Come share​ our Vision
 To know God through Jesus Christ and to reflect God's love as the church in a changing community and world.
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Burton Avenue United Church is a dynamic Christ-centred community of faith. For over 145 years, we have served the community of Allandale and the surrounding Barrie area, through meaningful worship, spiritual nurture and outreach into the community and wider world. We are inclusive, open, welcoming, willing to push the boundaries and take risks in order to be the hands and voice and heart of Christ. If you are looking for a church home where you will be welcomed, nurtured and challenged, Welcome to Burton Avenue United Church!

From Your Worship & Music Committee


Livestream Worship. Click HERE for our YouTube channel link and look for the live video stream that begins at 9:50 a.m. with announcements and the service starts at 10:00 a.m. If you miss the livestream you can watch the recording after it uploads. 

Worship Schedule (in-person & livestream)
Sun., Mar. 26 - 5th Sunday of Lent - Senior Choir - Rainbow Club
Sun., Apr. 2 - Palm Sunday - Senior Choir - Rainbow Club
Fri., Apr. 7 - Good Friday - we welcome St. George's Anglican Church - Joint Choir - NO Rainbow Club

Transition Team update on Masking - While leaving masking up to individuals at this time, we strongly recommend wearing masks in the public space of worship. Please continue to self screen prior to coming to the building and continue to be aware of each other's personal space. We continue to follow the advice of the SMDHU.

Lyrics from Youth Singers - March 19, 2023 - we heard from some folks that they couldn't quite catch the lyrics to the Youth Singers song, "Walking" last week, so we thought we'd share them here for you.
     Can see the same way? If we're on the same page, then together we can grow. Because we aren’t on our own.
      Walking hand in hand to fulfill God’s plan. Listening with our hearts while we do our part. Helping those in need in our community, we come together like a family.
      When our friends' spirits fall, we help them to stand tall. We pick them up as one, this is how we get God’s work done.
      Walking hand in hand to fulfill God’s plan. Listening with our hearts while we do our part. Helping those in need in our community, we come together like a family.

Easter Flowers - In Memoriam - If you wish to have a loved one remembered and placed on the Easter Memorial List, please fill out this form - CLICK HERE.  The deadline for form submissions is Mon., Apr. 3 If you wish, you may make an Easter memorial donation by e-transfer to treasurerbauc@outlook.com, (put MEMORIAL DONATION in the comments section), by adding it into your regular donation, or by dropping cash or cheque in the church mail slot. 

150th Anniversary Celebration

150th Anniversary Cookbook Project - We need your recipes! One of the projects for our 150th Anniversary is a recipe book including great stories to accompany the tasty foods. We are looking for your favourite recipes from special church related celebrations you have attended in the past. If you have a favourite pie you ate on PIE day or a favourite sandwich you took to a church picnic or a tasty dessert that is always a big hit, please share the recipes with us. Send them with your name, phone number and a brief paragraph about why it’s a favourite. Then email the recipe to Susan Cole or leave it in the church mailbox for Susan to pick up before June 15th. Looking forward to try them all!!

Congregational Life

After Church Refreshment - As we practice being more intentional in our extravagant welcome and invitation to all to come to after church refreshments, we are no longer putting out a freewill offering box. If however, you feel you want to help support the general fund expenses for this ministry you can make a tax-receiptable donation to sponsor one or more Sunday refreshment times. The recommended sponsorship is $20 per Sunday. Payments can be made through e-transfers (treasurerbauc@outlook.com), or by cash or cheque that can be dropped off at the church office between 9:00 am -12:00 pm, Monday-Friday. Please flag that this is a "refreshment time sponsorship" on your cheque or e-transfer.

Stewardship

New Year's Eve in March - Spring Fling Dinner!  Thank you - we are officially SOLD OUT for this event!  See you all (that have bought tickets) this Fri., Mar. 24 at 6:00 pm. Please remember that there will be a “live” and silent auction as well a dessert auction and raffle, so dig into your “piggy bank!” Dress can be NY’s themed or whatever you’re comfortable with (e.g. business/casual) A seating plan will be posted as you enter the hall downstairs. Looking forward to a fun and festive evening!

Life Long Learning

Youth Puzzle Sale: Thank you to everyone who donated to, or purchased from our puzzle and game sale.  Over $350 dollars was raised AND we helped the environment by giving these items new homes.   This money will go into the General Fund to help support the amount budgeted for youth programming.

Youth Inc -  Remember our fun night together in December 2022?  We're doing it again!  All of our church family is invited to a night of fun, games, stories, laughter and snacks 🙂 with the youth and their leaders.  Join us in the Auditorium on Sun., Apr. 2 at 7:00 - 8:30pm. Please bring a small dish to share for potluck as you are able and sign-up downstairs if you are attending!
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Local & World Outreach

​Earth Hour - REMINDER - Sat., Mar. 25 from 8:30 - 9:30 pm.  Switch off all electronics and electricity at your house for 1 hour to participate in this endeavor.  Remember, one small action taken by millions of people CAN make a difference.  Click here for more info.

Indigenous Justice Resources to check out -  Home on Native Land: Everything you wanted to know about Indigenous justice. Series of 10 videos, cartoons, lessons through history. Free self-guided course about Indigenous justice in Canada.  Click here for more info. 
Book: True Reconciliation: How to Be a Force for Change by Jody Wilson-Raybould who wrote True Reconciliation in response to the question she was constantly asked, “What can I do to help advance reconciliation?”  Click here for more info 
Audio: Shelagh Rodgers interviewed Jody Wilson-Raybould for CBC radio’s The Next Chapter:  Click here. 

Broadview Magazine - If you would like to receive the magazine, please contact Lois at 705-725-1603 or email loisdel@outlook.com. The cost is $25.00 for 8 issues.  Previous issues are available at the church for anyone wishing to borrow them. Lois will be available after church this Sun., Mar. 26 to take orders.

KAIROS - Simcoe County Kairos will be hosting the 2023 annual Ecumenical Walk for Justice on Fri. Apr. 7, from 1:00 to 2:30 pm at Meridian Place, in downtown Barrie. As a society we must acknowledge that the devastation caused by anger, violence, and poverty affects all of us. This event is an invitation to come together to bring knowledge and resources to our community and make a difference.  It will consist of a Labyrinth set up on Meridian Place square.  People are invited to walk the labyrinth, meditate, reflect, or pray and then engage in actions that ensure further Peace and Justice initiatives within Simcoe County, and globally.  We will be providing a Soup and Roll lunch for all. We invite you to be part of our Ecumenical Walk for Justice.  "Labyrinth activism is walking in heart coherence, with a shared focused intention for change or healing. It is a sacred experience cultivating a sense of connectedness and insight, and a unique way to make change in the world through the unassailable power of the collective."  Labyrinth Activist Network. 

OH Canada

Open Hands Canada - We are excited to announce that we have our first trip on the calendar!  After years (years!) of planning and prayer, a group of 9 youth and 5 leaders will be heading to the Miawpukek First Nation near Conne River, Newfoundland this July. (Due to logistics, the youth we are partnering will not be coming to Barrie.) Over the next few months, as we prepare ourselves for this journey, we will also be busy submitting grant applications and organizing fundraisers to help finance the trip.  If you are interested in supporting our work, please keep an eye out for some great fundraisers in the near future! Donations directly to Open Hands Canada can be made through the church office.  

Oh Canada Youth Trip Fundraiser  - In their efforts to raise funds for the upcoming trip to Miawpukek First Nations in July, the youth will be selling homemade chocolate Easter suckers for the next 3 weeks. We will be located in the auditorium immediately following worship! 

From Your Church Office

Office Hours - Monday-Friday, 9:00 - 12:00 pm.
Phone - 705-726-0401
Office Emails - katie@bauc.ca or burtonaveunitedchurch@bauc.ca

​Announcements - please note that weekly announcements are due to the office no later than Wednesday at the end of the day and must be sent to either of the office emails (see above). This applies to all announcements (printed & verbal or video during service). Announcements will posted for two weeks only unless otherwise requested. ​
 
             
​ON THE WEB
Please email blindalleyarts@rogers.com for corrections, changes, or additions to the website.

Burton Avenue United Church Facebook Page
Please feel free to invite your friends and family to like the page and join us at our events.
https://www.facebook.com/BurtonAvenueUnitedChurch/

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lend a helping hand

​​BAKED GOODS FOR THE BUSBY CENTRE
- those interested in contributing baked goods or store bought snack items for the Busby Outreach Team, please contact Andrew Telford for specifics. The Busby Centre would like to coordinate donations with other organizations and the existing sandwich program. This is in addition to the Breakfast Program as there is a great need in our community!  Appreciate any help you can offer.

OPEN HANDS UNITED MISSION ​
The Team is supporting a number of projects in Nicaragua including the building of a school.  Donations in support of the Nicaragua Mission should be made payable to "Open Hands United Mission."

LITTLE FOOD PANTRY
​Thank you to all who have been dropping by the church to add items directly to the pantry. Just a reminder that during the cold weather, appropriate food items are things that will not be adversely affected by freezing temperatures, such as canned goods with water. For a list of suggested contributions during the winter, please refer to the posters on the door and the side of the pantry or click here for the winter list.
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On Going

CANCELLATION OF SUNDAY WORSHIP FOR INCLEMENT WEATHER OR OTHER EMERGENCY:
Should you need information about possible Sunday Worship cancellation, please check the church website, the Burton Avenue Facebook page or the recorded church telephone message. Should there be a power outage such that tech devices cannot be used, members of the congregation should use their good judgement considering the weather conditions or nature of the emergency.

​NAMETAGS
If you would like a nametag or you need a new one please sign up in the foyer or let the office know.  Children & Youth can have nametags too.  If parents prefer just first names on the children’s tags let us know.  And remember to wear your nametag.  It helps us get to know one another.

​CAR POOL TO CHURCH
​Are you able to occasionally offer rides to church for those needing them?  We are wanting to collect a list of those able to offer rides.  If you wish more information or are able to offer rides, please speak to Andrea Wheaton.

RESOURCE CORNER
​​Both the Affirm Team and the Truth & Reconciliation Committee have compiled books and other resources that you can borrow or keep. On the bulletin board right outside the sanctuary the Outreach Committee have posted information about Mental Health Awareness – take any flyers or information that you need.

​PARKING LOT
Did you know that on Sundays there is parking on the other side of the school next door to us?  There is also the lot behind the school which can be accessed from Cumberland St. or there is now a road from our lot to it. Please leave the parking spaces closest to the church for those who have difficulty walking a further distance.
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​PEOPLE WITH HEARING AIDS!!
​The sanctuary is equipped with a loop system which works with your hearing aids.  You must have a “T coil” installed and activated.  Set your hearing aid to “T coil”.

​​NOTICE TO CHURCH MEMBERS AND GUESTS
​​Our services and events may be photographed or videotaped for the purpose of informing our members or the public.  If you have a concern about your image being used in these situations, please let us know.

PASTORAL CARE
Many of us have been keeping in touch through phone calls, emails and even snail mail. What a blessing it has been that we can still connect to one another in those ways. This has been a good time for so many of us to get to know others in our church that we did not yet know! Remember that Pastoral Care is a ministry that all of us share and need to participate in, however we can.  Whether you are making contact or receiving contact, we are caring for one another. Whether you are on the prayer list or you are praying for those on the list, we are caring for one another.  Whether you are listening to someone's concerns or you are voicing your worries, we are caring for one another.  As some of us continue to be apart, we will need to continue to stay in touch and care for one another in all the ways that we can. 
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