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Month at a Glance

Thursday, January 2, Inter-faith lunch, 11-1 pm. Sunday, January 5, Epiphany & Communion, 10.30 am. Saturday, January 11, Knitting group, 10-12 noon Sunday, January 12, "Light to Crumple Darkness" worship

series, 10.30 am. Monday, January 13, Leonard Cohen: words & music,

10 – 12 pm. Presented by Mike Daly [4 weeks series Jan 13, 20, 27, Feb 3]

Sunday, January 19, Story-telling [3-5 years], 10.30 am. Tuesday, January 28, Jam Nite, 7 pm.

Cadence Concerts: An Update We tried something new this year; not one but two Cadence concerts over the weekend of December 14 & 15. Cadence performed on both occasions to their unusual high standard and the audience had a great time. It was great to see many folk from the wider community and for some, Cadence at BUC, has become a tradition. The total revenue raised for BUC was $2,452.19. This would not have been possible without two teams of enthusiastic volunteers, who welcomed, guided, set-up, cleaned-up and were the smiling face of BUC. The volunteer bar team had a special role on Saturday evening and they did a great job, with everything going very smoothly. Thank you to all.

Volunteers Needed! 2020 is going to be a busy year for Beach United and we are seeking volunteers for all our community engagement programs. This is your chance to participate in the community and make a difference. To register with us, click here. For more details, contact Cate Duff at office@beachuc.com or 416-691-8082.

Heartbeat Newsletter ~ January 2020

www.beachunitedchurch.com

This edition includes:

Month at a Glance

An Update on Cadence Concert

Thank You Messages

Events

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A Big Thank You from the Beach United Church

Thank You: Inter-faith Lunch Program On Thursdays at the Inter-faith Lunch, as well as serving delicious food, there are also books available for the guests to enjoy. This would not be possible without the donations of books from "The Great Escape" book store on Kingston Road. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you!

White Gifts Thank you so much to everyone who wrote a card with a message of hope and peace and added $5 into the envelope. An amazing 95 envelopes were collected and these were shared with the guests from the Thursday, December 19th Interfaith Lunch. As our guests add energy to the building every week, these tokens of care added a smile to many faces.

Caring for Each Other This wonderful photograph shows friends getting together at Christmas. It doesn't matter that some no-longer live close by; the connection is maintained by regular visits. This is often the way that pastoral care happens at BUC - friends caring for friends. Thank you to all those who kept the connection by delivering poinsettias to friends who are unable to come to us. These connections are maintained throughout the year by phone calls, cards, visits, conversations, driving and much more. Thank you for all the caring you show to others. It is a blessing.

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Events

Worship Matters: Light to Crumple the Darkness Date and time: Sunday, 10.30 am.

There is a crack in everything, that’s how the light gets in. Leonard Cohen. Got to kick at the darkness 'till it bleeds daylight. Bruce Coburn Blessed are you who bear the light in unbearable times, Jan Richardson from "Circle of Grace". Jan 5 Epiphany & Communion Jan 12 Isaiah 9:2 The people who walked in the shadows have seen a great light Jan 19 Matthew 5:14-16 You are like light for the whole world. Jan 26 Exodus 34: 29-35 Moses face was shining brightly

Children and Youth

New Year – Stories of Celebration & Joy (Sarah & Abraham)

Nursery: 3 - 5 year olds Date and time: Sunday, January 19, 2020 from 10.30 am. to 11.30 am. Location: Beach United Church. 140 Wineva Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, M4E 2T4. What we will do: Making music shakers. Empty, bottles, containers, or jars, filled with sand and grains (rice etc.) Emphasizing the importance of celebrating joyfully through music and praises to God. Sarah and Isaac: When it was the time “Joy” from the Lord visited Sarah as God has promised; she conceived and bore a child to Abraham even at her old age.

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Children and Youth – 6-12 Years

Date and time: Sundays, January 5, 12, 19 and 26 from 10.30 am. to 11.30 am. Location: Beach United Church. 140 Wineva Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, M4E 2T4. To explore through nature, food, arts and meditation methods ideas of gratitude and joy in the bible and mindfulness teaching. Programs include small groups: designed to apply hands on methods of reflection and everyday practices with various activities that cultivate gratitude and self-worth/children spiritually. Activities include hot chocolate making, crafting, art and much more based in Christian teachings. Email Dayna Browne, Children & Youth Program Coordinator at youth@beachuc.com for more details about events for young people.

Knitting for Shivering Children

Our first meeting of 2020 is on Saturday, January 11 at 10 am, Beach United Church. Let’s hope the weather agrees and we can all huddle together to share our knitting stories and goals. Knitters and crocheters of all levels welcome. Is one of your New Year’s resolutions to clear out that box of yarn in your basement? Look no further — we happily accept donations. Contact: Pat Davies at patriciadavies@rogers.com or 416-389-6611.

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Music at Beach United

Beach United’s Choir Location: Beach United Church, 140 Wineva Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, M4E 2T4. Date and time for rehearsals: Thursdays, 7:00 to 8:30 pm. Do you love to sing? Looking for a relaxed, friendly environment and community share your love of music? Join the choir at Beach United Church! From traditional choral, to gospel, jazz, and world music — we do it all! All voice types and experience levels are welcome. "Choir, is a great place to release a lot of positive spiritual energy; it's also time when I experience the joy and discipline of singing with others. I find the sound of music to be very healing. Choir is good for my soul." Register on Eventbrite here. For more information contact Steven Webb at music@beachuc.com.

Leonard Cohen: Words and Music Location: Beach United Church, 140 Wineva Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, M4E 2T4. Date and time: Monday, January 13, 20, 27 and February 3, 2020, 10:00 am. In this four week series, Dr. Mike Daley tells the incredible life story of Leonard Cohen, one of the great literary and musical figures in Canadian history in detail, using the best available research. Dr. Mike Daley holds a Ph.D. in music and is a busy freelance lecturer in the Greater Toronto Area. Mike specializes in the history of popular music and is currently researching the Toronto music scene of the 1960s. Presently Mike and his wife Jill are leading music-themed tours to destinations in Canada, the US, and the UK. To buy your tickets and for more information, click here. *Donations are appreciated at the event

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Jam Nite

Location: Beach United Church, 140 Wineva Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, M4E 2T4. Date and time: January 28, March 31, and May 26 Join us for a fun, relaxed jam session at Beach United Church. Bring your instrument, your voice, a song to share.

No musical skill level is needed. All you need is enthusiasm to make music together.

Registrations are not mandatory. You are welcome to drop in.

*Donations are appreciated at the event

Jazz and Reflection: Classic Beauties Location: Beach United Church, 140 Wineva Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, M4E 2T4 Date and time: February 1, Saturday, 4:30 pm. Alberta born sax player and multi-instrumentalist Colleen Allen, launched her musical career in Toronto. She has performed throughout Canada, the United States and Europe accompanying such notable performers as Molly Johnson, Holly Cole, Nikki Yanofsky, Lorraine Segato and Cirque Du Soleil. A native of Los Angeles, Steve studied classical piano in Santa Monica until 1973, when he moved to Toronto and furthered his studies in music and arranging. Steve’s career has been a juggling act between the studio, concert halls, theater and clubs. For more information contact Steven Webb at music@beachuc.com. *Donations are appreciated at the event