Sharing our Good News stories throughout Toronto Conference
January • February 2016 Volume 44, No. 1
Refugee Grants Make
a Difference
By David Allen
LAST FALL, the Toronto Conference Executive was
deeply touched by the pictures of a lifeless refugee child
lying on a beach. In September, it offered 50 grants of
$5,000 to groups wanting to sponsor or settle refugees.
The response was immediate and overwhelming. By
late October, it had received nearly 80 applications.
So, at its November meeting, the Executive authorized
additional funding to cover up to 100 grants – worth a
total of $500,000.
By mid-November, 135 applications had come in
from 10 of the United Church’s 13 Conferences. Small
and large congregations banded together with other
Christian congregations plus Muslim and Jewish organizations and community groups to raise money, find
accommodation and furnishings, prepare to receive
people who will experience cultural and language
shock, and support them for at least a year.
“We are so grateful and excited to receive your
grant,” wrote the Rev. Michelle Slater of Oak Bay United
Church in Victoria, B.C. It is working with a local
mosque and another United Church congregation to
sponsor a Syrian family.
The St. Andrew’s United refugee sponsorship group
in Sault Ste. Marie, ON is expecting a Karen family
from Burma “within the next few weeks,” wrote John
Tully, finance team leader. “Thank you once again for
the generous grant.”
“We expect to be welcoming an LGBT refugee from
Syria – likely one person or a parent and child,” wrote the
Rev. Jessica McCrae of Humbercrest United in Toronto.
The Saint Croix Presbytery, N.B. refugee sponsorship
sub-committee received a grant. “(I)t is encouraging
that in this seemingly divisive world, we are joined in
your nationwide support for this humanitarian cause,”
wrote John Allen.
The Rev. Dr. Andrew Richardson of Trinity United in
Summerside, P.E.I. said, “We are currently sponsoring
two families, one a family of six and another of three.
The money will be helpful in assisting their arrival and
settling in.”
“It is wonderful to see Toronto Conference sharing
its abundance with those across the church,” wrote
Richardson.
– The Rev. David Allen is Toronto Conference’s Executive
Secretary.
INSIDE
Runnymede Supports Kenyan Family . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Birchcliff Bluff Begins Easter Drama Prep . . . . . . . . 6
Capacitar Training Comes to Canada . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Communities Care; Tech Talk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Five Oaks Looks to the Future . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Welcoming Church; Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Fred Victor: Bridging Gaps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
The Observer Toronto Conference
Insight | January • February 2016
1
David Ambrose
CONGREGATIONS
RUC established the Kenyan AIDS
Orphan Fund (KAOF) and, for a decade
now, has helped the Obaras support their
family, particularly paying for the children’s education. Six of their 15 children
need financial support as they are still
finishing school. One has almost completed law school. Two girls completed
high school and wish to become nurses.
Another dreams of being a lawyer, and
two of the youngest dream of attending
university. Since its independence in 1963,
the Kenyan economy has been inconsistent with inflation recently as high
as 12%, so the Obaras find maintaining
financial stability a challenge.
Runnymede, through the KAOF, also
Runnymede United supports Andrew and two of his children.
provided start-up funds for the Kijiji Cha
Upendo (Village of Love) project, which
the Obaras first discussed during a Toronto visit in 2009.
Andrew has worked with it since his job ended in 2007,
and Leonora volunteers. The Village currently supports
more than 300 children in the Kenyan slum of Kibera.
RUC aids The Village of Love Canada in any way
that it can. This is a fundraising arm that retired RUC
minister, Linda Levin, established in 2011. RUC also
By Alison Gadsby
supports the Obara family through PAR donations and
special envelope contributions. This allows the children
IN 2004, LEONORA OBARA, a social worker at
to complete their schooling and, in turn, support their
Women Fighting AIDS in Kenya (WOFAK), travelled
community. Runnymede Youth have raised money
from Kenya to attend an HIV/AIDS conference in
through concerts, auctions, and bake sales so they can
Toronto. Here, she met Robyn Salter, a member of Runvisit Kenya to help the family. Last summer, the youth
nymede United Church (RUC), who also works with
built a new classroom at the Obaras’ local school.
children affected by HIV.
While our relationship with the Obaras, who work
According to UNICEF, the prevalence of adult HIV in
tirelessly to help families affected by HIV/AIDS, will
Kenya in 2013 was 6.1%. There are more than 1.5 milalways be an emotional one, RUC’s financial relationlion adults living with HIV/AIDS. As a result, more than
ship is tied to the children’s success and independence.
one million children are orphaned by the disease.
Many congregants have dedicated themselves to the
Salter learned that Obara and her husband, Andrew,
Obara family, donating more than $30,000 to the KAOF
who had five daughters born to them, had also adopted
last year.
five children orphaned by AIDS.
Raising 15 children is no easy feat, but the Obaras
“There was an instant connection,” says Salter. She
are an inspiration. That is why supporting them is no
felt compelled to bring the Obaras’ story to Runnylonger an obligation, but a privilege.
mede’s ACTS Committee, a social action group. RUC
and friends generously responded to the Obaras’ needs.
– Alison Gadsby is Runnymede United’s Social Media/
This helped them to adopt five more children orphaned
Communications lead.
by AIDS.
Runnymede
Supports Kenyan
Family
2
Insight | January • February 2016
The Observer Toronto Conference
THE WIDER CHURCH
Capacitar Training
Comes to Canada
AFTER SOUTH WEST PRESBYTERY’S Support
Nurture and Education of Ministry Personnel Team
introduced the Capacitar International training at a
“Lunch and Learn” workshop last June, a small group
of individuals started working with Emmanuel College
to bring the program to Canada next year. The four
weekend modules will start in May and be held over
the coming year.
Capacitar is a program of wellness practices, designed
to give people skills to heal and transform stress and
pain resulting from illness, violence, and daily life.
The program teaches practical body, mind, and spirit
techniques. The energy practices awaken people to their
own wisdom, strength, and resources.
Twenty people attended the “Lunch and Learn” introduction in Toronto on June 11. The Rev. Joan SilcoxSmith, chaplain at North York General Hospital, led the
workshop. She is one of the three people working with
Emmanuel to bring the upcoming Capacitar training
here this year.
“As a hospital chaplain,” she says, “I have used
these practices to help patients relax and it has helped
immensely with their pain and anxiety.”
The Rev. John Smith, who served at Leaside United
Church, has also incorporated some of the practices in
worship services and small group settings.
Now, Dr. Patricia Cane, founder and director of
Capacitar International, based in California, will lead
the four-weekend program at the Queen of Apostles
Renewal Centre in Mississauga.
South West Presbytery’s Mission and Leadership
Support Commission contributed seed money for the
upcoming program. Toronto Southeast Presbytery’s
Education and Students Commission has contributed
funds to defray the costs for any of its candidates
attending the course.
While Capacitar does not promote a specific religion,
it can be adapted to the Christian context.
“It has been so fine to discover meditative and energy
practices that include body and mind,” says the Rev.
D’thea Webster, one of the Lunch and Learn’s participants. “It will be great to be able to offer these spiritual
practices to people in my church. I can’t wait to go into
greater depth through the upcoming training program.”
The Observer Toronto Conference
Kristal McGee
By Irene Ty
Irene Ty does the “halo hold” on Christine
Smaller at the Lunch and Learn. The Trauma Healing and Transformation program
being offered this year is an in-depth training for people
whose professional and/or volunteer work is to serve
those affected by stress, poverty, physical or mental illness, abuse, trauma, or violence.
During the four modules, participants will learn
and experience energy practices to release stress and
nourish the energy system. These include: meditation
and mindfulness; Tai Chi, Pal Dan Gum, and body
movement; visualization and breath work; acupressure
to alleviate pain and stress; finger holds for managing
emotions; work with the energy system and chakras;
and trauma theory and research.
Course dates: May 6 to 8 and September 23 to 25,
2016; and January 20 to 22 and May 12 to 14, 2017.
Cost is $1,550 for residential and $925 for non-residential participants.
Check www.emmanuel.utoronto.ca/coned/Continuing_Education_Events.htm for more information.
– The Rev. Irene Ty chairs South West Presbytery’s Intercultural Committee and is also helping to bring Capacitar
training to Ontario.
Mills & Mills LLP
2 St. Clair Avenue West, Suite 700,
Toronto, ON M4V 1L5
Barristers & Solicitors
Generations of Trust
Our practice areas include church law, business law,
civil litigation, family law, real estate, wills, estates, trusts,
and charity and not-for-profit law.
Contact Paul Mills
416-682-7110, paul.mills@millsandmills.ca
Insight | January • February 2016
3
Prayer trees at Five Oaks carry messages, which guests have left, of thanksgiving, praise, and petition.
Five Oaks Looks to the Future
AFTER MORE THAN A YEAR of deep contemplation,
a lot of hard work, and many prayers, we believe that
Five Oaks has an important role to play and that we are
being called to share wisdom and inspire interconnectedness between Spirit, self, humanity, and creation.
“Five Oaks continues to be blessed with the support
of many levels within the United Church – financially,
prayerfully, and with vision – for which we are very
grateful,” says Ron Jewell, Treasurer of the Five Oaks
Board. “We are especially thankful for Toronto Conference grants that have allowed us the opportunity
to explore our transformation possibilities, as well as
ongoing support from individual presbyteries, local
congregations, and members who share our passion.”
But, despite this generous support, Five Oaks will
face a financial wall in early 2017 if we continue down
the same path. The time to transform is now.
Melissa Connor, Five Oaks’ Executive Director, says,
“People are yearning for a new way of being; a way
of life that is more connected to their inner being, to
their higher power, to other people, and to their natural
Beth Moore BA, LL.B
Heather Keachie BA, MA, JD
LEGAL SERVICES FOR:
CHURCHES, CHARITIES, INDIVIDUALS & BUSINESSES
CORPORATE/COMMERCIAL, REAL ESTATE, WILLS & ESTATES
Email: info@abmo o r e l a w. c om
2600 Danforth Ave.
Phone: (416) 699-9829
Toronto, ON, M4C 1L3
w w w. a b m o o r e l a w. c o m
4
Insight | January • February 2016
By Tammy Crabbe
surroundings. We believe that, by helping people to discover their inner self and their true calling, a passion
and light ignites. People become present and are able
to bring their best self to their families, work, and communities. Five Oaks has a role to play in igniting this
passion and in healing ourselves and the planet... as we
are all connected.”
As we embark on a new path, many things will
change. All of our practices at the centre will honour the
Earth and the Spirit. Programs will be offered differently,
de-emphasizing residential programs as buildings will
change; they will be fewer but eco-friendly. Relationships
with First Nations people will strengthen, and Native
teachings will guide us back to caring for, and living
from, the land. New partners will join us, including
Earthship Canada and other spiritual and eco friends.
Some things remain the same. Our connection with
the church continues to be very important to Five Oaks.
We hear the strong need for more accessible Christian
education across the nation and, in response, the Oaten
Institute has been created. Through the Oaten Institute,
which is a ministry of Five Oaks, Christian education
and faith formation will be lived out in a new model,
where we train consultants from across the country to
deliver Five Oaks programming at a local level across
the nation. Our partnership and collaboration with
Emmanuel College Continuing Education will also
make education more accessible to those within the
Greater Toronto Area and surrounding regions.
Five Oaks is evolving - for the church, for the Earth,
and for humanity.
– Tammy Crabbe is Five Oaks’ Marketing Coordinator.
The Observer Toronto Conference
Rainbow Ducky Photography
THE WIDER CHURCH
THE WIDER CHURCH
Fred Victor:
Bridging Gaps
By Carol Watson
The Observer Toronto Conference
Tenant Mary Williams and Shannon Soropia, a
Women’s Transition to Housing case manager, in
Mary’s new bachelor apartment.
of 70 years, and women who are legally blind.
Fred Victor’s new transitional housing for women
reduces the length of stay at emergency shelters. It is
always more merciful and easier to house people sooner
rather than later. Individuals’ health rapidly deteriorates
the longer they are homeless.
Mary Williams, 71, spent some fearful nights in a
utility room in her apartment block when her family living arrangement broke down. With help from a
neighbour, she moved into a shelter, and then into our
Women’s Transitional Housing. Fred Victor’s Shannon
Soropia, whom Williams calls ‘wonderful, just wonderful,’ was delighted when she found Williams a bachelor
apartment. Today, Williams loves preparing her own
meals and, when her knees are co-operating, she
dances to music on the radio.
– Carol Watson is Fred Victor’s Communications and
Fundraising Manager.
Insight | January • February 2016
5
Lisa Sakulensky
FRED VICTOR HAS BEEN experiencing vigorous
growth — with new programs that prevent and respond
to the poverty, homelessness, and poor health experienced by too many of our Toronto neighbours.
Last spring, Fred Victor took growth one step further. On April 1, Community Resource Connections of
Toronto (CRCT) integrated with Fred Victor under the
Fred Victor name and identity. CRCT brought its substantial, 40+-year legacy of excellence in communitybased mental health services, and 74 employees joined
the 200 plus Fred Victor staff.
“It’s early days yet, but the idea is that our two organizations have complementary services,” says Executive Director Mark Aston. “Fred Victor is very much in
the homeless/housing sector, about 80% of our work is
in large, group-based programs that relate to homelessness. If we can add individualized support for people
experiencing mental health challenges and addictions,
then we create an even more capable and responsive
organization.”
United Church members who remember Fred Victor
as a mission at the downtown Toronto corner of Queen
and Jarvis Streets would still recognize us. Leslie Morris, a health promoter who joined Fred Victor with
other CRCT staff, says, “we both have this passion
for a vision that includes recovery, hope, and making
change at all levels – so this integration is a fabulous
opportunity.”
Aston continues: “Fred Victor is enlivened by CRCT’s
language/culturally appropriate mental health services.
These programs and others that serve the elderly,
people inside the criminal justice system, and youth,
help Fred Victor to connect to a wider, more diverse
Toronto.”
In addition to the integration, Fred Victor this year
opened two new programs that are filling program
gaps. Launched last summer, these are the only Canadian women’s round-the-clock, seven-days-a-week,
off-the-street drop-in and the Women’s Transition to
Housing Program.
One week in October, staff welcomed more than 200
women who were in critical need of safety, food, and
services at the 24-hour Women’s Drop-in. Among them
were women who use wheelchairs, women over the age
Jessie Gordon
CONGREGATIONS
“My goal for our Easter dramas
is to create a transformational
experience through art, music,
and spoken word,” says SCP’s
co-founder and drama co-creator,
Jessie Gordon. “Audience and
actors both experience the familiar story in a new way and gather
new insights.”
Despite the many rehearsals,
which will be booked throughout
February and March to accommodate school holidays and busy
schedules, the drama continues
to draw a large cast. There’s
an inherent camaraderie at the
Kamiliah Joseph, playing Pilate, and Darryl James, playing Caiaphas,
rehearsals as we work together,
debate their role in Jesus’ death.
practicing our lines, perfecting
our songs, and walking through
the staging in order to build a meaningful production.
Yoel Yemane, who portrays Jesus, says SCP has done
more than develop his singing and acting talents. “It’s
important to be part of the team,” he says. “Everyone
accepts you as you are. I love to perform and see faces
respond when we do a good job.”
By Marian Martin
This year’s drama will follow the format created
in last year’s production. The production opens with
WHILE MOST CONGREGATIONS are still savoura soundscape, which percussionist Ed Drachenberg
ing the calm after their busy Christmas season, we
created and performs. It sets the mood: eerie and susat Birchcliff Bluffs United Church in east Toronto are
penseful. As the soundscape fades, actors appear and
already beginning preparations for our 21st annual Easthe first of nine original hand-painted banners is moved
ter drama, “Why Me? An Easter Reflection.”
into place. The Easter story is told as actors come and
The reflection is presented by our church’s intergenerago from stations, explaining their conflicted feelings
tional drama group, Shower Curtain Productions (SCP).
and roles in the Holy Week events. Songs are interwo“It has been exciting to see a Sunday School pageant
ven to enhance the story and traditional costumes are
evolve into an amazing ministry of drama, music, and
replaced by black clothing with draped scarves.
art,” says board chair Beth Moore. “By performing on a
The bright banners are also integral to the producSaturday evening, we’ve been able to welcome the comtion. They were created by church members and artists,
munity to experience our event.”
Jessie Gordon and Michelle Threndyle, who use colour
Planning for the presentation begins in February
and shapes to create images reflecting the Easter story.
with a concept, sometimes inspired by a song, text, or
By the time the drama concludes, the banners will
social issue. At that time, we also consider the involveform a stunning full backdrop, which will reveal the
ment of our Sunday School children. Are they ready for
sequence of events as the Easter story unfolds.
bigger roles this year? How will the challenging parts
of the story be told? Once the troupe is selected, scripts
– Marian Martin co-founded Shower Curtain Producare fine-tuned to suit each year’s cast members’ skills
tions with Jessie Gordon.
and talents.
Birchcliff Bluff
Begins Easter Drama
Preparations
6
Insight | January • February 2016
The Observer Toronto Conference
CONGREGATIONS
Windermere
Launches
Communities
Care
IN JUNE, the General Council Office’s
Edge Network for Ministry Development
invited social entrepreneurs to participate in The Social Innovation Challenge,
which it described as a “Dragon’s Den
for Do-gooders.” The Rev. Alexa Gilmour
Windermere’s congregants celebrate with a refugee family, which
of Windermere United Church in west
helped to spark the Communities Care idea.
Toronto won third prize for the Communities Care (CC) initiative.
CC engages local business and individuals to share
Decades of serving the community has led to an
from their abundance. One local hairdresser says, “I
understanding that it takes more than meeting basic
really wanted to do something good in the world, but
needs to feed the soul.
all I knew how to do was cut hair.” CC put her in touch
“Communities Care is both a ministry and a service,”
with a refugee family that needed free haircuts.
says Doug Tindal, a Windermere congregant. “It’s
With the help of the local city councillor, business
social infrastructure that helps people to be the kind of
improvement association, community housing staff,
neighbours we remember from earlier days when most
and funding from The United Church of Canada and
of us lived in rural areas and small towns. Life’s a little
Edge, Windermere is building its pilot project with the
more complicated these days and we need some help
hope of creating a model that can be shared across the
making connections, but most of us still want to be part
country.
of that kind of community and contribute to making it
happen. I think it’s a great way for our church to say,
– The Rev. Alexa Gilmour is Windermere United’s minister.
‘we’re here for you.’”
TECH TALK
Kaitlin Bardswich
By Alexa Gilmour
By Catherine Rodd
The United Church of Canada
Welcome to Insight’s technology column. Please email your questions
to the Editor.
Q: Our church sends out
a monthly newsletter and
almost all of its communications electronically to
everyone in the congregation. We are merging
with another church this
spring and it mails everything, including a quarterly
newsletter. The other editor wants to stay on as the
newsletter editor and so do I.
A: Before you decide on details, focus on the big
picture. Why not bring both congregations’ communications teams together and get help branding your
The Observer Toronto Conference
new church? Who is your community now? What do
you want to do as a church? If you are changing the
name, you should also think of a new values and mission statement, new website, and new graphic design
for that site that works for other materials as well.
Then, sit down and list all the communications you
both send out and the budget for each. How will the
new vision change those things? Where can you save
money? How will your communications help to pull
people together? Rather than combining old styles,
create something new to fit your new church.
– Catherine Rodd is the Multimedia Producer for The
United Church of Canada’s General Council Office.
Insight | January • February 2016
7
CALENDAR
Emmanuel College in Toronto is offering these
continuing education events this winter:
February 1 Longer Lenses – Preaching Lent
and Easter as One Piece: Malcolm Sinclair
explores preaching in this pivotal time of
the Christian year from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at
Emmanuel College or on-line through a United
in Learning webinar.
February 16 - 17 Practicing Theological
Reflection in Ministry: Join Abigail Johnson
and Michael Kooiman for two days at Emmanuel
to learn how to deepen theological reflection
practice in all aspects of ministry.
February 29 Making and Remaking The United
Church of Canada: Join Professor Phyllis Airhart
at Emmanuel from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. to
explore what you can learn from the past about
being a “united church” in Canada today.
Check www.emmanuel.utoronto.ca/coned.htm
or contact Betsy Anderson at 416-813-4096 or
betsy.anderson@utoronto.ca.
Insight Editor Changes
Welcoming Church
By Coral Prebble
HAVE YOU EVER visited a congregation where no one
spoke with you? Have you asked, “Are you new to our
church?,” only to discover someone has been attending for months? How many who attend worship once,
return? Do you know why they return and what they are
seeking? When people return, how are they welcomed
into the fuller life and ministry of your congregation?
These questions, and more, will be addressed at
“Welcoming Church: Making a Good First Impression”.
It is a workshop being held from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. on
Sunday, March 6, at Westway United on 8 Templar
Drive in Etobicoke.
The Mission Articulation Team, part of Effective
Leadership in South West Presbytery, hosts an annual
Inspiring Ministries panel aimed at engaging, equipping, and empowering congregations with tried and
true ideas and skills to vitalize God’s church.
“Engagement is about connecting people with people,
people with possibilities and, ultimately, people with
divinely inspired purpose,” says Lee-Ann Ahlstrom, one of
the guest speakers, now serving at Fairlawn United. “Our
task is not to fit people into our existing structures, but
invite people to help us shape a new way of being church.” The Rev. Vivian Yarwood, another guest speaker,
recently retired after 30 years, initiated a successful
ministry of intentional welcome at what is now Cummer
United. “Welcome and hospitality,” she says, “are firmly
grounded in scripture and integral to God’s ministry.”
– The Rev. Coral Prebble chairs South West Presbytery’s
Mission Articulation Team.
Noelle Boughton
Julie McGonegal
JULIE MCGONEGAL, a freelance journalist and
member of Burton Avenue United in Barrie, has become
Insight’s new Editor. McGonegal has written for many
magazines, including the United Church Observer. She is
looking forward to helping Toronto Conference and its
congregations tell their stories.
Noelle Boughton, who has enjoyed serving as Insight’s
Editor for three years, ends her tenure with this issue.
She has accepted a job as a Communication Specialist
at the Region of Peel. She has enjoyed featuring many of
the signs of hope in the Conference, and has also appreciated all of the support that she has received throughout
the Conference during her term.
8
Insight | January • February 2016
INSIGHT Volume 44, No. 1
Publisher: Toronto Conference • www.torontoconference.ca
Editor, Jan./Feb. issue:
Noelle Boughton • n.boughton@sympatico.ca
Editor, future issues:
Julie McGonegal • juliemcgonegal@gmail.com
Graphic Designer: Lisa Rebnord
Deadline for March/April calendar: March 10
Future deadlines, see: www.torontoconference.ca/
downloads/insight-advertising-info.pdf
Insight wants to hear your story. Please email story ideas
to the Editor.
Toronto Conference copyrights Insight. Contact the Editor
for permission to reprint articles or place ads.
The Observer Toronto Conference