Dear St. Aidan’s,

As I write to you at the beginning of this Harvest Thanksgiving weekend, I am reflecting on the many blessings for which I am giving thanks this year—including being called to be here with you, and all the ways God has guided and provided for us all over these past months of discerning, moving, and settling in here in Toronto.

I am especially grateful that we had nine youth travel, along with our new children’s and youth minister Elizabeth Achimah, to participate in the ReCharge Youth Retreat at Muskoka Woods last weekend. Joined by our Bishop Andrew Asbil and over 160 youth and chaperones from 20 parishes around the Diocese, our youth had the chance to connect with God, nature, and one another. As our youth program continues to grow and develop, I hope you will consider how you may support the young people of our church as they grow in their faith in Christ. Elizabeth is looking for additional volunteers for the Sunday morning rotation, people to provide meals for the Friday evening youth gatherings, and supplies and gift cards. To learn more about how you can support our youth program, please contact Elizabeth at children@staidansinthebeach.com

Last Sunday afternoon, Deacon Michael and I blessed pets in front of the church as an observance of St. Francis Day. It was a beautiful afternoon to be outside meeting people and blessing animals. Most of the people who stopped by are not parishioners of St. Aidan’s, but felt drawn to come by with their pets. Our newly renovated church, especially our front driveway and patio area are like St. Aidan’s front porch on Queen Street East. Not everyone may feel comfortable coming inside, but more people will feel comfortable stopping by to say hello on the front porch. I hope we’ll continue to find ways to warmly welcome our community into the life of St. Aidan’s, whether out on our front porch, coming inside to share a lunch or supper, or into other moments of worship and celebration. (If you didn’t get to stop by with your pet, we have extra prayer cards and I can always bless your pet by appointment—just let me know!)

This Sunday, at both our worship services, we will collect non-perishables for the Grace Pascoe Foodbank. Please scroll down to find the list of items they most need, and consider giving what you can out of your own abundance to those who are struggling to feed themselves and their families. This Tuesday, the Beaches Interfaith Outreach lunches will begin again, returning to sharing meals around tables in our parish hall (packed lunches had been shared the past few years due to the pandemic). Please pray for and support these and all ministries that share food and friendship with neighbours around the Beach and throughout Toronto.

Grace and peace,

Becky+

 

Week of October 8 -  NOTICES AT A GLANCE – more details below
 

  1. Live Streaming at 10:30 am, Order of Service
  2. Church office will be closed
  3. Euchre
  4. Beach Interfaith Outreach
  5. Calling all would-be clowns, princesses, and dinosaurs
  6. Supper at St. Aidan’s
  7. The Beach Cares Fundraising Event - Big Band Music Night
  8. The Outreach & Advocacy Conference
  9. Children’s and youth ministry needs your help!
  10. Announcements for the Notices
  11. Offerings

  

AND NOW THE DETAILS:

 1.  Live Streaming at 10:30 am, Order of Service - The service will be livestreamed at the following link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/91628466455

Meeting ID: 916 2846 6455

Passcode: 548507

Phone: 647-374-4685

To access the Order of Service for the Season of Creation click here:

https://mcusercontent.com/9602008078ea1b1ac17a38d52/files/eebf84b9-2f07-862e-c39a-4dc9e47588f6/No._2_Season_of_Creation_1030_2023__NEW_rev.pdf

To access the Service Details (Hymn numbers, Readings & Psalm) click here:
https://mcusercontent.com/9602008078ea1b1ac17a38d52/files/40b2c191-0a8e-e2d1-71f6-9a274c27816b/October_8_Scriptures_and_Music.pdf

2.  The church office will be closed on Monday, Oct. 9 for Thanksgiving.

3.  Euchre - Starting Oct. 10 join us on Tuesday nights from 7-9 p.m. for a fun and friendly evening of progressive Euchre downstairs in the main hall.  Beginners welcome. $5.00 to play. All proceeds go to St. Aidan’s Church community outreach.

4.  Beach Interfaith Outreach – Monday to Friday fellowship lunches begin the new season, starting at St. Aidan’s on Tues., Oct. 10, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Locations and dates are listed in the Beach Metro News.

5.  Calling all would-be clowns, princesses, and dinosaurs - Halloween Costume Swap is on Sat., Oct. 14 for 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. downstairs in the church hall. Please bring what you have to offer by 11 a.m. What is not chosen by others will be available for pick up Sat. at 12 p.m. or on Sunday after church. For more info. contact Sue Stuart, 416-691-6869.

6.  Our next Supper at St. Aidan’s will be held Thursday, Oct 19 starting at 5:45pm.

7.  The Beach Cares Fundraising Event - Big Band Music Night - Sat., October 21 @ 7 - 10pm at Beach United Church, in support of The Beach Cares refugee sponsorship program. Featuring Toronto All-Star Big Band with vocalists John Amato and Shannon McDougall.  There will be a cash bar, hors d’oeuvres, silent auction, dance demo, door prizes & more!  $50/ticket limited availability! Purchase tickets on Eventbrite.

8.  The Outreach & Advocacy Conference - “Living in Exile: Inhabiting a World of Displacement” will be held virtually on Saturday, October 28, 2023.  Dr. Brian Walsh, theologian, pastor, farmer, and co-author of Beyond Homelessness: Christian Faith in a Culture of Displacement will offer the keynote address at this year’s conference!

Registration is free and is open! See all session descriptions and register.  

Full descriptions of each session are available at the back of the church.

9.  Children’s and youth ministry needs your help!  If you are able to give your time please speak to Elizabeth (children@staidansinthebeach.com or 437-344-1231).  We have a wishlist of items that we will need for the fall in both children’s and youth ministry. Please take a moment to click on this file and see if there are any items you are able to donate.

10.  Announcements for the Notices - Please submit any announcements for the weekly notices before Wednesday at 4 pm.

11.  Offerings - Your regular offerings support the mission and ministry of St Aidan's, and we thank you. 

There are a variety of ways to make a donation:

  • PAG – set up monthly pre-authorized debits from your bank account directly to St. Aidan’s by completing the authorization form found on the Giving page of our website https://www.staidansinthebeach.com/giving 
  • PAG Changes – to  change the amount of an existing donation, send an email with the details to donations@staidansinthebeach.com 
  • E-transfer – send to donations@staidansinthebeach.com 
  • Envelopes to obtain a set of weekly offering envelopes, send a request to donations@staidansinthebeach.com 
  • Cheques should be payable to and can be mailed to: The Church of St. Aidan, 2423 Queen St E, Toronto, ON, M4E 1H6, or dropped in our secure mailbox at the north-east corner of the building.