Social Justice at MRUC
At Manor Road United Church, we work within our church and with other faith traditions to identify our own privilege, learn about what we can do to make our community, our city, our world a better place, and to put our words into action. Contact manorroaduc@gmail.com to get involved.
Helping those in Need
Homewarming Baskets
With the support of our community, Manor Road dropped off baskets for shelter residents who are moving into their own homes. We will continue to collect donations and drop off more baskets in the spring.
Roehampton Residence Newsletter
The Roehampton Residence (808 Mount Pleasant Ave.) is a temporary shelter which was activated by the City of Toronto, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration to support physical distancing within shelters in response to COVID-19. The Roehampton Residence News will be issued regularly in order to provide information and updates to the mid-town community regarding the shelter. The Newsletter is developed by City staff.
The Hatch @ the Manor
Volunteers from MRUC will be cooking take away meals for residents of our local shelter. Interested in helping out? Email Rev John Joseph Mastandrea at ministermruc@gmail.com. Our first drop-in will be on November 8th, 2020 from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm.
Supporting Area Shelters
Our minister, Rev. Dr. John Jospeh Mastandrea, regularly drops off much needed donations of grocery gift cards, hygiene items, and masks from the community to the Roehampton Residence.
Anti-racism
Do Black Lives Matter?
A panel discussion hosted by Fairlawn United Church featuring the Rev. Michael Blair, the United Church of Canada’s new General Secretary, Adele Halliday, the United Church of Canada’s new Anti-racism and Equity Officer, and Aina-Nia Ayo’dele Grant, the City of Toronto’s Director of Community Resources.
Book Discussion - me and white supremacy
Where do we go from here? How do we educate ourselves? How can we identify our own privilege? Members of our congregation will explore these questions while working our way through me and white supremacy by Layla F. Saad.
Midtown and North Toronto Family March Against Systemic Racism - Saturday June 27, 2020
MRUC participated in a family-focused mobile protest to build skills of critical allyship and anti-racism. Stops were planned along the route with opportunities to sing, dance, draw, learn, share, and act.
We are an affirming congregation
United Church Toronto Pride Gathering 2020
See this year's virtual pride celebration live with Dr. JJ from the Shining Waters broadcasting system pride online!
Mount Pleasant Pride Festival - Saturday June 25, 2020
Manor Road United Church presented live singing by the multi award winning drag performer Candy Surprise and cohost Steve Diguer and Toronto’s number one music game show. In support of the Mount Pleasant BIA and Kohai Life. Visit www.kohai.ca.
The Rainbow Meets the World - Queer Multifaith Panel - Monday June 15, 2020
What does it mean to be the open heart of compassion for the queer person of faith? Hosted by the Rev. Dr. John Joseph Mastandrea, Manor Road United Church with Zenji Archariya (Buddhist), El-Farouk Khaki (Toronto United Mosque), Rev. Shawn Newton (First Unitarian), Leonard Swartz (Jewish), Dr. Charles (Fensham Presbyterian) and author of “Misguide Love”.
Our Green Team
Iftar Dinner and Climate Panel - May 22, 2020
Rev. Dr. John Jospeh Mastandrea hosted a virtual panel to discuss our climate and how we can work toward a greener approach to our environment. Panelist included Marianne Eschker (the reduction of single use plastics), Muaz Nasir (Calipha Foundation), Michelle Singh (Faith and the Common Good) and Imam Wael Shahib Majid.
Fridays for Future Rally - February 7, 2020
Members from MRUC's green team joined a Friday for Futures rally at Queen's Park and march through downtown with signs that read: No nature, no future, Hands off our forests, Later is too late, Our house is on fire, Sorry I can't clean my room I have to save the planet, and Don't flush our future down the toilet.
Fridays for Future Rally - January 31, 2020
Our Green Team including our minister Rev. D. John Joseph Masandrea and Allison Marcaccini, our Children's Ministry Coordinator joined others at Queen's Park to sing, chant, listen to speakers and poetry and to make our voices heard.
Coffee Cup Recycling
Our Green Team met with Ian Chandler of stackitnow.com to start a dispoable coffee cup recycling program at MRUC. Cups are collected and shredded to separate the polyethylene coating (which is discarded) from the paper which is recycled.
