The International Food Fair is Back and is TODAY! (Saturday, July 15, Noon to 6.00 pm)
After a 3 year hiatus, the International Food Fair is back. This is a wonderful opportunity to taste foods of the world, prepared and presented by our own members. Please share the news with friends and relatives. Countries already participating are Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Sri Lanka, St. Vincent and Zimbabwe. If you would like to participate in this exciting event, please contact either Anne Burnett or Keith Morris. All funds raised support activities within the Outreach program.
An Update
by Fr. Dean Mercer
*First, a reflection. We were able to give our full strength to reopening last September, but I noticed that it wasn’t until the weekend of Grad Sunday this past June when the majority were not wearing masks. Up until then, about 60-70% were wearing masks at services and events. To my mind that has represented a lingering and significant air of caution, but even so, our first year went very well and the year to come looks even more exciting.
*Looking back
While not restarting all at once, almost all of our pre-Covid routine was resumed this past year with very good support, and some great additions: the doubling of our community basketball program, the Dance and Movement program, the young adult study on Saturday mornings, and the African Praise Service. As I look at the calendar for September forward, we’re quickly approaching full capacity.
*As has been reported, finances remained stable and through the first half of 2023 continue to be so. In fact, while stable all along, we’ve gained a little month by month since April.
Re-opening is a lot harder than shutting down. Every new and re-started program depends on equivalent financial support from the parish according to the guiding principle of living within our means. The fiscal realism and success of the parish is what has given us confidence to serve the Lord boldly. So far, so good this year.
So, if you step back and consider all that’s going on here . . .
-six services on Sundays in English, Tamil and Mandarin and a 7th monthly service in Cantonese,
-a full schedule of services through the Christian year,
-six week-day Bible studies,
-an energetic and growing program for children, youth and families,
-three evangelistic missions a year,
-a music and arts program for the parish and community featuring choirs, small groups, two accomplished pan groups, a dance program,
-a dynamic outreach program supporting Faithworks, ACSA, and more than a dozen more projects here and around the world,
-an immigrant support program serving new friends and offering all a spiritual home,
-big days like Back to Church Sunday, Anniversary Sunday, Black History Sunday, African Praise Service, Spring Into Summer Concert, Grad Sunday, the International Food Festival
-the successful co-sponsorship of a refugee family,
. . . it’s exciting and humbling. It’s been a very good year. We thank God, and we thank the parish for their faithful support.
*Looking ahead
1) The restart of the youth choral program.
I’m delighted to announce the re-start of our children’s parish and community choir this September. This year we’ll follow the successful example of our friends at Agincourt Salvation Army with a single choir, ages 6-12. And the exciting news that our new director is Delicia Raveenthrarajan - much-loved, much-talented and already much-experienced - five years conducting for the acclaimed Sistema after-school music program - www.sistema-toronto.ca - and several years at Timothy Eaton United Church.
2) Back to Church and Back to Sunday School Sunday on September 24, 2023, with a great year to look back on and another great one in view.
3) The Scarborough Philharmonic Orchestra will hold a concert at St. Paul’s on September 30, and one worth circling the date for. Tickets and information available at www.spo.ca. Then, keep an eye open for their next concert at St. Paul’s on February 10, 2024, when the "Anansi tale" composition by Ted Runcie will be premiered.
4) October 21 - the annual Tamil evangelistic mission and fundraiser for the Bridge of Hope palliative care program in northern Sri Lanka.
5) October 28 - the parish mission has been confirmed with Fr. Arthur as our speaker and the thrilling news that accompanying him will be the Diana Braithwaite & Chris Whiteley duet, Gemini and Maple Blues Award winning musicians. They are local artists who perform Blues and Gospel music and are new friends of Fr. Arthur. Ancestors of Diana fled to Canada on the underground railroad, an experience which features in their music. More about them is available here: www.hotblues.ca
6) Anniversary Sunday on November 19, marking 183 years of service in the community and the 182nd anniversary of the dedication of the parish by Bishop John Strachan.
7) In the works for this fall, the Chinese congregation is planning on offering a Chinese Alpha course. This well known program used around the world and across the Christian denominations is designed especially for those new to the faith and inquiring about it. Recently, a new version of the program was produced in Mandarin and with Chinese actors. It has served as a good general introduction to the faith. The heart of the program is a meal together, a video presentation, then followed by small group discussion.
8) Renovations of SS room, youth room, and middle office
Big thanks to Sarah, and to the Sunday School teachers, for putting together proposals for the painting and renovation of the Sunday School room, the Youth Room, and the middle room in the main office which will serve the counters on Sundays, and for clergy and students during the week. Much of this will be done this summer. If the re-organization goes well, it should also serve as a meeting room during the week.
Look back a year - look ahead one year - it’s exciting and encouraging. We do our best and say our prayers - for the glory of God.
********
A New Book from Arthur Boers: Arthur's coming-of-age and coming-to-faith memoir has just been published! Shattered: A Son Picks Up the Pieces of His Father's Rage (Eerdmans), explores being the child of immigrants and learn English as a second language, a vivid Christian faith already as a child, and his father's dangerous PTSD that eventually focused dangerously on Arthur. If you would like to order one, you can email Arthur at info@arthurboers.com. You can specify whether you'd like it signed or personalized in some way. Arthur is selling the book for the Amazon-busting price of $25.
Summer Hours for the English Sunday Services - 8.00 a.m. and 10.00 a.m., Sunday, June 25, through Sunday, September 3.
Morning and Evening Prayer, July 18 to August 17
NOTE:
Morning Prayer is Monday to Friday.
Use the Alternate Church Service Zoom Link:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/4169851369?pwd=TUhNYm5CenNhTDNrM1FybTMxdWlQUT09
By Phone:
Meeting ID: 416 985 1369
Passcode: 222222
647-374-4685
647-558-0588
Pray for One Another
On Tuesdays, from 7.30 - 8.30 pm, Rajini Lyman will be hosting on Zoom a simple service of evening prayer with ample time for participants to pray for each other. In advance, you may wish to send the following to Rajini:
Name:
Prayer request:
Phone Number:
Contact Email Address:
Those interested are invited to send prayer requests to Rajini Lyman in person or by email: rajinilyman@yahoo.com
For this service, the alternate Church Service Zoom Link will be used:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/4169851369?pwd=TUhNYm5CenNhTDNrM1FybTMxdWlQUT09
By Phone:
Meeting ID: 416 985 1369
Passcode: 222222
647-374-4685
647-558-0588
Wednesday Morning Eucharist and Bible Study
Now on summer recess, resuming on September 13.
A Note from the Outreach Team: Calling all walkers. It's that time again to get your walking shoes on and get into shape for our annual walk. Like last year we will have an actual walk on September 24, 2023, meeting at the church at 8:30 for a 9:00 start. If you still wish to maintain distance you can do your own walk at your pace in your favourite space. Pledge sheets will be available on line, from the office or on the table outside the office. Your love and support of our Outreach projects is greatly appreciated. Happy walking. Blessings, Kathy and the Outreach team.
Young Adult Fellowship - Saturday mornings.
A great season of meetings. We’ll resume in September. For more information, contact Fr. Dean.
Interested in Volunteering with St. Paul's? Have a passion for teaching the word of God to children? We're looking for Sunday School teachers. Have great hospitality and organizational skills? We're on the hunt for a Kitchen Coordinator. For more information, please email Sarah at stpl@stpl.ca
2022 Income Tax Receipts Now Available
The 2022 Income Tax Receipts are now available.
2023 Envelopes Now Available
The 2023 church envelopes are now available at the church. A reminder that any envelope will do so long as it is marked with your name and Church Envelope #.
Friday Night Bible Study of the Acts in person and on Zoom The study is on the Acts of the Apostles, the 2nd half of Luke's Gospel, using the study guide by N. T. Wright. Copies are available from Fr. Dean for $13.
Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/830877703
Telephone: 647-374 4685, or 647-558 0588; Meeting ID: 830 877 703
Please note: we’re now in recess, resuming in September.
Summer Sunday Hours (June 25 to September 3)
8.00 a.m. - Holy Eucharist
10.00 a.m. - Holy Eucharist
1.00 p.m. - Chinese service
3.00 p.m. - Tamil service
6.00 p.m. - Evening Prayer (in person and online)
Summer Office Hours:
Wednesday to Friday - 9.00 a.m. to 12.00 noon
Community Basketball for Youth & Children – Resumes in the Fall. Dates to be announced.
Congratulations to St. Paul's Steel Orchestra and Gemini Pan Groove
Great performances last weekend at the Spring into Summer Pan concert and previously on Saturday, May 27 at the Praise on Steel city-wide pan concert at the Malvern Christian Assembly, with nearly a dozen bands and solo performances. Both times, St. Paul's Steel Orchestra and Gemini Pan Groove made us proud in front of very happy crowds.
Congratulations to Youth String Program
Thanks to all our young musicians and director Hayley Kim for another great season which featured performances at Anniversary Sunday, playing with the Scarborough Philharmonic Orchestra at the Holiday Concert, a performance on Black History and Easter Sunday, and last Saturday's performance at Maytime Melodies. The program resumes in the Fall.
Adult Choir - practices, Saturdays, 4.00 p.m.. Resumes in the fall.
Parish and Community Children’s Choir - restarts this fall. Director: Delicia Raveenthrarajan.
African Caribbean Dance & Movement Program - Saturday Mornings 10:30 - 11:45 am. Come and move your bodies in worship to the Lord. All ages welcome. For more information, contact Sarah at splcyouthministry@gmail.com. Resumes in the fall.
S.P.Y Network. - Friday Night Gathering for Youths - Resumes in the Fall. Dates to be announced. For more information, contact Sarah at splcyouthministry@gmail.com
Adult ESL - now on break until the Fall.
Altar Guild Members who attend the 11:15am service and are interested in joining the Altar Guild, please contact Valerie W.
A Single "Church Service" Zoom Link for all church services
This new link applies to all English church services which are streamed on Zoom, for the replay of the Sunday recording, and including Evening Prayer on Sundays at 6.00 p.m. and Morning Prayer, Monday through Saturday:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86566347435?pwd=WnhpMDJQRkxjMEV3d2pMU0FCa0JuUT09
By Phone:
Meeting ID: 865 6634 7435
Passcode: 501805
647-374-4685
647-558-0588
Alternate Church Service Zoom Link
(Used on occasions when the primary link is not available.)
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/4169851369?pwd=TUhNYm5CenNhTDNrM1FybTMxdWlQUT09
By Phone:
Meeting ID: 416 985 1369
Passcode: 222222
647-374-4685
647-558-0588
War in Ukraine
For those wishing to contribute to refugee relief, The Primate's World Relief and Development Fund is now accepting donations to support those displaced by the war in Ukraine, here:
www.toronto.anglican.ca/news/pwrdf-accepts-donations-for-ukrainian-refugees/. Our Outreach Committee donated $2000 to refugee relief program.
Online Calendar
The full schedule of in-person and online services and programs can be found on the online church calendar - www.stpl.ca/calendar.html - or here: www.stpl.ca/services.html.
S.P.Y. - St. Paul's Youth - Friday nights at 7 pm. Resumes in the Fall, dates to be announced. Contact Sarah for more information: splcyouthministry@gmail.com.
Thank you for your Faithful Gifts and Offerings - St. Paul's is a strong parish and has remained so throughout 2023 due to everyone's faithful support at a time when never has it been more important.
Gifts can be dropped off at the church or sent by mail. Kindly ensure that your name and envelope number is included. Or, members may wish to sign up for the Pre-Authorized Giving Program (contact the office). Members who use online banking can now make E-transfers (instructions here: www.stpl.ca/give.html). Gifts can also be made at our website through CanadaHelps: www.stpl.ca/give.html
NOTE: Of the various means for online giving, we recommend The Pre-Authorized Giving Program. It is regular, matching the regular responsibilities of the parish, and once initiated all it takes is a phone call or quick e-mail note to increase, decrease, or cancel the donation. The monthly amount is withdrawn on the 20th of each month, and the cost to the church is 50 cents per transaction, irrespective of the amount of the gift. This makes the PAG the most economical of all methods of giving.
Contact - The clergy of St. Paul's are permitted once again to visit in homes. Don't hesitate to call or write.
Website: www.stpl.ca; Church phone: 416-499-1545; Email: stpl@stpl.ca
Fr. Dean Mercer: deanmercer@hotmail.com
Rectory phone: 416-497-6352.

Quick Reflections
by Fr. Dean Mercer
*This Sunday we mark Canada Day, giving God thanks for this land and for the freedom and opportunity it offers, praying that by our loyalty to Christ we might bear humble witness to the truth revealed by God in Christ, and as our Lord would have us, generous in all that we do in this generation and for the generation to follow.
*I’m still a foot off the ground from last weekend and a great Spring into Summer pan concert. Bishop Andrew and Mary Asbil were here and the Bishop summed it up simply: "Wow!" Such a great deal of work to prepare and provide, such wonderful music, and such a wonderful evening to be together again.
*Then on Sunday - and I don’t mind telling you that I thought we might all be a little weary from the night before - it was as if the joy of Saturday night didn’t know when to quit as we proudly recognized the nine young people in our class of 2023 and honored them with tributes from the Kaleidascope Chinese Choir (friends of our Mandarin congregation), from dear and talented Delicia Raveenthrarajan, from the next generation of U4(ia) who had us on our feet and bouncing, from two of the best pan musicians in Toronto - Elton Jones and Andy Philips - and the morning wrapped up with video highlights of our Sunday School, produce by Jasmine Abel, and certificates of recognition to our Sunday School young people and all who teach and assist.
Wow!
*But we haven’t stopped, a lot is going on in the background, and by next week I hope to make a couple of exciting announcements. And the hint about at least part of it is a question - would you like to hear our children singing again?
*****
Mission Trip & Safari to Tanzania: July 2023 - Fr. Kim Beard, leader, July 4-22, 2023.
Prayers for the team will are offered this Sunday.
A New Book from Arthur Boers: Arthur's coming-of-age and coming-to-faith memoir has just been published! Shattered: A Son Picks Up the Pieces of His Father's Rage (Eerdmans), explores being the child of immigrants and learn English as a second language, a vivid Christian faith already as a child, and his father's dangerous PTSD that eventually focused dangerously on Arthur. If you would like to order one, you can email Arthur at info@arthurboers.com. You can specify whether you'd like it signed or personalized in some way. Arthur is selling the book for the Amazon-busting price of $25.
Summer Hours for the English Sunday Services - 8.00 a.m. and 10.00 a.m., Sunday, June 25, through Sunday, September 3.
Pray for One Another
On Tuesdays, from 7.30 - 8.30 pm, Rajini Lyman will be hosting on Zoom a simple service of evening prayer with ample time for participants to pray for each other. In advance, you may wish to send the following to Rajini:
Name:
Prayer request:
Phone Number:
Contact Email Address:
Those interested are invited to send prayer requests to Rajini Lyman in person or by email: rajinilyman@yahoo.com
For this service, the alternate Church Service Zoom Link will be used:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/4169851369?pwd=TUhNYm5CenNhTDNrM1FybTMxdWlQUT09
By Phone:
Meeting ID: 416 985 1369
Passcode: 222222
647-374-4685
647-558-0588
Wednesday Morning Eucharist and Bible Study
Bible Study takes place at 11:00 am following the midweek service on Wednesday mornings in the Boundy Room. We are studying the Epistle of Jude. For more information please contact Donald at 416-287-2509. The last Eucharist and Bible Study before summer recess is July 12, resuming on September 13.
Annual Cemetery Memorial Service - Sunday, July 9, after the 10.00 a.m. service. This is especially for those with loved ones buried in the church cemetery, but everyone with a loved one on their hearts is welcome.
Midweek Eucharist and Bible Study takes place at 10:30 am (eucharist) and 11:00 am (Bible study) on Wednesday mornings in the Boundy Room. We will be studying the Epistle of Jude. For more information please contact Donald at 416-287-2509. We will be wrapping up for the summer on July 12th and resume on September 13th, 2023
The International Food Fair is Back!
After a 3 year hiatus, the International Food Fair is returning on Saturday, July 15. This is a wonderful opportunity to taste foods of the world, prepared and presented by our own members. Please share the news with friends and relatives. Countries already participating are Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Sri Lanka, St. Vincent and Zimbabwe. If you would like to participate in this exciting event, please contact either Anne Burnett or Keith Morris. All funds raised support activities within the Outreach program.
A Note from the Outreach Team: Calling all walkers. It's that time again to get your walking shoes on and get into shape for our annual walk. Like last year we will have an actual walk on September 24, 2023, meeting at the church at 8:30 for a 9:00 start. If you still wish to maintain distance you can do your own walk at your pace in your favourite space. Pledge sheets will be available on line, from the office or on the table outside the office. Your love and support of our Outreach projects is greatly appreciated. Happy walking. Blessings, Kathy and the Outreach team.
Young Adult Fellowship - Saturday mornings.
A great season of meetings. We’ll resume in September. For more information, contact Fr. Dean.
Interested in Volunteering with St. Paul's? Have a passion for teaching the word of God to children? We're looking for Sunday School teachers. Have great hospitality and organizational skills? We're on the hunt for a Kitchen Coordinator. For more information, please email Sarah at stpl@stpl.ca
2022 Income Tax Receipts Now Available
The 2022 Income Tax Receipts are now available.
2023 Envelopes Now Available
The 2023 church envelopes are now available at the church. A reminder that any envelope will do so long as it is marked with your name and Church Envelope #.
Friday Night Bible Study of the Acts in person and on Zoom The study is on the Acts of the Apostles, the 2nd half of Luke's Gospel, using the study guide by N. T. Wright. Copies are available from Fr. Dean for $13.
Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/830877703
Telephone: 647-374 4685, or 647-558 0588; Meeting ID: 830 877 703
Please note: we’re now in recess, resuming in September.
Summer Sunday Hours (June 25 to September 3)
8.00 a.m. - Holy Eucharist
10.00 a.m. - Holy Eucharist
1.00 p.m. - Chinese service
3.00 p.m. - Tamil service
6.00 p.m. - Evening Prayer (in person and online)
Summer Office Hours:
Wednesday to Friday - 9.00 a.m. to 12.00 noon
Community Basketball for Youth & Children – Resumes in the Fall. Dates to be announced.
Congratulations to St. Paul's Steel Orchestra and Gemini Pan Groove
Great performances last weekend at the Spring into Summer Pan concert and previously on Saturday, May 27 at the Praise on Steel city-wide pan concert at the Malvern Christian Assembly, with nearly a dozen bands and solo performances. Both times, St. Paul's Steel Orchestra and Gemini Pan Groove made us proud in front of very happy crowds.
Congratulations to Youth String Program
Thanks to all our young musicians and director Hayley Kim for another great season which featured performances at Anniversary Sunday, playing with the Scarborough Philharmonic Orchestra at the Holiday Concert, a performance on Black History and Easter Sunday, and last Saturday's performance at Maytime Melodies. The program resumes in the Fall.
Adult Choir - practices, Saturdays, 4.00 p.m.
African Caribbean Dance & Movement Program - Saturday Mornings 10:30 - 11:45 am. Come and move your bodies in worship to the Lord. All ages welcome. For more information, contact Sarah at splcyouthministry@gmail.com
S.P.Y Network. - Friday Night Gathering for Youths - Resumes in the Fall. Dates to be announced. For more information, contact Sarah at splcyouthministry@gmail.com
Adult ESL - now on break until the Fall.
Altar Guild Members who attend the 11:15am service and are interested in joining the Altar Guild, please contact Valerie W.
A Single "Church Service" Zoom Link for all church services
This new link applies to all English church services which are streamed on Zoom, for the replay of the Sunday recording, and including Evening Prayer on Sundays at 6.00 p.m. and Morning Prayer, Monday through Saturday:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86566347435?pwd=WnhpMDJQRkxjMEV3d2pMU0FCa0JuUT09
By Phone:
Meeting ID: 865 6634 7435
Passcode: 501805
647-374-4685
647-558-0588
Alternate Church Service Zoom Link
(Used on occasions when the primary link is not available.)
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/4169851369?pwd=TUhNYm5CenNhTDNrM1FybTMxdWlQUT09
By Phone:
Meeting ID: 416 985 1369
Passcode: 222222
647-374-4685
647-558-0588
War in Ukraine
For those wishing to contribute to refugee relief, The Primate's World Relief and Development Fund is now accepting donations to support those displaced by the war in Ukraine, here:
www.toronto.anglican.ca/news/pwrdf-accepts-donations-for-ukrainian-refugees/. Our Outreach Committee donated $2000 to refugee relief program.
Online Calendar
The full schedule of in-person and online services and programs can be found on the online church calendar - www.stpl.ca/calendar.html - or here: www.stpl.ca/services.html.
S.P.Y. - St. Paul's Youth - Friday nights at 7 pm. Resumes in the Fall, Dates to be announced. Contact Sarah for more information: splcyouthministry@gmail.com.
Thank you for your Faithful Gifts and Offerings - St. Paul's is a strong parish and remained so throughout 2023 due to everyone's faithful support at a time when never has it been more important.
Gifts can be dropped off at the church or sent by mail. Kindly ensure that your name and envelope number is included. Or, members may wish to sign up for the Pre-Authorized Giving Program (contact the office). Members who use online banking can now make E-transfers (instructions here: www.stpl.ca/give.html). Gifts can also be made at our website through CanadaHelps: www.stpl.ca/give.html
NOTE: Of the various means for online giving, we recommend The Pre-Authorized Giving Program. It is regular, matching the regular responsibilities of the parish, and once initiated all it takes is a phone call or quick e-mail note to increase, decrease, or cancel the donation. The monthly amount is withdrawn on the 20th of each month, and the cost to the church is 50 cents per transaction, irrespective of the amount of the gift. This makes the PAG the most economical of all methods of giving.
Contact - The clergy of St. Paul's are permitted once again to visit in homes. Don't hesitate to call or write.
Website: www.stpl.ca; Church phone: 416-499-1545; Email: stpl@stpl.ca
Fr. Dean Mercer: deanmercer@hotmail.com
Rectory phone: 416-497-6352.