Mission Statement
In response to God's love, and guided by Christ's spirit, we journey together; a growing, nurturing and forgiving community, joyfully reaching out to all with compassion and hope.
Clergy: Rev. Dr. Bruce Sweet
Dr. Sweet was ordained by London conference in 1976 and settled in Saskatchewan. In 1979 he enrolled in the Canadian Armed Forces where he served as a military chaplain for twenty years. He was called to Emmanuel in January 2006 after serving 7 years at Glenburnie Pastoral Charge in Kingston Presbytery.
Dr. Sweet earned a Doctor of Ministry degree in 2002, studying the use of imagery; and has received training in stress management, post traumatic stress disorder, critical incident stress, mediation and conflict resolution and suicide awareness training.
Dr. Sweet is certified as a Spiritual Director through Toronto School of Theology. He brings to us a range of preaching styles using innovation and creativity to make the word of God relevant in our daily lives.
Music Ministry: Nancy Martin
Nancy's background includes a B.Mus from WLU and she has been guiding our music ministry since 2005. She particularly enjoys working with the youth and with musical drama. Currently she shepherds both mixed adult and men's choirs, as well as the inter-generational instrumental group.
Youth Ministry: Gord Spence
Gord Spence is a candidate for ordained ministry in the United Church of Canada. His studies began at Lambton College in the Professional Aviation Program, where he earned a commercial pilot license... then he discovered that nobody was hiring pilots! He is currently studying at the University of Waterloo, majoring in Religious Studies.
Having grown up at High Park United in Sarnia, he led a small group of young people, and helped lead a number of annual youth retreats. Young people are his focus in ministry, and he strives to help them attain a greater role in the church.
Church Secretary: Ilona Gormley
Ilona has been our church secretary for over twenty years, and she is one of those exceptional people who can please all of the people all of the time! Ilona is the friendly person who answers the telephone when you call the church office. She always knows what is happening, where it is happening, when and who to talk to if you need more information.
Treasurer: Pam Clayfield
As Treasurer, Pam keeps track of our finances and assists the Stewards in managing our money. Pam's daughter is the fourth generation of her family to worship at Emmanuel.
Sunday School: Emily McIsaac
Emily McIsaac came all the way to Waterloo from Prince Edward Island with her husband, Mike. Together they run the Sunday School at Emmanuel and very much enjoy doing so. Emily graduated from the Wilfrid Laurier Bachelor of Education programme and is pursuing a career in teaching. She has a passion for working with children and hopes that they learn as much from her as she learns from them! Children are Emily's focus in the church and she sees them as the foundation for the church's growth and evolution.
Custodian: David McGinnis
David was a software developer for almost 30 years. In addition to working at Emmanuel, he performs ecoEnergy audits for Natural Resources Canada as well as home inspections. David and his wife Trenny have a blended family that consists of five daughters and one grandson. David has been an avid curler for 46 seasons.
Senior Service Coordinator: Rev. Brenda Woodall
Brenda has been a United Church minister since 1990 and has served churches close to Sarnia and Windsor, then in Guelph and Waterloo. She has also trained in chaplaincy in mental health facilities and at St.Michael's Hospital in Toronto. Recently she completed the certificate program for Marriage and Family Therapy through the University of Guelph. She has two daughters adopted from China, Laura who is 13 and Emily who is 9. Brenda's extended family live in Guelph. She enjoys the personal connections which pastoral ministry provides.
Christian Development
At Emmanuel we try to provide Christian Development to members of all ages.
We have Church School for children aged 4 to 12, and children older then that are involved in Church School as teachers or teacher assistants. Our children attend the first part of the church service, and after a children's time they leave the service for classes tailored to their age level. Our church school is blessed to have Emily McIsaac (above), a wonderful, organized, enthusiast professional coordinator.
To give new parents time for worship, we have a paid child-care worker who with the help of members takes care of children from newborn to 3 years of age.
We love and value our children at Emmanuel and know that church would be very empty without their presence.
Keeping our youth active in our church is important to us. Gord Spence (above) leads our Youth Ministry, and is looking forward to facilitating a year of spiritually fulfilling activities.
For adults we periodically run a Bible Study lead by the minister. These sessions are well attended by the members of the congregation.
Mission & Service
Emmanuel has an active outreach ministry. The majority of our outreach donations go to the M&S fund of the United Church, but we are also active in supporting outreach in our community. Among the local charities we support are:
We try to educate ourselves about world and local social justice issues. We have sold Olive Oil from Palestine, beef from local farmers, and signed petitions and written letters to our elected members of parliament. We have also raised funds to support projects in Cambodia and Kenya that members were involved with.Worship
Our Sunday morning worship service at Emmanuel leans toward the traditional but we are open to trying new forms of worship. In our worship service we value a thought provoking sermon, beautiful music from our choir, hymn singing and prayer.
We have communion once a month generally on the first Sunday of the month. Sometimes communion is served to us in the pew by our elders, and sometimes we walk forward to the communion table to receive communion from the minister assisted by the elders. Our children are invited to take communion.
On Christmas eve we have a family service in the evening and later a candle light service that ends at midnight. During Holy week we have additional worship services on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. Easter Sunday starts with a sunrise service in Waterloo Park, breakfast in the church, followed by a worship service where we celebrate Christ's triumph over death, with wonderful music, singing and prayer.
Some Sundays the worship service is prepared by a group within the church: the youth group, the Mission and Service Committee, a musical drama group, and candidates for the ministry.
We provide infant child care during Sunday worship to give parents an opportunity to relax during the worship service, but we also welcome infants to stay with their parents in the worship service. Our sanctuary is wheel chair accessible, and we have equipment to help the hearing impaired hear and large print hymn books for those with poor vision.
We hope that worshiping at Emmanuel is meaningful and rejuvenating.
Visiting Angels (Pastoral Care)
Our Visiting Angels Ministry keeps those who are sick or shut-in connected with our church community, and also lends a friendly ear to listen to people who are experiencing problems in their daily lives. Members who have chosen to be Visiting Angels are partnered with those who would appreciate a visit. Marilyn Hollinger our Pastoral Care Minister also visits many sick and elderly, watching for any needs they may have whether it is medical attention, more caring from family, or knowing they are still connected to Emmanuel Church.
Toothpix is another Pastoral Care program. Elderly members come together once a month for lunch, entertainment and fellowship.
Ministering to the sick, shut-ins and elderly of our congregation is an essential part of who we are as a church.
Marriages
The substance of the policy is that Emmanuel will marry a couple:
- if they have a connection to the church - if one of the couple is a member or adherent at Emmanuel, of if a parent or grandparent (for example) is a member or adherent; or
- at the discretion of the minister.