What to expect when you come to worship at Gladwin Heights United Church.
We are a small, very friendly congregation. As the eighth Affirming congregation in BC, we welcome LGBTQ2SIA+ individuals into our community.
Things you might like to know…
1. Covid vaccinations are recommended; masks are optional.
2. Sunday worship service lasts about an hour and starts at 9:30 am.
3. Most people arrive about between 10 and 20 minutes before the start time of 9:30 a.m. to chat with friends and meet new folks.
4. At the door, a friendly greeter will welcome you. Inside, another Gladwin person will hand you a bulletin (program) for the worship service.
5. If you have any questions, either of these lovely people will help you.
6. You will be invited to sign our guest book, but you don’t have to. If you sign and leave contact information, our minister will follow up with you later in the week.
7. Everything you need to know to follow the service is in your worship bulletin and PowerPoint on the screen.
8. Washrooms are just off the room you first enter the building, before you walk into the Sanctuary.
9. We have chairs in the Sanctuary and you will be invited to sit where you are comfortable.
10. Most Sundays there is children’s story early into the service, and children may be asked to join the minister at the front at that time. They don’t have to!
11. There is a little table with colouring materials near the back of the sanctuary.
12. We don’t mind the noise of restless children or the crying of a baby, but there is a windowed quiet room at the back of the sanctuary if you feel more comfortable.
13. You will have an opportunity to share your prayer concerns during the service, but you don’t have to.
14. You won’t be asked to introduce yourself during the service.
15. It is okay to bring coffee/water into worship.
16. There is no dress code, come in comfortable clothes or dress in your “Sunday best”.
17. Our minister will greet you at the end of the service at the back of the sanctuary.
18. Following the service, coffee & tea are usually served in the hall downstairs.
MORE USEFUL INFORMATION:
1. Most Sundays we have a mixture of old and new music. We generally stand to sing, although folks are welcome to stay seated if standing is difficult.
2. We have musical leadership and an occasional choir.
3. We usually have three readings from the Bible based on the Revised Common Lectionary. We take the bible seriously, but not literally.
4. There is an offering plate on the table as you go into the sanctuary, but as a visitor don’t feel obliged. Our gifts will be blessed and used to support the ministry here in this church and some contributions made to missionary work.
5. There are offering envelopes in the plate if you wish to use one. Amounts over $20 will be issued a tax receipt.
6. We have a communion service several times a year. Everyone is welcome at the communion table, but is not obligated to partake.
7. We have a very strong, friendly United Church Women’s group.
8. ROMEO (Retired Old Men Eating Out) meet for breakfast once a month.
9. Our fundraisers are wonderful church and community events. Did anyone say Fall Fair?
10. We provide food outreach into the community and donate to The Warm Zone, 5 and 2 Ministry, Peardonville, and the Abbotsford Food Bank.
11. We belong to a group of four other United Churches in the Valley and participate in many joint projects, such as the Earth Stewards’ tree planting.
12. We participate in the Fraser Valley Pride Celebration.
13. We are a two-point charge with St. Andrews United Church in Mission. That means we have a shared minister who leaves shortly after our service to be able to start the 11:30 am service in Mission.
14. Our minister and church administrator share office time between Mission and Abbotsford.
Again… We are a very friendly congregation!