Forest Hill 
September 13, 2026
Hello, Forest Hill United Church!
My name is Karen Chandler, and I am delighted to be joining you as your new Minister starting September 1, 2026. I have been a member of the United Church for 50 years, and in May of this year, I graduated from Emmanuel College in Toronto with a Master of Divinity degree. I continue my journey through the United Church’s Candidacy Pathway toward ordained ministry.
My ministry interests include worship and preaching, particularly intergenerational worship, pastoral care, spirituality and the arts, community outreach, and creating places and spaces where people feel welcomed, able to belong, and encouraged to offer their own gifts and talents with others. I believe ministry is something we do together as we listen for where God may be leading us.
I look forward to learning your names and stories, hearing about the traditions you treasure, your hopes for Forest Hill, the congregation and the wider community, and participating in the life and worship of your congregation. Thank you for welcoming me into your church family. I am excited to discover what God may have in store for us.
With much gratitude and excitement,
Karen Chandler
How To Connect to Us RemotelyClick HERE to join the service on your computer or mobile device Click HERE to go to our congregation's YouTube channel Click the "Read More" below for detailed instructions |
Church School Sundays at 11am
September - June
In-person Church School is offered September - June. Please bring your kids with you to church at 11am. They'll go out with Ann Fraser, a certified Early Childhood Educator, about 10 minutes after the beginning of the Worship Service.
Over the summer months we take a break from church school programming, but we continue to offer basic child care with a certified Early Childhood Educator.
Thanks for Supporting our "Little Free Pantry"
Our Little Pantry is emptied and refilled almost every day of the year. Drop by and check it out!
Most people think of Forest Hill as a neighbourhood of leafy trees, detached homes and people earning high incomes. What many people do not realize is that Forest Hill is also home to people on fixed incomes, immigrants and people who do not earn high salaries. These people may live in a home on a leafy street, an apartment building or in Toronto Community Housing. A characteristic they all share is the fact inflation is creating financial stress in their lives and may be contributing to food insecurity.
We are Accessible!
Did you kno
w that Forest Hill United Church was built in 1940. Imagine trying to raise money for a church during world war II.
During the next 86 years the church went through a variety of renovations and an extensive addition around 1960 where the sanctuary was expanded and the new front entrance was built.
Our latest addition is the elevator, which is now operational.
Our church is now wheel accessible from the parking lot to all the floors and we have some accessible washrooms too.
Come in and take a look.
Events in our Region
Our Congregation is a member of the Shining Waters Regional Council, and there are events hosted by our neighbouring congregations which are varied and exciting. Check out what our neighbours are doing!
Forest Hill United Church - Living Faith Story
Forest Hill United Church is an intercultural community, created from several Christian denominations, and many socio-economic statuses. We come to church from throughout the city. Our diversity is our strength; we accept our differences and share this important aspect of who we are.
Our small welcoming community is created from incredible individuals who care and accept each other with listening ears, compassion and acceptance of our evolving church family. We walk together through all types of experiences, so we never need to walk alone. Our community is responsive to each member’s choice of orientation, gender, neurodiversity status and to those individuals seeking or questioning in their lives. Our care for each other is evident in how we look out for and support each other and support our church as our first and last home in Christ.
Jesus, spoke through parables, metaphors and used vivid imagery to convey difficult truths. Through symbolism, we liken ourselves to a honeybee hive, a small but mighty community, filled with worker bees in unity and cooperation working together for common good, just as followers of Jesus are called to work in unity. We seek pastoral guidance and leadership to continue our faith journey within our community.
P.S. The 🐝 bee emoji carries rich symbolism representing hard work, productivity, sweetness, community, and environmental awareness. These are some of our values.