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
Donations for Seniors at the Roehampton Shelter
SERRA (South Eglinton Ratepayers' and Residents' Association) raised $6,678 for seniors at the Roehampton Shelter. Manor Road United Church helped to purchase and deliver TV tables, portable bathroom bars, shopping carts, indoor folding tables, patio chairs, mattress covers, gift cards, program memberships, and eyeglasses.
Donations for Ukrainian Families
Thanks to generous community donations, MRUC was able to drive a van load of items to Port Hope to welcome Ukrainian families settling in Canada.
Stay Strong Haiti - The Rotary Club of Toronto
Manor Road UC was proud to host the Rotary Club of Toronto who partnered with Kids Against Hunger Canada to fill 1692 meal packs to send to Haiti.
Haiti Earthquake Relief
The south western part of the country was hit by a 7.2 magnitude earthquake. We were fortunate to have contacts on the ground in Haiti who distributed supplies to those who need it the most.
Backpacks for Thorncliffe Park
Again with the support of our community and congregation, we donated over 40 backpacks for school children and youth, part of the 500 back packs from the North Toronto Cluster of Churches.
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 throughout the year.
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
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
MRUC at Toronto Pride - June 26, 2022
Celebrating the 2SLGBTQ+ communities of our city .
The Great Diversity - June 13, 2022
These pictures were taken at events during Toronto Pride in 2022, to celebrate the great diversity of folks present. #createdintheimageofgod
Second Annual Manor Road Pride Parade - June 13, 2022
Our red convertible was joined by our rainbow wagon and loads of enthusiasm as we wished our community a happy Pride!
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 Manor Road 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
Community Clothing Swap
Mount Pleasant/Davisville front yards (and MRUC's parking lot) were turned into back-to-school clothing swap stores. Spread out over a few blocks, the sale will be united by a map so swappers can easily find the yard offering the size they are looking for.
PurpleAir Sensor at MRUC
PurpleAir sensors measure PM (particulate matter) concentration levels. They provide real-time measurements of pollution easily accessible to the community. They collect information on differences in air quality in different neighbourhoods and at different times of the day and year.
The Faithful Green Actions Team
The Faithful Green Actions Team is a mission within the North Toronto Cluster of churches. Currently, the representatives from various churches in the cluster join monthly to discuss initiatives and share in the planning of various green projects like this newsletter. The group is concerned with education and action regarding environmental justice and advocating for a healthy planet. In this fledgling edition of the Faithful Green Actions Newsletter, you will find helpful resources, excellent reading materials and lots of interesting videos to help you learn and grow in your efforts to take Faithful Green Actions in your life!
Earthub and MRUC
Did you know that Manor Road United Church is a collection site for bread/milk tags, empty coffee bags, and clean pill bottles (try popping them into the freezer to take off the label and residue)? Drop off any time at 240 Manor Road East. Bin at the main glass door.
Earth Week Bingo
To celebrate Earth Day 2021, MRUC partnered with other churches from North Toronto Churches Cluster Green Team to create Earth Week bingo cards. Each box represents ways in which we can take action for our environment.
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.
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.