Build us a table and tear down the wall!
Christ is our host. There is room for us all!
So begins the chorus of our epiphany theme song Build Us a Table. And so continues our year-long theme of a place for you at the table.
Being a faith community, our central table is a communion table. We begin communion with an invitation that conveys, “This is not a table of the United Church, or Beach United Church. This table is open to anyone who wishes to come closer to God.” We have a table where everyone is welcome and there is always room for one more. One verse of our theme song declares:
Now at a table the bread that we share
joins us to Christ in a circle of care.
So join us for Communion this Sunday.
Being a faith community, other tables create community, whether that is a table set up with coffee & tea each Sunday before and after worship, or the tables set up for our Interfaith Lunch Program each Thursday, or the table covered in carafes and thermos’ of hot chocolate for “Eat, Pray, Skate” last Sunday evening. Whoever is gathered at these tables we are:
Making room for one more
welcoming friends we had not known before
On Saturday we will have another kind of table when we welcome Joe Sealy and Paul Novotny to our Jazz & Reflection (aka Jazz Vespers). Joe and Paul have graced us with their musical gifts a number of times and they are bringing some friends along with them—enlarging our musical table with the Nathaniel Dett Chorale.
Founder Brainerd Blyden-Taylor named the Chorale after internationally renowned African-Canadian composer R. Nathaniel Dett (1882-1943), a talented performer who appeared onstage at prestigious concert venues such as Carnegie Hall and Boston Symphony Hall. Celebrated composer Nathaniel Dett was born in Drummondville (Niagara Falls), Ontario on October 11, 1882. He died on October 2, 1943 in Battle Creek, Michigan. Dett studied piano as a child and was church organist in Niagara Falls, Ontario from 1898-1903.Dett was dedicated to the cause of Black music, and won the Bowdoin and Frances Boott prizes in 1920 from Harvard University in honour of his writings and compositions. Brainerd Blyden-Taylor established the Chorale to draw attention not only to Dett’s legacy, but also to the wealth of Afrocentric choral music, and to create a professional choral group where persons of African heritage could see themselves represented in the majority. Since its inception, the Chorale has honoured the memory of its namesake, performing extensively throughout North America and delighting national audiences in critically acclaimed tours. Check out the sounds of the Chorale: http://nathanieldettchorale.org/experience/audio/
As we welcome Joe & Paul and the Nathaniel Dett Chorale, we bring awareness of racism and prejudice that used to divide us along lines of colour. New tables are formed where all are welcome so:
at a table in open exchange
new ties are formed as our lives rearrange
Tables are symbols of food and companionship with room for one more. Whatever tables are part of our lives, let us make them places of joy and grace.
Shalom,
Abigail
A Roy Thomson Hall quality concert - but out on Queen East!
Ladies & Gentlemen,
lend us your ears.
Come and truly enjoy ...
JAZZ VESPERS IN THE BEACH
4:30 – 5:15 pm, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4th
Reception to follow
featuring
Joe Sealy & Paul Novotny
legendary jazz composers, arrangers and
remarkable players - Joe, piano; Paul, bass.
and
The Nathaniel Dett Chorale
lead by Founder & Artistic Director
Brainerd Blyden-Taylor.
Renowned throughout North America,
this 21-voice choral group is dedicated
to Afrocentric music of all styles – jazz,
gospel, folk, blues and classical.
Sponsored by
BEACH UNITED CHURCH
but held at St Aidan’s while we rebuild
DON’T MISS THIS EVENT
st adian’s church
70 Silver Birch Ave
QUEEN EAST AT SILVER BIRCH
THE BEACH, TORONTO
4:30pm to 5:15, Saturday, February 4th
Short and oh so sweet!
For our newsletter Heartbeat, click on: /Content/10457/Feb 5 HB.pdf
Or check out the blue wave on our web page: www.beachunitedchurch.com