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ec 2017

Volume XXXVI, Issue 5

BLOORBEAT The Newsletter of

Minister’s Message

Worship Without Sacrifice? This past winter I read a fascinating book called The Altars Where We Worship: The Religious Significance of Popular Culture, one of three authors of which is my seminary alma mater Emmanuel College’s newly retired Principal, Mark Toulouse. In the book the authors address the central question of not whether North Americans are religious but how we are religious. Despite controversial United Church minister Gretta Vosper’s protestations to the contrary, these authors are persuasive in their assessment that “genuine atheists do not exist, since everyone believes in some source of ultimate meaning or fulfillment.” These theologians stand in a long line of those who have made similar claims, including standout theologian of the 60’s and 70’s, Paul Tillich, who spoke of one’s “god” being that to which we offer our ultimate loyalty, whether money or country, pleasure or self. Since we’re in the 500th Anniversary year of the beginnings of the Protestant Reformation, let me share a quote from German theologian Martin Luther that makes the same point from a very different social and historical context. In response to the question, “What does it mean to have a god?” the 16th century monk answered, “Trust and faith of the heart alone make both God and idol. … Whatever then thy heart clings to … and relies upon, that is properly thy God.” Toulouse and his co-writers argue that North Americans “believe, first, in a serviceable God. We want a God who meets our needs, who provides altars where we can get good service. Second, we want a friendly God, who blesses us as we become comfortable, wealthy, and successful. … The objects of our attention have become our God, and fulfilling our desires has become our religion. … Though we claim to serve things that are sacred, in actuality we deem sacred those things that serve us.” This blends into a discussion about the currency of those who claim to be spiritual but not religious, the SBNRs among us. “It seems a sizable number of (North) Americans approach religion as if it were a large salad bar, where one can pick and choose goodies from a seemingly infinite variety of bowls and mix up their own favourite combinations.” Whereas an older meaning associated with religion was ‘faith seeking understanding,’ today’s meaning seems increasingly to be ‘pleasure seeking opportunity.’ Over six chapters the authors discuss six particular cultural ‘altars’ of morality, meaning, and community, namely 1) body and sex, 2) entertainment, 3) sports, 4) politics, 5) big business, and 6) science and technology, and claim that, consciously or not, people have begun to meet their religious and spiritual needs in non-religious way through these iconic cultural endeavours, which ironically end up serving them instead of eliciting any larger sense of worship or service. At least one conclusion that one can reach from this is that a decline in (continued on page 4)

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IN THIS ISSUE

Title Page

Minister’s Message 1 Worship in the Weeks Ahead 2 Stewardship Spot 3 Upcoming Events Summary 3 Minister’s Message Cont’d 4 Joint Worship w. Reform Church 4 St James Food Basket 4 All Tenants Potluck 5 Holly Tea and Cookie Sale 5 Craft Night 2018 5 Thank You Coffee Volunteers 5 UC Observer Subscriptions 5 Good News about Dementia 6 Silent Auction Returning 6 From Pastoral Care 6 401st Scouting News 7 Fraud Seminar Writeup 7 Day of the Girl Photo 7 Financial Update 8 Council Update 8 Revitalization Task Group Rep’t 9 Christmas Eve Worship 9 Fall Trivia Challenge 10 Doors Open Toronto at BUC 10 Planned Gift Fund 10 Birth Announcements 11 BUC Committees are Hiring 11 Upcoming Christmas Concerts 11 Gifts with Vision Catalogue 11 Ministries of Presence 12 Lunch Bunch Beat 13 Blue Christmas Service 13 Thank You UCW 13 Four Men at Bloordale 14 UCW News 14 Come From Away Tickets 14 In Memorium 15 Craft Eventures Ad 15 Bloorbeat Submission Guide 15 Bloorbeat Publication Schedule 15 Delmanor Ad 16 Anne Karda Ad 16 Advertising Rates 16

WORSHIP SERVICES IN THE WEEKS AHEAD

Worship Schedule

Nov. 19 24th Sunday after Pentecost

26 Reign of Christ / COMMUNION

Dec. 3 Advent 1

10 Advent 2 / White Gift

17 Advent 3 / Lessons and Carols

24 Advent 4 / Morning service

24 Christmas Eve / COMMUNION 4 pm

31 Christmas 1 at Fellowship Christian Reform Church 10am

Jan. 7 Epiphany / COMMUNION

14 Baptism of Jesus

21 Epiphany 3 / Week of Prayer for Christian Unity begins / Pulpit Exchange

All Services at 10:30 a.m. except as indicated

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

Administrative Assistant Halyna Parypa

Organist & Choir Director Mervin Fick

Custodian Victor Nguyen

Church Council

Chair (Acting) Julia Stavreff

Church Council Secretary Dana Bach

Congregational Meeting Secretary Pat Nelson

Board of Trustees Jack Lovatt

Ministry and Personnel Co-Chairs Dana Bach

Pat Conway-Willis

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

Pat Conway-Willis

Communications Julia Stavreff

Christian Development Vacant

Finance & Stewardship Jack Lovatt

Outreach (Acting) Lynn Lawrence

Pastoral Care Sylvia Williams

Planned Gift & Memorial Funds Vacant

Property (Acting) John Pauksens

Social and Fund Raising Julia Stavreff

United Church Women Joan Hollowell

Worship Sharron Le Blanc

Members-at-Large Jim Bell

Amy Bickford

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

Buried Treasure As I write this column, I’m also writing a sermon for mid-November, on the Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25: 14-30. It’s toward the end of Matthew’s gospel, and therefore also near the end of the story of Jesus, just prior to his arrest, trial, and death. Unique to Matthew’s gospel, in chapter 25 the Parable is sandwiched between two others, the Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids and the Judgment of the Nations, and all three go together with some pretty heavy teaching in Matthew’s latter chapters about “the end of days,” ie. the end of life, the end of all things, passages which have been misinterpreted by more literal biblical scholars for centuries. These are the passages in which the timing of the earth’s destruction can somehow be read between the lines, and bad television preachers have been making miscalculations and mistimed apocalyptic predictions in reading them for as long as television has existed, and long before. When I was a child, I took passages such as these, and the predictions that grew out of them, as I would long-range weather forecasts – lacking just enough precision as to seem inevitable, like the far-off change of seasons. Likewise, the Parable of the Talents made me nervous. I was raised with the understanding that one should conduct one’s financial affairs in a trustworthy way, and that the maintenance of a good credit rating would bring a person closer to godliness as well as cleanliness. An investment riskier than a passbook savings account, which I got when I had my paper route over in Leaside, was viewed with suspicion. Making money through any method other than sweat and thrift was considered reckless wheeling and dealing. By those standards, the servant who buried their one talent rather than risk losing it was wisely cautious, doing their job and doing it well – and certainly not deserving of being cast into “outer darkness, (to the) weeping and gnashing of teeth!” This heading-toward-final-judgment part of the Christian calendar just made it a little harder for me to sleep at night each year! The dramatic consequences of “wrongful living” stated in these passages shouldn’t be ignored entirely, I suppose, but we who have assumed positions of leadership in the church should counterbalance such negative assessments of their meaning and retain their more positive aspects. There are lessons being given in this Parable, for instance, about our call to a different way of living in relation to God, who isn’t just in the End, or the Beginning, but is right there with us on the ride through the long bumpy Middle too. The choice about such things is really left up to

us. We can live as many do in our time and times, like God is ineffectual or non-existent, meaningless to our days and nights both. We can also live like fewer still do, assuming that God is so supremely important as to be utterly brittle, so that we don’t dare risk making a mistake – like our lives are fine china on loan from Grandma, and her rage about a broken plate would destroy us! But there is yet another way, too. We can live like what we have – existence, talent, gifts of wit or woodworking – came from Someone who loves us, and who has given us each new day as a gift too, calling us out to take chances for the gospel and plant seeds of hope, to see what grows. How is the world, both close by us and beyond our home’s four walls, or even in the church in this time of challenge and change, at Bloordale and beyond, distressed and battered, even threatened with ending, through the belief that God isn’t there or doesn’t matter? What outer darkness do we create for ourselves and others out of our fear, of either failure or the future, and the burying of our gifts? Let’s not bury any of our gifts, both talent and treasure alike, and risk giving in the hope that God, who is still present with us, will use and multiply them for good! Brian

Upcoming Events Summary Sunday November 12, 7:00 p.m. Etobicoke Ecumenical 500th Reformation Anniversary service at Bloordale.

Saturday November 18, Fall Trivia Challenge at Bloordale 6:30 to 9:00 p.m.

Sunday November 19, Service at Wesburn Manor. Bloordale Hosts. Service at 2:30 p.m. The Bloordale Choir will sing.

Saturday December 2, 1:00 to 3:30 p.m. Holly Tea and Cookie Sale.

Tuesday, December 5, 6:30 p.m. First All Tenants Pot Luck Dinner.

Sunday December 17, the Choir performs their Christmas Service of Lessons, Carols and Anthems.

Sunday December 17, Service at Wesburn Manor. Bloordale Hosts. Service at 2:30 p.m. The Bloordale Choir will sing.

Sunday, January 14, Lunch Bunch lunch after the Church service at Bounty Restaurant on Dundas, just west of Hwy. 427.

Tuesday, January 23, UCW meets in the afternoon

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St. James Food Basket Needs Our Help

When you go shopping, please pick up one extra item for our food box, if you are able. Each week, we suggest a food item, to help feed the hungry.

Past weeks’ suggested items have been: peanut butter, cereal, canned tuna or salmon, toothpaste, pasta, beans or lentils, canned fruit, cookies and crackers.

Please put items in Bloordale’s food box, located in the sanctuary, and we shall take it to The St. James Food Basket.

Minister’s Message

(continued from Page 1)

religious attendance does not necessarily mean a decline in the religious impulse, which, it is claimed, is natural to us as a human species. That religious impulse is simply being channeled in culturally significant and powerful ways, and some would say, as a result, in distorted and dangerous ways also. One of the reasons I liked this book so much is because in the last two pages of the book, the authors use a quote from one of the twentieth century’s most influential religious figures who was also engaged in sociopolitical activism, Mahatma Mohandas K. Gandhi, and it’s a quote I have on my office wall for all to see. Gandhi morphed off of the seven deadly sins identified centuries ago, and identified seven social sins that potentially threaten the future of humanity, precisely because they represent human desires potentially overtaking human ideals, without which we are lost as a community, as a country, and as a species. Those seven social sins are:

pleasure without conscience; commerce without morality; knowledge without character; politics without principle; wealth without work; science without humanity; and worship without sacrifice.

The authors of the study go on to ask, in closing their study: “Is the (North) American obsession with body and sex an example of seeking pleasure without conscience? Is the desire for profitability and prosperity that serves a shrinking elite of (North) America’s population, where 1 percent enjoys about 50 percent of all wealth, setting us on the road to a commerce utterly devoid of morality? In a context where comedy that parodies the news becomes more informative than the news itself, and the entertainment industry exemplifies and inculcates the directives and values that define our daily living, are we purveying knowledge without character? With (our) deeply divided politics defined more by platitudes, platforms, and pejoratives than its care for the common good of its people, is there much doubt that contemporary politics are severely lacking in principle? While disciplined athletic efforts hone skills and develop talents, is the wealth associated with the few who play as professionals in (North) America comparable to the work product associated with them? Are the benefits of unfettered progress and the need for speed worth the costs as scientific advancements and technological innovations displace or destroy the humans they are supposed to serve?” Friends, it seems to these authors, and to me with them, that decreasing numbers at our

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organized religion worship altars on Sunday mornings has not meant the end of people’s worship, but that worship simply continues at new altars, a kind of idol worship that is, in Gandhi’s words, “without sacrifice.” The word ‘sacrifice’ comes from the roots sacer and face, and means to ‘make sacred or holy.’ Its connotation is that one makes one’s life sacred or holy by giving away the desire to lead a self-referential life only, being willing to give up one’s life for higher ideals than simply pleasure or wealth. Is it any wonder that new age anxiety about the future runs parallel to the new age spirituality rampant among us, a spirituality that is religiously rudderless and relatively self-referential, to the detriment of the human and the planet both? May our serious consideration of the future revitalization of our form of faith at Bloordale not give in to such idol worship, becoming simply a popularity contest which makes survival rather than true faithfulness to God in discipleship of Jesus our goal. Mid-autumn blessings to all of you. Brian

Joint Worship With our Christian Reform Neighbours

Dec. 31st at 10 am

We are invited to Worship at the Fellowship Christian Reform Church, 800 Burnhamthorpe Road (south side, just east of Mill Road), on December 31st this year.

We hosted our Christian neighbours from that Church on Labour Day Sunday early in September, and they’ve extended the invitation for us to worship with them as we close 2017. The service there is at 10 am, so please note the time difference.

Brian

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Bloordale United Church

Tenants' Potluck

Tuesday December 5th from 6:30 pm

Congregants and tenants are invited to join us for food, fun and conversation. in the Bloordale United Church gymnasium.

We are looking forward to a variety of foods and desserts. This will be a fun evening and we are looking forward to spending time together.

Holly Tea and Cookie Sale Saturday, December 2nd

1 :00 - 3:30 pm

Invite a friend and enjoy tea or coffee and scones with whipped cream and jam!

YUMMY!!!!

$7.00 per person

At $7.00 per dozen, you can also choose your Christmas Cookies at our delectable Cookie Corner

Craft Night 2018

Bloordale’s popular Craft Night for Kids is returning Friday evenings, February 2nd to February 23rd, 2018, (4 weeks), 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm.

We are looking at extending this program into March and April as well, and have applied for an “Embracing Spirit” grant to cover the cost of a paid coordinator to run the extended program. If the funding is approved, the extended program would be resourced with community college and high school volunteers together with a small core of Bloordale volunteers crafters.

If you would like to volunteer for any of the above evening(s), or for the extended program, please talk to Julia at 416-622-6309, or Diane at 905-847-0845 Come up with your own craft ideas, or we will provide one for you.

Choir Service The 3rd Advent Worship service on Dec 17th will

be

a Choir Service of Lessons and Carols

United Church Observer Subscriptions The United Church Observer is an award-winning monthly magazine that is run independently from

the United Church structure, focusing on faith and ethics in our post-modern world. Each year we ask for people to renew their subscriptions, for $25, by using the special envelope included in their box. Please note that this subscription requires that your donation of $25 be received in the

church office by the deadline, which is November 30th.

Thank You Coffee Hour Volunteers!

We thank you monthly , but you know we mean it from the bottom of our hearts.

You all do such a great job providing your homemade goodies and your time. Without you we could not enjoy each other's company or our invited newcomers to join us over coffee.

If you get an email or a call, from either one of us, please say yes, that you will volunteer for the month ie December, January and so on.

Many thanks again from Helen and Pat

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From the Pastoral Care Committee The Pastoral Care Committee is dedicated to the welfare of our congregation. We strive to connect with those who are shut in and those who are temporarily ill.

It would be very helpful if you would inform Sylvia Williams when you have made contact with one of our members needing a visit. She will chart it so no one is left out.

We would ask that you let Joan Hollowell know when you know of someone that is temporarily ill.

If we all work together we can take care of each other!

Can There be Good News About Dementia?

Here’s a Hint: You May be Surprised by the Answer! In the last few days, I’ve been attending the 9th Annual Canadian Conference on Dementia, that was held here in Toronto. There was a vast amount of information provided over the three days of the conference, with updates provided in public policy, global perspectives, clinical, and research findings. But a couple of items really struck me that I felt Bloordale congregation members would be interested in hearing about.

Admittedly, I’m starting with the bad news. As most of us are aware, at this point in time, the medical community does not have much to offer in terms of treatment for Alzheimer’s Disease and other dementias. And several large drug trials have failed at surprisingly late stages in the clinical trial process. But here’s the first piece of good news I want to share. But as a direct result of those failures, the scope of research that is currently underway, has broadened significantly. For many years, the research community thought they would identify the mechanisms of disease, and hence drug treatments, by focusing on the hallmark features of Alzheimer’s Disease, the so-called plaques and tangles that appear in the brains of patients. We have learned that the disease process is far more complicated, and now research funding is being provided that is exploring many alternative pathways and disease processes. This leads me to believe strongly that we do have hope for future treatment options. As one of the presenters described progress, we haven’t made our way to the top of the mountain yet, but now we’re exploring all the different sides of the mountain!

Another important area has been the increased focus on prevention. The failure of the pharmaceutical trials has highlighted the importance of lifestyle factors in prevention of Alzheimer’s Disease and other dementias. And with the publication of many reports in this area, we now know that the incidence of dementia is reduced by over 35% when lifestyle factors are considered. That’s more good news! Remember to stay active, and stay socially connected! Everything that is good for the heart is good for the brain. The “Mediterranean Diet” applies to brain health as well as heart health. Spirituality and church involvement factor in to many relevant aspects of prevention, including stress reduction, mindfulness, altruistic behaviour, and social interaction. And although it’s commonly identified that many active church members still develop dementia, prevention isn’t quite so clear-cut; for many of our church-going friends and family members, it may well have slowed down the onset.

And here’s one more piece of good news I would like to share. We have all heard the dire

predictions with quite dramatic numbers suggested in both the incidence of individuals being diagnosed and the predicted health care costs in the coming years. These numbers are presented in coincidence with our growing elderly population. But less widely recognized is the improved effectiveness for treating conditions like hypertension and related vascular conditions. The more aggressive treatments that have been implemented, especially since the 1990’s, have actually started to play into reducing the annual rates of diagnosis of dementia. In other words, although numbers continue to grow, the percentage of individuals diagnosed is starting to slow down.

So here is how I felt coming away from the conference: We may not be there yet, but we are doing some things right!

Submitted by: Diane Mulholland

Silent Auction Returning to Bloordale In conjunction with our 60th Anniversary dinner on March 4th, we will be holding a repeat Silent Auction. Please think about what you would like to contribute. Some suggestions include:

Theatre tickets

Sports tickets

Original artwork

Baking

Baby sitting

Cottage rentals

Bed and breakfast

Gift certificates

Proceeds from the Silent Auction will go towards Bloordale programmes.

For further information, please talk to Pat Nelson or any other member of the Social and Fundrais-ing Committee.

Let’s make our 60th year an outstanding one!

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Scouting News

The 401st Toronto Scouts group have been back

with sections running at full capacity. Lots of fun

activities as well as various community service

projects are being planned and carried out. A fall

camp for the full 401st group with all sections in

attendance took place in September.

You may have seen some of our

Beaver, Cubs, or Scouts out at

various locations around the

neighbourhood for Apple Day on the

weekend of October 21st. Or you may

have seen some of our Beavers on

Cubs featured on Breakfast Television promoting

the event! We were canvassing the Markland

Plaza and the Burnhamthorpe Plaza at Saturn

Road. Thank you to those of you who may have

seen Scout children and youth out that weekend

and made a donation; whether to our group, or

another. Some of the leftover apples are being

turned into some delicious baked goods by the

Venturers! We are finding it more difficult to find

sites for canvassing; increasingly, many of the

grocery store chains have declined any groups

from canvassing. We would be extremely grateful

for any local sites that would allow us to canvass.

Nevertheless, with a good turnout from youth,

and a positive response from our neighbours, we

still managed to raise over $2000 over the

weekend. One of the highlights of this activity is

the interaction with neighbours, and hearing the

stories that folks share about their own

connection to Scouting.

This coming Thursday our Scouts will

be down at Sherway assisting with the

Poppy Campaign on behalf of the

Royal Canadian Legion. Then the

Scouts will be off to Buffalo to visit the

Buffalo Army and Naval Park, staying overnight

on a retired naval ship.

Cubs had to postpone their Bruce Trail cleanup

activity because of rain, but they look forward to

helping out the Bruce Trail Association later in

November. We’ll be reminding them to dress

warmly for that day!

Don’t forget to watch for our

Christmas tree sale coming in

December. The trees have been

ordered, and will arrive on December

1. We’ll have trees available for sale

beginning December 2; come early for

the best selection!

In a separate Scouting news item, we were proud

of our own Yvonne Mulholland da Cruz, when this

photo was posted by Scouts Canada on October

11, 2017 on some of their social media sites, to recognize International Day of the Girl. The United Nations recognizes this day to highlight and address the needs and challenges girls face, while promoting girls’ empowerment and fulfillment of their human rights.

Diane Mulholland 401st Toronto Scouts Group Leader

Fraud Seminar Oct 19, 2017

The temperature on October 19 was warm and comfortable. Most people did not want to be indoors but, 58 sturdy souls came out to participate in an interesting, interactive and informative talk led by Constable Michael Burgess of

Division 22. Topics covered included computer fraud, credit card fraud, those pesky 5:00pm telemarketing calls and the calls telling you that your grandson has been stranded and you need to send funds via money gram or a review of your income tax return finds that you owe a sum and you will be arrested if you do not pay up. There were even some questions related to possible real estate fraud. The feed back from attendees is that the session was a success and Constable Burgess was heard making a follow up appointment with an attendee. We thank all members of the Pastoral Care Committee especially Nelsona who worked tirelessly to lead us to the successful outcome. We also thank our friends Norm Dundas, Irene McNair and Linda Smith for their time so generously given.

Sylvia Williams

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IMPORTANT FINANCIAL UPDATE

At the end of September contributions were significantly below budget and

what is necessary to end the year without a deficit.

The budget shortfall for contributions was $24,057.

The Finance Committee encourages all members to bring their contributions

up to date and to help by considering increasing your contributions as best

you can.

Your continued support is greatly appreciated.

Budget at Sept 30

Contributions to Sept 30

Shortfall

$118,000 $93,943 $24, 057

Update from Council Hello Everyone! I am your acting Chair of Council. Since we ‘Can’t Not have a Chair of Council’ I have volunteered for this position until our next AGM.

I would like to thank our previous Chair of Council, Roy Harvey, who has held the position for the past 2 ½ years, and done a wonderful job.Thank You Roy!

I would like to mention that all but two of our committee chair positions have been filled. Please see page 2 of this Bloorbeat, for current names and positions. Thank you all committee members, for contributing to the running of Bloordale United Church. We are always looking for additional committee members and currently for people to take on the two unfilled chair positions (for Christian Development, and for the Planned Gift & Memorial Fund due to the recent passing of Chair Bob Hitchcock). Again, please take a look at Bloorbeat’s page 2, and if any committee interests you, please talk to their Chair, or to me about joining.

To make our committee chairs’ work less onerous (because we are, after all, volunteers), Council will be meeting once every two months, instead of every month, and the date has been changed to the second Monday of the month (instead of Tuesday) in order to allow some additional attendance opportunities. If the need arises, we will have additional Council meetings to keep the business of the church moving in a timely basis.

Like many churches in Toronto, and very widely in Ontario, in Canada as a whole and in the United States, Bloordale has been experiencing challenges: financial, attendance and volunteer ones. Addressing these issues is a key goal of our Revitalization Committee.

Bloordale is a wonderful Church

We have wonderful staff,

We have a wonderful Choir,

We care about each other

And we care about our community.

With a little extra effort, we can not just survive, but also thrive!

Julia Stavreff Acting Chair of Council

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 $90, so please speak to Sharron or Mervin about your wish to support the music program in this way.

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Report from the Revitalization Task Group At our congregational meetings regarding the Phoenix Report, there seemed to be a renewed appreciation for Bloordale; a feeling that we wanted to continue to make a go of things.

A Revitalization Task Group, chaired by myself, Julia Stavreff, was named by Bloordale Council to look at options for our growth and our success, including having more people come to Bloordale services, having healthier finances and having more volunteers.

A great deal of support was shown for the new task group, with 20 members initially signing on to the group. The support continues, but the number of regular participants dropped, due to health and time restrictions, to a healthy but more manageable task group size of 14. The 6 unable to continue on a regular basis have indicated their continuing interest in being kept up to date re what is going on, and we continue to send them the working notes from our meetings. If you would also like to receive these working notes or to join the regular task group participants please let us know. The Council and the entire Congregation will, of course be kept informed as the work of the task group unfolds. And even if you cannot attend our meetings on a regular basis , your ideas your support will be very welcome.

There was a writeup in our September issue of Bloorbeat, after 3 meetings of the task group. I hope that you have read that. Subsequently there has been a fourth meeting of the overall task group and several meetings of two subgroups as well.

We have different people on this Task Group , with different ideas. Some are more practical, and some are more philosophical. Our goal is to come up with ideas to do things that will provide results.

One of these ideas is to have a Young Family Service, in addition to our present service. St. Matthews Anglican Church on Bloor St. has such a service. Two of us have gone to check it out, and we would like a few more volunteers. Tell me if scouting out the service is something you can do. Their Young Families Service is Sunday mornings at 9:30 and lasts approximately 45 minutes.

Our group has formed a ‘Property Options” Subgroup; to look at options re using Bloordale space in a variety of different ways.

Representatives from EDGE, a United Church Initiative Group, have talked to our property options subgroup; there is a possibility that has been floated that would have Bloordale continuing to worship here, and continuing to use space in line with our Mission and with what we want to accomplish, but EDGE looking after rental and other property matters. It sounds positive on the Surface. EDGE representatives will present at our

next council meeting in November, so that we may better understand what EDGE is proposing. Stay tuned.

A second subgroup that has been formed is the Community Engagement Subgroup. One of this group’s tasks is to look at what Bloordale has to offer, that is positive and expand from there.

Some things we are looking at are:

- Get funding from the United Church to increase of Winter Craft Night from 1 month to 3 months (with a paid coordinator instead of volunteer coordinators)

- look at an inexpensive Children’s Choir

-have Bloordale participate in ‘Doors Open Toronto’ in May 2018, showcasing our Round and Unique Sanctuary, in this, our 60th year

- have an open mic night, where the community can come and tell us what they would like our Church to be, and churches in general

- Place an article in our local Marklander, ‘What’s wrong with Church” and have people respond

These are just some ideas that we have come up, and are planning to follow up on. There are others that have been suggested as well, and, I hope and expect more to come. All ideas and suggestions are welcome. Some will be more practical than others, and some, which may seem impractical at first will seed variations, which may well be golden!

There has been considerable discussion in the Task group meetings about what we do well at Bloordale. One of the things that we do especially well is caring for each other both here at Bloordale and out there in our wider community. We have to let people know this, including both ourselves and that wider community.

At our semiannual congregational meeting it was suggested to me that we all do a group HUG. That’s rather intimidating for me and probably for others in our congregation as well . So Instead, I said: "Let’s cheer and say Go Bloordale!" Our meeting participants did with much enthusiasm.

Let's continue to sustain and nurture such enthusiasm!

Julia Stavreff Chair of the Revitalization Task Group 416-622-6309 / 416-621-8050 stavreffj@stavreff.com

Christmas Eve Worship

Join us for our candlelight family Christmas Eve Worship Service on Sunday December 24th at 4:00 pm!

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NIGHT FALL TRIVIA CHALLENGE

Family Fun ages 8 - 100 BLOORDALE UNITED CHURCH 4258 BLOOR ST W, ETOBICOKE

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 18TH

, 2017 from 6:30pm – 9:00pm

Doors open @ 6:00pm // Tickets: $20 for adults/$10 for ages 8-15

**FAMILY PRICING AVAILABLE– call to inquire**

(Limited to 200 people – Tickets on sale NOW!!)

-Door Prizes -50/50 Draw -Free Slice of Pizza & Snacks

-Cash Bar & Refreshments for purchase

-Prizes for Winners

Contact Roxanne D. 416-881-0997 or Nancy 416-620-5377

DOORS OPEN TORONTO

Bloordale Initiative

Doors Open Toronto is an annual event when approximately 150 buildings of architectural, historic, cultural, and social significance to the City of Toronto open their doors to the public for a free citywide event. Eighteen years ago, Toronto was the very first city in North America to host Doors Open; in 2017 there were 45 Doors Open events in Ontario cities and towns.

With Bloordale’s 60th anniversary coming up in March 2018, and the uniqueness of our round Sanctuary, we thought it would be exciting if we could arrange for Bloordale United Church to be one of the venues for Doors Open Toronto on May 26th and 27th, 2018.

An approach was made to the City of Toronto in the spring and one of their staff came out to Bloordale in October for a site inspection.

We will receive an answer in the next couple of weeks as to whether our site will be included in Doors Open Toronto in May 2018. We are hoping for a favourable response because of our anniversary, our unusual round Sanctuary, having a totally accessible building located on both TTC and Mississauga bus lines, having a large parking lot and the fact that there aren’t very many Doors Open sites in this part of Etobicoke west of highway 427.

While we await a reply from the city, we have scoured Bloordale’s archives and compiled timelines from the formation of the congregation in 1958 through to the dedication of the Christian Education Center in April 1964. We have also gathered facts about the symbolism of the round Sanctuary which represents modernism in church architecture similar to how Christians in the first three centuries gathered around the Lord’s Table. At Bloordale, no one in the congregation is more than 40 feet away from the pulpit. As well, interviews are being conducted with some of Bloordale’s charter members in order to collect stories of the early days of the congregation.

If we receive the go ahead, we are hoping that this will be an opportunity for many Toronto and Mississauga residents to acquaint themselves with our building and congregation. There are probably many people who for years have driven past Bloordale without realizing what we have here.

We will keep you posted!

Patricia Nelson

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

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Pre-Authorized Remittance (PAR)

One of the ways that people who care about Bloordale act to secure its future is through the PAR program. Brochures that outline how to do this are available in the display case near the office, or speak to Brian, Norm Dundas or Jack Lovatt if you’d like more information. PAR does offer the church your consistent support, and helps with budget planning.

BLOORDALE COMMITTEES ARE HIRING!!!

Where do your interests lie?

Christian Development?

Outreach and Advocacy?

Pastoral Care?

Property?

All committees would be happy to welcome new members.

Please consider sharing your ideas and energy during this rejuvenation period in our church’s life.

For more information please contact Pat Nelson, Joan Hollowell or Shirley Scott

Patricia Nelson for the Nominating Committee

Upcoming Christmas Concerts Artistic Director: Mervin William Fick

PCS Singers/Brampton presents

“Twas the Night Before . . .”

Sunday November 26th at 7:00 p.m.

The Rose Theatre

1 Theatre Lane,

Brampton, Ontario

Tickets - $25/$20

MCCS Chorus presents John Rutter’s Gloria

Saturday December 2nd at 7:30 p.m.

First United Church

151 Lakeshore Road West

Mississauga, Ontario

Tickets - $20/$10

The Four Men celebrate the Season

with Songs of Love, Hope and Inspiration

Friday, December 8th at 7:00p.m.

Manor Road United Church *

240 Manor Road, East

Toronto, Ontario

Tickets $20/$15 (seniors)

Toronto Beach Choral presents G.F. Handel Messiah

Sunday December 10th at 7:30 p.m.

Kingston Road United Church

975 Kingston Road

Toronto, Ontario

Tickets - $25/$12.50

* Manor Road United Church was Rev Brian’s home church in Toronto, the one he grew up in, and where he became a candidate for ministry.

Birth Announcements

Congratulations to

Kristina Pauksens and Andrew Perry

on the birth of

Poppy Andrea Barbara Perry

on Wednesday, October 4th, 2017.

A sister for Aria and second grandchild

for John Pauksens and Julia Stavreff

Gifts with Vision: A Gift-Giving Catalogue from the UCC

This catalogue, perfect for alternative Christmas gifts, was developed in response to requests from United Church people to be able to target gifts for United Church partners, and

represent a special opportunity to offer in-kind gifts to loved ones at Christmas or for other special occasions, over and above our congregation’s Mission and Service Fund givings. Take a catalog, pass it on, and talk to Brian if you want to know more, as he’s been offering these alternative gifts for years!

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Ministries of Presence Beginning in 1982 the South West Presbytery has been engaged in “ministries of presence” in the Jane-Finch and Davenport-Perth communities. The role of these ministries is “to provide community development and community organizing support, offer pastoral care and do advocacy through coalitions and networks.

Due to financial challenges and restructuring issues within the Toronto Conference, ongoing support for these vital community ministries is at risk and the existing financial envelope is expected to end in 2018. The Community Ministries Commission formed a Strategy Working Group in the Fall of 2015 tasked with developing a comprehensive strategy to allow the continued viability of the two community ministries in serving the needs of the people of the Davenport-Perth and Jane-Finch communities. The work of the Strategy team was supported by the Coordinating Committee both financially and in active participation.

The Presbytery meeting held on September 26th was dedicated to discussing and making decisions regarding the ongoing financial support for the Jane-Finch and Davenport-Perth Community Ministries. We are happy to report that 66% of the Presbyters in attendance voted to support the two Community Ministries.

Although a great deal of research was done and cash flow analyses prepared, both Barry Reider and Tina Conlon, the two Ministers of Jane-Finch and Davenport-Perth respectively addressed the Members of the Presbytery. Both were very impactful and made a difference. We have included Tina Conlon’s address which we hope you find enlightening.

Paul Rose Norman Dundas Brian McIntosh

________________

Davenport/Perth Community Ministries

Tina Conlon

For our last session of Soup and Prayers, one of our participants wrote to Mayor John Tory, inviting him to join in our prayers to recognize “the Victims of poverty in our community,” citing the role the late Pam McConnell held as Deputy Mayor who championed Toronto’s poverty reduction strategy. He also invited politicians from other levels of government.

The Mayor did not show up and the Member of Parliament sent two of her assistants. The Member of Provincial Parliament came with her assistant.

After the opening prayers, the participants spoke about the power of prayer. Participants then

spoke about how poverty affects them and those they love directly, from not having sustainable livelihoods, the precariousness of work to the indignities of having inadequate income. They spoke of the lack of housing, the difficulty of purchasing medication, of getting child or elderly care while they go about their business of going to school, work or visiting their doctor. They spoke about the unaffordability of public transit, that while food is not necessarily expensive in the city, it is difficult to access. They spoke of the frustration of having to wait several days or weeks for a cheque that was endorsed to them get cleared in the bank. The politicians responded with compassion, took notes then we prayed to the unseen, powerful presence in our midst that can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine.

If I were to choose a book in the Bible that best represents Davenport Perth Community Ministry, I would choose the book of Job. At Davenport Perth, I meet people who have lost everything. I meet people who were dislocated from their homes, people who lost their livelihoods, lost the love of those closest to them, their wives, their children, have fallen ill to a variety of illnesses, whether brought on by mental disease or addiction. Maybe, some of these have brought these problems on to themselves but then, also like Job, these are righteous people who lost everything through no fault of their own.

Friends, and even loved ones, seek causality for ills. If a cause were found, then a solution can easily be found. Surely, they must have done something wrong to cause these failings. They made wrong choices. They did not save for the future. God must surely be punishing them. We must save them. Even Job’s wife, perhaps in frustration to have an end to all these suffering, told Job to curse God and die (Job 2:9).

In the ministry of accompaniment, we affirm that which we say in our creed, that we are not alone. And it is in this affirmation that allows people to speak up, and give witness, because if they were quiet, the stones themselves will cry out (Luke 19.40). It is reading with them Biblical stories from an experience of suffering, with the lens of those without privilege.

It is this affirmation that gives boldness for people to speak truth to power. And after Elijah did just that, he sought refuge and drank from the wadi and was given meat and bread to eat by the ravens, enjoying the hospitality of those who had even less than the poor, the poorest of the poor.

Jesus rebuked the disciples who thought that the ointment the woman in Bethany massaged on his feet could have been sold for a large sum, and the money given to the poor, “For you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me.” (Matthew 26:11)

The poor is not an abstraction created for the

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Thank You UCW!

For coordinating and paying for the cleaning of our CE Building corridor floors (mentioned in the last issue). And, more recently, for arranging and paying for the trimming of our trees and paying for a much needed new grass trimmer.

__________________________________

benefit of benefactors to feel good about giving a gift to. This formulation only serves to separate the world into givers or receivers. Indigenous people who have hosted and continue to host us have told me that the closest concept to define what we call poverty is lack of kinship.

For as long as we regard “the poor” as an abstract concept, separate from ourselves, we will always be poor.

What do I believe in? I found a statement I wrote years ago and was surprised that it is still what I believe.

I believe

that we have one Gospel:

the same Gospel is to be preached to both the rich and the poor.

That the Gospel needs to be preached and it does not need to look

Attractive

Relevant

needed, etc.

before it is given to all.

That whether it be via works or by words, the preaching of the Gospel needs to be carried out.

But that words and works need to be contiguous in order for them to have meaning.

That when a person is hungry, you give them bread, but in your giving of bread, you do not make the person so dependent on you even for the meaning of life.

That we side with those who bring justice and good news.

That in our being bearers of Good News we see ourselves also as the hearers of Good News.

That this is what Incarnation means. That God did not rebuff the human condition, but embraced it.

The Lunch Bunch Beat The Bloordale Lunch Bunch has been around for a number of years, and has every intention of continuing. The brainchild of Gord Moore, the Lunch Bunch arranges for group lunches after the church service and coffee time. Generally we try to have outings every 6 to 8 weeks in nearby restaurants, and are able to accommodate groups of 10 to 20 people. Not everyone’s favourite spot can accommodate a group of this size at peak Sunday brunch time, but do give us your suggestions, and we will see what can be done.

When we go, we sit together at tables of 4 or 6, and order from the menu (breakfast, lunch or even dinner) and pay individually. Everyone is welcome. We will save you a spot if you are on “coffee” duty at the church and will be a bit late.

Our last Lunch Bunch lunch was on October 29th, at the Q, on the Queensway. Seventeen people came, and this time around we sat at two adjacent tables of ten. I try to balance the tables, and the seating arrangements, but sometimes people are too independent, and don’t listen to me! And that is fine too.

Eggs benny seemed to be most popular this time and six of us had them, some regular and some deluxe. Waffles or French toast fed five of us, three had the standard bacon and eggs, one had an omelet and one had the most delicious frittata! Because The Q started life as a St. Hubert Chicken restaurant, one of us had the famous quarter chicken dinner. The restaurant was very busy , and service was slower than usual even though we had told them our numbers ahead of time. Generally, we like to be in and out of our restaurants within 1 ½ hours, not 2 ½ hours. Noneth less, all had a good time.

Our next lunch bunch is slated for January, 14th at the Bounty Restaurant on Dundas Street just west of Highway 427. If possible, lease tell us in advance that you are coming, so that our numbers for reserved seating are not way off. But last minute eaters are also welcome; just let us know during coffee time.

To sign up, or for information, talk to Gord Moore (647-660-1359) or to me, Julia (416-622-6309). Carpooling is provided, and a good time is had by all.

Julia Stavreff

Blue Christmas Service Thursday December 21 at 7:00 pm

The Christmas season is for some folks a time of sadness and loss. This service is meant for them. It is a tri-church service (Bloordale, St.James, Richview) which is being held this year at St. James United Church.

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The Four Men at Bloordale On Friday October 13, 2017 (definitely not unlucky for us) over eighty people enjoyed a marvellous musical evening with “our three men”, Brian, Mervin and Michael. Baritone George Kopolus was the fourth man and pianist Ronald Greidanus accompanied magnificently.

The selections were varied and accompanied by some narrative regarding their origin and arrangements as well as Four Men concert travels. The repartee was delightful, joyous. During Mervin’s last comments he mentioned that the next number would be a “real barn burner”. I confirmed with the program but couldn’t believe that “How Great Thou Art” could be thus described. Well, it was. It was an absolutely amazing, unforgettable arrangement performed by such superbly talented men. All of the arrangements were unique as were stunning solos.

Refreshments were provided by BUC’s Social and Fundraising committee. Delmanor Prince Edward contributed delicious phyllo cups with bruschetta. Four Men CDs were sold at intermission. I bought one and will be purchasing more for gifts; it is inspirational. The 50/50 draw was popular and won by Ameena Ramsahai.

There was an aura of joy all evening, enhanced by the proceeds to the Four Men for UCC Mission and Service and to the ongoing programs of BUC. Each received $885.

We, at BUC, are so very blessed to enjoy such beautiful music every Sunday.

Thank you gentlemen and the devoted Bloordale Choir you inspire.

Nancy Harris

Come From Away Group Tickets for May 11, 2018

After a sold-out Toronto engagement before heading to Broadway, “Come From Away” returns due to overwhelming demand. “Come From Away”, the breathtaking new musical that Toronto embraced, and that had audiences leaving the theatre claiming they were “Proud to be Canadian”. Bloordale has secured tickets as follows:

“Come From Away” Friday, May 11, 2018 8 pm Royal Alexandra Theatre 260 King Street West Toronto, ON

25 tickets in Orchestra (main floor- no stairs) Rows M and N centre @ $92 each (regular price $127) 4 still unsold

5 seats in front row- centre- balcony Seats A 19 to 23 @ $70 each (regular price $97) 2 still unsold

Access to balcony by stairs only Access to front row by stairs only (no railing)

To sign up for tickets, please talk to or call Julia Stavreff at (416) 622-6309

Carpooling available

U.C.W. News Our small group of U.C.W. members is again planning a Holly Tea

Dec 2, 1:00 – 3:30. It will be as successful as other years only if we have much help from the congregation. You always have come through when we need you! A sign up sheet is outside Room. 15. Please note where you can assist.

Our regular U.C.W. meetings will now be a little irregular as we reduce the numbers of meetings per year. Next regular meeting will be January 23, then miss February. We do plan to hold a Rummage Sale April 7 with much help.

U.C.W. has paid recently for trimming trees and for a grass trimmer.

Joan Hollowell U.C.W.

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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

BLOORBEAT PUBLICATION SCHEDULE

Following is the publication date and the deadline for submissions for the upcoming issue.

Publication Submission Date Deadline

2018

Jan 14 Jan 7

March 18 March 11

May 13 May 6

__________________________________

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, e.g. not just “Bloorbeat” but “Bloorbeat Upcoming Events”. 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.

For photographs of church related items we can handle the standard graphics formats such as .tif .gif, .jpg, .png or .pdf. We print in black and white but post on the church website in colour

For advertisements, PDF or uncompressed TIFF are the preferred formats. Please check picture clarity and text clarity of your ad printed in chosen size in black and white on a laser printer and viewed in colour at chosen size on a computer monitor.

IN MEMORIUM

Robert Douglas Dukelaw July 19, 1952 – July 3, 2017

Ivan Lloyd Legge August 28, 1932 – September 23, 2017

Glenna Evelyn Hiebert August 26, 1924 – October 7, 2017

Robert ‘Bob’ Pinkney December 16, 1933 – October 25, 2017

Robert ‘Bob’ Samuel Hitchcock February 19, 1927 – October 27, 2017

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Bloorbeat Advertising

Would you like to advertise your business in Bloorbeat? Prices per issue of Bloorbeat are:

Business card size $ 20 ¼ page size $ 40 ½ page size $ 70

Our printed pages size is 8 1/2” x 11”

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

or email pauksenj@gmail.com

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