What, precisely, is The Gloaming?
Well, it’s an old English word for the magic light right at dusk, the kind of light movie directors halt whole productions to wait for. It’s old English, but it was forgotten in England, only remembered in Scotland, and rediscovered by English romantics reading Scottish poetry (got all that?!). Basically it’s a word for what the light does just as evening begins. It gloams.
At our church it’s a description for a new worship service on the… Read more
Who doesn’t love a festival? The very word conjures up delicious images of parades in the street and enforced non-employment. More of this!
For years at TEMC we have had an annual Festival of the Word in the summer in which some of the best preachers alive have blessed all of us. It’s so glorious in fact we might as well spread it out throughout the year.
The Festival followed the pattern of many north Torontonians for whom the summer was a time… Read more
We are grateful to have Ryan McDonald (TEMC, alto) curate a meaningful Maundy Thursday musical reflection for us once again—now for the third time. Read the program note and join us on Thursday, April 17 at 7:00 p.m. for an evening of inspiring music and thoughtful messages as we prepare our hearts and minds in prayer during Holy Week.
– Elaine Choi, Jason Byassee
Guest blog post by Ryan McDonald
Friends: you may have noticed some new faces in our official leadership ranks. They’re not all unfamiliar: Olivia LaPointe has sung for us for years, and has just moved back from New Brunswick. But Fraser Elsdon and Matthew Coulthard are brand new to us. Here is a bit about them. Note: always feed the interns! Seriously, they’re eager to get to know you, so ask them to coffee or meals and get to know them! - Jason
A few Sundays back, our beloved soprano Ellen McAteer sang the Lord’s Prayer with a ferocity I’ve rarely heard. This was at our 11 am traditional service, mind you. When she finished, we applauded. I wasn’t surprised. We applaud often at our 9:15 contemporary service. And Ellen’s version was celestial.
One might object that applause isn’t the best response to a prayer. “This is not a performance,” one… Read more
Have you ever been part of a job search where your institution looks far and wide, and then finds the right person right in your midst?
We have had such a season at Timothy Eaton Memorial Church. We had applications for our minister of pastoral care from all over the world and interviewed candidates from all over Canada. Bob Edmison led our search committee with thoroughness and care, and decided on the right candidate: our own Joanne Leatch.
So here’s a wild idea for the new year. I usually resolve to lose weight or spend my time more wisely or take up some hobby that actually takes decades to learn. This far more reasonable.
What if we worshiped in different spaces?
We have lovely spaces for worship in our building in addition to our magnificent sanctuary. Three of those seem perfect for our early service: the atrium, the west chapel, and the chancel. We do worship in each on special occasions already, but… Read more