May Newsletter
Minister's Letter
Dear Friends,
By now many of you will have met Robin Martin, our new Church Ad-ministrator. Robin is very conscientious and already a pleasure to have in our office. Please take time to introduce yourself if you are by the church. Her hours are every week-day morning from 9:30 am to 12:00 noon.
In February, Lin underwent a double knee replacement. I can’t tell you how much we both appreciated your many prayers and thoughtful cards. That experience reminded me of those of you who have gone through great pain, but who have come through the trials, mending yourselves over a long period of time.
Lin and I will be on vacation for the first week of July and for four weeks beginning August 11. We look forward to spending a few days with children and grand-children at a cottage in Howdenvale on the Bruce Peninsula. August 17th we fly to Italy for three weeks. I will be busy getting some pictures together for one of our Friday Forums, of Rome, Florence, Assisi and Siena.
During the summer we will be co-operating with St. Paul’s. Here is the schedule of our joint summer
services:
Message from the Minister
June 2010
GOOD TIDINGS
Birchcliff Bluffs United Church www.birchcliffbluffs.org
August 2010
Sunday, August 1st at Birchcliff Bluffs with Cynthia
Sunday, August 8th at Birchcliff Bluffs with Cynthia
Sunday, August 15th at Birchcliff Bluffs with Cynthia
Sunday, August 22nd at Birchcliff Bluffs with Leslee
Sunday, August 29th at Birchcliff Bluffs with Leslee
September 2010
Sunday, September 5th at Birchcliff Bluffs with Leslee
While I am away in August, Reverend Leslee Alfano, Minister at St. Paul’s United Church, will be on call for pastoral emergencies (O) 416-261-4222 and ( H) 416-292-7077. Throughout the summer, until August 17th, I can always be reached on my cell phone (416-436-7867).
I wish each one of you a happy, restful and safe summer, with physical and spiritual refreshment. I look forward to seeing you at our summer services whenever you are in town.
Love,
Cynthia
July 2010
Sunday, July 4th at St. Paul's with Leslee Alfano
Sunday, July 11th at St. Paul's with Cynthia
Sunday, July 18th at St. Paul's with Cynthia
Sunday, July 25th at St. Paul's with Cynthia
Page 2
Good Tidings is a published quarterly by Birchcliff Bluffs United Church
33 East Road
(Warden and \Kingston Road)
Scarborough, Ontario
M1N Z9
Church Office Hours
Monday - Friday 9:30 - 12 noon
At other times, please leave a message at (416) 694-4081.
Church Staff
Minister
Rev. Cynthia Scott
Director of Music
Richard Keilman
Church Administrator
Robin Martin
Caretaker
Kirk White
Church Board/Committee Leads
Chair
Beth Moore
Minister (ex officio)
Rev. Cynthia Scott
Finance
James Farmer/Frank Bawcutt
Treasurer
Michelle Kermath
Fundraising/Special Events
Janet Bawcutt
Maintenance/Property
Vicky Kennedy
Outreach
Gail Barkic
Pastoral Care
Margaret Robertson
Presbytery
Beth Moore
Doug Bellamy
Secretary
Kamiliah Joseph
Spiritual Growth - Children and Youth
Marian Martin/Jessie Gordon
Trustees
Janet Bawcutt
Worship
Mary Cannings
Ad Hoc Teams
Rentals
1. Heather White
Stewardship
2. Gail Barkic
Communications
3. Betty McColloch
MESSAGE FROM THE CHURCH BOARD
Now that our visioning process has been completed and work to implement our long range plan has begun; the Board is asking Toronto Southeast Presbytery to authorize us to establish a Joint Needs Assessment Committee. The appoint-ment of the JNAC is the first step in calling a new Minister. We hope to begin that process in the fall. As a retired Minister, Rev. Cynthia Scott is not eligible for a call and may only accept one year appointments so, while she will be with us for one more year, we now need to consider a more long-term arrangement.
The JNAC Report includes six sections. In the first three we look at our com-munity, our pastoral charge and our resources. The last three sections outline the skills we are looking for in a new Minister, the position description for the ministry position and the terms of the position.
The work we did in our visioning process will greatly assist the preparation of the first three sections of the report. Those sections determine whether we are sufficiently viable as a congregation to proceed with calling a new Minister. On the positive side is the wonderful energy in our congregation that is evident in:
the great productions by Shower Curtain Productions, which just keep get-ting better and better,
the strong interest in our spiritual development programs, such as the book study of Eternal Life, A New Vision, by John Shelby Spong, participated in by 14 people during Lent,
the excellent participation and support for events such as our Friday Forums, the Ping Pong-a-Thon, the upcoming bowling evening and our Fall and Spring Fests,
our strong support of the Churches by the Bluffs food bank and the Bluffs Boutique,
the willingness of our members to serve on the Board and our new Commu-nications Task Group and to respond willingly to requests for support for our church activities.
Our weakest areas are average attendance at Sunday worship services and our large projected budget deficit. It was great to see such a good turnout on Easter Sunday. We hope that everyone will make a special effort to attend worship as regularly as possible in the fall when we will be under Presbytery scrutiny. Our goal should be an average turnout in the 60 to 70 range. Our worship services provide opportunities to experience spiritual nourishment as part of a supportive community.
To help us meet our budget, we encourage you to keep your offerings up to date, especially as we move into the summer. If you will be away for a while in the summer, you can use pre-authorized remittances (PAR), post-dated cheques or prepayments. If you can afford an extra, special contribution, it would be very helpful. We are attempting to increase our rental income but our envelope giv-ings are our primary financial resource.
As we celebrate the Pentecost message that God’s spirit is alive in our world, we also celebrate the spirit and hope that enlivens our church life and look forward to the next stage in our ministry journey.
Beth Moore
Chair, Church Board
Come One - Come All!
To the Birchcliff Bluffs United Church Spring Fest
Saturday June 5, 2010
8:30 a.m. to 12 noon
Come for the Fun, Fellowship and Food
There is still time to clear out junk and call for a
pickup. Remember one person’s junk is another person’s
treasure.
Available Friday June 4 at 9:00 am? Why not help sort and organize?
Early riser? Saturday, June 5 Have a coffee at the church
while getting the items out for the sale. Celebrate a job well
done with a McBluffs or a Bacon On A Bun
Like to meet people? Sales staff is always welcome.
If you have a special interest area, why not offer to serve there? We will have baking, treasures, books,
sports equipment, etc. Pick a Spot.
Also available Vendors to provide additional opportunities to shop.
The Fellowship Room will be available mornings after May l9th to leave your treasures.
Face Painting!!! By a resident artist!
If shopping is your bag (oh no) please bring your own!
Shop ‘till you drop!
IT WILL BE GOOD FOR YOUR CHURCH.
For more information or article pickup - please call Betty - (4l6)-694-l228
or Margaret - (416) 694-4000
Page 3
Summer Office Hours
The church office will be open regular hours over the summer with the following
exceptions: May 24th, July 1st, August 2nd and September 6th.
Church Administrator holidays is to be announced soon.
Following hours of rehearsals and a great performance of our Easter
drama by our children, regular Sunday School classes have resumed.
Classes will continue with our curriculum-based lessons
until the end of May. During June, Jessie and Marian will be available
for activities during Sunday School time.
We'll break for summer holidays in July and August and will look
forward to resuming Sunday School classes following the Labour
Day weekend. New curriculum has already been ordered, so we'll
catch up and start new lessons in September.
Although we won't be holding a Vacation Bible Adventure program
at our site this year, Knox United Church will host an event August
9 - 13 for children ages 5 - 12.
For further information call 416-293-4424 ext. 13.
Sunday School
Gala Homecoming Weekend 2010
Please, mark this weekend on your calendar so you
don’t miss out on the festivities
Join Gail and Heather on the planning team. First meeting: Sunday
May 16 after the worship service. Help fill in the details for an
amazing homecoming weekend. This is a wonderful opportunity to
socialize and reconnect with those who have moved away – both of
which we named as part of our congregational mission statement.
Please start to collect and submit names and addresses of former
members and friends so that they may be formally invited to join in
on the celebration.
To start the weekend off on Friday October 15th, Richard Keilman
has arranged for an inaugural concert on our new grand piano, featuring
Ross Osmun playing a variety of classical pieces focusing on
Chopin in celebration of Chopin’s 100th anniversary year.
On Saturday evening, of Saturday October 16th Heather White has already booked the 21 piece
Metro Big Band. These musicians and singers will take us on musical trip down memory lane with
famous tunes from the eras that we all love. Get out your dancing shoes! (Google: Metro Big Band
for more details and sample clips of their repertoire.)
Sunday October 17th - worship at 10:30.
Page 4F
Dear Friends,
By now many of you will have met Robin Martin, our new Church Ad-ministrator. Robin is very conscientious and already a pleasure to have in our office. Please take time to introduce yourself if you are by the church. Her hours are every week-day morning from 9:30 am to 12:00 noon.
In February, Lin underwent a double knee replacement. I can’t tell you how much we both appreciated your many prayers and thoughtful cards. That experience reminded me of those of you who have gone through great pain, but who have come through the trials, mending yourselves over a long period of time.
Lin and I will be on vacation for the first week of July and for four weeks beginning August 11. We look forward to spending a few days with children and grand-children at a cottage in Howdenvale on the Bruce Peninsula. August 17th we fly to Italy for three weeks. I will be busy getting some pictures together for one of our Friday Forums, of Rome, Florence, Assisi and Siena.
During the summer we will be co-operating with St. Paul’s. Here is the schedule of our joint summer
services:
Message from the Minister
June 2010
GOOD TIDINGS
Birchcliff Bluffs United Church www.birchcliffbluffs.org
August 2010
Sunday, August 1st at Birchcliff Bluffs with Cynthia
Sunday, August 8th at Birchcliff Bluffs with Cynthia
Sunday, August 15th at Birchcliff Bluffs with Cynthia
Sunday, August 22nd at Birchcliff Bluffs with Leslee
Sunday, August 29th at Birchcliff Bluffs with Leslee
September 2010
Sunday, September 5th at Birchcliff Bluffs with Leslee
While I am away in August, Reverend Leslee Alfano, Minister at St. Paul’s United Church, will be on call for pastoral emergencies (O) 416-261-4222 and ( H) 416-292-7077. Throughout the summer, until August 17th, I can always be reached on my cell phone (416-436-7867).
I wish each one of you a happy, restful and safe summer, with physical and spiritual refreshment. I look forward to seeing you at our summer services whenever you are in town.
Love,
Cynthia
July 2010
Sunday, July 4th at St. Paul's with Leslee Alfano
Sunday, July 11th at St. Paul's with Cynthia
Sunday, July 18th at St. Paul's with Cynthia
Sunday, July 25th at St. Paul's with Cynthia
Page 2
Good Tidings is a published quarterly by Birchcliff Bluffs United Church
33 East Road
(Warden and \Kingston Road)
Scarborough, Ontario
M1N Z9
Church Office Hours
Monday - Friday 9:30 - 12 noon
At other times, please leave a message at (416) 694-4081.
Church Staff
Minister
Rev. Cynthia Scott
Director of Music
Richard Keilman
Church Administrator
Robin Martin
Caretaker
Kirk White
Church Board/Committee Leads
Chair
Beth Moore
Minister (ex officio)
Rev. Cynthia Scott
Finance
James Farmer/Frank Bawcutt
Treasurer
Michelle Kermath
Fundraising/Special Events
Janet Bawcutt
Maintenance/Property
Vicky Kennedy
Outreach
Gail Barkic
Pastoral Care
Margaret Robertson
Presbytery
Beth Moore
Doug Bellamy
Secretary
Kamiliah Joseph
Spiritual Growth - Children and Youth
Marian Martin/Jessie Gordon
Trustees
Janet Bawcutt
Worship
Mary Cannings
Ad Hoc Teams
Rentals
1. Heather White
Stewardship
2. Gail Barkic
Communications
3. Betty McColloch
MESSAGE FROM THE CHURCH BOARD
Now that our visioning process has been completed and work to implement our long range plan has begun; the Board is asking Toronto Southeast Presbytery to authorize us to establish a Joint Needs Assessment Committee. The appoint-ment of the JNAC is the first step in calling a new Minister. We hope to begin that process in the fall. As a retired Minister, Rev. Cynthia Scott is not eligible for a call and may only accept one year appointments so, while she will be with us for one more year, we now need to consider a more long-term arrangement.
The JNAC Report includes six sections. In the first three we look at our com-munity, our pastoral charge and our resources. The last three sections outline the skills we are looking for in a new Minister, the position description for the ministry position and the terms of the position.
The work we did in our visioning process will greatly assist the preparation of the first three sections of the report. Those sections determine whether we are sufficiently viable as a congregation to proceed with calling a new Minister. On the positive side is the wonderful energy in our congregation that is evident in:
the great productions by Shower Curtain Productions, which just keep get-ting better and better,
the strong interest in our spiritual development programs, such as the book study of Eternal Life, A New Vision, by John Shelby Spong, participated in by 14 people during Lent,
the excellent participation and support for events such as our Friday Forums, the Ping Pong-a-Thon, the upcoming bowling evening and our Fall and Spring Fests,
our strong support of the Churches by the Bluffs food bank and the Bluffs Boutique,
the willingness of our members to serve on the Board and our new Commu-nications Task Group and to respond willingly to requests for support for our church activities.
Our weakest areas are average attendance at Sunday worship services and our large projected budget deficit. It was great to see such a good turnout on Easter Sunday. We hope that everyone will make a special effort to attend worship as regularly as possible in the fall when we will be under Presbytery scrutiny. Our goal should be an average turnout in the 60 to 70 range. Our worship services provide opportunities to experience spiritual nourishment as part of a supportive community.
To help us meet our budget, we encourage you to keep your offerings up to date, especially as we move into the summer. If you will be away for a while in the summer, you can use pre-authorized remittances (PAR), post-dated cheques or prepayments. If you can afford an extra, special contribution, it would be very helpful. We are attempting to increase our rental income but our envelope giv-ings are our primary financial resource.
As we celebrate the Pentecost message that God’s spirit is alive in our world, we also celebrate the spirit and hope that enlivens our church life and look forward to the next stage in our ministry journey.
Beth Moore
Chair, Church Board
Come One - Come All!
To the Birchcliff Bluffs United Church Spring Fest
Saturday June 5, 2010
8:30 a.m. to 12 noon
Come for the Fun, Fellowship and Food
There is still time to clear out junk and call for a
pickup. Remember one person’s junk is another person’s
treasure.
Available Friday June 4 at 9:00 am? Why not help sort and organize?
Early riser? Saturday, June 5 Have a coffee at the church
while getting the items out for the sale. Celebrate a job well
done with a McBluffs or a Bacon On A Bun
Like to meet people? Sales staff is always welcome.
If you have a special interest area, why not offer to serve there? We will have baking, treasures, books,
sports equipment, etc. Pick a Spot.
Also available Vendors to provide additional opportunities to shop.
The Fellowship Room will be available mornings after May l9th to leave your treasures.
Face Painting!!! By a resident artist!
If shopping is your bag (oh no) please bring your own!
Shop ‘till you drop!
IT WILL BE GOOD FOR YOUR CHURCH.
For more information or article pickup - please call Betty - (4l6)-694-l228
or Margaret - (416) 694-4000
Page 3
Summer Office Hours
The church office will be open regular hours over the summer with the following
exceptions: May 24th, July 1st, August 2nd and September 6th.
Church Administrator holidays is to be announced soon.
Following hours of rehearsals and a great performance of our Easter
drama by our children, regular Sunday School classes have resumed.
Classes will continue with our curriculum-based lessons
until the end of May. During June, Jessie and Marian will be available
for activities during Sunday School time.
We'll break for summer holidays in July and August and will look
forward to resuming Sunday School classes following the Labour
Day weekend. New curriculum has already been ordered, so we'll
catch up and start new lessons in September.
Although we won't be holding a Vacation Bible Adventure program
at our site this year, Knox United Church will host an event August
9 - 13 for children ages 5 - 12.
For further information call 416-293-4424 ext. 13.
Sunday School
Gala Homecoming Weekend 2010
Please, mark this weekend on your calendar so you
don’t miss out on the festivities
Join Gail and Heather on the planning team. First meeting: Sunday
May 16 after the worship service. Help fill in the details for an
amazing homecoming weekend. This is a wonderful opportunity to
socialize and reconnect with those who have moved away – both of
which we named as part of our congregational mission statement.
Please start to collect and submit names and addresses of former
members and friends so that they may be formally invited to join in
on the celebration.
To start the weekend off on Friday October 15th, Richard Keilman
has arranged for an inaugural concert on our new grand piano, featuring
Ross Osmun playing a variety of classical pieces focusing on
Chopin in celebration of Chopin’s 100th anniversary year.
On Saturday evening, of Saturday October 16th Heather White has already booked the 21 piece
Metro Big Band. These musicians and singers will take us on musical trip down memory lane with
famous tunes from the eras that we all love. Get out your dancing shoes! (Google: Metro Big Band
for more details and sample clips of their repertoire.)
Sunday October 17th - worship at 10:30.
Page 4F
posted by Birchcliff Bluffs United Church at 10:09 AM
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