Place of Meeting December 2015

Place of Meeting

Ringing in the season The year cycles around again, with TUMC’s fall meeting, Eternity Sunday, and the beginning of Advent, with the annual Carol Sing –– a tradition that’s now 48 years old, led for all but a couple of those years by members of the Penner family. But much is new as well, with 6 Lark close to readiness, the Aurora House team working hard at fundraising for its program for survivors of human trafficking, work beginning on renovations to our own building and an initiative to sponsor a Syrian refugee family kicking into high gear. Here’s an all-photo look back at recent events.

Toronto United Mennonite Church

December 2015

Place of Meeting

Scene around TUMC

is the meaning of the Huron word “toronton,” from which our city gets its name. Fittingly, it can also mean “plenty” or “abundance.”

Place of Meeting is also the monthly newsletter of Toronto United Mennonite Church. May you find plenty here to enjoy and ponder. Opinions expressed are those of the writers and not necessarily of the congregation as a whole.

Contributions of all kinds are enthusiastically received, through the mail folder in the lobby or at dmartens@pathcom.com Next deadline: Jan. 5 Have you discovered the all-colour online version of Place of Meeting, complete with live weblinks? Check this month’s issue out here: issuu.com/pomeditor/docs/ pom_dec_2015l NOTE: New address for submissions: dmartens4@cogeco.ca Editor: Doreen Martens

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Top: We remembered the life well lived of a dear sister, Ellie Voth, at her funeral on Nov. 16. Centre: Tim Neufeldt leads singing on the first Sunday of Advent. Bottom: Trees offer a shower of blessings! Numerous church folk pitched in on successive Sundays to deal with the leaves from the Lark maples.

Here we go!

With 6 Lark almost ready for occupants, work begins on church building

Coming Events

Dec. 6 - Advent II, congregation photo 7 p.m.: Taize healing and prayer service (focused this month especially for those who find this season difficult) Dec. 13 - Advent III; all music service Dec. 20 - Advent IV; outdoor nativity event for kids, youth and their families Dec. 24 - Christmas Eve service at 7 p.m.

Dec. 25 - Christmas Day - no service at TUMC

Top: The lobby, stripped of bulletin boards and mail cart, stands ready for the workers on Nov. 22. Centre: a view from the same spot on Nov, 29, with hoarding (plastic windows thoughtfully included) up to keep us out of the construction area. Bottom: the old library window offers a great view of the now-gutted library/servery/office area.

Some other current changes: • Changes made to the Lark St. doors, including placement there of the outdoor intercom/buzzer and security panel.

• Changes were made along the north wall to prepare for foundations.

• Change to signage makes it clear that the north door is not an exit.

• Disruptions in the women’s washroom to let the contractor access the foundations.

• Fire exit has been rebuilt for the upper floors so they remain useable.

• During construction, lobby and washrooms will not always be as clean as usual.

• Pedestrians now need to walk through the lane from the parking lot to Queen St. to get to church; drivers, take care!

• The church office is now gratefully sharing space in the Junior Youth room.

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Celebrating the traditions of harvest time The TUMC fall harvest festival, organized by and held at the beautiful farm owned by Lori Unger and Dora Alexander, drew more than 100 people on Nov. 7 for a wonderful evening of old-fashioned fun, a pig roast accompanied by a bountiful potluck, and a magical lantern walk through the woods.

Among those who couldn’t resist climbing up into the treehouse to enjoy the view overlooking the pond were Gary Harder and granddaughter Charlotte, below.

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Celebrating the traditions of harvest time

Signs placed around the grounds invited kids and adults to tackle some fun games –– like trying to gobble marshmallows from dangling strings while hopping.

And the farm’s animals, including goats, turkeys, chickens and rabbits, were a big draw. Below, kids and ... kids.

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Celebrating the traditions of harvest time The harvest festival reminded us of some skills almost lost to urban generations, including making cider!

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Celebrating the traditions of harvest time

Kids and grownups worked together in a mad scramble to create scarecrows from straw, bags and old clothes.

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Celebrating the traditions of harvest time

Soon, it was time to eat. The pork, slowroasted by Lori’s dad and stuffed with pineapple and other good things, was accompanied by a banquet of food shared on a potluck table. And as the sun dropped down, the scene turned magical with illumination from the fire and strings of handmade candlelit lanterns.

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Celebrating the traditions of harvest time

The evening ended with a lantern walk through the woods on a chilly night, a lovely moment for all who took part. Many thanks to Dora, Lori and their family and other helpers for organizing a wonderful intergenerational event!

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A place for the young in faith One of TUMC’s goals for the past few years has been to ensure that our kids and youth are fully integrated into the life of the church. How are we doing?

Above, kids approach the burning bush of the Moses story (Josh Neufeldt, in a yellow cloak!) during one children’s time, while Derek Schmucker leads another. Right, Ani and Bea show off SCOC-crafted goods for sale. Below, young string players help lead worship on Nov. 1 and Nov. 29.

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Eat, play, work

Who says congregational meetings aren’t picture worthy? The November meeting began with something like an indoor picnic as the junior youth served up a bag lunch. Above, chair Doug Pritchard leads the discussion, while, left, Erika Friesen is among those asking questions. A reminder: you don’t need to be an official member of TUMC to attend and participate in these gatherings, where important issues and initiatives are discussed. Decision-making is generally done by consensus.

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Ding dong merrily

TUMC’s 48th annual Carol Sing, on the first Sunday of Advent, was as always a joyous evening, highlighted this year by Brad Lepp’s hilariously professorial rendition of “Twas the Night Before Christmas.” JD Penner led participants in a lively evening of singing in German, English and Spanish, with the addition of jingling bells and keys on “Kling Glöckchen.” We ended, as always, by singing the Hallelujah Chorus and “Silent Night,” then tucked into the first of the season’s home-baked goodies.

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