Don Heights Group Activities

Don Heights group activities are generally provided for members and friends. Our programs support the well-being of the mind, body and spirit. Programs focus on our Unitarian Universalist (UU) Principles, on current public concerns and on the interests of congregational members. Once a month there’s a potluck Sunday, a perfect time to come and discover Don Heights and share a meal afterwards.

  • Bid Euchre Club This is a group organized by a Don Heights member and some avid card players. They get together on Monday evenings to play bid euchre and to share coffee, cookies and friendship. We appreciate the Bid Euchre player donations of money, work and food to our Out of the Cold weekends at Knox United Church in Agincourt.

    • UU A to Z with John Sproule John’s historical anecdotes about well-known (and some less well known) Unitarian and Universalist personalities will leave you amazed and spellbound. On Zoom the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the month, 7:00 to 8:00pm.
    • Bliss I-Band

      The Bliss I-Band is a social activity program of Don Heights meeting every Wednesday from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm under the music direction of Aaron Lightstone.
      The group provides an opportunity for adults with disabilities and their friends to make music together, playing i-Pad instruments.  Persons who have never played a music instrument or participated in a music group are discovering their unique ways to play world and folk music, jazz, blues, rock and more!
      We welcome helpers/participants.

      Brochures describing the Bliss iBand are available at the entrance to the main hall in Don Heights at 18 Wynford Drive.

    • Virtual Coffee Hour During this time of social distancing, it is especially important to stay connected. This is an invitation to get together at our Don Heights Virtual Coffee Hour, every Wednesday evening at 5:00 pm.

      Grab your favourite beverage and your most comfy clothes and join us for some friendly conversation.

    • DH Coffeehouse Our monthly Coffeehouse nights occur on the second Saturday. The DH Coffeehouse with Open Mic features a number of talented musicians and provides a way for songwriters, musicians, poets and storytellers to share their talents.
    • Don Heights Singers Musical magic happens every Thursday night from 7 to 9 when people who love to sing and socialize gather with our Music Director around our vintage Steinway Grand Piano. An open community choir that has no membership fees or entrance requirements and where all are welcome, the Don Heights Singers perform twice monthly September to June a repertoire that includes original music from its songbook, “Power of Song.”
    • DH Men’s Group Over the years there have been several men’s groups at Don Heights. Our latest group grew out of a small group of curlers interested in Fair Voting. These days, men come together in fellowship, sharing experiences, interests, friendship and family matters. The group fosters wide discussion, with a focus for each meeting. The group encourages “checking-in” among members. Meetings, usually on the fourth or fifth Thursday of the month, are from 11:30am to 1:00, and are open to all. In the past we met for lunch in cafes and in our homes. We are Zoomers at present, with some phone-in participation. Contact John Kennedy, John Sproule or Ron Weigand.
    • DH Women’s Group Once a month, on the last Friday of every month the women of Don Heights are invited to meet at each others’ homes or on Zoom to relax and talk and laugh and get to know each other. The name of this group – Wine, Women and Spirituality was originally inspired by a book called The Spirituality of Wine by Tom Harpur. We have no set agenda for our group other than to take a break from solving problems whether they be personal, Don Heights or universal. As the years go by there is less wine and more inspiring conversation. Monthly locations are listed in the Bulletin / calendar.
    • Don Heights Sharing our Art Event Acknowledging the many artistic talents of “Don Heighters” and friends, we organize an annual show of art works with an opening reception, featuring the artists. We enjoy the artwork throughout the month of May as it hangs at Don Heights.
    • Festival Theatre Nights FT is a monthly evening entertainment with coffee and dessert at Don Heights and the showing of classical movies with diverse themes. All movies have English subtitles providing a welcoming night out to those with hearing challenges. Unfortunately, this program is on pause during the pandemic.

    • Harari Discussion Group This group, led by Shirley McNaughton, John Kennedy and Ron Weigand, meets online normally at 1pm on the fourth Thursday of the month. Originally started to discuss the startlingly new ideas of Yuval Harari and his books Sapiens, Homo Deus and 21 Lessons for the 21st Century, our discussions have broadened to include the impact of AI through social media and how it is not only preventing us from dealing effectively with the challenge of global warming but threatening democracy itself. Two TED talks by Yuval Harari and by Carole Cadwalladr will provide an idea of the topics we discuss; there are many more.
    • Meditation Practice GroupThe Sunday Morning Meditation Practice Group gathers at 9:30 am via Zoom. We enter the quiet private breakout room at 9:45 am. The group begins with a contemplative reading or quote and is followed by a short guided meditation to settle into the space and our bodies before a longer silent meditation. We end the session in time for you to have a short break before the service begins at 10:30. This is an ongoing group open to anyone who wants to develop their meditation practice.
    • Multifaith Spiritual Dialogue Circle A monthly reflection group for people from different faiths and none, which focused on topics for discussion led by Interfaith minister Rev. Michelle Singh.

  • Starch Solution Meetup and Potluck Good, healthy, plant-based food. This is a welcoming, self-care opportunity organized by member Judy Newman for the 3rd Sunday of each month after our Sunday Service. The program is based on the principles of Dr. John McDougall’s book The Starch Solution: Eat the Foods You Love, Regain Your Health, and Lose the Weight for Good as well as the ideas of Dr. Michael Greger and Dr. Neil Barnard. The group has been steadily growing in popularity. Changing to a plant-based diet also benefits the earth.