William King, a Gay Rights Advocate and Drag Queen, shared the story of DQ, the drag queen cabaret show that raised funds for Casey House in excess of $1000,000 over 20 years.
FRIDAY SPEAKER SERIES - 2022
June 24, 2022 – William King
June 10, 2022 – Dr. Julia Rady-Shaw
June 3, 2022 – Michael Johnson
May 27, 2022 – Tara Ayer
May 20, 2022 – Jo Ann Stevenson
Solstice: A Time for Planting
May 13, 2022 – Dr. Carrie B. Dohe
We heard from Dr. Carrie B. Dohe from Bees for Peace, an official project of the United Nations Decade on Biodiversity. Find out how they are promoting pollinator protection through faith communities and humanitarian organizations.
May 6, 2022 – Juli Malone
Juli Malone shared about Beltane, the Celtic May Day, the halfway point between the Spring Equinox and Summer Solstice.
April 29, 2022 – Chef Margarita Padilla
We joined Chef Margarita Padilla as she shared the history and festivities of Cinco de Mayo pairing it with a culinary delight.
April 22, 2022 – Debbie Danbrooke
We joined musician, composer and recording artist Debbie Danbrook for Spring Labyrinth at the Manor.
April 8, 2022 – Fredelle Brief
This week on the Friday Speaker Series, we heard from Fredelle Brief as she shared Passover: Stories to Remember.
April 1, 2022 – Joel Fendelman
Joel Fendelman, Director and Producer of “Man on Fire,” a documentary about the elderly white preacher Charles Moore who sets himself on fire to bring awareness to the unrepented racism in his birth town of Grand Saline, TX. You can rent the film using this link: https://vimeo.com/216601478. If you have a Toronto Public Library card, the film is available for free on the streaming service Kanopy by using the link https://torontopl.kanopy.com/. You can log in with your library card number and PIN.
March 25, 2022 – Victor Caratun
Victor Caratun, Toronto history enthusiast, looked at Toronto past at Springtime.
March 18, 2022 – Meilana Dickenson
Meilana Dickenson shared the power of the soul to heal.
March 11, 2022 – Chef Mia de Ala
Chef Mia de Ala joined us once again and shared a delightful lemon cookie recipe that’s quick and easy to make for spring.
See her recipe here.
March 4, 2022 – Bob Vernon, Syrian Refugees: A Time for Sponsorship
We heard from Bob Vernon as he shared about a Syrian refugee family and participating in this time for sponsorship.
February 25, 2022 – Rev. Alydia Smith, Makers Creating
We joined in the conversation with Rev. Alydia Smith as she spoke about crafting and the creative process.
February 18, 2022 – Ellen Schwartzel, President of the Toronto Field Naturalists
Discover nature in the city with Ellen Schwartzel, President of the Toronto Field Naturalists, and former Deputy Environmental Commissioner of Ontario. Ellen will share an introduction to Toronto’s wonderful and under-appreciated ravines; the growing pressures on our urban natural lands; and how groups like the Toronto Field Naturalists are helping Torontonians appreciate and protect nature.
February 11, 2022 – Rev Dr JJ, Memories From Thailand
In the second half of the program, Rev. Dr. John Joseph Mastandrea chronicles his adventures in Thailand and invites us to learn about its vibrant history and culture.
February 11, 2022 – Jordana Wright, Community Building in the Church Led by Young Black Women
This week, we joined in the conversation with Jordana Wright as she shares her innovative community building work in the Church led by young Black women as part of our Black History Month special.
February 4, 2022 – Pauline Martin, “Why Do I Give Back?”
This week, we joined in the conversation with Pauline Martin, a Financial Consultant, shares about her passion to give back and gives us a glimpse of how her journey began with the people of Haiti.
January 28, 2022 – Sabina Ali, Thorncliffe Park Women’s Committee.
This week, we joined in the conversation with Sabina Ali Executive Director of the Thorncliffe Park Women’s Committee, “a grassroots organization dedicated to creating and implementing public space enhancement projects in the community of Thorncliffe Park.
January 21, 2022 – Rev. Dr. Malcolm Sinclair
This week, we joined in conversation with The Rev. Dr. Malcolm Sinclair about Robbie Burns, Scottish poet and lyricist.
January 14, 2022 – Mark McQuitty
This week, we joined in the conversation with Mark McQuitty as he shared about the Enoch Turner Schoolhouse Foundation, a not-for-profit charity whose mission is to foster the memory of the oldest free school in Toronto.
January 7, 2022 – Joyce Barnes
This week, we joined Joyce Barnes, an internationally acclaimed 5th generation clairvoyant, medium, Spiritual Energy healer and Reiki Master.
Manor Road United Church is on the traditional home of the Huron-Wendat Nation, Metis Nation of Ontario, Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation, Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation and Six Nations of the Grand River. May we be connected to the heartbeat of the Spirit as one.