Greetings, Willowdale Family, and Happy Sabbath!
As Michelle and I look ahead to what promises to be a very full month of August, I wanted to take a few moments to share some ministry updates before we begin what feels like our annual “cross-country (and cross-Caribbean!) adventure.”
Over the next several weeks our calendar will include the Willowdale Pathfinder Mission Trip to Barbados, the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Canada Teachers’ Convention in British Columbia, helping Mackenzie settle back into another year at Andrews University, our Men’s Ministry outing to Camp Frenda, and preschool planning meetings at CPES. While we’ll certainly be busy, ministry at Willowdale never skips a beat, and I am grateful for the gifted team of leaders God has blessed our church with.
This Sabbath we begin our August sermon series, Portraits of Faith: A Journey Through Hebrews 11. Throughout the month, Elder Andrew Conroy, Elder Jennifer Peart, Elder Geddes Stewart, and our Lay Youth Pastor, Sujatha Mathi, will each open God’s Word as we explore the remarkable lives of Abraham, Sarah, Moses, and Rahab. These are not merely stories of heroes from long ago—they are portraits of ordinary people who trusted an extraordinary God. I know this series will challenge, encourage, and strengthen our faith, and I hope you’ll invite someone to journey through Hebrews 11 with us.
Looking ahead to September, we will begin another exciting series entitled Anchored Until He Comes, based on the practical and powerful message of 2 Peter. Together, our pastoral team will unpack Peter’s final words of counsel, encouragement, and warning to the early church. His message is remarkably relevant for believers today as we seek to remain spiritually anchored while eagerly awaiting the soon return of Jesus Christ.
I also want to give a huge Willowdale “shout-out” to Janet Guarin and our outstanding Health Ministries team for hosting such a wonderful community wellness event last Sunday at the Edithvale Community Centre. It was organized, informative, welcoming, and genuinely practical. I especially appreciated how it connected our church with our surrounding community in meaningful ways.
Now, I should confess that I left the event with two unexpected souvenirs. First, a few sore muscles after discovering that “planking” is apparently easier to talk about than to do! Second, I came home with a new book recommendation. After visiting the mental health station, I ordered The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt (with helpful contributions from Catherine Price’s work on digital wellness). If you’re a parent or grandparent navigating the challenges of smartphones and social media with children or teenagers, I would highly recommend adding it to your reading list. It offers thoughtful insights into one of the greatest parenting challenges of our generation.
Speaking of family, be sure to save the date for our Family Life Corn Boil on Saturday, September 12, on the CAA field directly behind our church, overlooking Forestview Retirement Home. This is one of those wonderful Willowdale events where fellowship comes naturally, conversations happen easily, and guests feel at home. It’s the perfect opportunity to invite neighbours, friends, coworkers, and family members to a relaxed, non-threatening church gathering. Our Family Life Department will provide the corn, and the rest of us can bring along picnic favourites and snacks. More details and a menu will be shared soon—but for now, mark your calendars and start thinking about who you might invite.
Finally, an update regarding our church nominating committee. The committee expects to complete its work during the first two weeks of September. The first and second readings of the report will then be presented during the final two Sabbaths of September. Newly elected leaders will begin their ministry on Sabbath, October 3, 2026, serving for the 2026–2028 term.
To every member who has faithfully served over the past two years, thank you. Your willingness to serve has strengthened this church in countless ways, many of them unseen. And to those who have prayerfully agreed to serve in the coming term, thank you for saying “yes” to God’s calling. May the Lord bless you as you minister to our church family, our children, and our community.
Thank you, Willowdale family, for being a church that loves Jesus, loves people, and continues to make a difference both here in Toronto and around the world. Michelle and I appreciate your prayers as we travel during August, and we look forward to returning home with many stories of God’s faithfulness. Until next Sabbath, may God’s grace strengthen your faith, His peace guard your heart, and His joy fill your home.
Maranatha!
Glenn DeSilva