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.
Information on ways to make Donations click HERE
For letter from our Treasurer click HERE
For PAR sign up form click HERE
For PAR cancellation form click HERE
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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!

EXPLORE BURTON aVENUE uNITED church

What's NEW

Upcoming 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.
Sept. 19: Season of Creation 2 - Livestream and by invitation only for in person.
Sept. 26: Season of Creation 3 & Orange Shirt Day - Livestream and registered in person.  Wear orange in recognition of the upcoming Orange Shirt Day and National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
Oct. 3: Season of Creation 4 & Worldwide Communion
Oct. 10: Thanksgiving Sunday

In Person Attendance at Worship on Sept. 19 – Attendance at this service will be by invitation only. It will be comprised primarily of those congregants who do not have access to online worship and will be communicated to those people directly.  We will also fill as many spaces with those who can access online service but indicated they would like an opportunity for in-person worship. Click here for what to expect when you arrive for worship.

Future In Person Attendance at Worship Beginning Sun., Sept. 26 – there is a group of people without internet access who will be accommodated permanently and they will be contacted each week. The remaining seats at worship must be reserved by calling the church office at 705 726 0401 no later than Thursday of each week prior to the service. Please read What to Expect When You Arrive prior to attending. Click Here to access it.

Transition Team - The Ontario government has mandated vaccination passports to access certain public places.  Churches are not currently on the list.  The United Church of Canada has advised caution, if and when, a community of faith feels they should develop a mandated vaccination policy. There are concerns of privacy, human rights legislature, and how to manage such a policy.  There is complexity in developing a mandatory policy.  At present, Burton Avenue does not have a mandatory vaccination policy. Everyone is required to follow the measures Burton Avenue has put into place to reduce the risk of COVID-19.  We continue to implement existing strategies – maintaining physical distancing, wearing masks, limiting indoor gatherings.  Our COVID-19 Safety Plan is posted and available.  We ensure we keep updated and follow the guidelines of Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit and the Ontario government.  
UPDATE: To help ensure greater safety for everyone and especially our most vulnerable, we urge all those that are eligible to be vaccinated, to have done so before attending in person worship. 

Message from the United Church Moderator - “Please remember - we continue to be in the midst of a global pandemic, caused by the SARS-COV-2 virus and its variants, collectively known as COVID-19.  We are told by our public health authorities that: physical distancing; masking; and handwashing; as well as, being vaccinated against the virus (for those who are medically able) is *vital* to protecting oneself and the wider community against the effects of this virus.
If we are gathering in groups, in whatever setting - from meetings to worship times - and work to live out Christ's call to "love one another as I have loved you" - then it is imperative that we do all we are able to keep each other, especially those who are more vulnerable, as well as the wider community, as safe as we are able.  The United Church of Canada, through Mission and Service, supports vaccine justice for the entire world. This is a world-wide pandemic, one that needs to be fought both locally and globally.  Let's do everything we can to support each other, both here where we live and around the world.”  The Right Rev. Dr. Richard Bott

September 30th National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
“The Government of Canada recently passed legislation making September 30th a federal statutory holiday called the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The Bill responds to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Call to Action Number 80 which calls on the federal government, in collaboration with Aboriginal peoples, to establish the holiday to commemorate the history and legacy of residential schools and honour the survivors, their families, and communities. The United Church of Canada General Secretary, Michael Blair, has decided that the General and Regional Councils will be closed on September 30 this year while conversations with the National Indigenous Council and the National Indigenous Elders Council determine future practice. September 30th will be a designated paid holiday for ministry personnel and employees of Burton Avenue United Church as guided by direction from General Council of the United Church of Canada and Shining Waters Regional Council.  This day provides an opportunity for Canadians to recognize and commemorate the legacy of residential schools. As this day also coincides with Orange Shirt day the  Indigenous Ministries and Justice will be curating an online event and offering some resources for Orange Shirt Day.  This may present itself as a day of quiet reflection or participation in a community event.”   You may also wish to spend time engaging with the Right Relations resources on our website, or checking out our suggested Indigenous reading and viewing list.

The following are some upcoming events you may wish to explore:
Executive Minister Murray Pruden will be hosting a Facebook live candle light vigil to honor the children who never made it home from Residential Schools and survivors. Please join us for an evening of remembering and please bring a candle or a light.  More information here.

Reminder from Stewardship and Office Staff - We are grateful to those of you who have been able to support Burton Avenue United Church financially during this unprecedented time of crisis.  Many of you have switched from envelope givings to PAR or etransfer givings as the church moved to online worship.  It is now time for staff to order envelopes for 2022.  If your givings pattern has changed from weekly and you no longer require weekly envelopes or require some other timing of envelopes, such as monthly or occasional, or you wish to switch to PAR, please let the office know by calling 705-726-0401 and leaving a message or send an email to burtonaveunitedchurch@bauc.ca  If you have any questions, please also let us know that too.  Thank you

Indigenous Children Then, Now and Tomorrow
A Panel Discussion for Orange Shirt Day  September 29, 2021  5:30 - 7:00 pm
 Panelists will explore how Indigenous children and families were and continue to be impacted by colonialism. They will answer a series of questions posed by our moderator Springwater Hester-Meawassige, which will touch on a range of topics including Indigenous Children in Residential Schools, Sixties Scoop, Millennial Scoop, and bringing our children home. 
Delve deeply into anti-racism work with a 40-day time of learning, reflection, and advocacy!  Each day from Tuesday, October 12 to Friday, November 26 (with the exception of Sundays) there will be a new reflection on anti-racism, as well as activities suitable for adults and children. These activities can be done alone, as a family, or in groups.  For more information 
 Church Photo Directory Fall update - We will send out an updated photo directory by the end of September.  

Let's Be the Church together with Others!  - Burton Avenue's Local & World Outreach Committee has been supporting Ryan’s Hope Breakfast-To-Go by hosting breakfast for Monday mornings.  We have had several people from our congregation involved either in the kitchen with prep/clean up or serving at the breakfast.  We are hopeful to expand our volunteers for this commitment.  We would be happy with you helping one Monday a month or having you there every week. Volunteers would be serving breakfast or coffee outside in the Salvation Army parking lot from 7:50-9:30 a.m. We also need someone to be the overall co-ordinator of our weekly shift.  This does not necessarily mean you are physically there but are co-ordinating our volunteer schedule, ensuring we have supplies, and other tasks.  We are also looking for a Shift Supervisor, who would be responsible for arriving at the church at 7:00 am to prepare coffee and food and oversee the volunteers for your shift.  We would gladly welcome any amount of time that you can offer, in whatever ways you can support our Breakfast Team.  If time is not something you can share, perhaps a financial donation is a way to support this important program so that we can purchase food supplies.  Buying bulk keeps the costs more manageable.  If you wish to make a tax receiptable donation to support Burton's Breakfast shift you can do so through your usual ways of donating to the church.  Be sure to mark that it is for the Breakfast-To-Go Program.  Call or email Christine Nayler or Islay Scott for more info. 

Little Library - Perhaps you have read some good books this summer.  This past week we had some seekers of new books in our little library.  If you have some books you could add to the library it would be appreciated by those avid readers.  Thank you.

Little Free Pantry  - The Food Bank's pilot project of filling and monitoring the pantry outside our church has now ended.  We are invited to stock as we can with non-perishable food items.  We hope to receive a list of items recommended for our area as soon as possible.

PowerPoint Team - is looking for volunteers to help with preparing the PowerPoint and/or presenting. If you are interested, PLEASE contact Jody Lee .

Book Club - will reconvene Tues., Sept. 28 at 7 pm on Zoom. We will be sharing our recommendation of a favourite book we have read over the summer. At that time we will review the possibility of returning to “in person“ meeting based on the current Covid protocols. All are welcome to join us; contact Islay Scott to add your name to the Zoom invitation list.
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Meet Burtie Church!  Burtie uses they/them as their pronouns.  Burtie is interested in learning about Burton Ave United Church and especially how we are living into being an Affirming Church.  If you would like to have Burtie come visit your home to help answer and ask questions, please be in touch with Andrea Wheaton. Burtie fits in a envelope and comes with a journal for questions, answers, drawings and photos of time spent with you!  Then they travel to the next family so more about us can be added to the journal!

ONGOING News


​​​​Masks for Sale - I am making and selling fabric face masks.  I have 2 sizes available (child and adult) and several colours and fabric designs.  These masks have a wire insert for fitting around the nose and a pocket area where you can add a filter if you wish.  They are available for pick-up or delivery (in Barrie).  They are $10 each with 100% of sales going to Burton Avenue United Church.  To order, please email Cate F.D. through the office or directly if you have her contact info.  Thank you to all the people who who have ordered masks.  Your support has been amazing!  Thanks, Cate.

​​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 we 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. ​

lend a helping hand

Barrie Food Bank -  is in need of juice, jam and toilet paper.

Youth Haven residents have been moved to a motel for their health and safety and that of their staff. The shelter will remain open for EMERGENCY services only. Due to current COVID19 measures they are only accepting financial donations at this time. Financial donations can be made online at youthhaven.ca 

The Busby Centre is in need of the following items. Men’s boots sizes 10 -11 ½, Men’s track pants medium and large preferred, small accepted as well, coffee whiter and sugar, pasta sauce. Items may be dropped off at the centre from 10-2 Monday to Friday.

Baked Goods for 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.
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The Open Hands Mission 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.

             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/

On Going


During our time out of the building due to Covid-19, these announcments may not apply

 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.