Church Secretary: Kathleen Siertsema - 519-565-2854                                                      [email protected]

A message from Rev. Sheila

Dear Friends,

I am writing to invite you to a special service of worship at 11 a.m. this coming Sunday, June 8th at St. Andrew’s United Church. On this day we will be celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the United Church of Canada. Formed in 1925, our Church was the first major union of Protestant denominations in the world. It resulted from the Canadian Methodist Church, Congregational Churches, and 70% of the Presbyterian Church in Canada uniting. Later, in 1968, the Evangelical United Brethren would join the United Church. But in 1925 this union was seen as a groundbreaking step in the ecumenical movement and the most exciting thing to happen during that decade in the international religious community.

No one knew at the time if the experiment in church mergers would succeed or not. It was a bold and daring move that was at least three decades in the making. You can read more about the history of this unique union in the anniversary edition of Broadview magazine, which Doug Wallis has generously donated to our congregation. These will be available at church on Sunday. You can also watch the following video of our much beloved former Moderator, Marion Best, as she recounts the story of our denomination: Marion Best Presentation

If you were able to attend the amazing concert with 100 plus voices from congregations all over Huron and Perth Counties last Sunday night at Clinton United Church, you will have experienced something of the joy and thrill that our founders experienced 100 years ago when our church was born. Participated in by Mary McGoldrick and our St. Andrew’s Church Choir, and attended by many St. Andrew’s members, this was our first official celebration of the United Church’s 100th. But it’s not our last!

To celebrate this momentous occasion your Church Council has made the following decisions:

1) To plant a tree in honour of the 100th in Clan Gregor Park (probably in the Fall)

2) To create a new Photo Directory (Happening this week – Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, June 5th, 6th and 7th!)

3) To hold a special Bake Sale on Saturday morning, June 21st from 9 am until noon with proceeds to go to the Bayfield Food Bank.               (Carol Carter and Rose Dundass will be at the Church to receive your baked goods Friday afternoon.)

How to support the work of St. Andrew's United Church

If you would like to make a donation to St. Andrew's United Church in Bayfield, you may do so at Canada Helps.  Simply click on the button below to make your donation.

You can ensure that your community of faith and those who are helped through Mission and Service can count on your support by giving monthly through Pre-Authorized Remittance (PAR). Through an automatic monthly withdrawal from your bank account, PAR allows you to give to what matters to you most.

If you would like to set up PAR, simply download and fill out this form and submit it to Kathleen at the Church Office.