coming events
There's much to see here. So, take your time, look around, and learn about all of our upcoming programming!
Announcements
CBC Podcast Discussion: "Finding Spiritual Wisdom To Carry You Through Pandemic Times And Beyond" - Tuesday, April 20 | 7:30pm via ZOOM
Join us on Tuesday, April 20, 7:30pm, as we discuss the podcast interview with two scholars of spirituality (click the button below to listen). Kaya Oakes is a spiritual director and professor in Berkley California. She is also a student of the medieval Christian mystic Julian of Norwich.
The Black Death, a viral pandemic in England and Europe in the 1300’s, killed 50 million people, 60 percent of the population, and it is regarded as the greatest catastrophe in recorded history. It destroyed a higher proportion of the population than any other single historical event. The disease was carried by fleas and rats, and passed on from person to person. This devastating pandemic wiped out many towns, cities, hospitals and monasteries. Individuals usually only lived 23 days between contact and death. The plague was particularly disastrous in 1346-1353, but returned time and time again through the 1300’s.
We only know a little about Julian’s early life in this dangerous environment. She was born in Norwich in 1342, and was probably schooled in a Benedictine monastery. In 1373 she contacted the virus at 31 years of age, and came close to death. A parish priest was called to give her the last rites, and it is recorded that her mother closed her eyelids in anticipation of her imminent death. In this near death state she experienced a series of 16 visions gazing at a crucifix held up by the priest. After her illness she subsequently wrote a short text about her unexpected recovery. And many years later Julian wrote a longer text outlining these visions and spiritual revelations during her illness, entitled Revelations of Divine Love. It is the first book in the English language known to have been written by a woman.
What spiritual insight and wisdom has Julian to offer us for the living of our pandemic days and beyond?
Paul Dafydd Jones is also a student of Julian. He is professor of Religious Studies at the University of Virginia, and has written about the spiritual virtue of patience and how difficult it is and yet how necessary in times of pandemic isolation. He also addresses the racism of our times and the protests against it, and when impatience rather than patience is the virtue most needful. How do we discern when to be patient or impatient, and how do we cultivate such spiritual virtues for our inner well-being and flourishing of spirit?
Listen to the podcast and join us April 20, 7:30pm.
Learning Ancient Christian Spiritual Prayer Practices To Reinvigorate Your Spiritual Life Today Wednesdays, April 14, 21, 28 | 7:30pm via ZOOM
Does your prayer life need some reinvigorating? Do you ever hear “God” speaking to you? What does that even mean? Are there spiritual prayer practices within the Christian tradition that can awaken and deepen your connection and intimacy with the sacred divine and your deeper selfhood?
Join us on Wednesdays, April 14, 21, 28, 7:30-8:30pm, via zoom, as Rev. Dr. Pam McCarroll, minister-in-association at AHPC, leads us in some learning and practicing.
Dr. Pam is associate professor of practical theology at Emmanuel College, U of T.
Literary Society: "The Henna Artist", Alka Joshi - Tuesday, April 27 | 7:30pm via ZOOM
Vivid and compelling in its portrait of one woman’s struggle for fulfillment in a society pivoting between the traditional and the modern, The Henna Artist opens a door into a world that is at once lush and fascinating, stark and cruel.
Escaping from an abusive marriage, seventeen-year-old Lakshmi makes her way alone to the vibrant 1950s pink city of Jaipur. There she becomes the most highly requested henna artist—and confidante—to the wealthy women of the upper class. But trusted with the secrets of the wealthy, she can never reveal her own…
Known for her original designs and sage advice, Lakshmi must tread carefully to avoid the jealous gossips who could ruin her reputation and her livelihood. As she pursues her dream of an independent life, she is startled one day when she is confronted by her husband, who has tracked her down these many years later with a high-spirited young girl in tow—a sister Lakshmi never knew she had. Suddenly the caution that she has carefully cultivated as protection is threatened. Still she perseveres, applying her talents and lifting up those that surround her as she does.
Join us on Tuesday, April 27, 7:30pm, as we share thoughts and perspectives on “The Henna Artist” and on the meaning of freedom and fulfillment it points to.
ZOOM ADULT STUDY: LIVING FAITH Begins Tuesday, May 5 | 7:30pm via ZOOM
What do you believe? What do Christians of various sorts believe? Is there a minimum of beliefs you should hold to legitimately call yourself a Christian? How are your beliefs connected to your life-experiences? Where have such beliefs come from and how is the bible used to establish and legitimate them? Are there different ways to think about God and Christ and the Spirit? What about “sin” and creation, human purpose and destiny, the bible, truth and justice, heaven, hell, good and evil, life after death and eternity? What about other religions and various kinds of Christianity – Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox and various Protestantisms? What has changed over the centuries? What needs to change? What should be discarded altogether?
If any of these questions mean something to you, join us for an 8-week study of “Living Faith” which is the most recent authoritative statement of faith of the Presbyterian Church in Canada. This study is especially for anyone exploring what you believe and what you can honestly believe no matter what faith tradition or denomination you come from. No questions are bad questions.
Our study begins on Wednesday, May 5, 7:30 pm. Click the button below to download a copy of Living Faith which you can download on your device or computer. Hard copies of Living Faith can be picked up from the church. Contact Erin, estone@armourheights.org, to arrange a pick-up. Additional study notes will be provided weekly with the zoom link. For any further queries, contact Dr. Harris: hathan1964@hotmail.com.
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Special Literary Society Event: "All The Bumpy Pebbles", with Journalist & Author, Tamara Cherry Tuesday, May 25 | 7:30pm via ZOOM
When it comes to bad days, Roxanne Brown has had more than most. Her mom’s a drunk. Her dad’s not around. And the haircut she got before her first day of high school was a total disaster. Soon, a seemingly serendipitous encounter gives her a reason to celebrate. He’s cute and confident and best of all, he likes her — like, really likes her. But Roxanne has been duped. And as she plummets down the rabbit hole, crumbs of herself are left in all the dark places we would rather not see. Will Roxanne make it out? Or has she lost too much of herself to survive?
In this chilling debut novel inspired by true events, award-winning journalist Tamara Cherry unzips the world of domestic sex trafficking with enchantment, empowerment and the existential mind of a teenaged girl. This raw, page-turning crash course on human trafficking presents readers with a startling reality: Roxanne really could be the girl next door.
About the Author
Tamara Cherry is an award-winning journalist and victim advocate whose reporting has been celebrated by politicians and police for shining a light on the domestic sex trafficking of women and girls. Tamara was a crime reporter for CTV News Toronto, the Toronto Sun and Toronto Star before founding Pickup Communications, a public relations firm that specializes in supporting victims and survivors of traumatic events.
Tamara is excited about joining us at Armour Heights to discuss her novel and the fearful reality of sex-trafficking in Canada, especially around our urban centres where its most pervasive. Whether you’ve read the novel or not, you won’t want to miss this event.
To see how you can purchase a copy of the novel, CLICK HERE.
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.