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Month at a Glance

Saturday, February 1, Jazz & Reflection, 4.30 pm. Monday, February 3, Leonard Cohen: Words & Music,

10 am to 12 pm. Sunday, February 2, Celebrate Communion. 10.30 am.

Who is my neighbour? Stories from the Mission and Service Fund

Saturday, February 8, Knitting group, 10 am to 12 pm. Saturday, February 8, Mindful Mandalas [young adults] 6-8 pm. Sunday, February 9, Mindfulness Meditation Drop-in 8-9 am. Sunday, February 9, Worship 10.30 am.

Guest speaker - Beth Baskin, Program Coordinator, Social Analysis and Congregational Engagement, United Church of Canada

Thursday, February 13, An Evening with Nathaniel Erskine-Smith, 7 - 9 pm. [St. Aidan's]

Saturday, February 15, Soundwave, 4.30 pm. Sunday, February 23, Worship 10.30 am.Guest speaker:

Rev Dr. Anne Simmonds Wednesday, February 26, Ash Wednesday Lectio Divina, 7 pm.

Announcements: An Evening with Nathaniel Erskine-Smith

In October 2019 Beaches - East York re-elected Nathaniel Erskine-Smith to the Parliament of Canada. Before the election, faith communities in Beaches – East York organized a Candidates Meeting to raise issues important to people of faith: the Environment (especially the climate crisis), growing Inequality of access to the resources needed to sustain life and Health Care. On Thursday February 13 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. Nathaniel Erskine-Smith will be at St. Aidan’s Anglican Church at 2423 Queen Street East to speak about his priorities as a Member of Parliament and how he will contribute to the minority government. Representatives of faith communities will lead a dialogue with Nathaniel about the issues we raised in the Candidates Meeting. Everyone is invited to attend to hear the dialogue and to ask about other issues that concern them.

Heartbeat Newsletter ~ February 2020

www.beachunitedchurch.com

This edition includes:

Month at a Glance

Announcements

Meet our Guest Speakers

Events

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Mark your calendars for The Knitting Pilgrim!

Kirk Dunn will be presenting his multidisciplinary one-man show, The Knitting Pilgrim, featuring the Stitched Glass tapestries, at Beach United Church on Saturday, March 7, 2020 at 8 pm, in a show to benefit Community Centre 55. The show combines personal storytelling, image projection and three huge knitted panels, designed in the style of stained-glass windows that look at the commonalities and conflicts of the Abrahamic Faiths: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. The play recounts Kirk’s 15-year artistic and spiritual journey hand knitting the ambitious project, and looks at why people struggle to get along today, the meaning of art, the hell of grant-writing and the power of love to overcome major obstacles (and minor mishaps). For info or to buy tickets ($20), please email vickytsorlinis@rogers.com, or call 416.751.9733.

For more info: www.ergoartstheatre.com or www.kirkdunn.com.

Worship Matters: Who is My Neighbour? Stories from the Mission and Service Fund [M&S]. Mission & Service is not a separate fund within the church. It is the foundation of how we offer healing and hope in a hurting world. Mission & Service supports education programs; women’s empowerment; food, housing support, and advocacy to alleviate poverty; assistance for theological students, lay leaders, and camping; congregational support; healing the relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people; youth programming like Rendez-vous, and much more! Feb 2 Celebrate Communion Feb 16 Camino de Emaús: a vibrant ministry supported by M&S in Montreal Feb 26, Ash Wednesday Lectio Divina, 7 pm. This method of prayer & hearing scripture goes back to the early monastic tradition. The monks gathered in chapel to hear a member of the community reading from scripture. In this exercise they were taught and encouraged to listen with their hearts.

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Meet our Guest Speakers

Come join us on Sunday, February 9 at 10.30 am to hear guest speaker, Beth Baskin, who works as a Program Coordinator for Social Analysis and Congregational Engagement within the United Church of Canada. Her reflection theme is Celebrating Black History: confronting white privilege. Some might remember Beth when she was part of the staff team at Kew Beach, one of the heritage congregations of Beach UC. Rev Dr. Anne Simmonds will be our guest speaker on Sunday, February 23, at 10.30 am. Anne will reflect on her experience and work in the following areas – Individual Spiritual Companioning and Counselling – Spiritual Support Groups – Pastoral Consultation to Congregations – Leading Workshops, Retreats. Anne currently teaches in the Masters of Divinity Programme at Emmanuel College (Toronto School of Theology, University of Toronto).

Children and Youth

Mind-Full Mandalas

Date and time: February 8, 2020, 6 pm - 8 pm. . Location: Beach United Church. 140 Wineva Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, M4E 2T4. In which areas of life do we have balance and are we seeking balance? How do emotions affect our lives? Activity: Paint Night! Create paintings on CDs with various designs with a special technique to create our visions for 2020. Facilitator: Connie Tong, Artist, City of Toronto. Register for the event here!

February for Kids: Activities 6 to 12 years

Date and time: Sundays in February from 10.30 am. to 11.30 am. Location: Beach United Church. 140 Wineva Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, M4E 2T4. Themes: PEACE & CONNECTION - community often comes up at school, home and fun places, how is it built? Email Dayna Browne, Children & Youth Program Coordinator at youth@beachuc.com for more details about events for young people.

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Knitting for Shivering Children Our second meeting of 2020 is on Saturday February 8 at 10 am at Beach United Church. Let’s hope the weather agrees and we can all huddle together to share our knitting stories and goals. Knitters and crocheters of all levels welcome. Is one of your New Year’s resolutions to clear out that box of yarn in your basement? Look no further — we happily accept donations. Contact: Pat Davies patriciadavies@rogers.com or 416-389-6611.

Music at Beach United

Beach United’s Choir Location: Beach United Church, 140 Wineva Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, M4E 2T4. Date and time for rehearsals: Thursdays, 7:00 to 8:30 pm. Do you love to sing? Looking for a relaxed, friendly environment and community share your love of music? Join the choir at Beach United Church! From traditional choral, to gospel, jazz, and world music — we do it all! All voice types and experience levels are welcome. "Choir, is a great place to release a lot of positive spiritual energy; it's also time when I experience the joy and discipline of singing with others. I find the sound of music to be very healing. Choir is good for my soul." Register on Eventbrite here. For more information contact Steven Webb at music@beachuc.com.

Jazz and Reflection: Classic Beauties Location: Beach United Church, 140 Wineva Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, M4E 2T4 Date and time: February 1, Saturday, 4:30 pm. Alberta born sax player and multi-instrumentalist Colleen Allen launched her musical career in Toronto. She has performed throughout Canada, the United States and Europe accompanying such notable performers as Molly Johnson, Holly Cole, Nikki Yanofsky, Lorraine Segato and Cirque Du Soleil. For more information contact Steven Webb at music@beachuc.com.

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Leonard Cohen: Words and Music Location: Beach United Church, 140 Wineva Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, M4E 2T4. Date and time: Monday, February 3, 2020, 10:00 am. In this four week series, Dr. Mike Daley tells the incredible life story of Leonard Cohen, one of the great literary and musical figures in Canadian history in detail, using the best available research. Dr. Mike Daley holds a Ph.D. in music and is a busy freelance lecturer in the Greater Toronto Area. Mike specializes in the history of popular music and is currently researching the Toronto music scene of the 1960s. Presently Mike and his wife Jill are leading music-themed tours to destinations in Canada, the US, and the UK. To buy your tickets and for more information, click here. *Donations are appreciated at the event

SoundWave Cafe

Location: Beach United Church, 140 Wineva Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, M4E 2T4. Date and time: Wednesday, February 15, 4:30 pm. Featuring Avery Florence on the guitar and Emilie Gelinas-Noble on the violin. Avery Florence is a soft-soul artist whose talent as a songwriter is matched with her angelic yet gritty voice, and undeniable personality - soulful & inspiring. Following the release of her debut album, January, Avery sold out her first tour through North America.

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Leonard Cohen: A Celebration of His Music Featuring Dr. Mike Daley and Jill Daley Location: Beach United Church, 140 Wineva Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, M4E 2T4. Date and time: Sunday, March 1, 3 pm Tickets:

Church office and Eventbrite: $20

At the door: $25 [cash only]

Mike and Jill will perform such classics as "Suzanne", "Birds on the wire", Dance me to the end of love", Hallelujah" and many more Green P parking is available. Bring your own mug for coffee.

Other Events

Location: Beach United Church, 140 Wineva Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, M4E 2T4. Date and time: Sundays, February 5, March 8 and April 19 at 4:30 pm. Join us for a mindfulness meditation drop-in led by Christine McMulkin. 8:00 am – 9:00 am - Session 9:00 am – 9:30 am - Breakfast No registration required. *Donations are appreciated in support of this event