We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Our building and administrative office will be closed Sunday, December 25, 2022 to Monday, January 2, 2023.
Service of Thanksgiving Celebrating the Life of Ruth "Connie" Constance Buck 26 April 1930 – 8 December 2022 Fairlawn Avenue United Church, Toronto 28 January 2023 ~ 2:00 p.m. Following the Service We know that there are, among us, a great many "Connie stories" and every one contains an element of surprise ("I didn't know that about Connie!") and an essential element of Connie that rings true. We all, but especially Roy and Cindy and other members of Connie's family here today, want to hear those stories! Following the service the sanctuary will remain open for all who would like to mingle, talk among friends, and speak with Roy and Cindy. In addition, we are leaving the microphone at the front set up and live, so that if there are really good stories that we all would love to hear, you can go to the mic, and tell your story to everyone! The church will remain open as long as Roy and Cindy are still here! Duty of Care In our continuing commitment to keep everyone who uses our Fairlawn Avenue United facilities safe and comfortable, Fairlawn requires that masks be worn when in the building. We also provide two seating options in the sanctuary: unrestricted and socially distanced. Also, if you are feeling unwell for any reason, please stay home and take care of yourself.
REGISTRATION ENDS TODAY! Come and enjoy a meal of tasty pancakes with friends right after church. The lunchtime offering includes your choice of plain, blueberry, chocolate chip or gluten-free pancakes, fresh fruit salad and coffee/tea/juice at a cost of $10 for adults, $5 for children and $25 for a family of four. All monies raised will go to Fairlawn's Refugee Sponsorship Fund as we have three cases in the pipeline, with the first case (hopefully) arriving in the first quarter of 2023. Cash, credit, debit, Apple Pay and Google Pay will be accepted at the door. Please register by Feb. 16
The church will be closed Monday, Feb. 20 for Family Day
RESCHEDULED DUE TO WEATHER -> WEDNESDAY, MARCH 1 AT 7:00PM Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the season of Lent which is the 40 days leading up to Easter. This holy season within the church is meant to be a time of refocusing on our spiritual practices as a way of preparing for Easter. We begin the season of Lent with Ash Wednesday which focuses our awareness of the fragility of life, as well as our experiences of brokenness, and our need for forgiveness, healing, and wholeness. We will be worshiping in the style of Taizé. Taizé is a small village, south of Burgundy, in eastern France. The village is home to an ecumenical monastic community founded after World War II to provide a place of refuge and forgiveness for those seeking healing and reconciliation after the distress and devastation of war. One of its trademarks is the singing of distinctive music during candlelit services. Taizé music highlights simple phrases, usually lines from the Psalms or other pieces of scripture, sung repeatedly. The repetition is designed to help meditation and prayer. The Taizé monks believe that orange is the color of the Holy Spirit because orange is warm and light. The orange cloth reminds us that the Holy Spirit is present. You are invited to settle into presence with God. Get comfortable. Feel free to close your eyes. May the words and the music carry you.
Instead of wishing away winter, what would happen if we embraced its gift to us? Sometimes winter is not just a season of the year – sometimes it is also a season of the heart. You are invited to join Jean Ward in a four-week exploration of how our northern spirits are shaped by the rhythm of our seasons – in particular, winter and its movement into spring. Through the use of music, poetry, readings and, of course, our collective wisdom, we will journey towards spring together. “Wintering brings about some of the most profound and insightful moments of our human experience, and wisdom resides in those who have wintered.” Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times by Katherine May, REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED Online Monday evenings – March 6, 13, 20 & 27 – 7:30–9:00pm
Instead of wishing away winter, what would happen if we embraced its gift to us? Sometimes winter is not just a season of the year – sometimes it is also a season of the heart. You are invited to join Jean Ward in a four-week exploration of how our northern spirits are shaped by the rhythm of our seasons – in particular, winter and its movement into spring. Through the use of music, poetry, readings and, of course, our collective wisdom, we will journey towards spring together. “Wintering brings about some of the most profound and insightful moments of our human experience, and wisdom resides in those who have wintered.” Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times by Katherine May, REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED In person Tuesday afternoons – March 7, 14, 21 & 28 – 1:00pm–2:30pm
Palm Sunday Worship Service Rev. Dr. Ambury Stuart Preaching & Presiding Sunday, April 2 at 10:30am
Maundy Thursday Worship Service Rev Douglas duCharme & Rev. Jean Ward Preaching & Presiding Thursday, April 6 at 7:30pm
Maundy Thursday Worship Service Rev Douglas duCharme & Rev. Jean Ward Preaching & Presiding Eleanor Daley, Director of Music Friday, April 7 at 10:30am
Hosted by John and Elaine McCarthy on Sunday, April 9 at 9:00am in the Assembly Hall. Breakfast will include an opening prayer, coloured hard-boiled Easter eggs, hot cross buns with fixings, coffee, tea, juice and enjoyable company. Please Register before Wednesday April 5.