Programs and Activities
Serving the local Pickering Community and beyond:
Social Programmes:
Our congregation plays an active role in the direct support of some of the less fortunate members of the the local community and beyond:
St. Paul's On-the-Hill Community Food Bank
Our congregation was instrumental in the formation of the local Food Bank, and continues to support this program through regular food drives.
Back Door Mission
We collect food and clothing which are distributed to street people through the Backdoor Mission for the Relief of Poverty, an outreach mission of the United Church of Canada.
www.backdoormission.ca
Minister's Discretionary Fund
Money is collected specifically for this fund, which is distributed to needy people, at the discretion of the Minister, through cards and vouchers that can be used to purchase food and necessities.
Operation Backpack
In addition to the obvious need for food and clothing, school-age children in some of the disadvantaged families have the need for school supplies. *
*Operation Backpack accepts donations of these items, and then distributes complete backpacks to needy students. Items needed for donation include pencils, erasers, rulers, pens, pencil crayons, washable markers, crayons, highlighters, pencil cases, duo-tangs, dividers, math sets, reusable drinking boxes, 3-holed paper (plain and lined), graph paper and binders. Cash donations and fund-raising proceeds are used to purchase needed items where the demand exceeds the supply from donations.
Use of Church Facilities:
We also support a variety of community groups through their use of the Church building at a variety of times during the day and evening. Some of the groups and organizations that are regular users of our facilities include:
- Scouts and Guides
- Social Issue Groups
- Alcoholics Anonymous
- Day Care
Fellowship
The following are just a few of the activities that our congregation members participate in, and that might also interest you:
Musical Groups
Senior Choir
A choral group open to all youth and adults. This choir participates in most regular and special worship services throughout the year, typically presenting one anthem per service. In addition, there is occasionally a special seasonal performance during the Easter or Christmas period.
The Senior Choir also presents an annual "Cabaret", as a fund-raising event for the Music programme. This performance features a mix of secular and non-secular musical selections by the choir, and a variety of solos, duets and ensembles, complemented by a Hymn Sing.
Practices are Wednesday evenings from 7:30 to 9:30 pm in the sanctuary.
Groups
United Church Women (UCW)
This group is open to any and all women of the congregation, with activities that range from social and fund raising events through engaging guest speakers about various topics of interest. There are two "units" of the UCW, the Afternoon Unit, which meets on the second Wednesday of each month at 12:30 pm, and the Evening Unit, which meets on the first Sunday of each month at 7:30 pm.
Youth Group
This enthusiastic and active group meets monthly for fun and community outreach. Youth in grades 7 through 12 are invited to come along, and bring a friend. Planned activities include skating, tobogganing, bowling, rock climbing, hiking, and much, much more.
Craft Class
A "working" session that provides an opportunity for socializing, as well as to partake in handiwork for selling at the annual "Deck Your Halls" Christmas Bazaar. Meetings are held on Wednesday mornings at 9:00 AM in the church Board Room.
Crafty Ladies
Crafty people are invited to join this social group whose primary focus is to produce items for the Sewing Table and the Card Table for the annual Deck Your Halls Bazaar and Craft Show. They meet throughout the year on Thursdays at 9:30 AM at the church.
Religious Study
- Church School for children age 3 and up, during the 10:30 am worship service.
- Adult Bible Study, Sunday mornings at 8:30 am in McKay Hall.
Adult Social Activities
- Souper Sundays, Curling, Pot Luck Dinners ...and more ...