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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
 Saturday October 13
Health Ministry Training – on Sat., Oct. 13 at 9:00 a.m., for those registered, in the lower hall.

Sunday October 14
Join us for Sunday Service at 10:00am!

Youth Inc – this year the youth group will have an older and a younger group.   Both groups will meet at the same time but will have time apart.  We start Oct. 14 and we meet every other Sunday from 7-8:30 pm.  We look forward to a great year together.

Wednesday October 17
Women’s Spirituality Meets Wed., Oct. 17 at 7:00 pm in the Lounge.  Our guest will be Selene Taylor who will be offering us a Safe Conversations teaching and experience. Let Andrea Wheaton know whether or not you are attending. All women are welcome.  awheatonbauc@outlook.com

Friday October 19
Halloween Themed Games Night Fri., Oct. 19, 6:30 - 8:30 pm.  Come join the Life Long Learning Committee for a fun night of Halloween Games & Board Games.  The committee will provide some Halloween games to play and refreshments.  You can bring along your favourite board game and a snack to share.  The children may wear their Halloween costume, if they wish.  This is an all ages event, there will be something for everyone.  Sign-up downstairs at coffee time by Oct 14.

Saturday October 20
When are we at our best?  What time is it in the life of Burton Ave. United?  What do you long for in all your faith relations here at Burton Ave. United?   You are invited to come out on Sat., Oct. 20 from 9:30 a.m. – 5:00 pm to listen, share, ask and answer questions as we wonder together about God’s future for our ministry.   Rev. Todd McDonald will be our facilitator for the day using a process called Appreciative Inquiry – it seeks to identify God-given gifts and connect them in ways that heighten enthusiasm, sharpen vision and inspire change.  Sign up as soon as possible in the foyer – space will be limited.  Lunch will be provided.  Rides are available.  Childcare can be arranged.

 Upcoming Events and Announcements

 Roast Beef Dinner Fri. Oct., 26 at 6 pm.  Adults $20, Children 12 and under $10.  Tickets are available after church on Sunday mornings from Brenda Young or through the week at the office.
 
Book Club will meet Tues., Oct. 30 at 7:30 pm at the home of Miriam Oben.  5 Annwood Copse, Oro- Medonte. (705)734-0395.  We will be reading Chai Tea Sunday by Heather A. Clark.  Everyone is welcome to join us.
 
Nicaragua Action Packet - Open Hands United had to cancel their planned mission trips because of the situation in Nicaragua. Living Waters Presbytery decided to take action with a packet that includes a petition calling on the Canadian Government to support the people of Nicaragua, information on how to write a letter to your MP and more.  Copies of the packet are in the foyer and on our website.  We are asking that you share this information, especially the petition.  Click here for more information, or go to  https://petitions.ourcommons.ca/en/Petition/Details?Petition=e-1800

Ushers and Greeters Scheduling for the new 2019 list of greeters and ushers will soon be done.  We always need more people! We like to have enough people so that everyone only commits to two sessions of two-week segments in the year.  Scheduling can be arranged according to your availability. Please seriously consider serving here – we have 52 weeks to cover and any training needed can be arranged. Current people please notify Linda Hudson at 722-6085 or email bitterlyn@hotmail.com of any changes to your date preferences for the upcoming year.  Thank You!!          

Church Membership  - We will be welcoming people into full membership again on Sun., Nov. 4.  If you are interested in being welcomed in this way, please contact Andrea Wheaton as soon as possible.

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.

A Note from your Parish Nurse  Just a reminder to all of you, that I am available 10 hours per week, to serve you. Since June, I’ve been slowly getting to know a lot of you, and I have been pleased to help many of you with answers to medical questions, advice on simple and complex health concerns, referrals to social agencies.... even accompanying folks to medical appointments and the ER.   Please feel free to speak to me before or after any Sunday service. I welcome your questions. I’m inviting YOU PERSONALLY, to meet with me. I’m here to help.  The Autumn is here .... a season of beauty, colour, and refreshingly cool weather. We are not alone in this wonderful Creation that we are privileged to call home. God is with us all .... Thanks be to God.  Janis Constable

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

SOCKTOBER - for the month of October, the Outreach committee is asking for donations of socks.  Socks are greatly needed for those living on the streets in the cold, wet fall and winter months.  There will be a basket in the foyer for your donations and they will be sent to the Busby Centre.

Meals on Wheels – More volunteers are needed to deliver meals to the frail and elderly in our community.  Our commitment is every 5th Thurs. afternoon.  If interested or for more information, please contact Rose Thomson.

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 Centre still needs us to make/deliver sandwiches to them on Wednesdays between 9:00 and 2:00!  We are also looking for a list of drivers and people interested in donating supplies. Signup sheet is in the foyer. Please Note: Delivery is now to the former Central United Church!
 
Busby Street Center  - in need of tents and sleeping bags. 

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/

IN THE COMMUNITY
All Candidates Accountability Assembly on Tues., Oct. 9 from 7-9 pm at Grace United Church.  Come early to chat with candidates from your Ward.  Light refreshments served.  Using the combined voting power of 100 community and faith organizations, we will ask all Barrie candidates to commit to a handful of proposals that will make Barrie a better place to live for all of us.

Simcoe County Kairos presents….Film Showing & Mini-Concert For a Cause – A fundraising event for Typhoon Mangkhut/Ompong victims.  Will take place on Sat., Oct. 27 at 6:00 p.m. at Burton Ave United Church.  Tickets $5 or a greater donation of your choice.  In co-operation with Filipino-Canadian Association of Barrie, Bayanihan Club of Simcoe County and Pilipinong Migrante sa Barrie.