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
Housewarming 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
In this issue: - New Year's Message from Roehampton Residence - Shelter, Support and Housing Administration (SSHA) Update - Roehampton Residence Update - Shelter Resident Success Story…together we make a difference
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 Joseph Mastandrea, regularly drops off much needed donations of grocery gift cards, hygiene items, and masks from the community to the Roehampton Residence.
Anti-racism
Listen to highlights from our Friday Speaker Series
Topic include supporting BICPOC youth employment, empowering youth in Lesotho, African grandmothers supporting children left orphaned by AIDS, Black Urbanism in Toronto, First Nation spirituality, and Rev Michael Blair, General Secretary, General Council for The United Church of Canada as he shared this thoughts on “Black Lives Matter: 50 Years Later.”
Becoming an Anti-Racist Denomination
Adele Halliday, the Anti-Racism and Equity Officer in the Office of the Moderator and General Secretary, joins us to discuss the United Church of Canada’s 2020 commitment to becoming an anti-racist denomination.
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 - 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
Second Annual Virtual Pride - June 24, 2021
“I hope that this Pride reminds you that you’re not alone, and that we live in God’s world and that you are a unique and special contribution to the life and work of our faith communities and our world.” Rev Evan ᓅᑎᓐ Swance-Smith
2021 Mount Pleasant Pride Parade
Led by our minister Rev JJ, the MRUC youth, and a red convertible, Manor Road UC walked around the neighbourhood wishing all a very happy Pride!
"Love Belongs to Everyone" by Mike Russell
"Dance in the sunshine, be where you belong. Under the rainbow, no one has to hide."
Listen to Highlights from our Friday Speaker Series
Topics include gender and gender identity, sexual and gender minority Christians within church communities, and movements to confront religious-based LGBTI discrimination.
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 - 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 - 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
Listen to Highlights from our Friday Speaker Series
Topics include sustainable and circular economic solutions, protecting nature in Toronto, and the importance of greenspace in the city.
Iftar Dinner and Climate Panel - May 22, 2020
Rev. Dr. John Joseph Mastandrea hosted a virtual panel to discuss our climate and how we can work toward a greener approach to our environment. Panelists 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 disposable 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.
