Our Ministry
City View has been blessed to be able to offer faithful ministry in: Worship, Christian Development, Pastoral Care, and Mission and Service and Outreach.
Our church celebrates the vibrancy of its worship. In worship we gather as a community of faith where we celebrate God’s presence and respond to God’s call to service in our world. Our ministry personnel, working with our organist and Worship Committee, prepare the weekly worship services. We have a strong tradition of involving lay members in leadership in our worship. We offer worship every Sunday, and special worship services at other times.
This area of ministry involves:
• ministry leadership in weekly worship/preaching
• providing a blended style of worship embracing both contemporary and traditional styles of liturgy and music
• special services e.g. Blue Christmas, Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday
• funerals, weddings, baptisms
• Monthly Worship programs at four senior’s facilities in the community
• the organist/choir director, senior choir, special music
• sanctuary banners and decorations
• scripture readers
• audio operators
• ushers, greeters, and counters
• coffee servers for fellowship time after services
Our Worship ministry makes a difference in the lives of our church family.
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Through Christian nurture, each of us grows in our knowledge of what it means to be the people of God in our world.
We provide education for children and youth, preschool to Grade 11, at church school each Sunday during the church service hour at 10:30 a.m. A nursery is available for babies and toddlers up to age 3. Our youth group meets on Sunday mornings to study matters of faith. They also participate in other activities to demonstrate/ learn more of their faith (e.g. 24 hour famine). In July, we host Camp Awesome (vacation Bible School).
Adult study and reflection happen throughout the year through weekly Bible study groups. Special 5-6 week Bible studies are frequently held during Advent and Lent. In our adult gatherings, we seek to keep present the mystery of God’s presence in our lives as we explore, question, and talk together.
This area of ministry involves support from members of the congregation in:
•children and youth programs
•small group ministries, Bible study, and discussion groups
• teen confirmation classes
• Camp Awesome
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We offer ongoing care and support to all members and friends of our congregation.
We respond to individuals in times 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 Pastoral Care Team also sponsors study nights for seniors and care-givers on subjects such as accessing public health resources, coping with dementia, and other topics related to ageing. Our ministry personnel and volunteer visitors want to make this church a caring community where each person is able to feel the love of God being shared with one another.
This area of ministry involves both ministers and members of the congregation in:
– Visits to homes, hospitals and seniors’ residences
– Bereavement counselling and new member visits
– Beginnings support group for widows and widowers
– Driving people to church
– Blue Christmas services
Our pastoral care ministry devotes particular attention to making a difference in the lives of our senior parishioners.
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Mission and Service and Outreach
Our congregation has a strong ministry of outreach both locally and through the Mission and Service Fund of the United Church. We are called to seek justice and equality for others. Mission and Service donations support congregations, programs, and new church development. Some of the money is spent in Canadian outreach programs, some on international relief and development programs, some to train ministers, some to maintain ecumenical relationships, and some to administer the work of the church. Throughout the year, we reach out and provide additional support and funding to special projects as needs are identified. These projects may be in our local community or farther afield.
This area of ministry includes:
– Mission and Service Fund support
– Delivery of food vouchers to persons in need
– Hamper Project -food and gifts for 75-100 families each Christmas
– Baskets for shut-ins at Christmas
– Support to the Carlington Chaplaincy through selling food vouchers to congregation members.
– Pizza Video Nights with speakers and/or videos discussing social, environmental or justice issues.
– Algonquin College Campus Ministry – providing a Pause-Coffee Break for 200-300 Algonquin students during exam weeks
– Supporting Foster Farm breakfast program which serves 10,000 breakfasts and 7000 lunches to needy children each year
– Support of programs at Debra Dynes Family House
– Refugee sponsorship and
– Providing meeting space to Scouts, addiction support groups, and other local support groups,