Programs and Groups
Worship is the
high point of our week together. The community
gathers every Sunday at 10:00 am in a sanctuary which seats about 300.
Our worship is a blend of traditional and contemporary styles.
It is lively and energetic, yet dignified and respectful of those
who worship. We like to mark the seasons of the
church year, from Advent to Pentecost, and our liturgy includes
congregational responses, prayers that are spoken and silent, readings
from the Bible and sermons that attempt to help make the Bible
accessible to the congregation so as to inspire a vibrant contemporary
faith. We celebrate Communion every couple of months
and our table is open to all. Even children, with
their parent’s permission, are invited to take part.
Music makes up a large part of worship. Our new music
director, William Outred has been with the congregation since February
2011 following our previous music director of 33 years.
Our hymn book is Voices United and there are many new hymns we
have yet to try. Our exceptionally talented choir of
25 voices usually sings twice during each service of worship.
The pipe organ in the sanctuary is a magnificent instrument that
has been rebuilt and added to several times. Parts of
it are over 100 years old, but the console is a modern solid state unit
that includes two manuals. The sanctuary also has a beautiful Yamaha
grand piano and
William plays both instruments beautifully.
We offer the hymns for the day in large print. Just
ask one of the ushers for them. The sanctuary has
elevator access and space for wheelchairs.
Children are always welcome at worship and there is a time set
aside during each worship service especially for them prior to their
going to class. There is also a quiet room at the
back of the church in which parents can see and hear the service, while
attending to the needs of their infants, and there is a nursery
downstairs, staffed by caring adult volunteers.
Music Ministry - Fonthill United Church is fortunate to have an excellent choir which meets not just for music, but also for social occasions. Depending on the time of year, the choir may have 25 voices, and that makes it fun for all. The choir normally practices on Thursdays at 7:30 pm at the church. If you are interested in joining the choir, just come to one of the practices. You will be welcomed right away! The choir normally breaks for the summer, but then takes responsibility for leading worship on the Labour Day weekend.
Education - Learning is a life-long process, and Christian faith grows and develops as we learn more about ourselves in relation to others and to God. In the past few years we have offered discussion groups that have met after worship on Sunday for an hour between January and Easter. We have explored the Living the Questions Series, including Saving Jesus, and First Light. Discussion follows a video presentation. We’re planning to do it again this January and everyone will be welcome to come.
Pastoral Care - The minister welcomes the opportunity to accompany people going through times of sickness and other difficulty. We hope that if you are in need of pastoral care, or know of someone who is, that you or a family member will contact the church office to let us know. If you are calling on behalf of someone else, please tell them what you are doing. Every week we publish a prayer list in the bulletin and when requested we mention them in the prayers of the people.
Shepherd Visitors - In many ways the congregation provides pastoral care to members and others who are going through the difficult times of life. The ordained minister works in partnership with a committee calling itself the Shepherd Visitors. The Shepherd Visitors function as a pastoral care committee to make friendly visits to people who are “shut-in” their own homes, who live in Senior’s homes or who are in hospital. The Shepherd Visitors also arrange for a Communion Tea twice a year for seniors in the congregation and to provide communion in the home for people who are not able to get to church.
Shawl Ministry – Spiritual care and the love of knitting (and crochet) have been combined into a prayerful ministry that reaches out to those in need of comfort or solace. This Prayer Shawl group meets to enjoy a time of fellowship while knitting and crocheting beautiful shawls to be donated to those in hospital, going through a recovery, to celebrate a birth – the possibilities for the shawls’ use are endless! The knitter begins each shawl with prayers for the recipient. Intentions are continued throughout the creation of the shawl. When the shawl is completed, it is offered a final ritual before being delivered to the recipient. For more information, contact the church for meeting times. You can also read more about this ministry at www.shawlministry.com
United Church Women (UCW) - The purpose of the UCW is to unite the women of the congregation to the total mission of our church and to provide a medium through which we may express our loyalty and devotion to Jesus Christ in Christian witness, study, fellowship and service. All the women of the congregation automatically become members of the UCW and are welcome to come to the meetings and to participate. Meetings are normally held on the second Wednesday of the month at 1.30 pm in the Friendship Room. The meetings vary every month. We also have a very active quilting group which meets most weeks and even if you don’t sew, you are always welcome to join them for coffee! The UCW caters for funerals, memorials and other receptions for members and friends of the church and also provide soup and cookies at the “Lenten Lunches” and host “Lessons, Carols and Cookies” in December. We continue to support Mission projects in the Niagara area, as well as the Canadian Hunger Foundation and the United Church World Development & Relief.
Men’s Breakfast Group - The Fonthill United Church Men's group is an active club, which normally meets on the third Saturday of January, February, March, October and November (and sometimes in September.) We hold our meetings in the morning, serving breakfast at 8:00 am followed by a devotional/singing, and a time for invited members of the community at large to come and speak on a variety of topics. At times the spouses are invited to the breakfast. The cost for the breakfast meeting is $5.00. Our biggest event is the organizing of a Spaghetti Supper in late April/early May in conjunction with the UCW’s Flea Market. We are a group that enjoys food and fellowship together and we hope you will join us.
Friendship Group - This group meets almost monthly for evening social events. Come as a couple or with a friend. If you come by yourself, you will make a friend! Events include a Valentine Party in February, going to Garden City Productions, Concerts, Pot Luck suppers, and walks through Shorthills Park. Anyone wishing to come to a Friendship Group event can just come, but if the event requires a ticket, please contact the church office in advance at (905) 892-6433 or email to fonthilu@vaxxine.com
Church membership is more than joining an organization.
It is a personal expression of faith; one of the ways we commit
ourselves to following in the path of Jesus and become part of the
Christian community. When people come to us from
other congregations in which they have been members, we send for their
certificates of transfer, and membership is automatic.
Sometimes when people join us, it is the first congregation they
have ever been members of, and we celebrate that too.
Periodically, we have New Members Orientation events and then introduce
the new members to the congregations during a service of worship.
New members are also invited to take part in any of the study
groups we have, to help them explore their faith and to prepare them for
church membership. The minister would also be happy
to recommend some reading and to discuss your journey of faith with you.
We welcome all who want to affirm or reaffirm their faith by becoming
members of the church. You do not have to believe
specific doctrines in order to become a member of the United Church of
Canada. Just be willing to follow in the path of
Jesus, and to be part of this faith community. If you
are interested in becoming a member of Fonthill United, the minister
would be glad to welcome you.
Quilters
