good_news_2012_02 - Bloor Street United Church

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Sharing the Spirit of Christmas by Sue Kaiser Toronto’s lack of snow in December did not stop Santa’s reindeer from delivering their cargo of toys for over 100 kids at the Refugee Outreach Program’s Christmas party on December 17! McClure hall was festive with lights and families enjoyed lots of musical entertainment, a Nativity Pageant presented by the kids, an excellent dinner and a bustling craft room. 45 families were part of the Christmas program, including 30 new families – all were invited because they are facing challenges of dislocation, loss of work, family breakdown or unresolved refugee claims. This year, about 70 volunteers helped make this event possible – Thanks to the planners, craft helpers, errand runners, chef and sous-chef, kitchen helpers, servers, gift packers, set up and clean-up crew, decorators, face painter, MC, musicians and singers and Nativity animators. Toys were donated by members of Bloor Street Church, Eglinton St. George’s United Church, the Firefighters Toy Drive and the Salvation Army. Gladys Salazar & Martha ter Kuile Photo by Aaron Zhang Four of the more than 70 volunteers for the Christmas party: Bonnie Reid, Rebeca Rosales Venegas & Claudia Venegas Photo by Aaron Zhang Nora McKay welcomes a new friend who recently arrived from Ethiopia. Her mother and siblings are with her. Photo by Aaron Zhang Chef David & two of his hard working helpers: Maure Kentner, David Estrada & Claudia Sanchez Photo by George Bartlett 6
Quick Sketches Redevelopment Information Session. An interesting and informative presentation and discussion session was held after the service on January 8. Michael Hilliard, Chair of our Redevelopment Committee, described the new proposal to redevelop our property. Four representatives from the development firm B + H Architects and also the architect were present for this important meeting. We saw several drawings of the proposed development and heard details of various aspects of the new building. A condo tower will be built to the west of the corner of Bloor and Huron and the historical Bloor St. and Huron St. façades of the current Michael Hilliard chairing the redevelopment session Photo by Harold Durnford church will be rebuilt at our present location. We will still have a strong presence on Bloor St. rather than the church being located at the rear of the parking lot, which was suggested by earlier developers. Office space will be included in the church wing of the building for the offices of the General Council of the United Church of Canada, if Bloor St. Church is chosen as the location for the new offices. A decision on the relocation of General Council is expected in March. Please see the January issue of The United Church Observer for the article “Toronto, after all” for more information on the relocation issue. A lively discussion with the developers and architect followed the presentation. Michael also reported that there have been discussions with the local city councillor, Adam Vaughan, as the surrounding community will be very interested in our changes and their possible impact. Generally the new proposed development was positively viewed by the large congregational turnout for the meeting. Bloor Street Book Club. This lively group meets the first Tuesday of each month at 1:30 pm in the Board Room. Everyone who has read the book being discussed is welcome. We have chosen the following books for discussion until the end of June. February 7: Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell, March 6: The Cat's Table by Michael Ondaatje, April 3: I've Got a Home in Glory Land: A Lost Tale of the Underground Railway by Karolyn Smardz Frost, May 1: Half-Blood Blues by Esi Edugyan and June 5: Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy by Eric Metaxas. For more information please contact Bob Farquharson at arfarquhar@sympatico.ca or phone at 416-962-3998. The Book Sales made a record $3396 in 2011. This includes the proceeds from the spring and fall Saturday book sales, two coffee hour sales, one street sale; and money from books sold directly to book dealers and to the Ryerson University library. Many Bloor Streeters donated books; twenty-five volunteers sorted and arranged them, and helped on sale days; and the office and custodial staff provided support throughout the year. Our next book sale will be this spring. If you enjoy books, are not allergic to dust, and would like to help, please speak to Dianne Johnson or Christine Mosser. Margaret Atwood’s Craddock lecture to our congregation last October 16 appears in an adapted form in the January issue of The United Church Observer. Look for the article entitled “Back to the Garden” on page 19. Tea Party. A winter tea party was held at Christie Gardens on a cold and snowy January 19. The winter weather did not dampen the warmth of the party. Hosted by the Pastoral Care Committee, the 22 attendees are all members or adherents of Bloor St. Church.
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Page 3 and 4: The Healing Lodge by Mary Sanderson
Page 5: Terrific Talent Auction on Nov. 5 O

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