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Burton Avenue United Church is a dynamic Christ-centred community of faith. For over 135 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!

What's Happening this week!

EXPLORE BURTON aVENUE uNITED church
Summer Office Hours:   Wednesday and Thursday from 9:30-12:30.  

Sunday August 12
Come join us for worship at 10:00 am!
Pulpit supply provided by the Women’s Spirituality Group.

The Congregational Life Committee is looking for people to serve refreshments in the lounge after worship, starting next week.  Cold drinks and cookies are provided.  If you would like to take a turn serving, the sign-up sheet will be the lounge or call the office.

 Upcoming Events and Announcements

Staff Away – Andrea Wheaton is away on vacation and returning to the office on Tues. Aug. 21.  For emergency pastoral care during that time, please contact Rev. Patricia Gale-MacDonald (after Aug. 1) or Rev. Ruth McDonald

Pulpit Supply – Many thanks to our members who are stepping forward to offer summer pulpit supply.  We are looking forward to your energy and messages.  Blessings to you.
Aug. 12 – Women’s Spirituality Group
Aug. 19 – Cathy Manzato

“We Three Spies”, our kids Christmas musical for 2018 has arrived!  We’re looking for adult helpers with staging, costumes, props, etc.  If you can help, please contact Katie Pergau.

Vacation Bible Camp at BAUC!
Aug. 13 - 17 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.  Registration is now closed!!!

VBS Supplies - We need your help gathering VBS craft supplies! We are asking for plastic water bottles to be used by the children for a craft. A labelled bin has been set up in the foyer.
 
Calling youth volunteers! If you are in need of your high school volunteer hours and enjoy working with little people, consider joining our vbs team. There are always children who need one-on-one help with crafts & activities. Contact Julie at juliemcgonegal@gmail.com if you’re interested.

Voluntary Associate Minister  We are pleased to welcome Rev. Ruth McDonald as a Voluntary Associate Minister (VAM).  This role is a formalized relationship between ministry personnel and a local congregation. It is a provision to allow for appropriate exercise of ministry functions (such as celebrating weddings) on a voluntary basis.  Ruth and Todd have been members here since February of 2017.

Powerpoint – Are you interested in running the powerpoint on Sundays for July & August?  It will be prepared for you, so you just have to set up the laptop and run it.  Speak to Brad Hampshire or Andrea Wheaton for more information.
 
Kitchen Club - Good things happen when people gather to cook for themselves, and for each other. They make new friends. They expand what they know about nutrition, so they can eat better. They learn basic kitchen skills that enable them to provide for themselves while saving money. They develop the spirit of teamwork, because the dishes that each kitchen club makes are divided among its members at the end of each kitchen session – everyone goes home with the feeling of a job well done, and with well-made food for that evening or days to come. (Or longer still, when dishes can be frozen.)  Or perhaps they can be frozen in the church freezer to help those who might need a meal when the unexpected happens.  Would you be interested in being part of a kitchen club at Burton Ave United?  Call the church office for contact info.

Fall camping weekend will be at Sparrow Lake United Church Camp in Severn Township for the fourth year in a row!  The dates are Sept. 7 - 9.  This year we are excited to announce that we will be sharing our camping experience with Northwest Barrie United Church, joining us on Sat., Sept. 8 for the day!   Camper fees are $125 for a family or $60 for an individual for the weekend.  If you want to join us for the Saturday only, it will be $60 for a family or $25 for individual. If you are interested, please pick up an information sheet and registration form from a Life Long Learning Committee Member after church in the lower hall.  Registration due now!  We hope to see you at camp!

Save the date  for the after church BBQ on Sun., Sept. 16th

In the Great Wide Open… Living Waters Presbytery is inviting us to participate in a celebration of ministry and mission on Sat., Sept. 22 from 11 am - 5 pm. This celebration will be in the tradition of a “fall fair” at Camp Big Canoe.  There will be carnival games, good food, music, and more.  They are also hoping that churches like ours will come and be a part of the celebration as well.  Mark the date and watch for info.

Congregational Photo Directory – new family pages were printed a few weeks ago and can be found on the shelving unit in the foyer.  There is also another page containing updated addresses and phone numbers.  

OnGoing

Rides 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.

Our Daily Bread – This daily devotional is available outside the sanctuary doors.  Pick one up and spend a few moments each day reading a scripture passage and a reflection.

2018 Church Offering Envelopes   If you are regularly using visitor envelopes, please consider asking for an envelope number by calling the church office.

Pre-authorized remittance program (PAR) - It is a convenient way to replace having to remember to bring envelopes to church or playing catch-up at the end of the summer while you were away.  Forms are available in the foyer or call the office.

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.

lend a helping hand

Youth Haven - in need of men’s and women’s underwear & men’s clothing (shorts, shirts & t-shirts) as well as toilet paper.

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.

Busby Street Center  - in need of tents and sleeping bags. 

Busby Street Center still needs us to make/deliver sandwiches to them on Wednesdays between 9:00 and 2:00!  For the summer we are going to try a different approach.  If we could get 4 people each week to sign up for 10 sandwiches each and one driver to coordinate (which could also be a sandwich maker).  We are also looking for a list of drivers and people interested in donating supplies (we could find a sandwich maker). Each week we require a total of 40 sandwiches. Signup sheet is in the foyer.  Please note that the Street Center is temporarily located at the former Central United Church until at least Oct.

Barrie Food Bank -  in great need of canned goods, pasta and sauce, non perishable goods etc…

 Leftovers to Share - Are you able on occasion to make a little extra to share?  We are accepting meal donations to have on hand in the freezer for people in our congregation, who for a variety of reasons, would be happy to receive a home cooked meal, either on a temporary or more long term basis.  If making a soup, stew, chili or any other meal that freezes well, why not make an extra portion or two.  Please label it, with what it is and your name and date, and leave in the church freezer.  We will make sure it gets delivered to someone.  If you have a question, or know of someone who would benefit from receiving a meal, please speak with Lois Delaforce.
ON THE WEB
Website Update – our website has been redesigned.  Note that the address has changed from .ca to .com. 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/