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.
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
For letter from our Treasurer click HERE
For PAR sign up form click HERE
For PAR cancellation form click HERE
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 NEWSunday Worship - Due to the current lockdown, we continue to livestream from the sanctuary with just the worship and tech team 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.
Transition Team Update - As of Thursday, January 14, 2021, the Ontario Government issued a stay-at-home order. Enhanced public health and workplace safety measures are in effect for all of Ontario.
The Ministry and Personnel Committee has received a letter of resignation from Joanne Black, Administrative Assistant for the Church. Her last day working in the office will be on January 22, 2021. On behalf of the Board and everyone at Burton Avenue, I would like to thank Joanne for her service for the time that she has been with us. Our best wishes for the future go with Joanne and her family. Alan J. McGee, Board Chair Week of Prayer for Christian Unity begins on Mon., Jan. 18. The 2021 theme – Abide in my love and you shall bear much fruit (John 15:5-9) – calls us to pray and to work for reconciliation and unity in the church, with our human family, and with all of creation. Drawing on the Gospel image of vine and branches, it invites us to nourish unity with God and with one another through contemplative silence, prayer, and common action. Grafted into Christ the vine as many diverse branches, may we bear rich fruit and create new ways of living, with respect for and communion with all of creation. Here is a link to a Bible Study and Daily prayer resource. Executive Board Meeting - The Board Executive meets next on Wed., Jan. 20, by Zoom at 7:00 p.m. Watch for the email with the link for the meeting. Please send your report to Alan McGee ahead of time if possible for distribution with the minutes of the last Board meeting. World Religion Day - On behalf of the Local Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’í Community of Barrie, the organizing committee for the 32nd Annual World Religion Day, you are warmly invited to attend this most affirming and inclusive, multi-faith event. It will take place over ZOOM and be streamed on Facebook Live at 1:00 pm on Sunday, Jan. 17. Never more than this past year has there been a need to help create pathways in the world for peace, and, with your help, this event promises to bring greater awareness to the common goals, principles and values shared across all faith traditions, while fostering closer bonds of unity, cooperation and understanding amongst such diversity. The theme for this year is “I AM” (Interconnected, Aware, Mindful), and will include participation and attendance by many faith traditions from the Barrie area, around Ontario, and potentially across the world, united in compassion and hope. Click here for more info and to find out how to access the event online. Faith on the Move is the name of the Lenten devotional book this year. It was edited by Julie McGonegal who is a treasured member of our congregation and a treasured writer within the United Church! Our spiritual practices carry us through the times of transition in our lives, when we wander in a metaphorical desert. For migrants, refugees, immigrants, and others, the journey is more than a metaphor. In this Lenten devotional, daily reflections by diverse contributors invite us to reflect on and embody God’s welcome and love for people who are on the move for a variety of reasons. That description of the book sounds like what we need right now. A study guide for in-person or online groups is included and I know the Women's Group are planning a discussion for their group. Perhaps the Men's Breakfast group want to explore it together while apart. Plus United in Learning will be hosting six webinars throughout Lent to explore the book so you can connect with others across the country who are also walking the Lenten journey. This will be facilitated by Julie and will be 1 hour every Tuesday at 1 pm during Lent. If you would like a paper copy please msg on Facebook Lois Delaforce by Jan. 24. The actual cost will be in the range of $17.50-$18.00 and we are asking that you pay whatever amount that you can. Details on how to pay will come once we receive the books. If you want to order an e-book on your own go to this link for the UCRD bookstore. Book Club - Our Book Club meetings will continue to be held on Zoom at 7 pm. The following are our monthly selections: January 26 - Lion by Saroo Brierly February 23 - A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles All are welcome to join us; contact Islay at ila.scott@sympatico.ca to add your name to the Zoom invitation list. Technology Update - As we continue to need to adapt to the changing covid-19 pandemic, a reminder that the use of multi-media and technology is more important than ever. We have been offering worship in a variety of ways, using and learning lots of new technology for 9 months now. This does not happen without a lot of behind the scenes preparation. We are grateful for the work of those who have been a part of that learning, leading and training… you cannot imagine the hours put in by some volunteers. We need to add to the tech and powerpoint teams, not only for worship but for enabling us to meet and come together for other work and connections. There are big and small amounts of time and energy needed and a variety of tasks and skills required… think about what you have to offer. As well here is still the need, perhaps more than ever, to reach out to help one another to stay connected and to be cared for in whatever ways we can…. Not through tech only but through phone calls and cards and helping hands and hearts… think about what you have to offer. Walking In Support of Youth Haven - It's cold out there and on Feb. 20, our team is going to do something about it! For several years now a team of BAUC walkers join Canadians across the country to raise funds and awareness to support and serve people and families experiencing homelessness, hurt, and hunger in our community. We are walking in support of Youth Haven, the only youth shelter in Simcoe County. We are looking for eager BAUC walkers to join our team. This year you have the option of walking together as a team on walk day or completing your walk on your own anytime during the month of February. If you would like to support our efforts but don't want to walk you can donate to our teams fundraising efforts or support one of our walkers. To join our team or donate click on this link Book Club - Our Book Club meetings will continue to be held on Zoom at 7 pm. The following are our monthly selections: January 26 - Lion by Saroo Brierly February 23 - A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles All are welcome to join us; contact Islay to add your name to the Zoom invitation list. Safer Spaces virtual workshop - The Affirm teams of Burton Avenue, Grace and Northwest Barrie United Churches are hosting a virtual "Safer Spaces" workshop in the new year. Safer Spaces training is designed for organizations to explore and learn how to create more accessible services and workplaces for the LGBTQ community. Workshop topics include: Language & Terminology, History & Statistics, Review of Current Human Rights, and Overcoming Barriers to inclusion. Participants will also learn about tools and resources which will be helpful for their ongoing work. The virtual workshops will be facilitated by trained Gilbert Cente staff. They are scheduled for Mon., Jan. 18 and Tues., Jan. 19 from 7 to 9 p.m. each evening. Each church can have about 13 participants. The BAUC Affirm team is encouraging participation of one representative from each standing committee of the Church Board. If there is space, we could also have one representative from church groups such as Youth Group. Please contact Angela Kerr, if you are interested in participating. More information on Safer Spaces training can be found here: https://saferspaces.ca/ 2021 Offering Envelopes -If you are able to pick up your envelopes from the church please call and arrange a pick up time with Joanne. If this is not possible, we will arrange to have them delivered. Also, if you do not have envelopes and would like a box, or you wish to change from envelopes to PAR, please let us know. 2021 Church Calendars – limited numbers are now available from the church office to purchase for $10.00 each. Advent Study - Join us for an Advent video study which began on the first Monday of Advent. The series uses a section in Simply Christian by N. T. Wright as a jumping off point to examine why early Christians may have perceived Jesus as the Messiah that the Hebrew people at the time were hoping for. The study consists of 4 short videos (about 15 minutes each) that will be available on our Youtube channel at 9:00 a.m. on each Monday morning during Advent. If you missed a week, they are there to watch whenever it works for you! 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. 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. 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. 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 - 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. Youth Haven - is in need of the following items. Grocery Gift cards, Bus passes (10 rides), Hygiene products; shampoo, conditioner, body wash, deodorant. Clothing; new underwear and socks, mittens, gloves, winter hats, hoodies, sweat pants, winter jackets. Call the shelter at (705) 739-7616 before dropping off as Covid 19 protocols are in place. 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 The Listening Post Barrie - 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. 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 started 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. 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 GoingDuring 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. |
Photo used under Creative Commons from Thomas James Caldwell
