Author: beachunited

The annual Christmas Market is a much-loved Beach United tradition that brings our community together for a festive fundraising event each November. Of course, due to COVID-19, an in-person event isn’t possible this year. But the pandemic can’t squelch our Christmas Market! Thanks to the time and energy of congregation members who found a way to keep the tradition going, we’re looking forward to an Online Christmas Market instead.

Starting on Wednesday, November 25th, you can shop online at beachunitedchurch.com for a variety of holiday goodies, including favourites from past Christmas Markets.

Many of the items are perfect stocking stuffers or “porch gifts” to lift the spirits of friends and neighbours, and the homemade touch will be an antidote to the impersonal order-from-Amazon experience.

The Online Christmas Market will offer:

• Beach United’s famous pies (meat and vegetarian) *
• Delicious homemade jams, jellies, pickles and chutneys *
• Luscious soaps in holiday scents from Bridlewood Soaps
• Fair Trade chocolate bars (6 yummy flavours!), coffee and tea from Camino
• Scrumptious shortbread *
• Tasty granola *
• Soothing lavender bath salts *
• The 52 Weeks Of Wordclips book by Pat Davies
• Beautiful paintings by Angie DeStefano
• Adorable knitted toys and more * – proceeds of knitted goods will be donated to Canadian Food For Children.
• Festive fabric masks in a variety of styles, sizes and patterns *
• A “luxury pamper hamper” gift basket filled with everything needed for a cosy winter

* these items are made by volunteers

Here’s how it works:

Starting on November 25th, look for the Online Christmas Market at beachunitedchurch.com, where you can shop online with your credit card.

You will select a date and time to pick up your purchases from the church (at 140 Wineva Avenue in the Beaches neighbourhood of Toronto’s Beaches neighbourhood).

The Online Christmas Market will run for 10 days or until the merchandise is sold out, whichever comes first. To avoid disappointment, don’t delay!

An online afternoon gathering of friends led by Christine Grace McMulkin.*

Dates: Saturday December 5th
Time: 2.00 – 3.30 pm
To register contact: christine@christinegraceandcommunity.com
Space is Limited.
Suggested donation $5
Donate at https://beachunitedchurch.com/about-us/donate
Please type the title of the workshop “Time for Tea” in the message box

“Strange how a teapot can represent at the same time the comforts of solitude and the pleasures of company.” – Author Unknown

As we continue to endure much solitude, we crave connections and community. Put the kettle on and join us for a time of informal conversation and reflections on friendship during challenging times.

* The kettle is always on in Christine’s home. In addition to drinking endless cups of tea, she is invested in cultivating beloved communities and is a certified teacher of Mindful Self Compassion.

2020 has proved to be a strange and challenging year, with many people struggling to make ends meet for themselves and their families. No one should suffer the indignity of hunger.

You are invited to participate in a Reverse Advent Calendar. There’s nothing quite like giving back during this special time of year. We at Beach United Church have lots to give; we can contribute and have some fun doing it.

The food boxes will go to support the Daily Bread Food Bank, which recognises that the effects of the pandemic will be felt in our community for many months to come, particularly by those experiencing poverty, homelessness, and hunger.

Mission statement of Daily Bread Food Bank –
We believe that access to food is a basic human right, not a privilege. No one should go hungry or face barriers to accessing food.

If you are interested in being part of this project please respond to gailtabbitt@gmail.com by Nov 6th for further instructions. For the list of food items for the calendar, please click here.

We are a community, let’s work together and maybe even have a smile or two.
Peter and Gail Tabbitt
gailtabbitt@gmail.com

You will not want to miss these beautiful and unique hand-crafted masks; available in an array of colours and patterns. For those who prefer to be less flamboyant, plain single colours are also available.

All masks are made from washable, dryable quilter cotton with 2-layer fabric or 3-layer– outer and inner fabric with a non-woven middle layer. Available styles -shaped or standard pleated – in adult and child sizes.

A $10 donation per mask is suggested to cover the cost of materials and support the ongoing food programs at Beach United Church.

In these difficult times, we are all doing our best to keep each other safe. Wearing face masks is now mandatory in enclosed public spaces e.g. shops, TTC or whenever it is difficult to maintain a two metre distance from others.

If you want to look stylish in your mask and support worthwhile community programs, we have the solution.

Pick up a mask at Beach United Church (140 Wineva Ave.)
Weekday mornings from 9 am – 12 noon.
Contact: office@beachuc.com