This Sunday, Jan. 23

Covid-19

(Slightly revised June 23, July 17, & Oct. 4, 2020; Sept. 14 & 23, Dec. 16 & 21, 2021)

Dear TUMC Community:

Some of you have expressed concern about worship services in light of COVID-19.

TUMC follows public-health guidelines as we continue to be community for each other. We continue offering online worship services. On Sept. 26, 2021, we held our first hybrid service: with a limited number of people in the building, and continuing to connect via Zoom. On Dec. 24 (Christmas Eve service), and Sundays Dec. 26, Jan. 2, and Jan. 9, we will only offer online worship.

If you don’t receive “TUMC Connects“, first please check your e-mail “junk” or “spam” folder, or (second) contact Mike to get added to the list. We are using this to stay updated more quickly during the COVID19 crisis.

Remember public health advice. Wash your hands often and thoroughly. Avoid touching your own face and other people. Stay home if you think you might be contagious for any kind of illness. In public, stay 2m away from others. (see this graphic from CBC news)

This is also an opportunity to remember that panic is not a spiritual practice and that the Bible warns us against hoarding. As people of faith, we know that we depend on God and on each other through times of crisis. We are still called to live out our values of mutual care under these circumstances.

Let’s stay tuned to anyone who might be vulnerable and in need of a phone call or an extra meal at this time. Or if you are the one in need of practical assistance (extra meals, financial support, etc.), Caring Team can try to help arrange for that.

Finally, remember that prayer is contagious in all the right ways.

Pastors Michele and Peter (in wide consultation).

• Toronto Public Health
• Mennonite Church Canada Pandemic preparedness

Christian Education

Sunday school continues this Sunday, January 23, at 10:00 am.

Thanks to the work of our Christian Education Committee and many volunteers, we resumed our Sunday school programme on January 9 as planned, online until it’s safe for us to re-gather. The teacher for each class has sent out a link. If you know of children or families that would appreciate taking part in our Sunday school sessions, please contact Denise.

Kindergarten to grade 8, and also the Youth (high school), will meet online, by Zoom.

This Sunday, January 23: Online Worship, via Zoom; at 11:00 am

Theme: You Shall Love the Lord your God with all your body
Worship Leader: Mauricio Palacio
Speaker: Pieter Niemeyer
Musicians: Jeff Taylor; Mark Andrews
Technical Team: Cedric Martin; Dennis Giesbrecht
Scriptures: Luke 10: 27; 1 Cor. 12: 12 – 26, Genesis 2: 5 – 7
Congregational Prayer: Email prayer requests to one of the pastors, in advance.

Please join us at 11:00 am, using the Zoom link in the e-mail announcements.

(When we resume in-person services: In consideration of everyone’s health, we request that only children and fully vaccinated people age 12+ participate in person). All are warmly invited to take part via Zoom).

 

(When we resume in-person services: attest to your health online within 24 hours of arriving for the service; bring your proof of vaccination; and follow the rest of the instructions in the e-mail announcements).

We welcome visitors. We share the link to our online meetings through TUMC Connects, via e-mail. Contact Mike if you’re interested in receiving our announcements. Just put ‘sign me up for TUMC Connects’ in the subject line. Could you let us know a little about how you found us – are you already connected with TUMC, are you friends with someone who is, or are you looking for a Church community? [A bit of information helps keep our online gatherings safe and welcoming.]

Seeking God: Finding Wholeness facilitated conversations, on the 3rd floor.

 

From September 13, 2020 through June, 2020:
* Christian Education begins at 10:00 am;
* Worship Service begins at 11:00 am;
* Informal coffee and fellowship in the lobby at 12:30 pm.

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