About us

​In worship

 

Hopefully, two words to describe our worship are "friendly” and “welcoming.”  While some might ask if our services are “contemporary” or “traditional” it is our intention first and foremost that our service of worship be “faithful” - faithful to who God is and to who we are.  

 

We love to sing, and sing we do!  We sing hymns of different styles and periods, including majestic hymns accompanied by organ, to quieter meditative songs, and joyful music from different parts of the world, and in various musical styles.  We mostly use Voices United - the current hymn book of The United Church of Canada, and are becoming acquainted with "More Voices" - the newer United Church songbook, which was acquired for both churches in the summer of 2017.

 

We are blessed with a number of singers and instrumentalists of all ages in our congregational families who contribute music for services and other events.  Our two adult choirs sing anthems of varied styles, and have occasionally joined together for special events.  Between our two congregations, we have on average between 15 and 25 adult singers involved weekly in our two choirs.

 

We draw from the deep wells of Christian tradition in worship, while striving to be inclusive (in the broadest and best sense of “inclusive”) in the language and imagery of sermons, prayers and music - always seeking to expand our spiritual horizons.   On Sundays we try to engage congregation members from the very young to those of riper years in various ways in our worship and praise, and throughout the week, in witness in the world.

 

In the community

 

Our two congregations provide space for members of the community to meet for Worship, and as gathering places for community groups and activities of many kinds.  Most recently a "Sparks" program began for girls age 5 - 7 began to meet at Norwood United (part of the Girl Guides of Canada).    

 

​Norwood United's building hosts concerts, recitals, and Ecumenical services at various times throughout the year.  Our Concert Grand Piano has been played by children, local performers, teachers, students, church and community choirs and internationally acclaimed pianists - it loves to provide music for all occasions!  The lower level of our facility hosts exercise programs, cooking & food preparation classes, Community Care Luncheons, all kinds of dinners, meetings, receptions, games nights and variety concerts/shows.  Being easily accessible (with an elevator from the main floor) our church hall it is used by church families, neighbors and community organizations for many different functions.   Recently a local AA group began meeting in our facility.

 

In addition to work done “by the church” many individual church members are busy in the community in their own right.  Many are involved in other community groups, such as the Lion’s Club, the Masons, the Norwood Fair, Minor Hockey and other sports, the Donegal Fiddlers and the nearby Westben Music Festival (to name but a few) all of whom seek to enhance the life of our community and its surroundings.   A number of our members are volunteers with Community Care in a variety of capacities.    Church members (of various ages/stages) were involved in a Habitat for Humanity "build" in Norwood, and some have helped with other Habitat builds in nearby communities.    

 

Beyond our local community, our congregations  support the national Mission and Service Fund of The United Church of Canada, which raises approximately $30 million annually to support worthy projects across Canada and abroad.  Members and groups within our congregations support the Crossroads Shelter and Out of the Cold programs in Peterborough, help to send children and youth to summer camp, and support, contribute and/or volunteer with our local  Food Bank.