Notices: September 27, 2027

Written By Michael Pirri

Dear St. Aidan’s,

Our church calendar is very full over the next couple of weeks. Here are a few highlights:

In this Sunday’s worship services, at 8 and 10:30 we commemorate both the Feast of St. Michael and All Angels and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation—and we continue with the Season of Creation. Those who would like to wear an orange shirt or ribbon to church on Sunday are most welcome to show your support in that way.

In our Gather & Grow hour (9:15-10:15 in the Parish Hall), we’ll listen to one Residential School survivor share her experience through a short film. Then we’ll share some time in conversation reflecting on how we, as followers of Christ, may share individually and collectively in the work of truth and reconciliation.

Then in the afternoon, we celebrate the completion of our garden with a Garden Tour event, open to the whole community. Our area bishop, the Rt. Rev. Kevin Robertson, will visit us to bless the space and join us in celebrating. We’ll also share popsicles from The Popstand and enjoy live music from James Levac (with his famous piano-bike) and our own St. Aidan’s Regrets. Please come and consider bringing along a friend, family member, or neighbour.

Next Sunday, October 6, we’re back in the garden for Outdoor Worship, gathering together for one service at 10:30. And we invite those with pets to come back from 3-4 p.m. that afternoon for our annual Blessing of the Animals in front of the church.

We have a vibrant faith community with so much to share with our community. I hope to see you as we share Christ’s love and light throughout the Beach and beyond.

Grace and peace,

Becky+

 

Notices for the Week of September 27, 2024 – October 4, 2024
 

Opportunities to Share & Serve

1. This weekend—Toronto Beach Chorale Benefit Concert: This Sat., Sept. 28, at 7:30 p.m. here at St. Aidan’s, the Toronto Beach Chorale will give a concert of selections from J.S. Bach with soloists and chamber ensemble. The concert will benefit the music program of St. Anne’s Anglican Church on Gladstone Avenue, whose building was destroyed by fire in June. This one hour ‘donate what you can’ program includes two Cantatas – BWV 118 (a single movement choral work) and BWV 131 for chorus with tenor and bass soloists. (Ironically, Cantata 131 was written for the City of Mühlhausen in the aftermath of its own devastating fire in 1689.) Also on the program is the keyboard concerto in G minor, and his famous ‘Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring’.

2. Come sing with the St. Aidan’s Choir! Are you passionate about singing, or simply love the sound of music? We invite you to become a part of the St. Aidan’s Choir this fall! Our choir is a warm and welcoming community, open to members of all ages and experience levels—whether you’re a seasoned vocalist or just starting out, there’s a place for you here. We’re looking to grow our choir with at least 4 new voices, and we’d love for you to be one of them. We’ll be scheduling brief, informal meetings to chat about your musical interests and conduct a simple vocal assessment—nothing too formal, just a chance to get to know you! Rehearsals are on Sunday mornings, and there are exciting opportunities to travel and perform with the group this season. If you’re interested or want to learn more, please contact Michael at music@staidansinthebeach.com. We can’t wait to sing with you!

3. Recruiting new hosts for coffee hour: Our coffee hour hospitality ministry team is welcoming new hosts. Training is provided. You can sign up as a family or with a couple friends to serve coffee, tea, and treats. You may select a Sunday that works well for you. For this fall, we currently have two open dates remaining: Oct. 13 and Dec. 22. Sign up online through this link.

4. Interested in reading scripture in our worship services? Please join us for a meeting in the chapel on Sun., Sept. 29, following the 10:30 a.m. service (after coffee time). It will be a refresher for our current readers and to update our email list. This is also an opportunity to introduce those folks to our process who may have an interest in reading lessons and are not currently on the readers’ list. We hope to see you there. If you have any questions, please speak to Bob Hutchison or Rev. Becky.

5. Garden Work Day, Saturday, Sept 28, 9-11am: We are looking for volunteers to help with gardening tasks as we prepare for our upcoming Garden Tour event. We will be weeding throughout the property and spreading top soil and grass seed on the East side of the property. Thanks for any time you can spend in the garden! Contact Courtney Ebner at staidans.warden3@gmail.com if you have any questions.

6. St. Aidan’s planters: We are looking for someone to manage the planters at the Queen Street entrance (two large) and North Silver Birch entrance (two small). This would include purchasing and planting plants three times a year: April/May, September/October and November/December. Some general maintenance is required, but our caretaker can do weekly watering. If you think this is a way you can offer your gifts and talents to St. Aidan’s, please contact Courtney at staidans.warden3@gmail.com for more details including the planter budget. Thank you for considering!  

7. Orange Shirt Day: Remember Orange Shirt Day is coming soon on Mon., Sept. 30 (in church on Sun., Sept. 29).

Opportunities to Gather & Grow

8. Gather & Grow—every Sunday morning, 9:15-10:15 in the Parish Hall. Every Sunday between now and Christmas, as part of our Diocese’s Season of Spiritual Renewal, we are offering a variety of conversations, speakers, and activities meant to encourage us to gather together as we seek to grow in our faith. All adults and youth are welcome to join us for our weekly Gather & Grow program.

❦ September 29: Listening to Indigenous Voices: Commemorating Orange Shirt Day. We will listen to oral history stories of those who experienced the residential schools firsthand, with time for reflection and conversation about how we, as Christians, are called to respond.

❦ October 6: Reflecting on the Season of Creation (facilitated by Martha Asselin)

Season of Creation is our time to stop, feel, and sense the world we are in and the ways we are a part of God’s world. Please join us for reflection, conversation, and snacks and insights on scripture and your heart for this wonderful creation we are a part of!

 
9. Come celebrate with us in the garden on Sept. 29: We are inviting the entire Beach neighbourhood to stop in to visit our completed West Garden on Sunday afternoon, Sept. 29, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. We will celebrate with live music and popsicles for all! Our area bishop, the Rt. Rev. Kevin Robertson, will visit to offer a special blessing and celebrate with us. We hope you will join us and consider bringing along a neighbour or friend who’s been curious about our garden as it has developed this year. Thank you to the Baker Foundation, the Anglican Diocese of Toronto, the Anglican Foundation, the City of Toronto, and donors to the Strong Roots New Season campaign for making this project possible.

10. Outdoor worship next Sunday! We will worship together in one service at 10:30 a.m. next Sun., Oct. 6, in our new garden (weather permitting). Our band will lead the music, Elizabeth Achimah will preach, and our youth will have special roles in the service. Remember to bring your own folding chair if you can (but know that we’ll set up chairs for those who don’t have one to bring).

11. A weekly Busy Bees Play Group welcomes children ages 0-3 and their caregivers on Thursdays from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. in our Parish Hall. We offer stories, music, and activities.

 

Other Announcements and How to Give

13. Nursery now available during Sunday worship: We will be offering nursery care for children ages 0-3 during the 10:30 a.m. service. The nursery is located in the Beech Room, adjacent to the main basement hall. For more information, please speak with Erika or Elizabeth.
 
14. Please submit new announcements for the weekly notices to Mary at office@staidansinthebeach.com by Wednesdays at 4 p.m. All notices are subject to incumbent’s approval, and will be edited for clarity and conciseness.

15. Offerings - Thank you for your support. There are a variety of ways to make your donation: 

Michael Pirri
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