By REV. ANGELA J. CLUNEY The recent Easter weekend was extra special this year. I believe it could be defined as such as it was our most recent attempt at normal life. It was finally the opportunity for family, friends and neighbours to join together for in-person gatherings, worship services, and even the annual Beaches […]
Category: Open Doors
Open Doors Spiritual Matters: Grant African Methodist Episcopal Church takes a Lenten journey as Easter approaches
By REV. KENESHA BLAKE-NEWELL The African Methodist Episcopal Church has a rich history and legacy in mission, outreach, education, spiritual empowerment and growth for 235 years worldwide and for over 180 years in Canada. We believe our mission and advocate for the social, physical and spiritual improvement of people’s life regardless of the tide that […]
Open Doors Spiritual Matters: ‘Loving thy neighbour’ helps build the beloved community
By REV. WAYNE WALDER NEIGHBOURHOOD UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CONGREGATION Two months ago, my partner Joan and I were walking on the beach, just after sunset. We noticed one of the largest electrical storms we have ever seen…taking place on the other side of the lake. It must have stretched from Hamilton through the east side of […]
Open Doors Spiritual Matters: As we begin 2022, let’s use the days well
By MARGARET DORE BEACH HEBREW INSTITUTE 2022, is it? Or is it 2020 Two, as in 2020 – The Sequel? Does it feel to you like a new year? I need a NEW year. When I last wrote for Beach Metro Community News in spring 2020, the first wave of COVID-19 was descending on us […]
Open Doors: Playing the role of Santa and being a true “St. Nick” can make the world of difference
By REV. SHELLEY McVEA This year I believe that I have met many real St. Nicholases. They all had that whiff of heavenly generosity and miraculous feats about them. And many of them reside right here in the Beach. As I began the last day of my holidays I thought I’d better get […]
Open Doors Spiritual Matters: Boost your energy by finding ways to make the best of each day
By REV. ANGELA J. CLUNEY As the crisp autumn air arrives and the days get shorter, many of us are starting to feel less energized. I think we are feeling less energized than normal due to us using up our pent up energy over the summer. After all, we were trying to have the fun […]
Open Doors Spiritual Matters: Churches faced with many questions as return to ‘normal’ approaches
By REV. MARTHA MARTIN I am privileged to be one of the United Church of Canada’s representatives to the Governing Board of the Canadian Council of Churches. The CCC represents 26 member churches, 85 per cent of the Christians in Canada, and is the broadest and most inclusive ecumenical body in Canada. Founded in 1944, […]
Open Doors Spiritual Matters: David Miller to speak on climate change at event hosted by Beach churches
By MICHAEL VAN DUSEN David Miller, former Mayor of Toronto and author of Solved: How the World’s Great Cities Are Fixing the Climate Crisis, will discuss the climate crisis on Wednesday, May 19, in a conversation hosted on Zoom by St. Aidan’s Anglican and Beach United churches. Everyone is welcome to attend. Miller will talk […]
Open Doors Spiritual Matters: As you celebrate Easter and spring’s arrival, look for symbols of hope and renewal
By REV. ANGELA J. CLUNEY Foreign News Correspondent Janine di Giovanni wrote: “Easter is meant to be a symbol of hope, renewal and new life.” I believe this to be true as we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ in our communities of faith and in our lives. As we celebrate the miracle of the […]
Open Doors Spiritual Matters: Take the time to nurture “laugh-out-loud” moments
REV. KAREN DALE BEACH UNITED CHURCH If ever there was a year to skip over Lent and move right into Easter this would be it. In this time of lockdown and isolation due to a death-dealing virus and made worse by rampant inequality; we long for relief and look for signs of new life. Lent […]