WHO WE ARE
THE UNITED CHURCH
Calvary United Church is part of a group of churches (called a denomination) named The United Church of Canada.
The United Church was formed in 1925 when the Methodist, Presbyterian and Congregationalist churches in Canada decided to work and worship together. The United Church is the 2nd largest denomination in Canada. We have been known for taking stands on the inclusion of everyone in our church. We were the first denomination in Canada to recognize women as equals to men in the ministry, and we decided that sexual orientation does not prevent a person from becoming a member or a minister in the United Church.
The country is divided up into different regions. In Saskatchewan, we are part of the Living Skies Region.
On June 10, 2018, Calvary became an Affirming Ministry. The Vision Statement on the home page speaks to this vision of inclusivity that we strive to live out. AffirmUnited.com
Calvary United Church is part of a group of churches (called a denomination) named The United Church of Canada.
The United Church was formed in 1925 when the Methodist, Presbyterian and Congregationalist churches in Canada decided to work and worship together. The United Church is the 2nd largest denomination in Canada. We have been known for taking stands on the inclusion of everyone in our church. We were the first denomination in Canada to recognize women as equals to men in the ministry, and we decided that sexual orientation does not prevent a person from becoming a member or a minister in the United Church.
The country is divided up into different regions. In Saskatchewan, we are part of the Living Skies Region.
On June 10, 2018, Calvary became an Affirming Ministry. The Vision Statement on the home page speaks to this vision of inclusivity that we strive to live out. AffirmUnited.com
CALVARY UNITED CHURCH HISTORY
In the Summer of 1953, Wesley United Church and the Board of Home Missions discerned the need for a new Church to service the growing population on the Hill. In 1954 a Sunday School was started in the West Hill Hall. With a lot of work from a dedicated group of people and the help of Wesley United, Calvary United started to become a reality. The first services were held in Vincent Massy School in 1957. In 1958, the new congregation moved into what is now the Church Hall with the Rev. Bob McLellan as their Minister. The present Sanctuary was opened in 1965 and has served as a house of prayer and service for the community of faith ever since.
In the Summer of 1953, Wesley United Church and the Board of Home Missions discerned the need for a new Church to service the growing population on the Hill. In 1954 a Sunday School was started in the West Hill Hall. With a lot of work from a dedicated group of people and the help of Wesley United, Calvary United started to become a reality. The first services were held in Vincent Massy School in 1957. In 1958, the new congregation moved into what is now the Church Hall with the Rev. Bob McLellan as their Minister. The present Sanctuary was opened in 1965 and has served as a house of prayer and service for the community of faith ever since.
PAST MINISTERS
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THE CONGREGATION
The congregation is what we call the people who are a part of our church. Some of these people are formal members of the church, some are regular attendees but not members, some are part of the congregation but can’t attend Sunday worship, and some are new people who have come to see what our church is all about. There are approximately 125-175 people who are in church on Sunday, depending upon the time of year, and others who join us virtually through our online services. These can be found HERE or on our YouTube Channel. There are around 300 families who call our church home. All of the people in our congregation are important.
The people of our congregation come from different backgrounds and cultures. There are blue collar workers and white collar workers. There are people struggling to make ends meet and some who are well off financially. Some people live close to the church, some travel from out of town. There are many different types of people that attend our church.
The congregation is what we call the people who are a part of our church. Some of these people are formal members of the church, some are regular attendees but not members, some are part of the congregation but can’t attend Sunday worship, and some are new people who have come to see what our church is all about. There are approximately 125-175 people who are in church on Sunday, depending upon the time of year, and others who join us virtually through our online services. These can be found HERE or on our YouTube Channel. There are around 300 families who call our church home. All of the people in our congregation are important.
The people of our congregation come from different backgrounds and cultures. There are blue collar workers and white collar workers. There are people struggling to make ends meet and some who are well off financially. Some people live close to the church, some travel from out of town. There are many different types of people that attend our church.
WHAT WE DO and WHY
A Lutheran author, Michael Foss, talks about six marks of discipleship. What he means is that there are six activities that make a church a church. As Christians we try to do all of these things in our personal lives. Our church as a whole does all of these things, too:
WORSHIP
We come together every Sunday to worship God. It is important to be together so we can share the joy and sorrow of our lives. We sing, we pray, we hear about God’s faithful people in the past, and we commit ourselves to be God’s faithful people today. As we celebrate God’s love for us, we feel that love ever more present in our lives.
PRAYER
During our worship services, before meetings and before eating together, we pray. Sometimes we read words off a piece of paper, sometimes a leader says a prayer while we bow our heads, sometimes we offer our own prayers silently. We pray so that we can better understand what God’s wishes are for our health and serenity.
Some special prayerful activities have been: labyrinth walking, Advent and Lent evening study times, praying for individuals by name during worship and at pastoral care meetings, knitting or crocheting prayer shawls for those who need God’s strength in their lives.
GIVING
We believe that there is more to life than just the material realities we can see. So, we give some of our material wealth to others who need it. We give money to the church to provide for the church building, salaries of paid staff and for the mission projects we do. We also give to the United Church’s Mission and Service Fund which provides for mission in Canada, worldwide, and for the United Church of Canada as a whole. We also hold several fun fundraisers: Skills and Services Auction, Sales of Christmas Wreaths, Garage Sale, Cake and Pie Auction, Muffin Sales, and so much more.
Donations are collected and blessed during Sunday Worship. Some people give cash, cheques or send E-Transfers. Most sign up for Pre-Authorized Remittance (PAR) where donations are transferred directly. This generosity, that empowers the ministry and outreach, is tax deductible. Tax receipts are issued in February.
SERVING
This is serving in the broadest sense. Jesus healed the sick and fed the hungry. The early Christians cared for the poor. We reach out to others using the gifts and skills we have.
We provide emergency food hampers through our Care and Share Food Hamper program and organize Christmas Hampers for members of the wider community. People from our church visit at the Victoria Hospital and many of the Long Term Care Facilities in our community. We regularly lead worship services at Long Term Care Facilities. We provide rides to church for those who cannot drive anymore. We have sponsored refugee families. We support Camp Tapawingo at Candle Lake. We support other community groups by collecting mittens, scarves, socks, and underwear during the winter months and donating them to groups such as Community Detox, Our House, Stepping Stone, and much more.
COMMUNITY
Jesus did not live alone. He lived in a community of people, some who were like him, some who were very different from him. As Jesus lived, so we too live, not alone but in a church. We sometimes call our church a “faith community” or a “church family”. We sometimes gather as a whole church, and we sometimes gather in smaller groups.
Every Sunday we have a time of fellowship after worship. Fair trade coffee is provided, and there are always some great treats! We use this time to get to know each other a little better. We encourage everyone to join a Church "House" to participate in activities or volunteering. Our Youth are invited to participate in Calvary United Church Youth for fun activities. Children’s events are held throughout the year. Even the committees of the church find that as they work together they get to know different people better.
FAITH EDUCATION
Part of sharing the good news of God’s love for all creation involves teaching others about what the Bible says about who God and Jesus are. We also learn from sharing each other’s faith experiences and looking at what is said about God inside and outside the church. Calvary United Church has a strong history of creating different learning groups.
At Calvary, we love our children, so it is not surprising that we want to teach them and learn from them. There is a special time for children during our worship services when we communicate God’s love in age appropriate ways. After the story time, the children, 3 years and older, are encouraged to go downstairs for Sunday School classes. Parents are always welcome to accompany their children.
We have an adult bible study group that meets weekly and other topical adult studies that occur during Advent and Lent. Confirmation classes are held for youth aged 14 and older, and there are separate classes for adults.
WORSHIP
We come together every Sunday to worship God. It is important to be together so we can share the joy and sorrow of our lives. We sing, we pray, we hear about God’s faithful people in the past, and we commit ourselves to be God’s faithful people today. As we celebrate God’s love for us, we feel that love ever more present in our lives.
PRAYER
During our worship services, before meetings and before eating together, we pray. Sometimes we read words off a piece of paper, sometimes a leader says a prayer while we bow our heads, sometimes we offer our own prayers silently. We pray so that we can better understand what God’s wishes are for our health and serenity.
Some special prayerful activities have been: labyrinth walking, Advent and Lent evening study times, praying for individuals by name during worship and at pastoral care meetings, knitting or crocheting prayer shawls for those who need God’s strength in their lives.
GIVING
We believe that there is more to life than just the material realities we can see. So, we give some of our material wealth to others who need it. We give money to the church to provide for the church building, salaries of paid staff and for the mission projects we do. We also give to the United Church’s Mission and Service Fund which provides for mission in Canada, worldwide, and for the United Church of Canada as a whole. We also hold several fun fundraisers: Skills and Services Auction, Sales of Christmas Wreaths, Garage Sale, Cake and Pie Auction, Muffin Sales, and so much more.
Donations are collected and blessed during Sunday Worship. Some people give cash, cheques or send E-Transfers. Most sign up for Pre-Authorized Remittance (PAR) where donations are transferred directly. This generosity, that empowers the ministry and outreach, is tax deductible. Tax receipts are issued in February.
SERVING
This is serving in the broadest sense. Jesus healed the sick and fed the hungry. The early Christians cared for the poor. We reach out to others using the gifts and skills we have.
We provide emergency food hampers through our Care and Share Food Hamper program and organize Christmas Hampers for members of the wider community. People from our church visit at the Victoria Hospital and many of the Long Term Care Facilities in our community. We regularly lead worship services at Long Term Care Facilities. We provide rides to church for those who cannot drive anymore. We have sponsored refugee families. We support Camp Tapawingo at Candle Lake. We support other community groups by collecting mittens, scarves, socks, and underwear during the winter months and donating them to groups such as Community Detox, Our House, Stepping Stone, and much more.
COMMUNITY
Jesus did not live alone. He lived in a community of people, some who were like him, some who were very different from him. As Jesus lived, so we too live, not alone but in a church. We sometimes call our church a “faith community” or a “church family”. We sometimes gather as a whole church, and we sometimes gather in smaller groups.
Every Sunday we have a time of fellowship after worship. Fair trade coffee is provided, and there are always some great treats! We use this time to get to know each other a little better. We encourage everyone to join a Church "House" to participate in activities or volunteering. Our Youth are invited to participate in Calvary United Church Youth for fun activities. Children’s events are held throughout the year. Even the committees of the church find that as they work together they get to know different people better.
FAITH EDUCATION
Part of sharing the good news of God’s love for all creation involves teaching others about what the Bible says about who God and Jesus are. We also learn from sharing each other’s faith experiences and looking at what is said about God inside and outside the church. Calvary United Church has a strong history of creating different learning groups.
At Calvary, we love our children, so it is not surprising that we want to teach them and learn from them. There is a special time for children during our worship services when we communicate God’s love in age appropriate ways. After the story time, the children, 3 years and older, are encouraged to go downstairs for Sunday School classes. Parents are always welcome to accompany their children.
We have an adult bible study group that meets weekly and other topical adult studies that occur during Advent and Lent. Confirmation classes are held for youth aged 14 and older, and there are separate classes for adults.
