"The good we secure for ourselves is precarious and uncertain until it is secured for all of us and incorporated into our common life." --American peace and social justice activitist, Jane Addams
The United Church prides itself on getting involved in both the local community and in issues around the world. Check out the United Church of Canada website for more on what the larger church is doing. For information on getting involved in any of our local social justic initiatives, please contact the church office to be directed to the appropriate volunteer.
Beach Interfaith Lunch Program and Outreach Committee
The Beach Interfaith Lunch Program is a drop-in lunch that takes place at different church locations throughout the week, offering a nutritious meal and fellowship to low income, homeless friends, or anyone who is hungry. Volunteers are always needed. Donations of non-perishable food items (especially canned tuna) are greatly appreciated and can be dropped off at the church office. The Beach Interfaith Outreach Committee consists of eight east-end places of worship who meet monthly to keep in touch with each other and share individual activities. It also provides a forum for feedback on how the drop in lunch programs are going and to bring ideas on other tasks we could take on to assist our community. Beach United Church provides lunch on Tuesdays west site and Thursdays east site, throughout the year; one day per week through the summer months.
Mondays: Corpus Christi Catholic Church
Tuesdays: Beach United Church (West)
Wednesdays: The Synagogue
Thursdays: Beach United Church (East)
Fridays: Kingston Road United Church
Knitting for Shivering Children
In early February of 2008, a group of about 20 women from Beach United and the surrounding community responded to the call to “knit vests for shivering children.” With the help of The Naked Sheep, who supplied knitting lessons and vest kits, and Le Soleil Cafe, who donated treats and coffee, we met monthly to finish as many vests as we could by Mother’s Day. Newcomers joined the original group, and a network sprung up of relatives and friends who were also quietly knitting vests in their homes. Bundles of colourful vests started arriving at the church office, sometimes from anonymous donors. Some women came to the meetings with a dozen vests finished, and mysterious donations of yarn started appearing at the church. On May 11 (Mothers Day) the vests were displayed and blessed during the Sunday worship service--a total of 183 vests and 69 caps. The vests will protect children in hot climates from shivering at night when the temperature drops. These “pneumonia vests” will be sent to Canadian Food for Children, an international non-profit that ships containers of food, clothes and medical supplies to Africa and South America.
The knitting group meets throughout the year and newcomers all always welcome. Contact the church office for information on the next knitting session.
Pneumonia Vests on display before being sent to shivering children
Photo courtesy Duncan Thorn Photography
Out of the Cold
OUT OF THE COLD is a program that provides a breakfast meal at Eastminster Church, 310 Danforth Avenue every Saturday from November to March which the Beach United Church congregation supports. It is also an opportunity to meet other volunteers from other faith communities and learn about their church lives.
East End Refugee Committee
The EAST END REFUGEE COMMITTEE is a hands-on refugee sponsorship and support group consisting of a number of east end Toronto churches. The Canadian government provides some financial support for the first 4 months after the arrival for a refugee and then the committee takes responsibility for the next 8 months for everything from clothing, and other necessities plus social/emotional support, and teaching them about day to day living in Toronto. This effort requires both dollars and volunteers which is accomplished through fundraising mostly via wonderful musical concerts held at committee churches.