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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
Sunday May 20
Sunday Morning Service - Join us for worship service beginning at 10:00 am!

This Morning in Rainbow Club is a backwards Sunday. All children age 3-grade 6 are invited to start the morning in Rainbow Club.   Ask an usher if you need help finding your way.  We will join our families later in the service.  The youth class will remain in worship today. Caregivers with toddlers & babies can make use of the Lounge beside the sanctuary, if needed, or bring them to the lower level Nursery.

Rainbow Display – please take a moment to add your story, word, picture of inclusion on the rainbow in the foyer.  And on the outside of the rainbow we need you to share with us times you have felt excluded in your life.  Read the scripture story that the children & youth read and studied that helped them to think about a biblical vision of inclusion:  Acts 10: 1-34.

Affirming Ministries - Check out the information table (located in the foyer or downstairs in the Hall) to find out more about our congregation’s decision to explore the possibility of becoming an Affirming Ministry.  Leave a question in the “Wonder” box.  

Monday  May 21
Church Office – Will be closed.

The Rest of the WEEK

Andrea Wheaton is away Mon., May 21-Sun., May 27 for study leave and attending the annual meeting of Toronto Conference.  For emergency Pastoral Care please contact Rev. Pat MacDonald at 705-795-9438.

 Upcoming Events and Announcements

Conversations that Matter – come out on Sun., May 27 after church for a conversation about what it means if we become an Affirming Ministry.   Members of the Affirm Team invite you to come and listen, question, wonder, share & be heard.  Refreshments will be provided.

Nine for Nica – May 28 is our 8th annual Nine for Nica golf tournament. Shot gun start is at 5:15 pm. Registration and silent auction begin at 4:30. It’s at Simoro Golf Course, 1045 Penetanguishene Rd. $80 cost includes golfing, cart, chicken dinner and a charity receipt of $25. Come for dinner only is $35 with a $10 charity receipt. Donations accepted for the silent auction or sponsor a hole. Contact John Sawyers or Miriam Oben. There will be a sign-up sheet downstairs after church.

Book Club - The book for May is The Day the World Came to Town: 9/11 in Gander, Newfoundland by Jim DeFede.  We will meet in the church lounge on Tues., May 29 at 7:30 pm.  All are welcomed.

Parish Nurse – On June 1 we welcome Janis Constable as our Parish Nurse!  On Sun., April 29, the congregation voted on two motions regarding this Parish Nurse position.  The first motion approved a position averaging 10 hrs/week from June 1 to Dec. 31.  The second motion approved an application for funding to expand the position to 20 hrs/week for 2019 and 2020.

Our Better Selves Save the evening of Fri., June 1 for this event for the 20-40 year age range. Come along to embrace the vision to change the world with better thinking, better partnerships and better selves. To be held at Grace United Church in partnership with Living Waters Presbytery.  Childcare and a meal included.  Watch for more info next week.
 
Affirm Vision Statement – Come and be part of the conversation as we consider what our Affirm Vision Statement should include if we become an Affirming Ministry.   It will be an activity based conversation over a pizza lunch on Sun., June 3 after church.  Sign up to attend as soon as possible in the foyer.  All ages welcome and childcare provided if needed.

Living into Right Relations – An event for Youth and Teens (ages 12-18 or thereabouts) on Sat., June 9 from 9:00 am – 3:00 p.m. at Minesing United Church.  Learn from the Kairos Blanket Exercise, Share in a meal, Listen to Guest Speakers.  Meet and grow in relationship while living into right relations.  $20 individual  $30 group of three, $50 (group from one church).  To register contact Jeffrey Dale, Youth Ministries Co-ordinator of Living Waters Presbytery.  647-382-6824 or jeffreydale@graceucc.ca

Save the Date! - Vacation Bible Camp at BAUC!
Aug. 13 - 17 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Details and registration coming soon. For more info, contact Julie McGonegal at juliemcgonegal@gmail.com.

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 by Sun., June 10.  We hope to see you at camp!

Open Hands United - For anyone who is interested in being part of a short-term mission experience to Nicaragua. The date of the mission is Feb., 19 to Mar., 2, 2019. Cost: $2400. 
Click HERE for more info!

Welcoming New Members – If you have been attending for a time or are newer to our congregation and would like to have a conversation about membership, please be in touch with Andrea Wheaton.  We will be welcoming new members again on Sun., June 3.

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.  

On Going

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 have not received yours yet, they are available for pickup in the mailslots in the foyer.  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

Open Hands Youth Mission is looking for donations of the following:
Sports Equipment – soccer, baseball, volley & basket balls, smaller balls of all kinds.  Skipping ropes, frisbees etc., air pumps.
Craft materials – scissors, glue, stickers, embroidery thread, pipe cleaners, googly eyes, plastic gimp, beads of all sizes, bubbles, face paint and brushes, colouring books.
Medical supplies – bandages, antibiotic creams, over-the-counter drugs (Tylenol etc.) latex gloves, medical equip. (stethoscopes, blood pressure cuffs, etc.), prenatal vitamins, toothbrushes & toothpaste.
School Supplies – markers, crayons, coloured pencils, rulers, erasers, pens & pencils.
Donations are due in the church office by Fri., June 15.  Thank you for your generous support.

Youth Haven has need of boxer shorts and socks for males, towels, sheets and blankets, soups, pasta & sauces, KD, & canned tomatoes.

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 volunteers to make/deliver sandwiches to them on Wednesdays between 9:00 and 2:00!  Each week we require a total of 40 sandwiches. Signup sheet is in the foyer.

The Barrie Food Bank is in great need of baby food, jams, juices and toiletries. 
 
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/