Join us at Runnymede United Church in the west end of Toronto on Sunday, April 27th, for an afternoon of nourishment with Steph & Paul. Whether you’re a seasoned songbird or someone who only ever sings in the shower, you are so welcome!

Sunday, April 27th
3 to 5 pm
Runnymede United Church
(432 Runnymede Road, Toronto)

Sustaining Contribution: $33
Supported: $11- 22
Supporter: $44
Benefactor: $55+

Registration is now open!

Space is limited to 35 participants.

Hope is an active practice, and we can't build the more beautiful, peaceful, loving world our hearts yearn for without it. Let's gather for two hours of wholehearted singing to root down into what is possible and reinvigorate our trust that the little actions we take every day make a difference, especially when guided by love. Come! Let's take time to remember we belong to one another and we are at home in the world.

"I don't know everything, but I know you
You don't know everything, but you know me
We are loving beings doing our best
We need mercy, we need care, we need rest"
~ from "I Know You" by Paul Barton


Here's what to expect:

  • A welcoming environment that embraces you and your voice as they are.

  • Permission and encouragement to explore your voice at your own pace.

  • Opportunities to connect with like-hearted humans and experience a sense of community.

  • Easy-to-learn, heart-softening songs, ranging from playful to powerful and sacred, that will leave you feeling oh-so-OK in all of your tenderness.


About Steph & Paul

Steph and Paul began leading community song circles at Runnymede United Church (RUC) on January 20th, 2019. For five years, they held weekly in-person song circles when possible and moved the gatherings online during the COVID-19 lockdowns. In March 2024, they relocated to Kingston, Ontario to be closer to their families, but made sure their community of songbirds could continue without them. Now, six years since that first song circle, weekly song circles at RUC are held by Toronto Community Singing, a grassroots group of people passionate about singing and community. Steph and Paul return to Toronto as often as they can to keep the spirit of community singing alive.

Known by some as a musical “wizard,” Paul Barton makes clever use of his education in Jazz guitar and experience as a professional musician to help song circles run seamlessly. Steph Drouin is a trained community choir leader, Expressive Arts Therapist and expert space holder. Informed by a life-long relationship with anxiety, she is passionate about creating spaces where you can feel safe to show up exactly as you are.

Get ready! As a team of gifted space holders and song weavers, Steph & Paul will not only create an accessible and uplifting musical experience for you but also an environment that is welcoming of your fierce and tender human self.

Spaces are limited and previous events have sold out.
Please register to avoid disappointment.

 

Since ancient times, people have gathered to sing as a way of caring for themselves, each other, and the more-than-human world. Let's reclaim our collective wellness through the practice of community singing. Come find joy, strength, and solace in song with us.


FAQs

Who Is This For?

All voices, ages and levels are welcome. No musical experience is necessary. In fact, people who only sing in the shower or car are especially welcome. We are all capable of making beautiful sound, and we would love to help you experience this birthright.

This event is geared more toward teens and adults. Young people who can remain engaged in the singing or be quietly present throughout the event are most welcome. If bringing a young, active child would support you to show up, please be in touch with us and we will navigate the way forward together.

Our rental agreement with Runnymede United Church allows us to use the Kingsbury Room and bathrooms. The kitchen can be used briefly to fill water bottles. Please stay within these areas and ensure that children remain with the group. When children need to use the bathroom or kitchen, an adult must accompany them.


How can I support this offering?

A: The suggested or "sustaining" contributions for each event are below. We use the term "sustaining" to let you know that this is the amount we need to receive per person on average to sustainably continue offering our workshops. The beauty of community is that where some can give less, others can give more, and it all works out.

Sustaining Contribution: $33 per adult (Why? Because Steph just turned 33 and multiples of 11 are fun! Also, $30 felt too low and $35 felt too high, so we landed in the middle. ☺)
Supported: $11- 22
Supporter: $44
Benefactor: $55+

If the suggested contributions are a barrier to your participation, please don't hesitate to reach out to steph@fiercelyok.ca. We would be happy to discuss options to support your participation, like payment plans, energy exchanges, and COME RECEIVE spots.

To avoid payment processing fees, you may send an e-transfer to gifts@fiercelyok.ca (no password required). Select "Pay by invoice" at the checkout and send your e-transfer before completing your registration or immediately after. Your registration will be confirmed upon receipt of your contribution. Thank you!


How do you support people of all abilities, identities and singing experiences to participate?

While we acknowledge that we have work to do, we are endeavouring to create spaces in which folks of all abilities, identities and singing experiences are able to participate in ways that are satisfying to them. All songs will be taught in the repeat-after-me style and will be simple enough to learn in one sitting.

If you feel concerned about being able to pick up the lyrics, rest assured that we will teach the songs in bite-size chunks and check in with you often. If a chunk is too long, we will teach a shorter chunk. We will move at a human pace and leave no one behind. If visual aids are helpful for you, please bring along a little notebook to jot down the lyrics and let us know if you would like any assistance catching the words. We're here to support you!

Unfortunately, the space is not wheelchair accessible. We apologize, and we hope you will find reassurance in knowing that we will offer events in accessible spaces in the future.

When we host events at Runnymede United Church, we treat all bathrooms as gender-neutral, inviting all participants to use the bathroom closest to the Kingsbury Room. This bathroom contains two toilet stalls.

While we are working to anticipate your needs, we warmly invite you, if and when you feel safe enough, to let us know how we can best support you to show up. Together, as a community, we will grow.


What is your wellness/COVID policy?

We are currently asking that participants complete their own wellness self-assessment prior to attending Fiercely OK events. Please attend only if you are feeling well and have not recently been sick or been in contact with someone who was sick. If you are unsure of whether you should attend, please complete this self-assessment: https://www.ontario.ca/self-assessment/ and reach out to Steph. If any symptoms of COVID-19, flu or other contagious illness become apparent during the event or in the 5 days after the event, please notify Steph right away.

Decisions regarding if and how to practice physical distancing at Fiercely OK events are left to the discretion of individuals in attendance. Masks are optional and most likely *will not* be worn by most participants. We ask that all participants exercise caution and sensitivity with regard to masking, maintaining physical distance, and practising hand hygiene in the presence of other participants. In case the circumstances require masking, we recommend that you bring a well-fitting N95 mask with you to the event. Please note that these guidelines and protocols are subject to change at any time without notice.


What is your refund policy?

We consider requests for refunds on a case-by-case basis. While we do not guarantee refunds for cancellations, unplanned absences or no-shows, we are committed to our relationship with you! Please be in touch with any concerns; we will work together to find an agreeable solution.

If you must cancel your attendance due to illness, you will be offered a credit which can be applied towards a future event hosted by Steph & Paul. If we need to cancel/postpone our workshop for any reason, we will offer participants the option to receive a full refund.


Any other questions?

Please do not hesitate to reach out to steph@fiercelyok.ca.