Our Special United Church Anniversary gathering is this Sunday, June 6th at which time we will be celebrating the memorable founding of the United Church of Canada 85 years ago, in Toronto's Mutual Streeet Arena. 

Five United Church congregations - Forest Grove, Immanuel Korean U.C., Newtonbrook, Taiwanese U.C. and Northminster are gathering at Forest Grove United Church, 43 Forest Grove Drive in the Bayview Village area of Willowdale.  The final preparations are almost finalized for this event, to begin at 10:30 a.m. and conclude with a delicious sandwich and strawberry social lunch on site for the more than 300 who have signed up.

On-street parking is plentiful, but car-pooling would be advisable.  Valet parking at neighbouring schools is being arranged.

Music has always played a key role in our church history and we'll welcome the Rev. Tim Elliott and his Jazz Band to lead us in hymn singing and so much more.  Rev. Tim pioneered the Jazz Vespers services that have become a focal point of worship in several churches to-day.

Do wear your colourful wristbands to add to the festivities, as we worship together and conclude with the special luncheon.

"Manufactured Landscapes"

June 9th.

7:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary on the BIG screen!

Opportunities to talk about the ideas and thoughts these films generate.

In 1979, several churches in the Toronto Don Valley Presbytery began to separately sponsor refugees from Vietnam in response to the plight of the Vietnamese Boat People. 

Since costs of resettlement were increasing, it was felt that more effective work could be done if many churches worked together as a group instead of relying on an individual church for sponsorship.  Thus, in 1994, eight churches, including Forest Grove, joined forces and the Don Valley Refugee Resettlers (DVRR) was born.  Today, we have a dedicated comittee from 10 United and Anglican Churches working together to bring refugee families to Toronto.

Prior to the family's arrival, DVRR completes necessary immigration documentation, searches for housing, furnishes the apartment and stocks the shelves of the new home.  DVRR commits to providing financial support to the family for one year.  Once the family arrives, DVRR members help the family integrate into Canadian life - orientation to the neighbourhood, shopping, finding English classes, banking, etc. etc. etc.

Since its creation in 1994, DVRR has successfully resettled eleven refugee families from Croatia, Somalia, Afghanistan, Eritrea, Columbia, Uganda and Iraq.

DVRR is grateful to Forest Grove for its support of our annual amaryllis fundraiser and to those Forest Grove Committees and members of the congretation who donate to DVRR.  We would be unable to bring these refugee families to Toronto without your generous support.

Easter Sunday, April 12, 2009 was a day of Celebration at Forest Grove!   We celebrated the Resurrection of Christ in music, scripture and meditation.  We celebrated baptism, confirmation, reception of new members and Communion.  Rev Dr James Lepard received congratulations from the congregation after successfully defending his Thesis and, with that, completing of his Doctor of Ministry in Preaching degree.  His Graduation service will be May 16th in Chicago.  After receiving a basket of flowers to plant in his garden, Rev Dr James began a three month sabbatical followed by his vacation and we look forward to his return on September 1, 2009 after a period of rejuvenation and renewal. 

Forest Grove United Church is a Christian Spiritual Community that values all ages and stages of life and inquiry. Adults in our community share their gifts in many ways including offering leadership in our children's ministry. 

Children are welcome in worship! and they look forward to the moment Robbie or Lin our resident theological dragons pays them a visit. 

For our littlest people there is a nursery that is supervised. In addition to our nursery there is an opportunity for young folks to explore their faith with others during the worship service with the assistance of adult leaders.

Forest Grove also offers opportunity for youngster's to participate in worship through music and drama throughout the year

For more information contact the church 416-222-2781 or email james.lepard@forestgroveuc.com