Faith Lived

Church Activities and Events

We have plenty of activities!

Click a season below to read about our special events during the season, or scroll down to view our calendar and list of events in the community.

Holy Saturday
Mar.
30

Holy Saturday

This service marks the space between the grief of Good Friday and the celebration of Easter morning. All are welcome to this time of reflection and vigil.

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Good Friday
Mar.
29

Good Friday

Continue your journey through Holy Week with this sacred service. The centrepiece of the Good Friday service will be Gabriel Faure’s Requiem, featuring Runnymede’s chancel and Easter choirs and a chamber orchestra.

This service will be in-person and live-streamed.

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Runnymede United Church has special Sundays and events throughout the year, as well as a wide variety of church activities. Below is an overall description of events and activities to look forward to in the year ahead.

Summer

Vacation Bible Camp

Our Vacation Bible Camp will run from Monday, July 8th - Friday, July 12th from 9am-noon. This camp is for children 5-12 and costs $20/child or $50/family for the week.

The exact curriculum of this year’s camp is TBD, but it promises to be full of fun and games! Stay tuned for more details and reach out to the office to register and reserve a space!

Special Summer Services

Stay tuned for details on our Pride Service and our service on the Indigenous Day of Prayer, both taking place in June.

Fall

Here’s what we were up to during the fall of 2023…

Holy Block Party! — Saturday, September 23rd — 1:00-4:00pm

This party at both of our church campuses was a blast! From bouncy castles and cotton candy, to a dance workshop by the Swansea School of Dance and Jam Sessions with Barn Owl Music, this day was a blast!

Annual Church BBQ — Sunday, September 24th — after worship

On Sunday, September 24th, we gathered for worship outside on our front lawn. Following worship, we enjoyed our yearly church BBQ.

Orange Shirt Day — Sunday, October 1st

On Sunday, October 1st, we marked Orange Shirt Day to commemorate those sent to Residential School.

Thanksgiving Sunday — Sunday, October 8th

New Members Sunday — Sunday, October 22nd

We are so thrilled that our congregation is growing! On Sunday, October 22nd, we welcomed those who have recently joined the congregation as new members and celebrated those who have become members of our congregation through the Windermere merger.

Remembrance Sunday — Sunday, November 5th

Bloor West Village Arts and Craft Show — November 11th, 2023

Each fall, Runnymede United hosts the Bloor West Village Arts and Craft Show. This event is a great place for your holiday shopping, connecting with friends, and stocking up on baked goods. This fall was a record year for attendance!

Trans Day of Remembrance — Sunday, November 19th

Advent and Christmas

Here’s what we were up to during Advent and Christmas 2023…

Advent and Christmas 2023

Christmas Pageant — Sunday, December 10th at 10:30am (Runnymede Campus & Online)

We enjoyed our annual Christmas pageant in worship and were very glad to return to our tradition of lunch together following this service. Thanks to all who helped make this day special!

Carols by Candlelight — December 17th at 7:00pm (Runnymede Campus & Online)

We continued the Christmas magic with our yearly Carols by Candlelight concert. There were mountains of cookies and goodies at our reception afterwards! Thanks to everyone, especially the musicians, who made this night beautiful.

Longest Night Service — December 21st at 7:00pm (Windermere Campus)

We gathered to mark the solstice and sing carols together on the longest night of the year at our Windermere Campus.

Christmas Eve Services - 10:30am, 5:00pm, 7:00pm, & 11:00pm (Runnymede Campus & Online)

On Christmas Eve, we had a total of four services!

We celebrated the fourth Sunday of Advent during morning worship, followed by a family service at 5pm and two candlelit services that night.

Lent and Easter

Flip, Flip, Hooray! Pancake Supper - All are welcome for dinner on Shrove Tuesday, February 13th, at our Runnymede Campus from 5:00-7:00pm.

10$/person or 35$/family for a feast of pancakes, sausages, fruit, and treats!

Lent & Easter 2024

All are welcome to sing with our Easter Choir. Rehearsals start Thursday, February 15th and are from 8:30-9:30pm each Thursday until Easter. Contact David Ambrose for more information.

Lent

On Wednesday, February 14th, we will mark Ash Wednesday online and in-person at our Windermere Campus at 7:30pm. All are welcome to this service as we usher in this new season in our church year. Contact Laura Gallagher-Doucette with questions.

Rev. Ted will run is yearly Lenten Study. All are welcome to deepen their faith and build relationships through this weekly gathering. This year, we will study with the United Church resource Act Fast: Spiritual Practices for a Climate in Crisis. This gathering will meet Thursdays from 1 to 2pm February 15th to March 28th. Contact Rev. Ted with questions or to sign up.

Holy Week

Palm Sunday - Sunday, March 24th - 10:30am (online & in-person at our Runnymede Campus)

Maundy Thursday - Thursday, March 28th - 7:00pm (in-person only - location TBA)

Good Friday - Friday, March 29th - 10:30am (online & in-person at our Runnymede Campus)

Holy Saturday - Saturday, March 30th - 7:00pm (in-person at our Runnymede Campus)

Easter

Easter Sunrise Service - Sunday, March 31st - 7:30am (in-person only - location TBA)

Easter Communion Service - Sunday, March 31st - 10:30am (online & in-person at our Runnymede Campus)

Easter Grenadier Retirement Residence Service - Sunday, March 31st - 2:00pm (in-person at the Grenadier Retirement Residence)