Toronto United Church Council
30 Wertheim Crt # 24 L4B 1B9 Richmond Hill, ON, Canada

Summer Student Connor Jay's top website and social media tips for communities of faith: Posts should be bite sized: while printing/emailing formats for a monthly newsletter generally contain a series of information, the social media consumer is used to shorter content. The key is to break up longer pieces of content into multiple smaller pieces throughout the week rather than one big post. Also, consider not posting an entire Sunday service on Facebook, but rather put up pie...ces, such as the prayer or the sermon. Scheduling on different sites is possible and available for free with specific apps like Hootsuite which allows for improved efficiency. Websites should have the address and time of services visible on top of the first page so that users from all devices can see these crucial pieces of information. It is also important to include links to contact information or a contact form for prospective visitors to contact staff in case of any questions. For more tips and insights read the full interview with Connor here: https://us1.campaign-archive.com/

Megan Buchanan of High Country United Church (pictured here with Rev. Janet Whaley-Jones) was one of the first young people to be presented with TUCC's Baillie Volunteer Service Award this year. We were disappointed not to be physically present so glad the church was able to find a way to celebrate this amazing young person for her contributions to community. We look forward to participating at a distance in the nine Baillie presentations remaining in 2020! Learn more about the Baillie Award on our website: https://www.tucc.ca/baillie-award/

TUCC staff are logging their kilometres for the Pass It On! Marathon virtual fundraiser. Jim Patterson is walking on his treadmill, Ali Hayes is going for a hike, and Ron Ewart is walking to the office! Click the link below to donate to their efforts and support United Church camping. In these challenging times, the camps need our support more than ever! https://raceroster.com//sco/fundraising-organization/27152

TUCC's Innovative Ministry Centre (IMC) is excited to announce the launch of a new website, www.innovativeministry.ca. The challenges of our time are multiple, and the symptoms they cause vary. But whichever of them we name, whether a sense of increased secularization, anxiety about falling church attendance, or a sense of disconnection from the communities we seek to love and serve, they call for adaptation to meet them and require new approaches and well-formed leaders. ...The new website will curate resources and include articles, videos, and a podcast with helpful information from practitioners in mission and ministry to meet these challenges. Many of the resources posted there are being used in connection with the innovative ministry course launched in January 2020 with six congregational teams. But there will also be items that will help all churches in Canada innovate and adapt to the challenges of ministry in our time.

The Pass It On Marathon has gone virtual this year! Sign up to run or walk and raise funds for United Church Camps. Complete your event anytime during the month of October and there is no requirement to travel to Toronto. You can walk or run wherever you happen to be! You can even break your distance up over multiple days. Plus, if you raise over $200, we will reimburse you for your registration fee! More information linked below! https://us1.campaign-archive.com/

Managing your church building can feel overwhelming at times due to lack of resources, or its complexity. Our September Property & Mission blog explores two ways to address these challenges: management made clearer on one piece of paper, and working together in a cluster. https://mailchi.mp//church-building-managementin-a-cluster

A great interview on resilience with Susan Smith, former TUCC President. https://lnkd.in/gTHZtq5

Though our methods have, by necessity, changed, TUCC remains committed to supporting our United Church community in Horseshoe Falls, Western Ontario Waterways, Shining Waters, and East Central Ontario Regional Councils. Our summer e-news shares how our work has continued and evolved in recent months. https://mailchi.mp//supporting-our-united-church-community

During this uncertain year, TUCC's Camping Opportunities Fund has provided a vital level of security to the five United Church children’s camps in Shining Waters Region. The individual camps are providing varying levels of on-line programming for their campers and support for their young staff. Property maintenance and upgrades are also being undertaken. Changing Lives was made in 2019 when camp was in full swing, and reflects how United Church camping really does make a difference in young lives. https://youtu.be/VRtcorszLfs

Pews vs. chairs and some considerations for returning to places of worship in July's Property & Mission Review. https://mailchi.mp//in-the-hot-seat-considerations-for-pew

This month's Property & Mission blog addresses how to handle conversations with external users returning to the building as COVID restrictions ease and how to negotiate fair rental agreements with potential tenants. https://mailchi.mp//external-users-returning-to-church-com

Nominate a young person from your congregation for a Baillie Volunteer Service Award! Deadline extended to July 15. https://mailchi.mp//communities-of-faith-come-together-to-

TUCC is Hiring a Summer Student! We're looking for a student in theology/communication/design/social work/religious studies to work with 8 10 communities of faith to optimise their website and social media presences and assist them with delivering Sunday services online. Please take a look at the job ad and share within your communities. http://www.tucc.ca/wp-content//2020/05/2020-05-28-JobAd.pdf

TUCC was pleased to assist Highland United Church with its amalgamation process. It is great to hear that you are still going strong! Happy first anniversary and best wishes to all.

May's Property & Mission blog explores the transactional and relational modes of relating to external users. https://us1.campaign-archive.com/

TUCC has continued to develop its response to the challenges facing communities of faith during the current COVID-19 pandemic. Read about the steps we are taking in our latest E-News. https://us1.campaign-archive.com/

Our latest Property & Mission blog addresses four reasons why church buildings matter. https://us1.campaign-archive.com/

Remembering Shirley Douglas: This week, Canada lost one of its great champions of social justice; Shirley Douglas died on Sunday 5 April. Ms. Douglas was honoured in 2014 with the presentation by TUCC of its Heart & Vision Award. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upFmbSw2UtQ&t=139s https://www.cbc.ca//e/shirley-douglas-dies-at-86-1.5522758