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First Fruit

The strawberry or ken'niiohontésha in the Mohawk language, has significance to Indigenous peoples, way beyond its wonderful taste. The strawberry leaves are known as a “woman's medicine”, they are used to brew tea to help with blood illnesses. The strawberry season is also the time babies are named in the longhouse.

According to Darryl Thompson, a cultural facilitator at Tsi Niionkwarihò:ten Tsitewaháhara'n Centre in Kahnawake, strawberries are symbolic of life and health with deep roots connected to the Haudenosaunee creation story. "It was always a special fruit from the Creator. The reason why it's special is because it's the first one that appears in the beginning of the new year,"

If you love making jam from sweet, delicious Ontario strawberries, you are connecting with strands from many traditions and times. Strawberry seeds have been found from pre-historic times and the invading colonists in the 16th century were amazed at the great swathes of wild strawberries they saw on the banks of the St. Lawrence river.

When we engage in the ritual of preserving, we are linking with our diverse human ancestry. This can be a way of paying our respects and also an opportunity to show gratitude to our earth home for its abundance. So I hope you will feel motivated to respond to the call to make jams, jellies and pickles – see Leigh’s note below.

Thank you,
Karen Dale, in ministry with Beach United Church

Calling All Jam, Jelly and Pickle Makers!
If you're making preserves this summer, why not set some aside to donate to Beach United's Christmas Market? It takes place in November and we're still planning the details, but we know that homemade jams, jellies, relishes, chutneys and pickles always sell fast.

A few things to keep in mind:
* All preserves must be shelf stable (no fridge pickles or freezer jams).
* We can't store them at the church so please keep them at home for now.
* Have extra canning jars? Or do you need canning jars?
Contact Leigh Bowser (647 449 8332) to make arrangements to drop off or pick up donated empty jars. (Please don't bring them to the church.)



CHECK OUT EVENTS & WEBSITE LINKS click the blue links to connect

July 18th Interactive Sunday Session: connect to Zoom at 10.30 am.
Theme: “Tapestry of Life”.
Hear and consider one of the 94 Calls to Action from The Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
Worship leaders – Karen Dale [minister] & Mary Anne Lemm.
Here is the Zoom link https://zoom.us/j/99648730942?pwd=dkpFNFFDV0VNbjlxTzZJeEs5R0ROQT09

The video will be posted by 12 noon Sun July 18, on the website & Facebook
https://beachunitedchurch.com/worship-and-music/spirit-connect/
https://www.facebook.com/beachunitedchurch

Concerned about Racial Justice?
You are invited to be part of a small working group of committed people who want to work on actions of inclusion and reconciliation within the BUC and broader community. Please join us and be part of positive change. Contact Mary Anne Lemm maryanne.alton@sympatico.ca or Karen Dale karen@beachuc.com

Knitting for Shivering Children: read about and admire the photographs of the group’s recent activity.
Details about the Great Toronto Yarn Hop July 10-17.
https://beachunitedchurch.com/knitting-for-shivering-children

Gardening Group
The group currently meets outside the church at 140 Wineva Avenue on Saturday’s from 9.30 to 10.30 am. Contact Matthew Canaran at mattcanaran@gmail.com.
To learn more CLICK HERE


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