Thursday May 28, 2009

For details about attending the 40th Anniversary Ontario Prayer Breakfast with others from St. Andrew's, please see below.  This year's breakfast with the Premier and Members of the Ontario Legislature will take place on Thursday June 4 from 7:15 - 9:00 am.

1) Sunday Forum - The Plight of the Dalits - Sunday May 31, 2009

On May 31, Rev. Will Ingram will lead the monthly forum with a presentation on "The Plight of the Dalits" and on his recent trip to Bangkok, Thailand to attend the Global Ecumenical Forum on Justice for Dalits. 

The Sunday forum will begin at 12:00 pm and conclude at or before 1:00 pm.  All are welcome.

2) Results from the Congregational Meeting for the Election of Elders

We are very pleased to announce that the newly elected elders of St. Andrew's Church are: Lee Stratton, Graeme Hepburn, Maggie Kong, Nancy Mathewson, Gordon Hunt, Irene Faiz, and Sally Martin.  A date for their ordination and induction as elders will soon be announced. 

3) The Ontario Prayer Breakfast - Thursday June 4, 2009 - 7:15 - 9:00 am

For the past 40 years, a large group of Christians who work in the downtown area gather together for a breakfast to meet with, and pray for, the Premier and members of the Provincial Legislature. 

This year, the Ontario Prayer Breakfast will be taking place at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel on Thursday June 4.  The special guest speaker will be Dale Lang.  Dale's son was murdered in Taber, Alberta in 1999.  Dale publicly forgave the young man responsible for his son's death and has since shared the story of his journey towards forgiveness and healing. 

All are welcome.  The tickets for this event are $45 each. 

We have made arrangements for two tables of 10 people each on behalf of St. Andrew's.   There are a few spaces left, so if you are able to join us, please email will.ingram@sympatico.ca ASAP to reserve a place.

Please give this your serious consideration as it will be a meaningful opportunity to gather together with Christians from many different backgrounds, to hear an inspiring and thoughtful story, and to share a meal together.

For more information about the event, please click on www.ontarioprayerbreakfast.com

4) A Special Thanks to our 'Doors Open' Volunteers

A very special thanks is extended to all of the volunteers who participated as hosts at last Saturday's 'Doors Open' event at St. Andrew's.  We were able to welcome almost 1300 people on Saturday, and on Sunday there were a number of visitors just after the church service as well.

A special thanks is also extended to David Wishart for his great work in organizing this event.
 

5) Church School End-of-Year Activities

Recognition Sunday:  On Sunday, June 14th children, teachers and nursery helpers will be recognized for their contributions to our Church School.

The Year-End Church School Picnic will be held on June 14 at the home of Bev Reynolds.  All children, parents, grandparents, teachers and nursery helpers are welcome.  Please contact Mary Maiden 416-425-0861 for details.

6) Nursery and Church School:  Summer Help Needed 

As in previous years, the nursery will be open for children between the ages of 0-3 years during the summer months.   Likewise, we will provide Church School activities for children over age 3.  Generally, the nursery and Church School are not very busy during the summer months but, whatever the number of children, you can be assured of an entertaining and rewarding hour!  If you enjoy the company of little ones and would like to help out on any Sunday during the period June 21st to September 6th, inclusive please e-mail Barbara Sargent at basarge@rogers.com or telephone Barbara at 905-420-3100. 

7) Upcoming Sunday Forum - "Understanding Alzheimer's Disease" -- June 28, 2009

On June 28^th, Mercedes Hughes from the Alzheimer's Society will offer a presentation on Understanding Alzheimer’s Disease.

The Sunday Forum gatherings are a monthly opportunity to learn more about a topic that engages our faith or deepens our understanding of the call of faith in our engagements with the world.  The Forum gatherings begin at 12:00 pm in the Board Room, and are finished by 1:00 pm.  All are welcome.

8) St. Andrew's Book Club - Thursday June 25 at 7:00 pm

We are looking forward to the next gathering of the St. Andrew's Book Club, which will take place on Thursday, June 25, at 7:00 pm.  The book that we will be discussing will be The Book of Negroes by Lawrence Hill. 

All are welcome.

9) Online Donations

We are pleased to announce that donations to the Church, and to ministries such as the 'Out of the Cold' programme, can be made online.  To learn more, please click on the button below!