Chapel in the Park United Church, Toronto, Ontario

LIVING FAITH STORY - 2023

Chapel in the Park United Church is the amalgamation of Thorncliffe Park United Church and Don Mills United Church. Don Mills United Church's history began in 1819 while Thorncliffe Park United Church began its history in 1962. In 1999 - 2000, Don Mills and Thorncliffe, became a Two Point Charge known as Don Mills-Thorncliffe Park Pastoral Charge.

The process of amalgamation was decided by the two congregations in November, 2021. An Amalgamation Committee was formed to produce the necessary documents to proceed with the amalgamation. On April 6, 2022, Shining Waters Regional Council approved our joining together.

The Thorncliffe community is a diversified area with many nationalities living in 33 apartment buildings.

We are a multicultural congregation who are now enjoying our worship services via Zoom, Live Stream, and in-house. We have three TV screens in the sanctuary where anyone who is not able to be on Zoom may come to worship in the church.

We share our facility with St. Edith Stein Catholic Church, Thorncliffe Park Christian Church, Montessori Education and Thorncliffe Park AA Group. Space is also rented out to The Neighbourhood Office that helps newcomers settle in the area.

We are a very active congregation in fundraising by holding luncheons, dinners, and a yearly yard sale. These functions help with the finances of the church and outreach to our community. Another part of the outreach, is our involvement in the City of Toronto Clean-up for "Earth Day", sending clothing, linen, books and toys to the Philippines, supporting Massey Centre, Fred Victor Centre, Ina Grafton Gage Home, Canadian Foodgrains Bank, and Fight4Freedom.

We have pride in our past history and faith for our future. We are grateful for the ministry of the servants of Christ as we move forward to serve the community of Thorncliffe Park and Don Mills.

Our Mission

We are committed to be a warm and welcoming church for all people of diverse backgrounds and identities, to worship and learn about God and Jesus Christ together under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

As a faith community, we respect the individual spiritual gifts, talents and contributions offered to the glory of God for the care of humanity and God’s creation.

Our Vision

Called by God to be disciples of Jesus, we help to establish God’s Kingdom on Earth.

We endeavour to work together with all peoples, religions and beliefs, locally and globally, to enhance our knowledge of the work of the Holy Spirit.

We seek to establish a place of comfort, inspiration and transformation where everyone is able to use and develop one’s spiritual gifts for the glory of God.

We will be an evolving congregation of hope-filled community united in spirituality, inspiring worship and daring justice.

Rev. Dr. Paul Shepherd was born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, but has lived most of his life in the Toronto area. Growing up he spent 1 year in England and 1 year in Sweden.

Rev Paul completed a PhD in physics at York University and worked for over 15 years as an environmental scientist in both the public and private sectors, primarily in the area of resource management. He is also a software developer. Paul moved from scientific work into ministry in the United Church of Canada in 2006.

Rev Paul has held several interesting ministry positions in the Greater Toronto area. He spent 6 years making regular visits to inmates in a correctional facility. He published the book “Evolving Christianity” in 2020 to help the church deal more effectively with racism in the church. He created the podcast, “Rational Christianity” in 2022.

Rev Paul comes to us from Brantford. He is attracted to the Thorncliffe Park neighbourhood because of its diversity of people, gifts, and needs.

Rev Paul’s main passions in ministry are around community engagement, interfaith work, and emotional/spiritual healing. He has particular interests in forgiveness, grieving, and mindfulness meditation. He teaches and lives a progressive approach to the Christian faith.

Paul's hobbies include cycling and hand drumming. He and his wife, Marjorie, live in downtown Toronto with their cat, Leo.