March 13, 2024

Party! Party! Party! Are you and your community of faith planning your next party and being intentional to invite neighbours? Perhaps you are celebrating PIE day, March 14, which is a day to increase awareness and connection with the 2SLGBTQIA community and allies. Being “public, intentional and explicit.” Several communities of faith are taking their pie to the streets. Some are handing out paper lunch bags with a homemade baked tart inside and a message of encouragement on the bag. Some are having pie auctions, pie eating contests, making pies and serving them at local food banks, hosting events to speak about affirming. Perhaps you have a party with the Easter bunny on the calendar…. Easter egg hunt for all ages? Easter themed dessert auction? Spring outdoor cleanup garden party? Earth day party? Christian family day tea? Pride Sunday party? How about organizing a party as United Church of Canada kicks off the 100^th anniversary year of the United Church of Canada. On June 9, 2024, the centennial year will get started with a worship service hosted in person in Toronto, livestreamed online. Perhaps plan a community meal to come together and participate in the first event of our historic year. Plan ahead for a summer party, end of school year party. How about a Canada day party? You could do a community BBQ, a porch party of music, an arts and crafters gala? Your neighbourhood is waiting to party with you! Figure out what party works for your context and find reasons to strengthen invitation and share God’s love. Perhaps connect with other places of worship to plan your next party together. What ideas are you thinking about?