Royal York Road United Church

Sunday worship services are held every week at 10:30 a.m. You will be welcomed by greeters at the main doors, ushers ready to seat you and members offering a hand in friendship.

Children are always welcome. Generally, they join the adults in the sanctuary for about 15 minutes before proceeding to their church school classes. For parents with young children, there is a special family area equipped with books, quiet toys, small tables and chairs. In addition, there is a comfortably furnished nursery for babies and toddlers on the lower level of the building.

The Rev. Dr. Ian Manson and the Rev. Sheila Murray are respected for their thought and action provoking sermons. Through humour, dedicated research, Biblical context, personal anecdotes and commitment to their roles as spiritual leaders, they give each listener a message to ponder at home. The sermons are printed and available the week following oral delivery.

Weekly bulletins contain instruction for participation in the service. Colour inserts provide information about upcoming events and opportunities.

Extra services enhance the Christmas and Easter messages. Family services and musical events add depth to the Christmas story while the six Sundays of Lent lead us to reflective and joyous services on Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Day.

An elevator and building facilities accommodate people in wheelchairs. Large print bulletins and hymns, pew cushions, hearing assistance devices and a fragrance free environment are some ways we try to make church attendance more enjoyable.

Music is integral to worship at Royal York Road. In the sanctuary, Music Director Kelly Galbraith is equally comfortable behind the Casavant pipe organ and the grand piano. Four other pianos allow for beautiful music throughout the church building. Her passion is choral music! The Senior Choir, including four professional soloists, sing each Sunday from September to June.

The Senior practice Thursday evenings from 7:30 - 9:30 pm.

The new Cherub Choir is for children ages 3 to 6 and they meet from 5:00 - 5:30 pm.

The Junior Choir is for children are from 7 years of age and up and they meet Thursday evenings from 5:30 - 6:15 pm.

The Teenagers of the congregation are encouraged to provide contemporary music through their gifts of voice and instruments. They meet with Kelly from 6:15 until 7:00 pm. Guest musicians add their flavor to the high holidays. During Sunday Services the congregation uses the hymn book Voices United and its new supplement More Voices. If you love music, whether as a listener or a participant, you'll enjoy Royal York Road.

The hand bell choir, Jubellation, practices early Thursday evenings and performs throughout the year. Thanks to the generosity of members and friends, there are now 37 bells, covering three octaves. Members of this group range in age from teens to over 80. New players are always welcome.

In late 2008 our second cd “Walk in the Light” was released. This cd is a delightful mix of vocal, and instrumental selections.

Lay support is part of the worship experience. Lay leadership and participation are key to the Royal York Road persona as members cheerfully accept their Sunday role as greeters, ushers and readers. They also assume responsibility for behind-the-scenes activities.

The Rev. Sheila Murray, fluent in French and functional in Gaelic, welcomes the opportunity for bilingual worship services and ceremonies.

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