The Pastoral Care Committee

The Bathurst United Church Pastoral Care Committee meets monthly to review the pastoral needs of the congregation and seeks to provide members with support and referral based on those needs. The committee also organizes a number of events throughout the year to support a healthy and healing congregational life.

Parish Nursing

Bathurst United shares a Parish Nurse with one of its neighbouring congregations, Bloor Street United. The joint committee takes a holistic approach to health care. More...

Refreshments

“Refreshments” are a big part of Bathurst’s parish life. After every Sunday service there is a refreshment time, with beverages and snacks provided by members of the congregation on a rotating basis. This is an important opportunity for informal caring and sharing of concerns, as well as some light-hearted visiting and the occasional birthday cake! Someone has said food is an important part of the congregation’s culture.

Spaghetti Dinners

About once a month, the Pastoral Care Committee organizes a “Spaghetti Dinner” at the home of a Bathurst member. The host(s) provide the spaghetti and sauces (including vegetarian) and everyone brings a contribution like a salad, wine or dessert. Spaghetti dinners are great times for food and friendship. Other community events, like an annual Good Friday pot-luck supper, round out the parish social life.

Fall Fundraiser

Bathurst’s annual fun(d)raiser, the Talent Auction in late November, has a strong equity theme: Bathurst Bucks. Members of the congregation donate their talents or resources, ranging from sushi-making lessons to a week at a cottage. On arrival at the auction, members make a financial donation based on their ability to contribute. In return, each household gets 200 “Bathurst Bucks” to spend during the auction. The fundraiser generates a lot of laughter and leaves everyone feeling good about his or her ability to contribute and take home something special.

The fall 2011 fundraiser will be the launch of the Bathurst Cookbook and Concert.  Proceeds will be used to pay off the new 'Boston' piano purchased in the fall of 2010.  This event will take place in the chapel at 427 Bloor St. West on October 21 at 7:30 pm.

Retreats

Bathurst United has a long tradition of going away for a retreat in the spring and fall. In recent years the spring retreat has been held at Crieff Hills during the second weekend in May. Retreat themes have included the Enneagram, “On the Boundary”, and “Islam.”

A one-day fall retreat is usually held in November at Friends House in Toronto, where we look at ways of renewing our congregational life.