Who Are We?

We are a vibrant congregation in the heart of uptown Waterloo.

Our purpose: Building relationships, living God's transforming love.

We express our purpose primarily in 4 areas:

    * Worship

    * Faith Formation and Development

    * Pastoral Care

    * Outreach

Worship

Worship is an integral part of who we are. It is a component of any of our activities from children's programs to committee meetings to choir rehearsals. During our 10:30 a.m. Sunday worship services we gather as a community of faith where we celebrate God's presence and respond to God's call to build relationships and live God’s transforming love. We have a strong tradition of involving lay members in leadership in worship. Our ministry personnel and staff, working with the Worship Committee, prepare the weekly worship services.

Our Ministry of Worship strives to be accessible to all and includes:

    * prayer, music, scripture and preaching

    * funerals, wedding, baptisms

    * accessible worship space

Faith Formation and Development

Our church seeks to find ways to build community and offer safe, supportive places for all ages to explore their faith. Through Christian nurture, each of us grows in our understanding of what it means to be the people of God in our world. We provide learning opportunities for children and youth each week in nursery and Sunday school. Weekly youth group gatherings provide a setting for youth to explore their faith and relationships and to have fun together. Adult study and reflection happen throughout the year through Bible study, Prayer Group, a women's retreat and men's breakfasts, along with opportunities in UCW (United Church Women), at committee gatherings and in individual conversations. We seek God's presence in our lives while exploring our faith and supporting each other.

 Our Ministry of Faith Formation and Development includes:

    * Church school for children and youth

    * small group ministries, Bible study, speakers' series and discussion groups

    * adult membership classes and baptism orientation classes

    * teen confirmation classes

    * youth program

    * sponsorship of Scouts and support of Guides

Pastoral Care

Our church provides care and support to all members and friends of our congregation. We respond to individuals in time of crisis, such as illness or bereavement. We keep in touch with members who are housebound or who live in seniors' residences and can no longer come to church. Our ministry personnel, volunteer visitors, UCW, and many other groups and individuals work to make this church a caring community where each person is able to feel the love of God being shared with one another.

Our Ministry of Pastoral Care includes:

    * a parish nurse who provides support in our congregation and in the surrounding community

    * visits to people in homes, hospitals and seniors' residences

    * relationship and bereavement counselling and support

    * Stephen ministers   

    * a newsletter for the congregation

    * space for foot care clinics

    * social time after worship

Outreach

As people of God, we are called to live out our purpose of building relationships and living God’s transforming love in the world around us. We provide time and financial support for God's work beyond our church walls in our city, in our country and in countries around the world.

Our Outreach Ministry includes:

    * support of the United Church of Canada's Mission & Service Fund

    * "Out of the Cold" which provides food and shelter, each Friday night in the winter, to those in our community who are in need

    * local initiatives for social, economic and political justice

    * care for the environment