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!
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!
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.
Forest fires, floods, droughts, severe storms, deforestation, pollution. Across Canada, people face the terrible impacts of ecological destruction and climate crises. No matter how different people are impacted by environmental destruction or the climate crisis, these experiences can cause high levels of anxiety for everyone. What are faithful responses to eco-anxiety?
Join the Rev. Dr. Pamela McCarroll on Thursday, April 25, 2024 at 1:00-2:30PM as we consider how we can intentionally cultivate habits of hope while facing the climate crisis.
Date: Thursday, April 25, 2024
Time: 1:00-2:30PM (EDT)
Presenter: Rev. Dr. Pamela McCarroll is Vice Principal and Jane and Geoffrey Chair of Practical Theology at Emmanuel College. She is an ordained minister in the PCC, registered with the CRPO and recognized by CASC. Her primary research focus includes climate trauma, eco-anxiety and re-imagining theology through earth-centered practices.
This event is organized by The Presbyterian Church in Canada and in support of the work of the faith-based climate-justice coalition For the Love of Creation.
The webinar will be recorded. You can register below to attend or receive the recording.
Our next Youth in Action gathering will include some special guests! We are looking forward to spending the evening with folks from Arise ministry and Kajeb Music.
Using the poetry of Angel Power and other meaningful words and poetry we gather, Kevin from Kajeb Music will brainstorm with us musically around those words to help us collaboratively compose a song. Our music will reflect some conversation we will engage in around victims and survivors of crime—something Arise is involved with daily.
Arise will also be generously supplying pizza for us to enjoy!
Plan on coming? Let us know! Send Rebecca & Hannah an email at education@armourheights.org
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.
*POSTPONED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE*
For more info on the AGO and purchasing tickets
go to: AGO.ca
Javier Zamora’s adventure is a three-thousand-mile journey from his small town in El Salvador, through Guatemala and Mexico, and across the U.S. border. He will leave behind his beloved aunt and grandparents to reunite with a mother who left four years ago and a father he barely remembers. Traveling alone amid a group of strangers and a “coyote” hired to lead them to safety, Javier expects his trip to last two short weeks.
At nine years old, all Javier can imagine is rushing into his parents’ arms, snuggling in bed between them, and living under the same roof again. He cannot foresee the perilous boat trips, relentless desert treks, pointed guns, arrests and deceptions that await him; nor can he know that those two weeks will expand into two life-altering months alongside fellow migrants who will come to encircle him like an unexpected family.
A memoir as gripping as it is moving, Solito provides an immediate and intimate account not only of a treacherous and near-impossible journey, but also of the miraculous kindness and love delivered at the most unexpected moments. Solito is Javier Zamora’s story, but it’s also the story of millions of others who had no choice but to leave home.
Whether you will have read the book or not, join us for the discussion Tuesday, April 30, 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.
"How to Know a Person: The Art of Seeing Others Deeply and Being Deeply Seen" by David Brooks is a practical and heartfelt guide that delves into the essential skill of truly understanding and connecting with others. This book is all about love, but love as an art and a skill that can be taught and learned, a skill that we can grow in ourselves.
In a society marked by fragmentation and misunderstanding, Brooks explores the significance of seeing someone deeply and making them feel valued, heard, and understood. Drawing on spirituality, psychology, neuroscience, theater, philosophy, history, and education, Brooks provides an integrated approach to human connection, offering readers a roadmap to fostering deeper connections at home, at work, and throughout their lives. Through thought-provoking questions and insights, the book encourages readers to examine the kind of attention they give to others, the conversations they engage in, and the aspects of a person's story they should pay attention to.
The book, driven by Brooks' trademark curiosity and a personal commitment to growth, aims to make readers more understanding and considerate, ultimately guiding them toward the joy that comes from being seen. As a remedy for societal challenges, Brooks argues that truly seeing another person is a profoundly creative act, inviting readers to reflect on how they can perceive something large in others and, in turn, discover something larger within themselves. The book offers a comprehensive approach for anyone seeking genuine connection and a deeper understanding of themselves and those around them.
Whether you will have read any part of the book or not, please join us for conversation if this theme is important to you.
Armour Heights Church has funding to help send kids or families to camp at Cairn this summer! If you're interested in sending your child to camp or attending as a family and could use some financial support, please be in contact with Rev. Rebecca as soon as possible. We would LOVE to help get as many kids to camp as possible!
We also plan to help cover the costs for women to attend Cairn's Women's Wellness Weekend in September. If you are interested in attending, let Rev. Rebecca know.
For more information about the Cairn Family of Camps, head to their website: ilovecamp.org.
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!
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
Friday, April 26
Youth in Action, 7pm
Sunday, April 28
Learning Indigenous History and Experience In Canada Through Art, 3:00pm at the AGO
Sunday, April 28
Intergenerational Band rehearsal
Learning Indigenous History and Experience In Canada Through Art, 3:00pm at the AGO
Monday, April 29
Dance Fitness, 10:00am
Tuesday, April 30
Literary Society Discussion on "Solito: A Memoir" by Javier Zamora, 7:30pm in person & online
Wednesday, May 1
Bible Study: Ruth - Session 1
Sunday, May 5
Easter 6 Sunday / Holy Baptism
Intergenerational Band rehearsal
Monday, May 6
Dance Fitness, 10:00am
Wednesday, May 8
Bible Study: Ruth - Session 2
Sunday, May 12
Easter 7 Sunday / Intergenerational Worship / Holy Baptism
Monday, May 13
Dance Fitness, 10:00am
Sunday May 19
Pentecost Sunday / Sacrament of Holy Baptism / Rev. Rebecca's last Sunday
Wednesday, May 22
Spring Book Study begins (see poster), 7:30pm
Sunday, May 26
Trinity Sunday
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!