Upcoming Events

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Thursday, November 25th
8:15 a.m. Lectionary – Board Room
7:30 p.m. Choir – Music Room

Sunday, November 28th
After the congregational meeting:
Social Justice Event – Upper Club Room

UPCOMING SERVICES:

Common Lectionary for November 28
Isaiah 2:1 – 5; Psalm 122; Romans 15:4 – 13; Matthew 3:1 – 12

NOTICE OF SPECIAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING
A Special Congregational Meeting will be held immediately following
worship on Sunday, November 28th to consider the following motion:

“That the Congregation approve the recommendation of the Investment Committee that Section 4.0 of the Endowment Fund Rules of Bloor Street United Church be modified for the year 2011 and that the transfer of funds from the Endowment Fund to Church Council in 2011 be limited to $137,200.”

The motion is supported by Council but must be approved by a two thirds majority of members voting at a Special Congregational Meeting in order to be effected.
The meeting is expected to be brief. Members of the Investment Committee will distribute supporting documentation and will be prepared to respond to any questions raised by members.

A MESSAGE FROM YOUR STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE
It’s not too late to send in your pledge or change to PAR
Thank you to the 70 individuals and families who have taken the time to make your pledge. There is still time to help us to meet our goals of:
1. Increase Annual Pledges from 73 to 80;
2. Increase the number of PAR subscribers from 79 to 85; and
3. Increase average annual givings by 2%

For more information about the work of the Stewardship Committee check out our new web content at http://www.bloorstreetunited.org/stewards.html# or contact any member of your Stewardship Committee – Brian Fox, Jim Hunter and Tom McCauley

GIFT FOR CHRISTMAS – Church Calendar and CDs
Come today to the Information Table in McClure Hall after the service to purchase Gifts for Christmas: the 2011 Canadian Church Calendar is available for the phenomenally low price of $4.
Also, enjoy our choir throughout the Christmas season – CDs are available for sale at $10 each.

YOUTHONBLOOR – DIY CHRISTMAS
Please join the Student Christian Movement and YouthonBloor for a fun evening of DIY crafting, anti consumerism Christmas carolling, cookie baking, and vegetarian dinner! All of any age are welcome and you are welcome to participate in any or all of these activities!
You are welcome to bring any craft projects you might be working on too! Please join us on Sunday, December 5th at 5:00 p.m. at Bloor Street United.
Questions? Email Sheryl Johnson, Coordinator, at sheryl.johnson@utoronto.ca

BIBLE FOR BUSY PEOPLE
This week: The Bible for Busy People. Many of us mean to sit down and read through the Bible, but life gets in the way. So at Bloor Street, we’re going to try something new. On Wednesday, November 24th at 7:00 p.m., join us in the Sanctuary as we read out loud the first half of the Gospel of Matthew. It’s a great way to get into the mood for Christmas.
Beautiful images from Christianity’s master artists will be projected on a screen as we bring to life the story of the three wise men, Satan’s temptations in the desert and the Beatitudes.
Each of us will read for a minute or so, taking turns, with musical interludes provided by David Passmore. If you’ve never sat down to read the bible before, this is an easy and brief immersion into “the greatest story ever told”. If you already love the Bible, please join us to soak up the power once more. See you there, Wednesday, November 24th, 7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Bloor Street United. If you have questions, please contact stephen.milton@yahoo.ca

FUNDRAISING CONCERT
Amahl and the Night Visitors
A concert in support of the Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign of the Stephen Lewis Foundation and St. Timothy’s church, featuring a dramatic reading of Amahl and the Night Visitors, with music by The Nathaniel Dett Chorale and The Choir of St. Timothy’s Church. The concert takes place on Saturday, December 4th at 7:30 p.m. at Church of St. Timothy (100 Old Orchard Grove).
Tickets: adults $20, children $10 can be obtained by calling 416-485-5011 or emailing grannieconcert@gmail.com. Presented by The Old Orchard Blossoms Grandmothers Group, The Nathaniel Dett Chorale, and the Choir of St. Timothy’s Church.

LECTIONARY GROUPS
Both Wednesday and Thursday lectionary groups would welcome anyone who would like to join. Wednesday we meet from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in Martha’s study (third floor, southwest corner). On Thursday, we start at 8:15 a.m. in the Board Room and are done by 9:45 a.m. – in time for students or persons with regular commitments to be somewhere at 10:00 a.m. We would love to see YOU and if you find it worthwhile, to have you attend regularly. Why not give it a try?

Social Justice

SALE OF GREETING CARDS IN SUPPORT OF REFUGEE OUTREACH CHRISTMAS PARTY
A selection of Skip Shand’s blank greeting cards, ‘Avian Images’, will be available for purchase on Sunday, December 5th. Money raised will support the Refugee Outreach program’s Christmas gifts for kids, especially gift cards for teens.

PREPARATION FOR ADVENT APPEAL
As most of you know, each year the Social Justice Committee determines what organizations will receive money collected for our congregation’s advent appeal. The Committee bases its decision on the following criteria:
(a) our knowledge of the organization, (b) linkages to Bloor Street, (c) that our money will make a difference, and (d) that there is a social justice focus. The Committee will be choosing 3 organizations with a range of local and international social justice purposes. The Committee would like some input from the congregation on what organizations should receive the appeal money and, to that end, invites congregants to make submissions to the Committee. The submissions should be no more than 250 words and should focus on why Bloor Street should support the submitted organization, keeping in mind the above criteria. Submissions should be
submitted by Tuesday, November 23rd to Liz Tinker either by e-mail (at address liztinker@sympatico.ca) or hard copy (via the church office or in person). If you have any questions, please call Liz at 416-545-0219.

HOUSING COUNTS
The Social Justice Committee will be holding an educational event on homelessness in the Upper Clubroom on Sunday, November 28th after the service and short congregational meeting. You may recall that last year we held some homelessness seminars, which led to the creation of the Community Café. The next step is to explore whether our congregation wishes to engage in advocacy work to address the causes and solutions to homelessness. To that end, we have invited Michael Steeves, a retired Chaplain and Chair of the Community Engagement Committee of the Multifaith Alliance to End Homelessness (MFATEH) to speak with us.
MFATEH is the successor organization to the Homelessness Action Group (HAG) in which BSUC participated. Depending on the interest shown by the congregation, the Social Justice Committee may consider proposing to Council that BSUC join the MFATEH for a small fee to assist them with their advocacy work. If you have questions, please feel free to contact Liz Tinker at 416-545-0219 or liztinker@sympatico.ca.

PUT YOURSELF IN THE CHRISTMAS MOOD!
Sign up now for your role in the Refugee Outreach Project Christmas Party on Saturday, December 18th, where we will be happy to have your brains for
the “ahead of time planning tasks,” your brawn for moving things around and your skills for cooking, clean up, crafts, cookie decorating and lots more. Check the detailed list at the information table in McClure Hall, or talk to Francisco (416-671-6970) or Sue (416-599-0689).

REFUGEE OUTREACH WISH LIST
Crib
Thank you to the people who offered microwave ovens, and a blender to two of the new families in Bloor Street’s Refugee Outreach Program. One family is still in need of a baby crib (up to code). If you have this item, please contact Francisco Venegas, Refugee Outreach Worker, via email at francisco@bloorstreetunited.org
Winter Coats Wanted
Gently used winter coats of all sizes are needed by the Refugee Outreach Project. Casual sport styles are especially useful.
For more information, see Francisco Venegas or Sue Kaiser at coffee hour.

CHURCH AND COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS

THE FREAK SHOW: GROWING UP GAY IN RURAL ONTARIO
Spencer Harrison is Artist in Residence at Georges Vanier Secondary School and an OCAD professor. His are work and his commitment to creating safe spaces for gay youth was profiled in the Toronto Star on November 5th in an article about homophobia, bullying in schools and gay youth suicides.
Check out Spencer’s work at his show, opening on Thursday, November 25th, 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. and running from Friday, November 26th to Wednesday, December 1st, George Vanier Secondary School, 3000 Don Mills Road (Don Mills and Sheppard) from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day. Copies of the article will be available at the information table.

SMILE THEATRE COMPANY “A Christmas Carol”
This year the Smile Theatre Company, a professional theatre company dedicated to performing for senior citizens in hospitals, long-term care facilities and seniors’ facilities in Ontario, is presenting a special performance of Mavor Moore’s adaption of the classic “A Christmas Carol”.
The performance will be held at nearby Walmer Centre (188 Lowther Avenue) on Thursday, December 2nd at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for seniors and students. All proceeds go to help fund on-going performances. “A joy to behold… with festive music you’re happy to leave the theatre humming… a family entertainment of infectious joyousness” – Vancouver Sun. For more information and to order tickets, contact Arthur Smith (416-921-1395).