Fundraiser Concert to Benefit the Homeless at the BLCF Cafe Community Dinner November 1, 2014

 

So what is the Bloor Lansdowne (BLCF Café) Community Dinner mentioned in the above poster? Here is an unbiased  review of the dinner operated under the auspices of Bloor Lansdowne Christian Fellowship – BLCF Church:

Pure and Undefiled Religion 

– Gregg and Donna Hanchett   

 

As we approach the completion of the house renovation at Bloor-Lansdowne, we have been seeing God work in exciting ways. The week started at worship on Sunday at the Bloor-Lansdowne Christian Fellowship. They are a small inner-city congregation with a BIG heart. On Sunday there were about 15 people in attendance in a sanctuary that seats about 300. The walls could use a coat of paint, and the sound system was acting up. By most external measures, it would appear to be a church in need of some help. While it is true that every church needs each member to lend a hand, the true measure of this church is what goes on when the worship service is over. When the Sunday Morning worship is finished, another congregation uses the facility– a congregation made up of deaf individuals. At other times during the week, a Portuguese congregation, and later a Spanish congregation use the same facilities to offer praises to the same Lord who understands every language.

 Then on Wednesday evenings, the church fills up again. This time, it fills with the grateful chatter of nearly one hundred hungry people who enjoy the hospitality the church offers during their “Community Dinner”. Dignity, Love and Respect are on the menu here. It is not a “soup kitchen”. It is not a “food giveaway”. It is a community dinner. Free to all who enter. It is a hot meal personally served at the table to every person that walks in the door. It is fellowship and friendly conversation with anyone who desires it. It is a gift of a week’s supply of bread to those who ask. It is an hour’s worth of entertainment by a talented folk singer. It is an evening of dignity displayed toward any person that enters. No questions asked except one: “Can we serve you?”

The contrast between Sunday and Wednesday is striking. On Sunday, fifteen people humbly bowing their heads and praying to the Father and listening to teaching from God’s Word. On Wednesday, those same people reaching out to scores of needy people with a hot meal and the Love of Jesus. It is a ministry of love that quietly speaks volumes directly into the lives of the neediest people of Toronto. And I think Jesus smiles down on the Bloor-Lansdowne Christian Fellowship.   

James 1:27: “Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself unstained by the world.”

 http://volunteeryeartoronto.blogspot.ca/2010/10/pure-and-undefiled-religion.html

Bluegrass Concert to Help the Homeless in the Heart of Toronto October 19

Bluegrass Concert
on Saturday, October 19, 2013 at 7PM, featuring the talents of ‘A Cup of
Cold Water’ in an encore performance.

Suggested Admission $15. All proceeds go to BLCF Cafe
Community Dinner. BLCF Cafe operates every
Wednesday evening from 6-8 PM and feeds over 150 homeless and marginalized
guests weekly, without any government funding or corporate sponsorship.

 

Enjoy ‘A Cup of Cold Water’ perform
Traditional Bluegrass and Bluegrass Gospel in the heart
of Toronto at:

Bloor Lansdowne Christian Fellowship – BLCF Church, 1307
Bloor Street West, Toronto, Saturday, October 19, 2013 at 7PM BLCF is located
just 1 block west of the Lansdowne Station, on the south side of Bloor Street.

BLCF: 416-535-9578  blcfcafe.blogspot.com

Can you imagine catering a dinner for 200 every week for almost 6 years? That is what Sophie Mickelson has done since January 2008. And that includes shopping for food, plates, cups and utensils; food prep; setting up tables and chairs;setting up the sound system;setting up the tables for 200 guests;preparing beverages urns of juice,coffee and tea for 200; preparing deserts;training volunteers; welcoming guests; and when its over cleaning the eating area, kitchen and bathrooms;taking down tables, chairs and sound system, closing and locking up the church. Sometimes there are volunteers to help, but when there are none, Sophie sees that the job is done. And the next Wednesday at BLCF CAFE Community Dinnerr Sophie starts all over again. The 200 dinner guests are not the social elite and high rollers, but the homeless and marginalized men, women and children in the heart of Toronto. Sophie does not seek praise or glory, but needs help feeding the vulnerable. You can help the cause by attending the Bluegrass Concert Fundraiser Saturday October 19 at 7PM. You CAN make a difference!