Toronto United Mennonite Church
1774 Queen Street East M4L 1G7 Toronto, ON, Canada

Mennonite Central Committee, our international relief, development and peace organization, is 100 years old this year! At TUMC, we're celebrating by attending (virtually) its annual Peace Conference, which begins tonight at 7 p.m. with a conversation with Bruxy Cavey, Denley McIntosh and MCC’s Ken Ogasawara about racism and social exclusion in our faith community and how we can address those issues. More workshops continue at 9 a.m. Saturday, with a special celebration of the centenary at 8 p.m. Click for details and to sign up! https://mcccanada.ca/get-involved/events/peace-conference

With love and care for one another as our guiding principle, TUMC continues to meet virtually en masse every Sunday and in smaller groups of various kinds during the week, including a weekly Face to Face Zoom gathering with Pastor Michele for conversation and prayer. As much as we miss meeting in person, out of care for one another we will not gather for worship in our building until the end of September at the earliest. However, as part of strategizing toward a cautious reopening, our staff and board have created guidelines for small group meetings (indoor and outdoor). Check it out on the TUMC website. You are welcome to join us for worship on Sundays; to get the Zoom link, please sign up for TUMC Connects (see info below). http://www.tumc.ca.

This goes double for TUMC! Our building may be dark, but our community continues to be a lively place of worship, friendship, caring and ministry to others. If you'd like to know more, or find out how you can be part of our Sunday morning worship gatherings via Zoom, please check our website for details about getting on the mailing list for TUMC Connects, our email newsletter. (tumc.ca)

Hallelujah! Christ is Risen! This Easter we are reminded that the good news of the Resurrection came to disciples huddled in their homes, fearful, bewildered, and hardly daring to hope. May the joyous news of Christ's triumph over violence and death break into our hearts even as we meet "scattered" this morning. A Happy Easter to all!

TUMC remains the same lively community as always! But during this challenging time we are gathering virtually through Zoom connections, on Sundays and in small groups. You are welcome to join us, whether you’re a regular attender or not. To receive the Sunday morning Zoom worship URL link, as well as to benefit from spiritual encouragement, news about our community, and connection with others, please go to our website http://www.tumc.ca and sign up for TUMC Connects, our new vehicle for communication and connection. It’s emailed out each week! Just write "sign me up for TUMC Connects" in the subject line.

Sadly, for the mutual good of our community we have decided to suspend worship services and group gatherings at this time of dealing with the global pandemic. We take comfort in knowing that we are part of a community that trusts in God and in our commitments to be the hands and feet of Christ to each other and to the world. We are a strong community, already coming together to help care for each other. God is with us! Let’s remember to pray for each other, to call, to send c...ards, and to look for opportunities to serve. You may contact either of the pastors or the Caring Team to pray, to ask for prayer or to send your request to the TUMC Prayer Chain. This coming Sunday, March 22, Pastor Peter will host a Sunday Gathering via Zoom, starting at our usual time, 11 am. To join, use this link: https://zoom.us/j/784539751 (please test ahead of time if you need to download Zoom). You can also call in, using +1 647 374 4685, Meeting ID: 784 539 751

Live-streaming is now beginning of our service this morning. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agtpUmIgm8g

Feb. 16: This week we'll be looking at five fierce young women, the daughters of Zelophehad, who spoke truth to power when the economic laws of their nation were unfair. Pastor Michele preaches at the 11 a.m. Worship Service, where we'll also be formally welcoming a new member. Guests, newcomers, curious folk and seekers are always welcome! Come at 10 a.m. for Sunday School for kids & teens, with coffee & reflection for adults on the 2nd floor (On the Way Cafe) on the topic o...f Headlines, Pipelines and Cancelled Train Lines, led by Pastor Peter. We're also beginning a new Faith Exploration discussion group at 10 a.m., for those considering baptism, membership or just exploring questions about faith, in the main-floor Pastors' Meeting Room. Later, the BYOB (young adults) group will be heading to the Aga Khan Museum to enjoy the exhibit on Building Black Civilizations. Come as you are! See more

"Martha welcomed, Mary has chosen." Outgoing church chair Richard Ratzlaff has promised thoughts on what the famous biblical sisters have to teach us as he speaks at the 11 a.m. Worship Service today. We'll also be welcoming new members and witnessing the awarding of the coveted Golden Ladle after Saturday night's Borscht Battle! Come early to take part in Sunday school for children & teens (lower floor) at 10 a.m., as well as coffee & discussion for adults at On the Way Cafe (2nd floor). Newcomers and guests are always warmly welcomed. Join us!

Feb. 2: Please join us this morning as Alison Li preaches at the 11 a.m. Worship Service. Come at 10 a.m. to take part in Sunday school for children & teens (lower floor) as well as coffee & discussion for adults at On the Way Cafe (2nd floor) on the topic of how TUMC plans to use our financial gifts over the next year, with treasurer Bob Tiessen. Newcomers and guests are always welcome to check us out. Come as you are!

Congratulations to the folks who helped TUMC organizer Carolyn put together 14 comforters as part of the Great Winter Warmup, a centennial-year effort by Mennonite Central Committee to produce 65,000 handmade blankets for distribution to refugees and others in need. The TUMC group gathered several Saturdays to put the comforters together, which are now on their way to help Syrian and other refugees in Jordan!

The snow is over! Join us this morning as Christina Reimer preaches at the 11 a.m. Worship Service, continuing our series on biblical women with the thought-provoking story of Tamar. Come early to take part in Sunday school for children & teens (lower floor) at 10 a.m., as well as coffee & discussion for adults at On the Way Cafe (2nd floor) on the topic "A strange new hope." Newcomers and guests are always welcome to check us out. Come as you are!

Jan. 12: Guests are especially welcome to join us for a great Sunday morning as we celebrate the installation of Peter Haresnape as the newest member of our pastoral team! Alicia Good will be preaching in the 11 a.m. Worship Service, which fittingly also marks Anabaptist World Fellowship Sunday. We’ll enjoy a wonderful potluck lunch afterward. Come early to take part in Sunday school for children & teens (lower floor) at 10 a.m., as well as coffee & discussion for adults at On the Way Cafe (2nd floor) on the topic The Strange World of God’s Time. The senior and junior youth will burn off some potluck energy after lunch by going bouldering!

Jan. 5: You are warmly welcomed to join us as we celebrate Ephiphany in our 11 a.m. Worship Service, with Pastor Michele preaching. One-on-one prayer will be available at the front of the sanctuary after the service. (There will be no Christian Education today.) At 6:30 p.m., Mary Klein leads facilitated conversations on the topic of Seeking God: Finding Wholeness (3rd floor).

Dec. 29: Join us this Sunday for an all-music service at 11 a.m. as we celebrate one more time and turn our eyes to the work and joys ahead In a new decade!