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)
Dec. 4 - 2nd Sunday of Advent - Pre-Service Sing-Along (starting at 9:50 am) - Rainbow Club - Visioning Mtg following service
Dec. 11 - 3rd Sunday of Advent - Kids Musical "Straight Outta Bethlehem" - NO Rainbow Club

After Worship Refreshments - We are grateful to Linda & Bruce Hudson and Marlene Lawrence Holman for hosting this week. We invite YOU, (committees, groups, families, couples, friends) to sign up to host for a week.  Training, if needed, is provided for free!  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).
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NEW - Transition Team update on Masking - The province has issued a strong recommendation of masking indoors in public settings. We have taken measures to be able to live with and manage COVID-19, but we still need to do our part to protect ourselves and others especially during respiratory infection seasons. While leaving masking up to individuals at this time, we strongly recommend wearing masks in the public space of worship. Please continue to self screen prior to coming to the building and continue to be aware of each other's personal space. We continue to follow the advice of the SMDHU.

Video Announcements - We’ve been enjoying some very creative videos during announcement time recently. These lively videos have added to our service and promoted some worthwhile causes.  Just a reminder to those wishing to include a video, please contact the church office a full week before it is to be shown.  This gives the video creators, the worship team, and the tech team time to plan these special presentations. 

Memorial Poinsettia - Poinsettia will again be placed in the sanctuary beginning Sun., Dec. 18. The plants will remain in the sanctuary for the duration of the Christmas season to help beautify our Sanctuary and will NOT be taken home.  Should you wish to have loved ones remembered during the service on Dec. 18, please CLICK HERE to fill out the form and submit online.  OR  pick up a form on your way into service and leave the completed form on the offering plate. Forms must be submitted by Mon., Dec. 12. Should you wish to donate to Memorial you may do by;
1.  Using your offering envelope indicating Poinsettia beside “Other”
2. Using etransfer to treasurerbauc@outlook.com. Please note on the e-transfer what your donation is for and also complete the form so that we have the correct wording.
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From Your Church Board

On Sun., Dec. 4 you are invited to come and hear a summary of the answers offered to those questions.  Then in small groups we will continue the visioning conversation with follow up questions as we continue to Reconnect, Recover and Recommit as a church family.  We will gather after the time of refreshments, no later than noon, and plan to be finished by 1:30 p.m. A light lunch will be provided.  Please RSVP by Thurs., Dec. 1 your intention to attend or not so that we know how much food to prepare. You can also indicate your desire for an online gathering.  To RSVP, please complete the form at this LINK.  We look forward to a fun and faith-filled time together.
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From Your Stewardship Committee

Tea & Scones To Go! - Sat., Dec. 3, 2022
Pick up your order of scones between 1:30-3:30 pm in our Parking Lot.  Roll down your windows as you drive through to enjoy some carols from some special singers...you might even catch sight of our favourite Christmas elf!  

2023 Offering Envelopes - Please pick up your 2023 envelopes in the lobby on Sun., Dec 11. Please contact Katie at the office with any questions: 705-726-0401 or email: katie@bauc.ca 

Amaryillis Challenge 2023  Amaryllis bulbs are still available for this season. $25.00 per bulb and all the fixin’s. Plant a bulb for each Sunday of Advent and you just might have extraordinary flowers blooming for the entire winter.  See Ken Down after the service if you’re interested.

From Your Life Long Learning Committee

Youth Inc  - invites you to an evening of fellowship, games, snacks and conversation.WHEN:  Sun., Dec. 11th
TIME:    6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
WHERE: Downstairs at the church
WHO: Youth Inc & Congregation of BAUC - young and less young - everybody is welcome!!
WHY:  We would love to get to know you - our church family!!
RSVP: by Dec. 8th via sign up sheet downstairs or by contacting Kim Stoll. 
As you are able, a small snack to share with each other would be appreciated.

Christmas Eve Pageant - On Dec., 24th at 6:00 pm, the children and youth of the church will be presenting the nativity story during the early Christmas Eve service. If your family will be available on that date and your children are interested in participating, please email Sally Telford. The commitment is minimal - we will practice during Rainbow Club on Dec. 18th and do a dress rehearsal in the sanctuary for 30 minutes following service on that date.
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From Your  Outreach Committee

​Snowflake Tree - We have a handful of snowflakes still available.  If you have ability and interest in supporting this amazing Samaritan House Intiative, please email Cate ASAP or see her right after the service.  We can also “shop" for you if you are short of time this week. Ideally, gifts should be returned to BAUC by this Sun., Dec. 4. (We have some flexibility to accept during the coming week as well).

Movember 
The BAUC Mo Men team supporting Movember Canada want to say a special thanks to our BAUC family. With the support of our families, work mates, friends and YOU, we have had our most successful fundraising efforts ever.  So thank you all! 

SafeTALK at Burton Avenue Church
Burton Avenue Church will be holding a Suicide Alertness Training on Sat., Jan. 14, from 10:00 am – 1:00 pm . This training will prepare participants to better recognize when people are having suicidal thoughts and to know how to connect that person to someone with suicide intervention skills and further community resources. The cost of this training will be $15.00 which pays for 3 hours of training, a booklet, two stickers, a wallet card and a certificate, as well as a snack. Participants need to be 15 years of age or over. The deadline to sign up for this is Dec. 21.  Greg Taylor will be able receive money to register (either upstairs or downstairs hall). You can also contact him at Gregory.taylor@georgiancollege.ca. Let’s make Burton Ave United and the surrounding area a suicide-safer community!   

From Your Church Office

Office Hours - Monday-Friday, 9:00 - 12:00 pm.
Phone - 705-726-0401
Office Emails - katie@bauc.ca or burtonaveunitedchurch@bauc.ca

​​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 2 weeks only unless otherwise requested. 

From  your Church family

​Celebration of Life - There will be a service of Celebration for the life of the late Joanne Barnes on Fri., Dec. 2 at 3:00 pm in the Sanctuary.  Visitation will take place from 1:45 - 2:45 pm and a light reception will follow the service in the Auditorium.

The Nov. 27 Meatloaf Potluck was a huge success.  The home made meatloaf was amazing and plentiful. The complimentary dishes were awesome....as were all the desserts!  A huge “Thanks" to all those who were able participate. Burton Ave United sure knows how to potluck!  There are 16 frozen portions of meatloaf with 4 of those huge slices per package available right after the service for $10 each.  An easy main course for any dinner!  See Ken or Chris downstairs after the service if you would like to purchase one or more. Thanks again everyone.

From Bob Clay - B’s Bees Christmas Honey is Available Once Again!! It has been a good year for the bees and we have 375 ml jars of honey available for $8 each.  All sales will be donated directly to BAUC. The honey was harvested on Aug. 8, 2022 from bees at Camphill near Angus.  They gathered nectar from wildflowers and haskap berries (similar to blueberries).  If you are interested get in touch with Bob at rtcjets50@gmail.com  Cash or e-transfer only.

From the Wider Community

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​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 www.burtonavenueunited.com, 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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