February 5, 2021

TheWee Voice Newsletter FEBRUARY IS HERE !!

Will you share your stories?

CHINESE NEW YEAR

STARTS FEBRUARY 12th What is your sign? How do you celebrate?

We would love to hear your stories, if you would like to share. Send them to us by February 10th Valetine’s Day is Coming!!! With so many loving, caring readers I am sure there are many Valentine stories to tell!!! Loving Stories Tender Stories Humourous Stories If you would like to share, send them to us by February 10th to appear in our February 12th Wee VOICE

February 16th PANCAKE DAY COVER PHOTO “Black History Month” Special memories Waterloo ON Poster to share? BLACK HISTORY MONTH This Sunday It is hard to understand, to have empathy with, EPIPHANY the experiences of others whose racial and Luke 5: 27 ~ 32 cultural backgrounds are so different from our own. In our worship together We can't truly feel their pain, their joy. Our life journeys have been very different. this Sunday morning, February 7, we'll hear Unlike our American neighbours who have been the story of Jesus described as a “Cultural Melting Pot”, Canada has calling Levi (also known worked at being a “Cultural Mosaic”. In theory this as Matthew). When you hear the words: "I society allows its citizens to flourish, living in the have not come to call the righteous, but culture, the religion, the traditions they hold dear. sinners to repentance" what do you feel? Do In theory no group is treated more favourably than you count yourselves among the righteous, or any other. The benefits to the Canadian society should be immeasurable! see yourself as a sinner? Maybe a little of both? Rev Jennifer Palin In practise our society does not give every member an equal chance to participate and Tina’s Hymn flourish. In practice far too often politics, business and entrenched “traditions” get in the way of an Sing egalitarian society. Keep enjoying the selection In February of each year we celebrate Black of hymns on the list already History Month. We recognize the tremendous created - 72!! hardships, and injustices that have happened, and continue to happen, to Canadians of Colour in our https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLt8T0eq-qUqnJnWMsWUVqx5vdC60GUbO4 society. We also share in the hope of those who try to make our country a better place. Each week in February, in addition to stories shared by our Our Church Office readers, we will profile two inspiring Canadians of Our church of fice is now open: Colour – two of the thousands of stories that exist Monday to Friday, if you care to find them in books and on the internet. 9:30 am to 1:30 pm. No one but Emily is allowed access into the I hope you do. When you read them, office. Offering cheques can be dropped in the you will be amazed at the great mailbox (call Emily and let her know). Please contributions they have made, and help support Emily as we live the new life of continue to make. Tom Joyce self-distancing. Keep on ZOOMing!! The City of has passed a bylaw requiring Until we have a plan, our Sunday services masks to be worn in public places. Section 6 of the will keep on Zooming along! Don’t forget you bylaw specifically includes churches. To conform can join by regular phone. Need some help? with the requirements the following notice will be Don’t be shy! Call the church office and we’ll posted on all entrance doors. get someone to help you. ALL PERSONS ENTERING OR REMAINING Remember to look for your zoom invites in IN THESE PREMISES SHALL WEAR A MASK your email IN box every Friday for the Sunday OR FACE COVERING WHICH COVERS THE Worship Service. Don’t see it? Check NOSE, MOUTH AND CHIN AS REQUIRED UNDER CITY OF TORONTO BY-LAW 541-2020 your SPAM or JUNK folders. Not there either, please call Please help keep everyone safe by doing your part. the church office. WANT TO STAY Follow us and Like us on Facebook UP TO DATE? Donway Covenant United Church A COVID STYLE EPIPHANY SERVICES “FRONT of the LINE” Join us on ZOOM each Sunday The Thunder Bay Symphony morning. Call the church office is putting together a (virtual) for the link. concert which airs : Feb. 7 Jesus Calls the Outcast Levi February 13th 10:30 am at 7 pm Feb. 14 Jesus Transfiguration 10:30 am It can be seen at www .tbso.ca and is Free of Charge!! It doesn’t matter where you are - in Don Mills, or across the country, Chris Sutherland and I recorded a piece together at the church for the concert - or around the world, you can join us on ZOOM! Philip Glass's Etude No.11 The Worship Committee The piece is with myself on piano and Chris on drums. We technically aren't supposed to share the Ash Wednesday Service video until after the concert but... I think we can bend some rules here haha! February 17th at 10:30 am Let’s treat this as a special sneak preview and not share beyond The Wee VOICE audience on ZOOM until next week. Tina Faye Join us as Jennifer leads us in service. CLICK HERE to enjoy! https://youtu.be/4E7S1VHHYzU “Burning Last Year’s Palms” LENTEN REFLECTION small group “ History has shown discussion on ZOOM us that courage can be contagious and “TABLE hope can take on TALK” a life of its own” Saturdays at 2:00 pm March 13th, 20th and 27th Michelle Obama QUESTIONS? There are a lot of questions being asked If you have one or more symptoms of COVID-19 about the “Stay At Home” program, and about or think you may have been exposed to the virus, how the Covid 19 vaccine is being rolled out. take the Ministry of Health’s self-assessment to You might find this Government of find out if you should get tested. web site informative. It is updated daily. https://covid-19.ontario.ca/covid-19-vaccines-ontario https://covid-19.ontario.ca/self-assessment/ become the first registered hockey school in HERB CARNEGIE Canada. And while Future Aces taught young THE ACE IN FUTURE ACES people the skills of the game, it provided much more. Carnegie many years later during an interview Since 1893, thousands have with Trans World Sport news, revealed these competed to hold, hoist, and feelings about why he started the hockey school. have their name engraved on “From my point of view, I was excluded from hockey. the Stanley Cup. Unfortunately I wanted something inclusive. And the idea came to one legendary hockey player me - if we have the fundamentals of the game of did not; and it wasn’t for a lack hockey, why can’t we have the fundamentals of how of effort or skill. Herb Carnegie to live? And what are they?” was born in Toronto on November 8, 1919; the son of A year later Carnegie would introduce the Future Jamaican parents who Aces creed; an acrostic based on the word ACES immigrated to Canada in 1912 which would act as a guiding tool for what he as 20-somethings, in search of believed embodied the qualities of a good person a better life. and citizen. In the 2019 re-release of the book, A Fly in a Pail of Milk: The Herb Carnegie Story, Growing up in North York, co-author Bernice Carnegie explained that being Carnegie showed a determined spirit from a young Future Aces means, “taking responsibility for who age, often fighting for what he believed in. In you are, what you do and how your behaviour elementary school his principal banned him from affects other people. It means demonstrating arriving at school too early, as he would fight back respect for yourself and others.” when other schoolmates threw racial epithets his way. That racism would follow Herb Carnegie Carnegie’s lifetime of throughout his life, but his will, determination, and individual accomplishments sharp moral compass would set him up for a lifetime were only matched by his of impact, on and off the ice. remarkable philanthropy. And while he never chased When it came to hockey, Carnegie praise, praise often found enthusiastically took to ice skating, using frozen him. During his life ponds near his childhood home in North York as his Carnegie was inducted into practice rinks. “I’d loved the game since I was 7½ … 13 sports halls of fame, We’d play all day on ponds in Willowdale, then listen received the Order of on the radio to Foster Hewitt and Hockey Night in Canada, the Order of Ontario, three Queen Jubilee Canada. I wanted to be a Maple Leaf,” Carnegie medals, along with many other awards and told The Globe and Mail in 2006. distinctions. A school and an arena were named in At the age of 18 Carnegie’s play caught the his honour. Carnegie and the Future Aces were also attention of ’ owner Conn featured as heroes in two special issues of Marvel’s, Smythe. And while Smythe marvelled at Carnegie’s The Amazing Spider-Man comics titled, “Skating athleticism and play, it wasn’t enough. Smythe on Thin Ice!” and “Double Trouble.” allegedly said, “he’d take you tomorrow if he could Herb Carnegie would pass turn you white.” away on March 9, 2012 at the age Carnegie would round out his hockey career in of 92, leaving behind an 1954 with the Owen Sound Mercury’s of the undeniable legacy. Ontario Hockey Association’s Senior A league. “He was a quiet man; he was a And while he left the game of hockey with an humble man; he was a creative endless list of accomplishments and stat sheets that man; he was a caring man. And would make anyone dizzy, it was only the beginning. people saw that in him and “The greatest accomplishments came after his respected him for it,” said Bernice, hockey career,” said daughter Bernice Carnegie, adding that her father would often adding, “he was only a hockey player for seventeen say, “I just want to leave this years, but the 50 or 60 years after that he did so world a better place than I found it.” much to make a difference for so many.” To read more on the incredible life of In 1955 Carnegie founded the Future Herbert Carnegie, CLICK HERE Aces Hockey School. Located at Mitchell Field in North York, Future Aces would http://www.myseumoftoronto.com/programming/herb-carnegie/ LOOKING BACK and AHEAD Quran, primarily in Arabic. The prayers we could recite, but as kids, not understanding for BLACK HISTORY MONTH the readings, my two older female cousins I myself was born of Muslim East Indian heritage and I would giggle, and often get the stern in Trinidad, and attended the Presbyterian Naparima eye from my aunt. Drapes hung on a line running Girls High School, with a British Education System, east - west to separate the male and female writing the Senior Cambridge Exams, after four congregation. years. My History courses were British/European - for instance, Henry VIII marrying Catherine of Later on, in 1962, Trinidad became a Republic, Aragon, Queen Victoria, etc. I grew up in a Trinidad and under Prime Minister Eric Williams, the that was very multi ethnic. And so were my friends education system changed to include Caribbean at high school - Indian, Afro, Chinese, Spanish, History in the curriculum, and my sister, 16 years my Caucasian. junior, said she loved it and even recommended a book, "The Making of the West Indies". I myself was In my youth, I attended Sunday School, as well in Canada at the time. In fact, I have lived a total of as prayers during vacations at the Hassanali-Khan 20 years in Trinidad - my first eighteen years and Memorial Mosque which was constructed in 1880 then two, after I graduated from U.B.C. by my great grandfather, who had emigrated from India in 1869. It is located in Victoria Village, San Speaking of books, I am currently reading Fernando, Trinidad, within walking distance of my "Homegoing" for a Book Club. The young author, grandparents home. Victoria Village, incidentally, Yaa Gyasi originally from Ghana, at age two moved had started as a free African Village. It was a place to the US with her family, living in Alabama. After where "Africans and Indians had a common interest graduating from University and receiving a in making a living as cane farmers. The young fellowship to write, she visited the Cape Coast people, including my uncles played football and Castle in Ghana to put African slavery, colonialism cricket together. There were close relationships and American history in a 400 page book. The past between families of different races and I knew two weeks for me, have, indeed, been ones of nothing about racial prejudice and there was no great reflection and learning. "Black History Month". Looking ahead, I see the United Church as Our own families celebrated Christmas as well well as TDSB are being strong advocates for as Eid - the end of Ramadan and during holidays, the success of students and adults especially we would attend prayers at the mosque where my during this "Black History" or "African Heritage" month. grandfather was Imam. He would read from the Angela Jutlah AFRICAN HERITAGE MONTH There were almost 1.2 million Black people living in Canada in 2016. The Black population has diverse Every February, people in Canada are invited backgrounds and experiences – while to participate in Black History Month festivities some can trace their roots in Canada and events that honour the legacy of Black for many generations, others have Canadians and their communities. immigrated in recent decades. The 2021 theme for Black History Month is: Among the Black population born outside of "The Future is Now". Canada, the source countries of immigration have changed over time. More than half of this population who immigrated before 1981 were born in Jamaica CLICK HERE to learn more about Noteworthy and Haiti. Black newcomers now come from about Black Canadian historical figures; Historic Black 125 different countries, mainly from Africa. Canadian communities; Black Legacies and CLICK HERE for more information about African institutions. Heritage Month.at the TDSB https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/campaigns/black-history-month.html https://www.tdsb.on.ca/Portals/0/docs/Final%20PP_%20African%20HM%20Feb_%202021.pdf KAYLA GREY A YOUNG WOMAN IN THE SPOTLIGHT Excerpt from an article in the Fall 2020 issue of Marquee Magazine. A graduate of Toronto’s College of Sports about the trend of Media, Kayla began her broadcasting career in performative allyship as a Digital Broadcast Journalist for throughout the Black Global News. She then moved to Prince Rupert, Lives Matter movement, British Columbia, to become a senior reporter for Grey says, “I think we are CFTK-TV news. She went on to join TSN in 2015 as now seeing companies an update anchor for TSN Radio 1050. Since then, trying to capitalize on the she’s won the ByBlacks.com People’s Choice climate. P.R. statements Award for T.V. Personality, has been named one of and D&I (Diversity and Inclusion) positions being CBC’s 150 Black women making history in Canada, created. While we need those, we must also was called one of 100 women to watch by Canada acknowledge that racism is also what makes so International Black Women Event’s (CIBWE), and many Black people unsafe at work. So, while it’s one most recently nominated for a 2020 Canadian thing to hire Black people, one must also examine Screen Award. Grey has also become a familiar where they are asking us to work: What kind of face on several popular Canadian television shows, culture exists? Does it make BIPOC (Black, including The Social, The Marilyn Denis Show, Indigenous, People of Colour) feel safe and Your Morning, and Etalk. empowered?” Historically an “old boys club,” the industry of CLICK HERE to read the full article sports journalism has a record of exclusion, https://www.marqueemagazine.ca/digital/kayla-grey-on-anti-black-racism-storytelling-and-the-future-of-sports/ particularly with women and people of colour. Even in 2020, Grey is still one of the few Black women in Canadian sportscasting. When asked

Excerpt from an interview with Claire Sibonney in the November 2020 issue of Broadview Magazine. Broadview: What are you working on healing? Broadview: Since the killing of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer, there’s been a Kayla: It’s the conversation of microaggressions. reckoning on racism everywhere, in every institution. Like, “You’re pretty for a Black girl,” or, “You’re not What has the Black Lives Matter movement been like all the other Black people.” It’s hair touching. like for you personally and professionally? Comments about how I dress, comments about how I look. My skin. Or things not being accommodating Kayla: I’m learning that some people are just to someone who looks like me at work or out in the learning about racism. I’m also learning that I’m real world. The trauma for me is that I’ve been so some people’s only Black friend. With the conditioned to think that all of that was acceptable. coronavirus making more stillness available to the I think a lot of Black professionals are going world, it seems we’re finally listening. I’m learning through this unconditioning. We’re ripping away the that some days I feel like fighting. And some days, I things that we’ve covered ourselves with, to protect need to recentre and deal with my own stuff. So it’s us, when we’re in predominantly white spaces. been an interesting time. There’s almost a sense of We’re turning up the volume of our voices when it urgency to plant those seeds of growth. I’m hopeful. comes to speaking out against things that we see in I’m not here to police how other Black people should the workplace or things that we’ve noticed. We’re feel, act or speak. For me, speaking is all I know, so also accepting a very real fear that by speaking out that’s what I need to do to make sure that I am right now, we will get fired eight months later when effecting change. the news cycle turns and people are no longer talking about change and diversity. CLICK HERE to read the full interview https://broadview.org/kayla-grey-interview/ “I Wanted to Be That Voice”

HYMN to FREEDOM by Oliver Jones and Dave Young Every year at some point in - all Canadian legends in the February for Black History Month, the music world. Marla Miller DCUC choir has sung Oscar Peterson’s Hymn to Freedom. As we can’t be together this year, Click Here to listen https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YTAzDaAOtmI here is Dione Taylor, accompanied Dione Taylor

Now I have learned that black is not a handicap, Black Girl an obstruction or an obstacle to overcome by Audrey Esemezie Now I have learned that being black is the epitome I used to feel like being black put me at a of resilience, the epitome of beauty, the disadvantage epitome of strength … a natural phenomenon I used to feel like not being born in Canada was Now I have learned that being black has made me an unbearable baggage a person who is understanding of all people I used to feel like having dark skin, a gap in my A person who feels empathy for anyone whose teeth and untameable hair identity opposes destructive societal norms Made me less special, less beautiful, less worthy A person with integrity … it was my internal despair Now I have learned that being from Nigeria is why I have never felt explicit discrimination because of I have never settled for mediocrity my skin Being from Nigeria is why I strive for success But I used to feel the impact of teachers being Being from Nigeria is an irrevocable part of my surprised about how well I spoke identity Although, I have never been openly harassed, I Being black has put me at the forefront of could always hear the predispositions within excellence The predisposition that the colour of my skin is an Being black makes me anything but less indication of my intelligence or lack thereof The predisposition that where I was born meant that I could not aspire for excellence, that I "I wanted to write about my personal could not achieve the same things others experience about being black, and not could, or compared to my non-black peers, necessarily events that have happened to me, I probably was not good enough but events inside of me, and a journey to I used to feel like the most intrinsic part of who I accepting me being black and me being from am, being black, was somehow a crippling Nigeria," said Esemezie, a second year medical factor, an inhibitor of my success, a handicap science student at Western University to the feeling of acceptance I so craved when Audrey Esemezie I moved here 9 years ago Rebecca Zandbergen Host, London Morning HAPPY BIRTHDAY PAT !!! On February 1st Pat Shield celebrated her birthday with only a few nearby relatives thanks to COVID, but she was surrounded by a table full of treats from the Royal Canadian Yacht Club served on her fine china. Three of her granddaughters created a virtual celebration featuring relatives' birthday greetings from as far away as Australia. Now that’s one fancy lady!!!! Whatcha THE Readin’ ?? OLDER I GET Well we can’t “share a book” right now, but we can “share what we’re reading”! Send me Alan Jackson an e-mail ([email protected]) or give me a call Member of the Country (416-244-6953) and tell me what you’re reading. Music Hall of Fame, Alan is an accomplished Give me a brief idea as to what kind of book it is singer and songwriter with over 16 albums to his - you know - historical fiction, romance, suspense, credit. humour...... the title and the author, and I’ll put it on our list. Those of us who love to read are I enjoyed this song, and I hope you do too. always looking for new books to explore. The lyrics are included so you can sing along! Olive Fetterley https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XuSvzbQogSE I loved this book as did three other people I alerted to it. SOME (SHARED) “Peace by Chocolate: The Hadhad Family’s Remarkable Journey from WEDNESDAY WISDOM Syria to Canada” by Jon Tattrie. On this glorious sunny winter day I was reminded of a walk I took before Christmas on a It is the story of a Syrian refugee family similar day but there was no snow on the ground. sponsored by Antigonish, Nova Scotia, who have The sun was shining so brightly and I started founded the chocolatier Peace by Chocolate. talking (not out loud) to everything underground. Cathy Rand “How can you possibly resist this wonderful Sun. Get up out of bed and come and enjoy.” Then I said, “Yes, you know what's best for you. I'll enjoy My favourite genre is mystery. I am the sun now and wait to enjoy you when you are currently reading “Telling Tales” by ready to give me enjoyment, when ever you are Ann Cleeves, who is the author of the ready. See you later!!!” “Vera” series seen on PBS. However I love my walks. Sometimes when I am in an occasionally when I am feeling a little area where there are no people and I may feel a overwhelmed reading about murder and little uneasy I think, I am not alone, I live in God's mayhem and listening to Covid news, I need to world! And that my dear friends is my read something a little more positive Wednesday's Wisdom. and uplifting. Stay well. Heather Sheldrick So I am also reading concurrently, “The Last Garden in England” by Julia Kelly. Andrea Sloan VALENTINE CARDS for SALE My taste in books is “all over the Original, hand made cards. place”, and I often have multiple Due to “Stay at Home” restrictions books “on the go” at one time! please call Jennifer to order and Every Christmas I try to include some arrange for delivery. Canadian authors on my wish list. This year I pulled “Gone to Pot” by Jennifer (416) 551 - 9917 Craig from the list of Stephen Leacock Award $ 00 Jennifer can make for Humour books. A light, very funny read “cards to order” about a “granny” living in Nelson BC. 5 for that Tom Joyce special someone! It was 69 years MAKES YOU APPRECIATE A “LATE BLOOMER” !!!!! ago...... Here is our The statement came from gorgeous 6-headed Sandringham at 10:45 am. “The amaryllis. It was a King, who retired to rest last bit slow getting night in his usual health, passed started but excelled peacefully away in his sleep early in the end! this morning.” Newspapers at the time reported it as a shock. King George VI, Thank you to Vivian after all, had been out on a shoot the day for brightening our before. But there was no use denying, or home for the whole dwelling, on the matter. By 5:00 pm, a privy month of January! council had gathered at St. James’s Palace in London. They signed a statement, which ended, “[We] do now hereby with one Voice and Consent of Tongue and Heart publish and proclaim that the High and Mighty Princess Elizabeth Alexandra Mary is now by the death of our late sovereign of happy memory become Queen Elizabeth the Second by the grace of God.” On February 6, 1952, the King And here is my was dead. Long live the Queen. friend, Lorna Do you remember Audet's, lovely pink amaryllis. where you were? Anne Donald Booth Anderson The Wee VOICE “SPECIAL EDITION - PANCAKES” is coming Tuesday, February 9th!!!

Look for our second “SPECIAL EDITION” Wee VOICE in your email on Tuesday, February 9th as we celebrate “pancakes” and all the other names, and recipes, for this delightful food - blini, blintz, crepe, bannock, johnny cakes, flapjacks, waffles...... Learn of many “extras” that can be added - blueberries, strawberries, bananas, chocolate chips, whip cream...... Have special dietary needs? No problem as we have gluten free, and dairy free, varieties.

WOW!! Recipes keep pouring in. You are not going to want to miss this Special Edition. Look for it in your email on February 9th. Enjoy reading the various recipes. Check your kitchen for ingredients so that you are ready on Pancake Day!

Church office is staffed for Minister: Rev. Jennifer Palin ‘phone calls and e-mails. Please no visits while we Music Tina Faye weather the pandemic storm. Facilitator: Church Emily McLean Administrator: Szekely Custodian: Kim Morgan Together in spirit while we practice physical distancing.

Celebrating 6 years of being an Affirming Congregation 230 The Donway West, Toronto, ON M3B 2V8 ‘ phone (416) 444 - 8444 e-mail: [email protected] website: www.donwaycovenant.com