For more COVID-19 Information click HERE

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

Sunday Worship -  This week, Sun., Sept. 27, we will continue livestreaming from the sanctuary with Katie & Andrea in leadership supported by members of the Tech Team. We begin with the Prelude and announcements at 9:50 a.m.   Click on our YouTube channel link   Our channel does not change and is always on the BAUC website. Once you are at the channel you may have to look for the live video. If you can't join us live, it will be will posted to the YouTube channel once the livestream ends. If you have Celebrations & Thanksgiving that you wish named, email them to the church office by 12:00 p.m. on Friday.  Announcements are due to the office by Wednesday afternoons.

Upcoming Worship
Sun., Sept. 27 - In worship we will be acknowledging Orange Shirt Day which takes place on Sept. 30. In the spirit of healing and reconciliation, KAIROS calls on all Canadians to  wear an orange shirt to commemorate the experiences of Residential School Survivors, honouring their stories and reaffirming that they, and all those affected by residential schools, matter.  So wear orange on Sunday!
Sun., Oct. 4 - We will be celebrating World Wide Communion Sunday. In preparation for Communion, you are invited to think about what you might use for the elements of bread and grape juice…. perhaps it will be just that or maybe it will be crackers & Juice, toast and tea or cookies and milk,  muffin and coffee. On this year's celebration of World Wide Communion, your table is part of Christ’s table. We will be eating the “bread” together and then drinking the “juice”, so we encourage you to have individual cups.
Sun., Oct. 11 - Thanksgiving Sunday - We plan to welcome up to 20 of those in our congregation who do not have access to the online worship or are particularly feeling isolated in other ways. If believe you are one of those people, and you do not hear from someone from the church in the coming week and you want to attend, please contact the church office.

Fall Newsletter - Thanks for all your submissions and thanks to Edd Taylor for putting it all together for us. An email with the link to the newsletter was sent on Fri. Sept. 25, 2020 and Canada Post mailed to those who normally pick up a paper copy.

Book Club - Will be holding a Zoom meeting on Tues., Sept. 29, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. We meet on the last Tuesday  monthly.  New members are always welcome.  Zoom from the comfort of your own home. If you would like to join us, contact Islay Scott through the church office with your email address.  At this meeting we will be checking in with each other, followed by a sharing of members' book recommendations and choosing our next title. Come join us!

Socktober is coming, Socktober is coming! As Socktober has become an annual event at BAUC we will once again be hosting a sock drive this October 2020 is no ordinary year we will be doing things a bit different this time. Sock Drive -  This will be a drive thru event. Members of BAUC will be invited to drive by and drop off their donations in the BAUC parking lot on Sat., Oct. 24 between 1-3 pm Members of our Local & World Outreach Committee will be on hand, in costume, to collect your socks and toiletries and to hand out treats. Bonus treats will be given to those arriving in costume! We will have two vehicles there, one collecting socks and one toiletries. We will be collecting new men and women’s socks as well as new underwear. Long underwear is especially welcome. Underwear in small and medium sizes is in most need. We are also collecting new unused toiletries. Travel sizes are great. Shampoo, conditioner, body wash, deodorant, toothbrushes, toothpaste, razors, and  feminine hygiene products...  Did you know that socks are one of the most requested and needed items at homeless shelters, especially during the winter months? Items collected will distributed to those in need through The Busby Centre, Youth Haven and Elizabeth Fry.

Your Pictures & Names on Livestream - We have a collection of photographs that we use on our worship powerpoint slides that we have taken at church gatherings or you have submitted.  If you do not want your image on those slides, since they are now being livestreamed, please let us know.  We would not put your name with the image. If you have provided us with your photos/drawings and you do not want your name on the photo credit, also please let us know.  If you do not want your full name  spoken in the livestream at any point in the worship , please let us know.  You can contact the church office with any concerns.  Thank you.

​Kairos sponsorship group welcomed the family of 7 from Syria last October and is celebrating the completion of our year of sponsorship. We are so thankful for all BAUC's generosity toward this family. They are struggling to learn english since the YMCA classes are online and very short so if there us anyone interested in offering online English conversations to support their learning please contact Ruth McDonald. We are also looking to fully cover their travel costs for which we need another $2500.  Anyone interested in supporting this please contact Ruth at 705-229-6513.

​The Listening Post Barrie  - is celebrating the training of 5 new volunteers. The need for people to connect and be heard compassionately through  face to face listening (with covid protocol) is greater than ever due to the isolation people are experiencing from Covid. New volunteers good news!  We are also celebrating an invitation to return to listening at the library and a new relationship with the Elizabeth Fry Society and the Gilbert Centre.  If you are interested or know someone in the community (we are seeking to diversify our listener demographic) who has a heart for connecting with people and a desire to accept them just as they are please send them our way. We offer online training. listeningpostbarrie@gmail.com or 705-229-6513.

Social Justice lending library - The Local & World Outreach Committee in partnership with Affirm and Truth & Reconciliation Teams have started a Social Justice lending library. We have books for all ages. Here are the titles of some of the new children’s books available to borrow. Sometimes People March, Antiracist Baby, The Proudest Blue, The Colour of Us, Say Something, Stepping Stones -A Refugee Family’s Journey and Same Sun Here. Email Christine Nayler through the church office to borrow a book.   "Be the change you want to see in the world"

Sandwiches for The Busby Centre - The David Busby Centre is once again accepting “prepared” sandwiches! If you are interested in volunteering to provide the traditional four loaves of sandwiches, please send Andrew Telford an email and he will follow up with details. If not able to deliver, Andrew will make arrangements to pick them up at your door. Sandwiches are needed on Mondays now and the ideal drop time is between 10-3pm at the 88 Mulcaster location (McDonald St. entrance)  Also, the Busby Centre will now issue tax receipts for all invoices collected and totaled at the end of the calendar year. 

David Busby Street Centre  - the centre is in need of the following items: deodorant, travel size shampoo, conditioner and body wash, razors, toothpaste, socks, and face masks, other items such as men's clothing, food staples and cash donations are always appreciated.

New Staff Member - We are pleased to welcome Joanne Black to BAUC as our new Office Administrative Assistant.  Joanne and her family have lived in the Barrie area for over 25 years.  She has worked in both private and public sectors and ran a small business with her husband in Barrie for 7 years.  She will be the friendly voice you hear on the phone when you call the office in the morning.  Welcome Joanne!

Under Our Roof - - Please check the newsletter for wonderful opportunities to work together to support our beloved church!  

​Church Photo Directory  - the latest version was emailed.

Lending Library - The Local & World Outreach Committee has started a book lending library.  Here are the books available so far.  If you are interested in borrowing one of these books, email Christine Nayler 
Policing Black Lives- Robyn Maynard
The Skin We're In - Desmond Cole
White Fragility -Robin Diangelo
How To Be An Antiracist - Ibram X. Kendi
We are also accepting Anti-Racism/Social Justice books to add to our library.  If you have any books you would like to donate, let me know.

Update about Return to In-person Ministry -  On Wed., July 8 the Church Board Executive approved the first part of our Safe Re-opening Plan for the Building and In-person Activities. The team planning for the full return to the building has carefully developed safety protocols that will be updated and added to as we live out our mission and ministry in the midst of the continued Covid-19 pandemic. In caring for our community and all God’s beloved world, we have a responsibility to ensure that our building and our activities are safe for all and to be part of creating safe space in the wider community. Click Letter Regarding Return to In-person Ministry and Safe Re-opening Plan and In-person Activities  for all the details.
Click on our YouTube channel link  and choose a video to watch or re-watch. 

ONGOING News


Church Office  - There is someone in the office to answer phones and emails on Monday - Friday 9:00 a.m. -1:00 p.m.   Watch for details about in-person scheduled visits to the office to meet with staff.

​Need to talk?  Listening Post Barrie is Listening!  The goal of our listening is to offer another person unconditional love and humanity, even if it is only for a brief moment.  Would you find it helpful to share your story and be heard during this time of physical distancing? Do you know someone who would like to be heard? The volunteers with the Listening Post Barrie are ready to listen through 3 phone lines every Friday from 1:30-3:30 pm! We start on July 17. Our phone numbers are. 705-230-6656, 705-230-6161 and 705-230-6078. Call the first number between 130 and 330 on Fridays. If it is busy... call the next and so on.  Our volunteer listeners are not crisis counsellors, but we are people trained in the art of active listening. We are available to offer connection and support through the gift of deep listening.

​​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 Tuesday Talk at Ten - is on a break for the summer.  Instead why don't you phone someone in our church community or plan a physically distanced visit.

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.

Burton Ave United in Broadview Magazine, June edition - several people have mentioned the picture and article about The Listening Post featuring Rev. Ruth McDonald. The article was written by our own Julie McGonegal. There is also a mention of our congregation in an article on Growing Congregations.  Click here  to read more.
 
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. ​

Youth Inc. Burton Buddies – if you need contact information for your buddy so that you can send a card, a drawing, a message, please contact the church office.

Youth Haven  All 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.  If you wish to make a donation, please contact Youth Haven (705-739-7616) WEEKDAYS between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. to arrange a time. Donations will be accepted WEEKDAYS between 10 a.m and 6 p.m. Items they currently can accept are pre-packaged foods including snacks, cleaning supplies such as hand sanitizer/soap, as well as unused board games/puzzles. Financial donations can still be made online at youthhaven.ca  

Email Updates  - We are corresponding to the congregation through Mailchimp. The email comes from the church office email address and is the easiest way for us to send updated information. Check your junkmail if you are not receiving these emails. Or perhaps the office does not have your correct email so send a quick note to  burtonaveunitedchurch@outlook.com  And if you wish to be removed from the email list, you can unsubscribe.

Fraud Prevention  Even with this terrible virus with us, there are people out there who are trying to scam money from people using this COVID-19 situation.  Please go to www.antifraudcentre.ca for all the different type of fraud scams and how to protect yourself. If you have been scammed please contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501.

lend a helping hand

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

Busby Street Centre - needs toiletries, toilet paper, coffee, sugar, cream, powdered milk, peanut butter, oatmeal, juice boxes, granola bars, tear top pastas and soups and bottled water. Or sign up in the foyer to make/deliver sandwiches to the Centre on Wednesdays.

Youth Haven -  They need school/work snacks, Mr. Noodles, pasta (not spaghetti) Chef Boyardee type meals, soups, canned veggies/fruits, deodorant, socks, underwear. Items are used in the shelter and provide food packages to youth living on their own. Donations can be dropped off at 22 Wellington St. E.  

 Listening Post Barrie We nurture listeners and create spaces in Barrie where people can be heard one-on-one with compassion, respect and in confidence because listening is a gift for both the sharer and the listener. To volunteer email Ruth McDonald at listeningpostbarrie@gmail.com.

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.