and intelligent interpretive skills, providing some focused, if well-worn, reiterations of his previous work that will prove of practical use when attempting to do some biblical teaching on difficult topics. I, for one, find it hard to overestimate the importance of this book, and all of us in pursuit of justice and peace for both Palestinians and Israelis should warmly welcome and even trumpet its appearance! Brian

An Invitation from U.C.W. Bloordale U.C.W. invites any of the women of the congregation to join us in Room 15 on Tuesday September 22nd at 1:00 p.m. Our speaker, Joanne Ellis, is an associate of “Right At Home”, a home care agency.

She will discuss with us and answer our questions about what we can expect from home care and how to access it. A representative from Tena will accompany her. This is an opportunity to discuss with someone knowledgeable how our needs can be met.

Refreshment and fellowship time will follow. Let’s get to know each other better!

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Jazz Concert at Bloordale

Richard Whiteman Quintet featuring vocalist

Terra Hazelton

with

Tim Hamel trumpet

Shawn Nyqwist tenor sax

James Thomson bass

Jeff Halischuk drums

Friday October 23, 2015

at 8:00 pm

Bar and refreshments open at 7:00

General Admission $25

A Bloordale Fundraising Event

For further information / tickets call Nancy 416-620-5377 or

Bob 416-626-7365

The Group As autumn is fast approaching it brings us a new season, and for The Group the coming together of old and new friends to reflect on our summer past and our future to come.

The Group is a gathering of women to enjoy an evening out for great conversation, delicious meals, a chance to share and learn from each other. All of this brings evenings of caring and laughter.

We meet every 2nd Wednesday of each month except for December, July and August. Meetings usually are held in Room 15 at Bloordale United Church at 6:45 pm. Our gatherings are noted in the church bulletin a few weeks before and announcements are also made at the beginning of our Sunday services.

We welcome your input and ideas for The Group and invite all to participate and enjoy. Please note that carpooling in available for our gatherings.

We look forward to sharing time together, to be supportive of one another and just to have fun. So won’t you join us?

Our next meeting is a dinner outing at the Muddy Duck restaurant located on Dundas St just west of Hwy 427 in Mississauga on Wednesday, Oct 14th at 6:45 pm.

Our Wednesday, Nov 11th meeting will be held at Bloordale United Church. This gathering gives you opportunity for an early start on a Christmas project whether for yourself or for a gift to make by joining Connie Drummond in designing a Christmas craft. You don’t need to be an artist, just someone who wants to have fun!!

For more info about The Group please contact Debbie Cauch-McIntosh (416-695-1204) or Connie Drummond (416-621-9550).

Thanks!

Debbie Cauch-McIntosh

Pop Tabs, Eyeglasses, and Used Stamps Please note that we continuously collect pop tabs, eyeglasses, and used stamps (with 1/4 inch of envelope please!) to go to various causes. Collection containers are on the table near the front doors of the church

Our New Youth Leader Jo Dullard, our new Youth Leader, joins the Bloordale staff bringing with her five plus years of experience as the Assistant Youth Leader of Jubilee United Church in Toronto.

She has recently completed her Community Worker Diploma from George Brown College and was the Program Director for the Vacation Bible School in 2014 and 2015.

Please take a moment to introduce yourself and welcome Jo to the Bloordale United Church community.

Sue Prentice Diane Mulholland Chair, M & P Chair, CD Committee

In Memorium

Beverly May Moher

November 23, 1927 - June 27, 2015

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Church Gallery Update Our featured artist for October/November will be our very own, Pat McDermott.

Her work will be on show in Room 15 from October 14th until November 2nd, with the Opening taking place on Sunday October 18th from 11:45a.m. until 1:30 p.m.

Please join us in Room 15 after church to view Pat's wonderful paintings.

Bev Morgan

Stewardship Spot “Stewardship is everything I do after I say ‘I believe’.”

Receiving and Giving “Give as you have received.” (Matthew 10: 8) How many of us put giving ahead of receiving? Likely most of us, since the reverse sounds selfish to us at first. Giving is an important, even central Christian virtue, and Jesus was certainly known for the giving of himself to others, especially in his passion, and in the cross. But receiving was also important in Jesus’ ministry. Jesus demonstrated a marvelous capacity for receiving: “I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me.” (Matthew 25: 35) In a theology of receiving, the first question is not “How much do I give to God of what is mine?” Rather it is “How much of God’s do I keep for myself?” At various times in our lives, we may need to receive from what has been entrusted to us almost 100%. At other times, however, we may need to receive for ourselves less than 10%. But whatever stage in our life, one thing is clear: all that we have is a trust from God. You’ve heard it said, I’m sure, that we come into this world with nothing, and we leave this world with nothing. What Jesus told the rich young ruler, “You must give it all away,” (Matthew 19: 21) Jesus says to every one of us. None of us leave life without having given it all away – to someone, to somewhere. As Jesus sent forth his disciples, he said to them: “Freely you have received, freely give.” (Matthew 10: 8) It is only by having been blessed by God’s gifts that it is more blessed to give than to receive. The truth is that we can’t give until we have first received. We received life long before we were able to give it, whether to our children, our friends, or our church. We cannot bless others until we first receive for ourselves God’s blessing. It’s only out of that receiving from God’s abundance that we can give – most importantly ourselves (“they first gave themselves to the Lord” [2 Corinthians 8:5]), then our trust, and then whatever portion of God’s gifts we’ve received beyond what we feel called to keep. John Wesley, the great reformer who founded the Methodist church, when he first became a Christian, had a salary of 30 pounds per year. He lived on 28 pounds, and gave 2 to the church. When Wesley’s salary was increased to 50 pounds per year, he lived on 28, and gave 22 to the church. When his salary was increased to 100 pounds per year, he lived on 28, and gave 72 to the church. We are not just called to give our leftovers or a small portion or percentage of our disposable income. We are called to be fully aware of what we have first received from God, express gratitude, and then discern what we truly

need in order to invest what is still God’s in the work of God’s peace-making and compassionate reign in the world. We are called to be trustees of God’s abundant and life-giving blessings, first in our receiving and then in our giving. Does that change the way we think about stewardship? Brian

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Report on Bloordale Outing to Sheridan Nurseries On Wednesday , April 8, 2015, a cold, rainy, windy evening, about twenty members and friends of BUC ventured, bravely, to Sheridan Nurseries on Burnhamthorpe Rd.

It was warm and comfy inside with lovely plants and all the accoutrements for creating garden bliss. Sheridan employees presented seminars on indoor and outdoor gardening. There was ample time for questions as well as coffee and cookies and discount shopping.

I am sure that many gardens have benefited from that pleasant evening.

It was not necessary, but because I had organized the event, Sheridan presented me with a coffee table book: Sheridan Nurseries One Hundred Years of People, Plans and Plants.

The book is a fascinating 100 year history of the company, established in Sheridan, near Winston Churchill Blvd. and the Q.E.W. A receipt for nursery stock sold to E. Gerber in 1949 was nostalgic for me. My Uncle Eddie Gerber operated a nursery at Elsfield and Bloor, in the heart of The Kingsway and I worked for him in the busy spring and fall when I was an early teen.

If anyone would like to borrow this book please call me 416-620-5377.

An evening at Sheridan Nurseries will be planned for 2016. Do join us!

Nancy Harris ,

For the Social and Fundraising Committee

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Upcoming Events Summary

(additional details elsewhere in this Bloorbeat)

Sunday September 20

Welcome Barbecue, after the church service

Service at Wesburn Manor. Bloordale will host at 2:30 p.m. The Bloordale Choir will sing.

Tuesday September 22

UCW meets in the afternoon

Sunday October 4

The Lunch Bunch lunch at The Canadiana

Wednesday October 14

The Group meets at the Muddy Duck

Friday October 16

Movie Night with Brian

Sunday October 18

Police Appreciation Worship Service at Bloordale

Opening Day for Artist Patricia McDermott

Forum on the Future of the Church in Etobicoke, at Rehoboth Church, 7:00 p.m.

Monday October 19

Federal Election

Friday October 23

Jazz Concert at Bloordale - evening

Sunday October 25

Semi-Annual Congregational Meeting after the Church Service

Thursday, October 29

Dementia Seminar #2 at Bloordale - afternoon

Saturday November 7

Property Clean up

Sunday November 15

Service at Wesburn Manor. Bloordale will host at 2:30 p.m. The Bloordale Choir will sing

Friday November 20

Movie Night with Brian

Friday November 27

Outing to The Christmas Market in the Distillery District

90th Anniversary of the United Church of Canada

On Wednesday, June 10th, we celebrated the 90th Anniversary of the United Church of Canada by ringing bells and singing on the front steps of the church and Nelsona reading the opening prayer of the first service of the UCC in 1925. Many thanks to Joan Hollowell and Gladys Lewis for providing the delicious cookies and juice!

Thanks to Major Kester Trim from The Salvation Army, Etobicoke Temple, for lending Gord Moore the bells to ring for this event and thanks also to Mr. Steve Allen for dropping them off with Gord.

The Lunch Bunch Beat

On June 7th, after the church service and coffee time, 14 Bloordale family and friends went to the Montreal Deli, on Dundas Street, just west of the 427.

While it is called ‘The Lunch Bunch’, many of us actually have breakfast; 6 on this day, with over half opting for eggs benedict. Three eaters had what the Montreal Deli is most famous for: deli lunches. (smoked meat on rye with fries and a pickle). The rest opted for sandwiches and salads.

As we did the previous year, we had a lunch bunch during our summer service on August 9th at Bounty Restaurant on Dundas Street West. In total 11 eaters came, including 3 from Richview and St. James, our Tri-Church partners.

Our next lunch bunch is on Sunday October 4th, after the church service and coffee time. We will be going to the popular Canadiana Restaurant, at Six Points Plaza (Dundas and Kipling)

To sign up or for information, please talk to Gord Moore (905-629-9736) or to me, Julia (416-622-6309). Carpooling is always provided, and all are welcome.

Julia Stavreff

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between native bands, our governments and, indeed, all non-native Canadians. From critical issues regarding housing, education, the fallout from the residential schools, to the tragedy surrounding missing women and girls, great challenges face our country.

The United Church of Canada, along with many other churches has signed a settlement agreement with the government of Canada and the native people concerning the role of churches in their operation of the residential schools. Many mistakes were made and abuses perpetrated. Much damage was done to family structures and native culture.

Your committee is committed to doing our part, in concert with our central church and the other churches, in a national effort to put the history behind us. Certain recommendations of the TRC report will serve as our compass. In June, for example we wrote to Yvan Baker, our Etobicoke Centre MPP, to urge the provincial government to pursue its commitments made regarding the missing women and girls, in essence, to arrange a public inquiry. Our congregation was represented in Ottawa when the TRC report was handed down. With thousands of others, we were not only informed, but greatly moved by the event and its revelations.

From time to time in the coming year, our committee, through a dedicated work group, will bring forward information and advocacy as we do our part within our community to ensure that the TRC recommendations find life. You are cordially invited to join this work if you, like us, are so moved. Speak to us. The work group includes Brian, Debbie, Anabelle, Lynn and Roy, all of whom attended the events in Ottawa.

It is important to note that a series of proposals for action were prepared for the U.C. Toronto Conference. They are comprehensive and give us valuable guidance in the context of a broad provincial and national effort. We pledge our best efforts as we strive to engage our congregation and our community.

Roy Harvey, Chair, Outreach and Advocacy

FALL PROPERTY CLEAN-UP Saturday November 7th The fall property clean-up will take place on Saturday November 7th. Lots to be done inside and outside, and the Property Committee cannot get it all done without help! Please Join us. The BUC Property Committee

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A Word to Bloordale Folk from the Pastoral Care Committee We are hard at work, keeping contact with Bloordale folk who need some support, a visit, a ride to church, a phone call, a card, a few flowers from a Sunday service, or some kind of encouragement, when life isn’t as rosy as one would like. Beyond that, we also take the opportunity to celebrate special events and achievements that help to make folks feel good.

We’re focussing on the congratulatory here. Did you know that we send birthday cards to our golden agers and give a rose to our new parents to welcome their babies? In order to keep these recognitions manageable, we’ve recently had to set some new guidelines. We now send birthday greetings to those who reach the age of 80 and then 85 years and 90 years. Thereafter, an annual birthday card is sent, but it was previously sent annually to all over 80. We also try to recognize a 50th or 60th Wedding Anniversary, when we are aware of it and the occasional other special event.

Regarding the Rose Ministry, if you’re the grandparents or great-grandparents of a baby, who is currently or recently connected to Bloordale, you’ll also receive a rose.

Of course, you will recognize that we have limited resources and have to contain our enthusiasm on offering congratulations but we can shower you with verbal wishes when we are aware of your special occasion. We are always open to hearing of those times so that we can respond. We’re only as able as the information we receive, so please keep us in the loop. Speak to Joan, Fay, Shirley J., Bob or Helen

Outreach and Advocacy At the Council meeting of Sept. 8, 2015, our outreach and advocacy relating to the Truth and Reconciliation [TRC] report was presented as a priority for our collective efforts. As you now well know, the report, released last spring, provided, as a result of three years of study and consultation, a series of recommendations to lead us to improved conditions for our aboriginal citizens and for healing of the scarred relationship

Yvonne at the Mozambique Orphanage Project This summer, one of our youth members, Yvonne Mulholland da Cruz, travelled to Mozambique and served as a volunteer at the Mozambique Orphanage Project. Three Sisters and their small group of staff and assistants run the orphanage, a hot lunch program for nearby schools, an infant nutrition program and a local kindergarten program.

Yvonne made a presentation about her trip at the Sept 13th worship service. More details will be published in the next Bloorbeat.

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Tri-Church Discussions Discussions have been going on with St James and Richview for well over a year. The teams from the three congregations have got to know each other better and have come up with some things that could be done together but little progress has been made beyond events like joint summer services which were already in place. There is still a strong identification with the congregation each member belongs to. While amalgamation has been on the lips of all parties at our Tri-Church meetings there has been a resistance to going there. I would describe the attitude as more “we are willing to take you in” than let’s amalgamate and make dreams and visions for what could only be done together. Progress was likely hindered by not having an independent facilitator who could identify road blocks and assist in finding solutions to these road blocks. At Bloordale’s congregational meeting in March most of the members attending did not believe we could continue with the current model for another 5 years as financial and human resources are deteriorating. With much reluctance most members would be prepared to give up our round sanctuary, if necessary. Edge Consultant who assisted with our study of property options for Bloordale stated that Bloordale needed to develop its long term strategy before embarking on property options. St. James is currently looking at property options for their congregation which could impact amalgamation down the road. I met with Barry Holt who is leading the committee at St. James looking at their property options and we concluded that both churches needed to establish a vision and plan before taking action such as selling property. The same is almost certainly the case with Richview as well. We both felt strongly that a larger amalgamated church could carry out our mission more effectively and efficiently. This meeting led to a larger meeting including Julia Stavreff where we decided to make a presentation to our respective congregations requesting approval to retain an independent consultant to facilitate discussions leading to a possible amalgamation or merger of our three churches. The Tri-Church Committee believes that we have a common view of the direction to which our churches should be going which will be the basis of our new vision: 1. Youth programs that teach Christian values

that engage our children and youth. 2. Ministers that get involved and understand our

community; 3. Sermons that apply to everyday life with

references from the Bible; 4. Our church as a major force in the

neighbourhood providing space and time for activities and involvement in community outreach;

5. A place to socialize, meet people and develop friendships;

6. Providing music that is uplifting and relevant to congregation and youth;

7. Programs for adults and seniors in spiritual education and discussion groups;

8. More visitations to the sick and elderly as our congregation grows.

Uniting our congregations would aim to build a vision and vigour for what is only possible together. This vision would almost certainly involve a model change to create the desired vigour. Our Tri-Church group felt strongly that we are not meeting the needs of younger people and families. However, we must also continue to meet the faith needs of our senior congregations. This could for example mean two congregations for worship, Senior and Junior, under one roof with ministers dedicated to each. We should not underestimate the time and effort such an amalgamation would take. As we assess our progress after each step, we need to consider whether or not we have the resources, energy, leadership and the will to complete the journey. We need to continue to assess along the way whether or not we have enough commonality of cultures to make an amalgamation work. Any vision and plan for amalgamation would be brought to the respective Councils and congregations for final approval. We have had a discussion with a consultant suggested by the United Church. Cost would be in the range of $12,000 to $15,000 split at least two ways. We are currently arranging an interview with a second consultant from "Edge", an organization which assisted with the Bloordale property options study. The Planned Gift Fund is a possible source of these funds. We would need to exempt the provision that restricts use of these funds until the balance exceeds $50,000. The progress of the Tri-Church discussions was reviewed at the Church Council meeting on September 8 and the following resolution was approved: THAT the Council approach the congregation at the semi-annual meeting (Oct. 25) to explain the Tri-Church Committee’s work to date and seek support for the hiring of an independent consultant to consider the possibility of amalgamating with St. James and/or Richview United Churches. Costs, in both time and money, for this process would be shared by the participating churches. Jim Donaghy,

BUC Chair of Tri-church Committee

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BLOORBEAT PUBLICATION SCHEDULE

Following are the publication schedule and deadlines for submissions for future issues

Publication Submission Date Deadline

2015

Nov 15 Nov 8

2016

Jan 17 Jan 10 March 13 Mar 6 May 15 May 8

From the Editor:

Bloorbeat Submission Guidelines

When you email items to Julia and myself for Bloorbeat, please include words about the specific content in your e-mail header and in any file names. This makes it much easier to locate the items in my rather busy e-mail inbox when putting the Bloorbeat together.

In general, for text-based submissions, please avoid use of fancy fonts, headers, spacings or tab settings because these create more work for me and make it more difficult to maintain a consistent style in the newsletter.

Straight text, in 10 point font, with bold (but not underlined) headings in 14 point font, is best.

Invitation for Submissions to Bloorbeat

Spiritual perspectives, committee news, community happenings, and ideas for changes and improvements to make Bloordale an even nicer place than it already is are all welcome.

Please submit or discuss your ideas with our Communications Committee chair Julia Stavreff, 416-622-6309, stavreffj@stavreff.com

Police Appreciation

Service - 2015

at Bloordale United Church

4258 Bloor Street West, Etobicoke, ON

Sunday October 18, 2015, at 10:30 a.m.

This will be an Interdenominational service led by Reverend Brian McIntosh and others from the Toronto Police Service

It will be attended by on duty and off duty police officers and their families, primarily from 22 Division.

Hands on viewing for parents and children, of police cars, motorcycles, bicycles and

more!

Refreshments to follow

PLEASE JOIN US

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Bloorbeat is published 5 times a year by the Communications Committee of

Bloordale United Church 4258 Bloor St. W.

Etobicoke ON M9C 1Z7

(416) 621-1710

Email: bloordale@bellnet.ca Website: www.bloordale.ca

Committee Chair Julia Stavreff Editor John Pauksens

Distribution Coordinators Joan Hollowell Shirley Scott

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To advertise, please call John Pauksens, 416-622-6309

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