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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
 Friday Sept. 21-23
OPEN WIDE THE GATES September 21 – 23 at Camp Big Canoe for youth in grades 7-12. Living Waters Presbytery is partnering with Camp Big Canoe and South West Presbytery to host a youth event during the weekend of Living Waters Presbytery's Into the Great Wide Open event.  With food, games, worship, guest speakers and fellowship, we will be making this weekend the best way to begin the fall!  Register before Sept. 10.  Forms in the foyer or on our website.  No cost for this event and transportation to and from Barrie provided.  Speak to Andrea Wheaton for more information.

Saturday Sept. 22
Into the Great Wide Open… Living Waters Presbytery is inviting us to participate in a celebration of ministry and mission on Sat., Sept. 22, 11 am - 5 pm. This 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 hoping that churches like ours will come and be a part of the celebration. See sign up sheet in the foyer to attend or volunteer. 

“We Three Spies” - Rehearsals will be on Saturdays from 9:00-11:30 am in the Rainbow Club, beginning Sept 22th. Please watch your emails for more information from Katie Pergau on roles, scripts, and music for your children. We’re looking for the message of Christmas and hope you can help us find it! 

Sunday Sept. 23
Join us for Sunday Service at 10:00am

Tuesday Sept. 25
Book Club:  will meet on Tues., Sept. 25 at 7:30 pm at the home of Islay's Mom at 2404 Ronald Rd., Minesing (705-817-6190).  Our discussion will be a book talk of your favourite summer reading.  You are invited to join us.

Sunday Sept. 30
ORANGE SHIRT DAY IS NEXT SUNDAY!  The BAUC Truth & Reconciliation Group would like to invite everyone to wear an orange shirt (or even an orange accessory) for next Sun., Sept. 30. This is one way we can outwardly mark our respect for residential school survivors and our commitment to reconciliation as a church.
 
Affirming Ministry – We have spent many months exploring the possibility of becoming an Affirming Ministry and are getting closer to our congregational vote planned for Oct. 28.  If you would like to find out more about what this means for BAUC, or if you have questions, concerns or stories to share, please join us for an after-church conversation on Sun., Sept. 30.  Sign up in the foyer to attend.  You could also explore the materials on the Affirming Ministries table in the foyer, leave a comment or question in the Wonder Box on the table or chat with an Affirming Ministries team member.

 Upcoming Events and Announcements

The Women’s Spirituality will meet Wed., Oct. 3 at 7 pm in the lounge.  All women who are interested are invited to attend. Our theme this year is “Wellness”.  Andrea Wheaton will leave a devotion on wellness and we will start our Wellness Buddies project.  If you plan to attend or have any questions send an email to Susan Cole at skcole@me.com
 
Board Meeting – on Wed., Oct. 10 with committees meeting at 7:00 and the Full Board at 8:00 pm.

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

Youth Groups – this year the youth group will have an older and a younger group.   Both groups will meet on the same Sunday evenings but will have their own group time.  So we are hoping to add to the leadership team.  We don’t start until Oct. 14 and we meet every other Sunday.  If you are interested in helping out please speak with Kim Stoll or Peter Michalski.
 
Youth Confirmation Classes – If you are in grades 8 or 9 please speak to Andrea Wheaton to indicate your interest in being a part of the upcoming Confirmation Group.  Our meeting time will depend on class membership.

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. 

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.

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/