Interfaith Lunch Program Update!

beachunited December 7, 2022 No Comments

We have a seasonal update for you from Hastings Withers, our point person person for our Thursday Interfaith Lunch Program. Please see below for an abbreviated blog post, or download the full PDF here!

“BEHIND THE SCENES” – some aspects of how we make a pleasant and welcoming place, with good food that is safe and effective for both our guests and our volunteers:

The Free Community  lunch program at Beach United re-started in October after Thanksgiving, and we have had two successful months – made much easier for both volunteers and and guests as COVID restrictions have eased. Presently, church policy requires all volunteers to be masked, and of course there are food safety protocols as well. 

Policies and practices are still subject to change, and are communicated regularly to all concerned.  This has led to new signage to keep volunteers up to speed with the latest requirements.

Thursday, December 1, Menu

Daily Bread Food bank provides pre-cooked casseroles and soups which just require heating.  

In addition, another hot dish  was prepared the previous day, a pasta dish – the picture shows finishing touches being added. And sandwiches are prepared and packaged for about half the guests who prefer a take-away bag lunch.  

Before the Rush

In this picture, Nella and Barbara (below, left),  having finished  preparing the food are having a short coffee break before the guests start arriving.  Al (below, right) and  Greg (not shown)  have got the dining room ready, and put up the outside canopy with chairs and a table.  The canopy is a valuable addition to making a welcoming place for our guests.  Even if they choose to remain outside for a take-away bag lunch, they can have some shelter, and conversation around a table.  Putting the canopy up is somewhat challenging, but Al and Greg have it mastered! 

9:45am Thursday Morning

Although our announced opening time is 10:00am, last Thursday, Wheel-Trans delivered two of our guests much earlier.  While other volunteers are still setting up and getting food ready, Linda (below, right)  is welcoming the two guests, Harry and Judy, with  a coffee and pastry.

Welcoming Guests Throughout December 

Although not all volunteers can be available throughout December, the Beach United Thursday lunch will still be provided regularly throughout the month (1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd & 29th).  And we’ll make a point of displaying this “Welcome” sign, on which guests speaking other languages added their contribution.   I only know for sure that it was Patrick who added “Faite” and Li Wen who added the Mandarin word for welcome, which she explained is pronounced “hwan yang”. 

Christmas 2022 at Beach United Church

beachunited November 23, 2022 7 Comments

Please see below for our Advent and Christmas services and events 🎄

Masks are mandatory for all of our services, with the exception of the Christmas Market – masks are strongly recommended to attend our indoor market in order to keep our community safe.

Sunday November 27 at 10:30am – First Sunday of Advent – We wait for Christmas

Monday November 28 at 7pm – Advent Conversations Week 1 – Now is the Time

Sunday December 4 at 10:30am – Second Sunday of Advent – A Voice from the Wilderness

Monday December 5 at 7pm – Advent Conversations Week 2 – Now is the Time

Sunday December 11 at 10:30am – Third Sunday of Advent – Story of Mary

Monday December 12 at 7pm – Advent Conversations Week 3 – Now is the Time

Sunday December 18 at 10:30am – Fourth Sunday of Advent – The Seven Noels  Cantata

Monday December 19 at 7pm – Advent Conversations Week 4 – Now is the Time

Wednesday December 21 at 7pm – Alban Arthan – The Longest Night

Alban Arthan comes from Druid Solstice traditions – the service will draw on that tradition and will be a contemplative service, engaging poetry, call and response, self-reflection, singing and some art appreciation.

Saturday December 24 at 7pm – Christmas Eve Carol Service

Saturday December 24 at 10:30pm – Christmas Eve Communion Service

The Bob Dylan Story: An Online Lecture/Concert with Dr. Mike Daley

beachunited April 1, 2020 No Comments

Listen to Dr. Mike Daley in the comfort of your home and let the music and lyrics of Bob Dylan speak to you during these challenging times.

Dr. Mike Daley is a musicologist and lecturer on music history as well as a longtime professional musician, working with the likes of Jeff Healey and the Travellers. In this recorded lecture-concert, Mike tells the fascinating story of the Bard of Hibbing, Bob Dylan, interspersed with several of Dylan’s most iconic songs. Following the posting of the lecture, Mike will answer your questions about Dylan in a livestream on YouTube.

To receive your link to The Bob Dylan Story:

  • Register on Eventbrite to receive the lecture/concert link via email when it goes live (if you need assistance with this, email jolaforty@gmail.com).
  • The link you receive by email will go live on April 9 and remain live until April 23.

You will be able to watch Mike Daley’s Lecture/Concert as many times as you wish during this time period.

Mike will host a 30-minute livestream Q & A on YouTube on April 20, at 11.00 am. You will receive an invitation with a link to this via email
Donations appreciated, $10 suggested.

Beach United Church, like many other organizations, has lost most of its income. Your generous donations will help us continue to:

  • Share a weekly take-out lunch for those in need
  • Provide quality programs on our website
  • Support our community through phone calls and food delivery
  • Pay for the services of professional musicians & presenters

Check out the event on Eventbrite!

Beach United Church’s Response to COVID-19

beachunited March 17, 2020 No Comments

I am writing to assure you that we at Beach United have been carefully monitoring COVID-19 developments.  The volunteer leadership, ministry staff, and operations staff have been in ongoing contact to develop and implement plans to deal with the situation and keep people well.

On the operations front, plans are underway to increase our cleaning and sanitation activities.  Signage has been put in place encouraging hand-washing and other protective measures.  As many chairs will be set out for events as is reasonable to allow people additional space.

On the ministry front, we are assessing what events should be postponed or modified in other ways. We appreciate that we all need social contact in one form or another and that we need to strike the right balance between keeping everyone physically well and mentally well.  We are also working to increase our ability to help those who might be ill or unable to leave home because of COVID-19.

Guidelines for staying well

We repeat the best advice from public health officials and encourage you to follow their guidelines:

  • If you are sick yourself, stay home and avoid contact with others 
  • Wash your hands frequently and keep your hands away from your face as much as possible.
  • Keep a social distance of two meters away from others, especially those who may be sick.
  • Cough into a tissue and dispose of it.
  • Use alcohol or Clorox wipes to disinfect surfaces you are concerned about.

If you need assistance

  • If you are ill, or self-quarantined and need any assistance, call 416-691-8082 or email office@beachuc.com
  • If you need someone to speak with because of your worries or personal concerns and would like to contact a minister or receive pastoral care, phone 416-691-8082 x26 or email karen@beachuc.com
  • If you need more information about COVID-19, visit the Toronto Public Health CORONA-19 page.
  • If you need information about any changes to upcoming events at Beach United Church, check the calendar, our website, or our Facebook page.

We will continue to provide updates on what we are doing to look after the welfare of the Beach United Church community until this event passes and things return to normal.

-Brian Gauthier, Chair – Board of Directors