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!
We need a modicum of vitality to simply be alive in this time. And we’re in an enduringly tender place. The mental health crisis that is invoked all around, especially as we look to the young, is one manifestation of the gravity of the post-2020 world. How do we name and honor this more openly? How do we hold that together with the ways we’ve been given to learn and grow? Who are we called to be moving forward? Dr. Vivek Murthy is a brilliant, wise, and kind companion in these questions. He’s a renowned physician and research scientist in his second tenure as U.S. Surgeon General. And for years, he’s been naming and investigating loneliness as a public health matter, including his own experience of that very human condition.
It is beyond rare to be in the presence of a person holding high governmental office who speaks about love with ease and dignity — and about the agency to be healers that is available to us all.
Join us on Tuesday, March 19, 7:30 pm.
The bible we have as Christians is divided between the Old Testament (the writings that point to Christ) and the New Testament (the writings that tell the story of Jesus and all that he can mean for those inspired to receive him in faith and follow him in love).
One third of the New Testament consists of the writings of Paul the Apostle. While learning the story of Jesus and his early followers is essential, how such learning may transform you on the inside so that you live your life authentically empowered come what may? Now that’s something of superlative value! And that is exactly what Paul’s writings are all about.
Entering into Paul’s writings, though, can be a challenge. A great entry point are two of his letters: to the Philippians and to the Galatians. We will dive into these letters over 9 Wednesday evening sessions: 7:30pm-8:45pm. It won’t take much time to read the letters. How the Spirit may enter your personal reflecting on what you read, however, will be the real journey. Interested?
Here's how you can participate:
1) Notes will be sent out ahead of time to accompany your reading.
2) You can join the discussion online via zoom, Wednesdays, 7:30pm eastern, beginning January 24.
3) Each session will be recorded should you miss any.
For more info, speak to Dr. Harris at: hathan1964@hotmail.com
Join us for Youth in Action this month as we come together across all ages to make palm crosses for Palm Sunday! While Youth in Action is usually reserved for those in grades 7-12, this time we're inviting everyone to come learn how to make palm crosses together, enjoy some refreshments, and engage in fellowship together—no one is too old or too young to join in the action! Some folks will also be setting up for Nowruz (Persian new year), that evening, so there will be opportunities to learn about Nowruz, as well.
We will gather in Scott Duncan Hall beginning at 7pm. Once our palm cross making is complete, programming will continue for the youth until 9pm, though all are invited to stay for the evening.
Join us Sunday, March 24 after church for a special lunch as we celebrate Nowruz (Iranian New Year)!
England, 1835. London is awash with thrilling new ingredients, from rare spices to exotic fruits. But no one knows how to use them. When Eliza Acton is told by her publisher to write a cookery book instead of the poetry she loves, she refuses—until her bankrupt father is forced to flee the country. As a woman, Eliza has few options. Although she’s never set foot in a kitchen, she begins collecting recipes and teaching herself to cook. Much to her surprise she discovers a talent – and a passion – for the culinary arts.
Eliza hires young, destitute Ann Kirby to assist her. As they cook together, Ann learns about poetry, love and ambition. The two develop a radical friendship, breaking the boundaries of class while creating new ways of writing recipes. But when Ann discovers a secret in Eliza’s past, and finds a voice of her own, their friendship starts to fray.
Based on the true story of the first modern cookery writer, Miss Eliza’s English Kitchen is a spellbinding novel about female friendship, the struggle for independence, and the transcendent pleasures and solace of food.
Whether you will have read the book or not, join us for the discussion Tuesday, March 26, 7:30pm via zoom. If you need assistance getting a copy of the book, speak to Erin Stone.
CLICK HERE to read a preview of the book.
Many women are mentioned in the bible but only two women have books named after them: Esther and Ruth.
Both women also have major religious festivals rooted in their stories. For Ruth it is the festival of booths or Pentecost, and for Esther it is Purim.
Both women are living in foreign lands – Esther the Jew in Persia and Ruth the Moabite in Israel.
Both stories are about exclusion and Inclusion and the limits of living as women in male-dominated societies. Both women use creative and brilliant strategies to get saving outcomes for their people, and they do so by out-maneuvering men who have the power.
Both women succeed because they form deep and loyal relationships through and beyond devastating loss and grief.
God is never mentioned directly and is there in the background to be discerned and discovered like a mystery plot. It’s a bit like our world today which, publicly speaking is secular, and yet God is everywhere if we but have the eyes, ears and discernment to recognize the divine.
Does any of this intrigue you? Join us for five Wednesday evenings beginning April 10, 7:30pm, via zoom, as we read, reflect and discuss the biblical stories of Esther and Ruth.
Notes will be provided ahead of each session and each session will be recorded should you be unable to attend.
For questions or more info, speak to Dr. Harris.
Armour Heights Presbyterian Church is delighted to host the Rev. Mary Fontaine, Moderator of the 2023-2024 General Assembly of The Presbyterian Church in Canada, and our first ever Indigenous Moderator.
Mary will speak to us about healing and reconciliation, and explore with us what this can mean for us as persons and as a church.
This will be a hybrid event (in person and via zoom) with refreshments also served.
CLICK HERE to read Mary's bio
The author of a number of books, including: The Road to Character and The Second Mountain: A Quest for the Moral Life, Brooks’ most recent book: How to Know a Person, is a practical guide to forming deeper connections with people, connections that are life-giving and transforming. What does it mean to listen, to pay attention, to understand and to draw forth the fullness of a person through conversations with them? What does it mean to be deeply seen and known by another?
Drawing from his book, Brooks seeks to provide some practical answers to such questions in this podcast.
Listen to the podcast and join us Tuesday, April 16, 7:30pm in person (Friendship Room) and online as we share our reflections.
Join us at Armour Heights for the annual Cairn Coffee House! The afternoon will have lots of goodies and will feature camp musicians and opportunities to connect with the Cairn family. Plus, new this year, artists from the camp community will sell their handicrafts at an Artisan Market.
Admission by donation. Each artisan will also be contributing a portion of their proceeds, and all money raised will go towards the Arts & Crafts programs at camp!
Can't make it out that day, or live too far away? The Coffee House will be livestreamed, and so you can join in online.
Mark your calendars, and we'll see you there!
Join us at the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO)
317 Dundas Street West
As Barbara Keilhauer, a member of our congregation
And Senior Gallery Guide
Takes us on a tour of the updated collection
of Indigenous art.
Tickets are $30/adult. 25 yrs and under are free.
Financial subsidies are also available.
Speak to Erin or Dr. Harris.
A maximum of 20 persons allowed for the tour
A Sign up sheet can be found in the hall.
We will meet at the AGO for 3pm and start the tour at 3:15pm.
For more info on the AGO and purchasing tickets
go to: AGO.ca
Would you be interested in hosting or sponsoring coffee hour? You can participate as an individual or as a team! The coffee itself is made every Sunday by Jim Nasmith, all we need help with is coordinating setting out some food and clean-up. We would be so grateful for any help you are willing to offer. You can find a sign-up sheet just outside the kitchenette if you would like to add your name. For details, speak to Barbara Thomas, or anyone on the ministry team.
Thank you for considering this wonderful fellowship opportunity!
Tuesday, March 19
Podcast Discussion, 7:30pm, in person and online
Wednesday, March 20
Philippians and Galatians Adult Study, 7:30pm, online via Zoom
Friday, March 22
Intergenerational Palm Cross making with refreshments, 7pm
Sunday, March 24
Palm Sunday / Nowruz (Iranian New Year) Celebration after worship
Monday, March 25
Dance Fitness, 10:00am
Tuesday, March 26
Literary Society discussion, "Miss Eliza's English Kitchen" by Annabel Abbs, In Person and Online, 7:30pm
Thursday, March 28
Maundy Thursday Service of Meditation, Prayer & Holy Communion, 7:30pm
Friday, March 29
Good Friday Service of Meditation, Music and Reflection on stories that lead to the cross, 10:30am
Sunday, March 31
Easter Sunday Service of Praise & Proclamation of the Resurrection, 10:30am.
Monday, April 1
Dance Fitness, 10:00am
Sunday, April 7
Easter 2 Sunday / Ordination & Induction of New Elders
Monday, April 8
Dance Fitness, 10:00am
Wednesday, April 10
Spring Bible Study: Esther & Ruth, 7:30pm zoom
Thursday, April 11
Rev. Mary Fontaine, the first Indigenous Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Canada visits Armour Heights to talk to us about: Healing, Reconciliation and the Church. In person & online event, 7:30pm. (see poster)
Sunday, April 14
Easter 3 Sunday / Celebration of the ministry of parish nurse Linda Alldred-Johnson after worship.
Monday, April 15
Dance Fitness, 10:00am
Tuesday, April 16
Podcast discussion in person and online, 7:30pm. (details to come)
Wednesday, April 17
Spring Bible Study: Esther & Ruth, 7:30pm zoom
Saturday April 20
Cairn camp coffee house and artisan market, 2-4pm (details to come)
Sunday, April 21
Easter 4 Sunday / Sacrament of Holy Baptism
Monday, April 22
Dance Fitness, 10:00am
Tuesday, April 23
Webinar: Climate Change, Eco-anxiety and Habits of Hope with Rev. Dr. Pam McCarroll, 1:00pm-2:30pm (stay tuned for details)
Wednesday, April 24
Spring Bible Study: Esther & Ruth, 7:30pm zoom
Sunday, April 28
Learning Indigenous History and Experience In Canada Through Art, 3:00pm at the AGO
We are pleased to announce that Dance Fitness with Jennifer Hicks will be continuing Mondays at 10am!
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.
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.
We have just received an update from Gillian MacCausland that in 2023 we have collected 592! 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 459 egg cartons in 2023! Visits to the food bank that we are sending the egg cartons to have gone from 4,000 families each month at the first part of the year, to 7,500 this summer. We also continue to collect bread tags. 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.
Many thanks again to Gillian MacCausland for piloting this project that serves our community and our planet!