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 on 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.
May 16 - 7th Sunday of Easter 
May 23 - Pentecost Sunday and celebration of Holy Communion
May 30 - Open Hands leads worship

Asian Heritage Month - May is time for all Canadians to learn more about the many achievements and contributions of Canadians of Asian descent who, throughout our history, have done so much to make Canada the amazing country we share today. Officially recognized in Canada since 2002, this is a time to prayerfully reflect on the contributions of Asian Canadians to Canadian society. Click here for more information from on the United Church and Click here for information from the Canadian government.

We want your feedback - Watch for an email from the Affirm Team inviting you to offer feedback on 4 options for visible rainbow signage outside the church building that demonstrates our affirming ministry commitment to being public, explicit and intentional in our inclusion of and welcome to members of the LGBTQ2 community and others.   A hard copy of the information will be mailed to those not on our email list. Your feedback will inform a recommendation to the Full Board at a meeting called for Wed., June 2 via Zoom at 7:00 pm.

The International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia takes place around the world on May 17. This day emphasizes that homophobia, transphobia, and biphobia are still the reality in the daily lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and trans members of our communities.  Click here to learn more about the United Church's affirmation that gender and sexuality are gifts of God, and the welcome people of all sexual orientations and gender identities.  Click here to learn more about this international day.

Coffee Chats - Do you miss gathering after church each Sunday for coffee? Do you miss birthday cake or cookies awaiting you after Rainbow Club? Well, have we got some exciting news for you! Coffee Chats will be running on Zoom twice a month!  Join us Sundays at 11am for a time to gather. Drop-in as you wish, stay for a few minutes or the full hour! We would love to see your smiling faces again. Sorry, it is bring your own coffee/cookies though!  If you are interested in volunteering to host the zoom event for this please reach out to Maggie Haynes, or the church office! All you have to do is follow some sign-in instructions and stay on with everyone!  Please find the Zoom meeting invite below. We will be meeting on May 23rd!

Upcoming Shining Waters Regional Events
General Council 44 Commissioners Town Hall - May 19, 2021
Shining Waters Celebration of Ministries Service - May 30, 2021

Monthly Printed Newsletter - In March, Communications Committee Chair, Edd Taylor, started sending out a monthly printed newsletter to only those who are not receiving the weekly email of news from the church office. Edd has done a great job of trying to capture the news so that those households can stay connected. By the time it is received, there may be some things already passed but we hope it lets them know what is or has been happening in the life of our church. We will continue to explore alternative ways to get the weekly news more quickly to those not on email. If you are currently printing off this weekly email for someone else in our congregation please let the office know and we are grateful you are able to do so.

Sunday Worship - We continue to livestream from the sanctuary with just a few people present. Click on our YouTube channel link  Our channel does not change and is always on the BAUC website. If you have Celebrations & Thanksgiving that you wish named on Sunday, email them to the church office by 12:00 p.m. on Friday. Weekly Announcements are due to the office by Wednesday afternoon.  If you know of someone in our congregation who is not able to receive announcement by email, give them a friendly call to share any updates with them.
 
FREE 8-week workshop series on mental health and wellbeing for 2SLGBTQ+ youth! This is a second round of workshops offered by Rainbow West and is for youth ages 16 to 24 and will run from May 14 to July 2, every Friday from 4pm to 5:30pm.  Topics change weekly and participants can expect to make art, listen to guest speakers, get connected to resources, or just hang out as a community! There is also a raffle for a $10 gift card at the end of each workshop.  Microphone or camera use are NOT required! Click here to find more information. Participants can register here or email rainbow.west.to@gmail.com for more info.  Follow our Instagram too for more updates!    
       
Transition Team Update - 
  • We will continue with livestreamed worship services with a reduced number of people in the church building.  We are holding our number to a maximum of five.
  • Masks must be worn at all times in the indoor open areas.
  • All church employees and volunteers will work from home except where the nature of their work requires them to be on-site at the church.  
As further recommendations are received from the Ontario Government, Local Health Unit and Regional Council, we will update our practices of safety for the well-being of everyone.

Book Club - Our Book Club meetings continue to be held on Zoom at 7pm.
May 25:  Peace By Chocolate by John Tattrie. 
This is our final meeting until we reconvene in September to share our summer reads.  All are welcome to join us; contact Islay 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


From Open Hands United
*Hurricane Eta Update* (Appeal for Funds) Click Here for all infomation.

​​​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.

​​Weekly or Monthly Offering  - An email was sent with details from the Treasurer about how you can continue with donations if you wish to do so. The information is also on our website. If you need help finding this information, please contact the church office.

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.