Like the first churches of early Christianity, we offer ‘hospitality’ regularly to the Regent Park community every Monday, inviting all to “taste and see.”
Open to anyone, we play cards, chat, someone plays the piano, birthdays and anniversaries are celebrated, we catch-up and connect.
Open to anyone, we play cards, chat, someone plays the piano, birthdays and anniversaries are celebrated, we catch-up and connect.
Meals
The meals are home cooked, prepared by volunteers from the church with ingredients purchased by them. Thanks be to God, our ministry has grown and continues to as word spreads, throughout Toronto – some of our visitors travel for hours to join us on Monday nights. When we started, maybe a dozen visitors would join us. Now we routinely serve more than 50.
Memorial meals
Many of our meals are sponsored or cooked by a parishioner in memory of a loved one. Before it is served, memorial prayers are offered, candles lit and Memory Eternal is sung. Often koliva, (aka kollyva, kollyba, kolyvo, kutya or colivă) -- a traditional sweet dish of boiled wheat -- is served.
This is an opportunity for community members and visitors alike to remember those dear to them, whom they have lost.
If you would like us to serve a meal in memory of a loved one, reach out to find out how you can sponsor a memorial meal: email [email protected].
This is an opportunity for community members and visitors alike to remember those dear to them, whom they have lost.
If you would like us to serve a meal in memory of a loved one, reach out to find out how you can sponsor a memorial meal: email [email protected].
Homework club
Led by an Ontario certified teacher, a team of young volunteer tutors help with math and writing. There might be contests, a celebration and the children tend to stay and play, long after the tutoring is done and the good food finished.
Knitting Circle
Fran leads a small but dedicated group that meets in the afternoon before our dinners. The yarn is donated by parishioners.
Compline
The evening ends with a short, quiet prayer service, usually as someone is still finishing off the last of the dishes. Some of the community stay. This is often the first step to bring church back into someone’s life.
Support the Community Hub
The vision for our Community Hub is the reason why our nascent Mission Church rented a space with a kitchen and facilities large enough to offer hospitality to the community. In less than a year we have gone from a dozen visitors to evenings that often have 70 people or more.
Clearly the need for a safe space for community building for all ages and walks of life is so great, ideally we’d like to expand our efforts.
However, this growth and demand is putting a strain on our volunteers, who pay for the ingredients and take the time to prepare meals for Community Hub and then clean-up.
Would you please support the Community Hub?
Any gift is appreciated.
Clearly the need for a safe space for community building for all ages and walks of life is so great, ideally we’d like to expand our efforts.
However, this growth and demand is putting a strain on our volunteers, who pay for the ingredients and take the time to prepare meals for Community Hub and then clean-up.
Would you please support the Community Hub?
Any gift is appreciated.
St. Silouan the Athonite Orthodox Church is a registered charity.
Our charitable number is: BN 79344 8671 RR0001.
Please see Join or Support for details on how to donate by cheque, e-transfer and in-person.
Our charitable number is: BN 79344 8671 RR0001.
Please see Join or Support for details on how to donate by cheque, e-transfer and in-person.