coming events
There is so much to see here. So, take your time, look around, and learn about all of our upcoming programming! Click the button below or scroll down to check out our "Announcements" section with posters and detailed information about our programming, or, keep scrolling to see our full list of upcoming events!
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Literary Society: "The Dictionary of Lost Words" by Pip Williams - Tuesday, May 30 | 7:30pm Discussion Via Zoom
In 1901, the word 'Bondmaid' was discovered missing from the Oxford English Dictionary. This is the story of the girl who stole it.
Esme is born into a world of words. Motherless and irrepressibly curious, she spends her childhood in the 'Scriptorium', a garden shed in Oxford where her father and a team of dedicated lexicographers are collecting words for the very first Oxford English Dictionary. Esme's place is beneath the sorting table, unseen and unheard. One day a slip of paper containing the word 'bondmaid' flutters to the floor. Esme rescues the slip and stashes it in an old wooden case that belongs to her friend, Lizzie, a young servant in the big house. Esme begins to collect other words from the Scriptorium that are misplaced, discarded or have been neglected by the dictionary men. They help her make sense of the world.
Over time, Esme realizes that some words are considered more important than others, and that words and meanings relating to women's experiences often go unrecorded. While she dedicates her life to the Oxford English Dictionary, secretly, she begins to collect words for another dictionary: The Dictionary of Lost Words.
Set when the women's suffrage movement was at its height and the Great War loomed, The Dictionary of Lost Words reveals a lost narrative, hidden between the lines of a history written by men. It's a delightful, lyrical and deeply thought-provoking celebration of words, and the power of language to shape the world and our experience of it.
Whether you will have read the book or not, join us for the discussion Tuesday, May 30, 7:30pm via zoom.
If you need assistance getting a copy of the book, speak to Erin Stone.
The Heart of Christianity: Rediscovering a Life of Faith by Marcus J. Borg - Five Part, Five Week Book Study with Dr. Harris, Begins May 24 | 7:30pm via ZOOM
Renowned Biblical scholar and theologian, Marcus Borg, has written a wonderfully readable and engaging book to help every day people of faith embrace a Christianity that is relevant, passionate and all about experiencing God, while also a Christianity that is ready to examine what it believes and why it believes it. What does it mean to believe in God and experience God too? How do we combine ideas, feelings, experiences and actions as Christians? How do we transfigure traditional ideas about sin and salvation into a life of transformation and a journey of ongoing discovery of God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, faith, hope and love?
Join us for a five part, five week book study on Wednesday evenings beginning May 24, 7:30pm, via zoom. The book may be ordered through your favourite book distributor or library. Speak to Dr. Harris if you have any questions or have difficulty finding the book.
Yoga with Erin - Weekly on Thursdays In person at 5:00pm
Join Erin Stone for a gentle one-hour yoga practice weekly on Thursdays at Armour Heights at 5:00pm. All are welcome! For more information, or if you would like to access a YouTube video of a previously recorded session, speak to Erin, estone@armourheights.org. estone@armourheights.org.
PA Day Camp: Friday, June 2
Registration for our last PA Day Camp of the school year is now open! All children ages 5-12 are welcome to join us for a Top Secret Mission. Our training starts at 9AM with pick up between 2:30-3:00PM. We will put our stealth and detective skills to the test through a variety of games, crafts and other activities! All spies are asked to bring their own snack, lunch, hat and water bottle. For more information or to register, CLICK HERE.
Community Art Show & Sale - Saturday, June 3 | 10:00am to 4:00pm
Come and see some of your favourite local artists for our second annual Art Show/Sale, Saturday, June 3 from 10:00am to 4:00pm at Armour Heights Presbyterian Church!
NEW Community Prayer Wall
As Christians, we know that the power of prayer is indescribable. But there is much that plagues the hearts and minds of members of our community.
Bring your concerns and worries to our new Prayer Wall in the Scott Duncan Hall for others to reflect on and add to their own prayers. You can find paper in the basket on the bookshelf to jot down your concern and add to the board.
Whether contributing your own prayer or not, please take a moment to read some of the concerns posted by others and add them into your prayers at home. Concerns will be refreshed regularly so be sure to check back weekly.
For those who are connecting with us virtually, you can direct any prayer concerns to education@armourheights.org to be included on our wall.
"Our prayers may be awkward. Our attempts may be feeble. But since the power of prayer is in the one who hears it and not in the one who says it, our prayers do make a difference."
– Max Lucado
Raising Antiracist Allies Sunday, June 4 | 12:30 PM Online & In-Person
How do we ensure we are raising Antiracist children? Children that are allies to others who are different from them? What does passing on a social justice mindset to the next generation look like?
Join Kim and Katharine for an opening discussion on Raising Antiracist Allies after the service on Sunday, June 4. We welcome not only parents and grandparents, but anyone who is interested in this aspect of child development. All of us in one way or another are entwined with the lives of children, and we each carry a desire for justice in their future. This will be a peer-sharing space where we welcome all questions, conversations and resource sharing.
Two resources that we may begin surface conversations about are Britt Hawthorne's book "Raising Anti-Racist Children: A practical parenting guide" and Ibram X Kendi's book "How to Raise an Antiracist". Click on either title to hear the author discuss their respective book. You do not need to have watched the videos or read the books to join us on June 4th!
We hope that this can be a starting point for future discussions, book/podcast studies and more.
Looking for Volunteers for an EHM Dinner - Sunday, June 4 | 3:30pm In Person at Evangel Hall Mission
Armour Heights is excited to host a lasagna dinner at Evangel Hall Mission (EHM) Sunday, June 4! The dinner begins at 5:00pm, so we are looking for volunteers who would be willing to help with assembling take-away containers between 3:30pm and 5:00pm, and serve from 5:00pm to 6:00pm. The event is lots of fun and a great way to connect with our community. If you are available to help in anyway, or are interested in being our “Team Captain”, please speak to Erin, estone@armourheights.org, or, you can register below. Thank you for considering this wonderful outreach opportunity!
Two Mothers Share What Healing and Reconciliation Truly Means - Thursday June 8 | 10am-12pm In Person at Armour Heights and Online
The Parents Circle Families Forum is an organization whose membership consists of both Israelis and Palestinians who have had family members killed in the ongoing violence. Rather than experiencing hatred and seeking revenge, these remarkable individuals have chosen the path of peace and reconciliation. Politically, they stand for a peaceful, two-state resolution to the conflict. Individually, they listen to each other's stories and learn to empathize. Hatred no longer occupies their souls.
Two women from the organization are coming to Canada, to the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, to receive a special award for their work. They are Robi Damelin (Israeli) and Laila AlShekh (Palestinian). We are thrilled they have a morning to give to us before they fly back home. Will you join us?
CLICK HERE to watch a CNN interview with the two women.
Let's Duet! with Anna & Erin Featuring David Chodoriwsky & Special Guests Friday, June 16 | 7:00pm, In Peron & Online
You are cordially invited to an evening of music with Anna & Erin, featuring David Chodoriwsky and some very special guests! Be sure to mark your calendar and join us in person or online Friday, June 16 at 7:00pm! More details to come!
Join us for the 2023 Pride March ! - Sunday, June 25, 2023 | 3pm, In Person Downtown
Join Armour Heights and Presbyterians across Ontario as we gather together to participate in the 2023 Pride March! The march will take place downtown starting near Bloor and Church street at 3:00pm. For more information, speak to Erin Stone estone@armourheights.org. To register, click the button below!
We can't wait to celebrate PRIDE and that God's love includes EVERYONE!
Literary Society: "What Strange Paradise" by Omar El Akkad - Tuesday, June 27 | 7:30pm Discussion Via Zoom
More bodies have washed up on the shores of a small island. Another overfilled, ill-equipped, dilapidated ship has sunk under the weight of its too many passengers: Syrians, Ethiopians, Egyptians, Lebanese, Palestinians, all of them desperate to escape untenable lives back in their homelands. But miraculously, someone has survived the passage: nine-year-old Amir, a Syrian boy who is soon rescued by Vanna. Vanna is a teenage girl, who, despite being native to the island, experiences her own sense of homelessness in a place and among people she has come to disdain. And though Vanna and Amir are complete strangers, though they don't speak a common language, Vanna is determined to do whatever it takes to save the boy.
In alternating chapters, we learn about Amir's life and how he came to be on the boat, and we follow him and the girl as they make their way toward safety. What Strange Paradise by Canadian writer, Omar El Akkad, is the story of two children finding their way through a hostile world. But it is also a story of empathy and indifference, of hope and despair--and about the way each of those things can blind us to reality.
Whether you will have read the book or not, join us for the discussion Tuesday, June 27, 7:30pm via zoom. If you need assistance getting a copy of the book, speak to Erin Stone.
Compassion Camp (CYOB) Lunch Supervisors Needed
We are excited to be running another round of our week-long day camp again this summer from Monday, July 3 to Friday, July 7! We are in need of a few adult volunteers who would be willing to supervise campers during lunch and "recess" time (12PM to 1PM) at the church. Volunteers would work in groups of 2 or 3 and would only be asked to help one or two days during the week. It is a great opportunity for children in our wider community to interact with members of our church. As it is a supervising role, a background check will be required. Speak to Kim for more details.
Compassion Camp (CYOB) Registration Now Open! July 3-7, 2023 | Ages 5-12 | 9am-3pm | Counsellor positions available!
We are thrilled to share that Compassion Camp (CYOB) is back again for another week-long day programme this summer! Join us the first week of July for a ton of fun camp activities as we focus on building faith, connections and compassion through activities, music, art, games, stories and more!
For more information and to register for Compassion Camp (CYOB), head to our camp webpage. Please share this information with family or friends who may want to participate!
Volunteer positions for Jr. Counsellors (grades 7/8) and Sr. Counsellors (high school) are available for this week as well. To apply to be a counsellor, head to our webpage!
Please note that we want this programme to be open to as many children as possible and cost should never be a hindrance; contact us at education@armourheights.org for financial support for this programme.
programming presented by mosaic
Nia Fitness with Jennifer Hicks - Weekly on Mondays at 10:00am
We are pleased to announce that Nia will be continuing Mondays at 10am!
Nia is a full body workout through music, dance, and strength-enhancing movement! Nia incorporates martial arts, self-awareness, body positivity and fitness all in one. Nia is effective and enjoyable for all bodies: no matter your age, ability, shape, size or mobility.
We encourage participants to register in advance, however, you will also be able to register in-person at the class. You can register in advance for one class, or multiple classes as you are available by contacting Erin Stone at estone@armourheights.org, or 416-485-4000. A free-will offering will be gratefully received to help support the cost of the program.
We are grateful to offer this program in partnership with Mosaic.
Movement, Minds and Magic with Mosaic First Session Monday, June 26 | 10am - 1pm at AHPC
Join Mosaic's warm and welcoming full morning program that offers movement, socializing and creativity to our community. Everyone at every age and ability is welcome.
During our time together we'll enjoy the Nia Fitness Class, tea/coffee and light snacks and explore universal themes with a creative angle. Examples include:
- Line drawing
- Watercolour, still life and collage
- Sing-a-longs and original poetry
- And more! No art experience necessary!
Registration is required through Mosaic. Call 416-322-7002 or info@mosaichomecare.com.
Mosaic's Spring & Summer Newsletter
Check out Mosaic's latest Newsletter! You won't want to miss all of the exciting opportunities to connect and engage with community. Don't forget to register early for events as spots are filled quickly! For more information, take a look at the newsletter by clicking the button below.
ongoing programs and projects
Exercise & Falls Prevention Online!
We are pleased to inform you that Circle of Care is now offering their exercise classes online through ZOOM! Circle of Care provides free exercise and falls prevention classes to older adults living in the community. The Falls Prevention program is led by an Occupational Therapist, and the Group Exercise Classes are led by trained fitness professionals. Classes are designed to help participants increase mobility, relieve pain and reduce the risk of falls by building strength and improving balance. Classes are funded by the Central Local Health Integration Network (CLIN), and are offered to eligible participants free of charge.
The classes have received RAVE reviews from our Armour Heights Community and run daily at 10:30AM, Monday to Friday! Each class offers a variety of options to challenge participants of all fitness levels. To view the full schedule and register for classes, click the button below.
If you have any other questions, please contact Erin Stone for details.
UPDATES on Milk Bags into Mats! Let's Keep Collecting Egg cartons, Bread tags and other items too!
We have just received an update from Gillian MacCausland that since January 2022, Armour Heights has collected enough milk bags to make 3 sleeping mats! Each mat for an adult takes 500-700 bags. CLICK HERE or the button below to learn more about the program. If any youth or other participants might be interested in getting involved by sorting or counting bags, let us know!
We also collected 215 egg cartons in 2022! The food bank uses up to 40 cartons a day to service their clients! We are also in need of bread tags for the food bank. Thank you for keeping the food bank in good supply! Keep it up!
If you are also able to supply diapers, baby formula, feminine hygiene products, general personal care items (soaps, toothpastes, shampoos etc) or any items that can take a chunk out of a limited budget, they would be gratefully received as the cost for these items continues to rise. If you have any questions, speak to Erin or Gillian.
Gillian says she will start a new tally for 2023 and would like to thank everyone who is contributing and to "keep those bags and cartons coming!" Many thanks again to Gillian MacCausland for piloting this project that serves our community and our planet!