- Letter from Rev Victoria, our new Senior Minister (29 August 2023)
And, now, we get to meet each other! My role as your part-time Senior Minister for 2023–24 is to be a resource for worship, to support and supervise staff and programming, and to partner with your congregational leadership to facilitate changes and transitions. I’m looking forward to working with you! And I have to admit, I’m a bit daunted by all that is happening, too!
- Construction has started at our new home (29 August 2023)
After many months of planning, estimating and revising, the renovation of 473 Oakwood is actually underway! We still have final estimates to obtain and financial hurdles to address. Nonetheless, we are taking the first physical steps toward having our new home ready in early 2025.
- Our Theme for September is “Possibility” (29 August 2023)
Our monthly themes and Journey Groups are small reflection circles that enable us to go deeper into our monthly theme by sharing our thoughts with a small gathering of people. Read the September issue, “Possibility”. The Journey will return in the fall with new monthly editions. Read previous issues.
- Our Ministerial Team for 2023–2024 (1 July 2023)
A message from the Interim Minister Search Team:
We are excited to share our Ministerial Team and plan for the 2023–2024 interim year. As we shared previously, we did not find an official “interim minister,” but we feel proud and enthusiastic about the team approach to serving our congregation starting in late August. Each of the individuals below will fill a key role for us this year and help us prepare for the next phase of interim ministry before we begin the search for a settled minister.
Introducing our Ministerial Team for 2023–2024
Rev. Victoria Ingram will serve as our part-time Senior Minister. ...
- Farewell to Rev Shawn – June 11 (25 May 2023)
On June 11, we bid goodbye to Rev Shawn Newton, who has served as minister to our congregation since 2007. Read the announcement of the transition. Read the Order of Service for the Farewell to Rev Shawn. Photos of the event will be posted to FirstUnitarianToronto.org/photos-farewell2023. Rev Shawn has been called to minister to the Unitarian Congregation of Vancouver in the fall.
- Two Ministerial Transitions (14 January 2023)
Rev. Shawn Newton, our Senior Minister since 2007, announced on January 13, 2023 that his time as our minister will come to an end on June 11. At the same time, Rev. Lynn Harrison, our Minister of Spiritual Care, announced that she will be retiring from parish ministry in the fall. Read letters from Rev Shawn, Rev Lynn and our Board President, Tanya Cothran.
- A New Home in a New Community (31 October 2022)
We invite you to participate in Project 473, First’s Capital Campaign.
Your contribution will help First build a modern, accessible, and environmentally sustainable new home and a much-needed community space at 473 Oakwood Avenue.
Learn more about our journey to 473 Oakwood and Project 473.
- Video Tour of 473 Oakwood Ave (11 September 2022)
After the service on Sunday September 11, 2022 Karen Dunk-Green led a group of Toronto First members on a tour of the not yet renovated building. Watch a video of that tour. Learn more about our journey to 473 Oakwood.
- Our Stained Glass Panels: Radiance, Reflection, Revelation (9 July 2022)
Our Stained Glass Tower at 175 St Clair Ave West was dismantled in June 2022. The panels will be displayed in our new home at 473 Oakwood Ave.
The tower was magnificent, and the individual panels are stunning. See the panels.
The tower, designed by Sarah Hall, was installed in 1995.
Sarah Hall and her delegate, John Wilcox, are working with our team on designing an approach and installing our panels at 473 Oakwood.
- You’ve Got Mail Wins CUC Shining Lights Award! (16 May 2022)
On Saturday, April 30, First Unitarian won the 2021 CUC Shining Lights Award for the You’ve Got Mail project. The Shining Lights award celebrates UU congregations and communities with stories of inspiration and high capacity to sustain our lights, now and in the future. The You’ve Got Mail Project, led by Barb Wentworth in memory of her son Mark Jorgensen, matched members of the congregation with those living with a developmental disability at New Visions Toronto. Members sent in notes or interesting postcards to brighten the lives of their pals during the lockdown in 2020-2021. Congratulations to Barb and the team on this ...
