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., May 28 - Pentecost Sunday - Open Hands Canada - Multi-Generational - NO Rainbow Club - Youth Singers
Sun., June 4 - Trinity Sunday & Church Union Sunday - Rainbow Club - Senior Choir
Sun., June 11 - Pride Sunday - Rainbow Club - Senior Choir

Summertime Help!  As the summer months approach, some of our regular "behind the scenes" folks take a well-deserved break.  We are looking for others to help out in their absence....or even join the team on a more permanent basis!
Powerpoint - this requires simply attending service on Sunday mornings and advancing the powerpoint slides.  The preparation of the powerpoint is done by others.  If interested please email Jody Lee through the church office. We're always looking for more help throughout the year too!
Special Music - dust off those vocal chords, ukuleles, guitars, nose flutes (?), whatever you've got.  Our choirs (Senior & Youth) will be taking a break from June - September, but we still love to hear special music fill our sanctuary during the summer months.  If you're interested in helping out in this way, please contact Katie Pergau.

Stewardship

150th Anniversary - BAUC's 150th anniversary is coming up in November 2023!
On Sunday, April 29 we asked the congregation, both online and in the sanctuary, to answer this question: What brings you to Burton Ave. United Church? Name three experiences you've had because of Burton Ave that you wouldn't have had anywhere else.  Your Burton Avenue experience could be from last week, or from 25 years ago.
We want to collect 150 Reasons to Celebrate!
A church without people really isn’t a church, it’s just an empty building. Church is everyone in the sanctuary, and watching on the livestream, and everyone who has sat in the pews over the last 149 years is what made, and still makes, Burton Ave. a truly special place seeking to live out God's love.  It’s time to start getting into a celebratory mood. After all, November isn’t that far away! PLEASE CLICK HERE for a form that you can print, fill out and bring to church with you...or you can email it to the office. Please get a every member in your family to fill one out.  A big thank you!

Pasta Pickup Dinner REMINDER - pick up your pre-ordered Pasta Dinners on Sat., May 27 between 5:00 - 5:30 at BAUC's side door.
Thanks to all who have ordered meals as we celebrate our 150 years of BAUC community and the needed support of the work that we do!

Life Long Learning

Treasure(r) Hunt!We are still in search of a Treasurer for our Church Board.  If you are interested or want more information, please contact Finance Team member, Brenda Young  or Board Chair, Susan Cole through the church office.

Communication is key!  Our church holds many events which we need to communicate to our members but also to our neighbours. If you are interested in helping as a Communications person for the Board, please contact Susan Cole through the church office.

Local & World Outreach

From your Affirm Team -  June will soon be here and that means Pride Month! BAUC will be participating along with other Barrie United Churches in the 2023 Barrie Pride parade on Sat., June 3. Please note that all individuals must register if they plan on marching in the parade. There is no cost. Please register here: https://www.barriepride.org/2023  The parade starts in downtown Barrie at 2:00 pm, exact route to be determined. We will be decorating our vehicle starting at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday morning in the BAUC parking lot and then heading over to the parade start at 1:15 p.m. Please consider joining us in decorating and/or marching in the parade, it is so much fun! Contact Angela Kerr at through the church office if you have any questions. 

Sandwiches for the Busby Centre ​ - Burton Avenue is still providing sandwich preparation and delivery for the David Busby Centre at 88 Mulcaster Street in Barrie. Currently most volunteers are doing no more than once a month of four loaves each or two loaves each when shared with a friend. Volunteers can retain their receipts on the calendar year and the Busby Centre will issue a tax receipt as well. We could use some help over the summer when some of our regular sandwich-makers take their vacations. If you are interested, please reach out to Andrew Telford through the church office if you can help!

Congregational Life

Membership Coffee and Conversation - if you would like to consider taking the step into membership here at Burton Ave. United Church, please be in touch with Andrea Wheaton through the church office. We will be welcoming new members on a Sunday in September.  This means we have some time for a gathering where all your questions (about life in the church) will be answered.  It will also be a time to meet fellow newcomers as well as those who have been here longer.

Calling all Bakers!  We’d like to update our list of volunteer bakers to have on hand for future events. We have many talented and generous folks who have baked for fundraisers before, but we want to make sure we aren’t missing anyone. Whether you’ve baked for us in the past, or would like to help out in the future, please make sure your name and phone number go on our list.  We will be taking down names at coffee time on Sunday, or you can email Ken Down.  
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After Worship Refreshments - We invite YOU, (committees, groups, families, couples, friends) to sign up to host for a week.   If you can only do set up but not the clean up, that helps too.  We have a budget for supplies of coffee, juice & cookies but if you want to bring your own treats, that is just fine!  If you feel you need training, it is provided for free!  Sign up sheet is downstairs or call the office (705-726-0401).

​Ministry & Personnel

Working with Youth, Children and Vulnerable Persons - BAUC is updating their volunteer list. It is required for all volunteers who work with vulnerable individuals to have a current (6 months) vulnerable sector police record check. BAUC will reimburse any costs that are required for police check services. The police check is deemed valid for 6 years. If you might be interested in helping with youth/children activities or assisting with vulnerable persons, even if it might only be for a limited number of times, please speak with Linda Morris.

OH Canada

Sat., June 10th - Join us for "A Taste of the Rock" - An evening of Newfoundland culture and cuisine!  A sit down Cold Plate dinner with musical entertainment and a Silent Auction.  Doors open at 5:30 pm. with Coldplate dinner served at 6:00 p.m. Take out and deliver available. Musical entertainment by The Sandy Bottom Boys.  To purchase tickets ($25.00 per person) call the church office at 705-726-0401 or complete the form at this link.  All proceeds to support travel costs for Open Hands Canada youth exchange to the Miawpukek First Nation in Conne River, Newfoundland.

“Taste of the Rock” Silent Auction - We are accepting donations for the silent auction on Sat., June 10th, offering unique items, services and experiences.  Please contact Catherine Fletcher through the office if you can contribute.  

Online Fundraiser - If you are able to donate financially to support this experience for the youth, you can do so by clicking this link - OH Canada Donation.   Thank you for your support!

Paddle-A-Thon - Norm Lusty, one of our Church members, is once again taking to the high seas of the Nottawasaga River and will be raising funds to help Open Hands Canada. This event will take place on Fri., June 30. Donations can be made through: E-transfer (treasurerbauc@outlook.com), Debit/Credit, Cash or Cheque (made out to BAUC, memo: Open Hands Canada).  If you have any questions, please speak to Laura San Juan, Steve Stoll, or Colin MacDonald.

150th Anniversary Celebration

Memories and Memorabilia - As part of our 150th Anniversary Celebration, we’d like to gather photos and other mementos from the past.  To save on space, and to keep your items safe, we will be “collecting” them digitally.  You can send your photos and photos of things to Catherine Fletcher.  For those who might find it more convenient, please bring your treasures to coffee time in May or June and a committee member will photograph them for you. These photos may be used in PowerPoints, church services and more.

150th Anniversary Cookbook Project - 
Attention all young artists! The 150th Anniversary Cookbook needs a bit of artistic interest in the divider pages. There are 7 images we are seeking which will be printed in black only so no colour please. We need images for the following: COFFEE TIME, FUNDRAISING DINNERS, PICNIC FARE, VICTORIAN TEA AND BAKE SALE FAVOURITES, SPECIAL CELEBRATIONS, INTERNATIONAL FOODS, AND RECIPES FROM THE PAST. Please send in your drawings for as many or as few as you wish with your name and contact info attached.  Deadline to receive them is June 30.

We still need recipes!. We are looking for any of your favourite recipes to be included in our fundraising  cookbook. Send them with your name and phone number to Susan Cole or leave it in the "150 Cookbook" bin, located in front of the mailboxes in the church foyer for Susan to pick up  by  June 15th.  There are blank forms next to the bin to write out your recipe if you need one. 

Church Office

Office Hours - Monday-Friday, 9:00 - 12:00 pm.
Phone - 705-726-0401
Office Email: burtonaveunitedchurch@bauc.ca
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​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. Items for our verbal Celebrations & Thanksiving time in Worship should be sent by Thursdays before noon to  burtonaveunitedchurch@bauc.ca​

Church Family

Yard Work Help - Brian Barnes is looking for some yard work help from one or more of our youth.  If you're interested, please contact Brian.

Community Events

Sing-It Women's Choir - Come out and enjoy a benefit concert at BAUC on May 31 at 7:00 pm. Proceeds will support Redwood Park Communities charity.  Tickets are $15.00 before and $20.00 at the door and can purchased through this link - https://www.expressu.ca/tickets-sing-it.html.  This will be an evening full of fun, upbeat songs sung by a group of fun loving women.  This choir is led by Julia Johnston and includes congregant Sandy Coyle. 

Grace United Church - Strawberry Supper on Wed., June 28th.  Please click here for more details.

           ​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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