This morning, at 10:30 a.m., St. Paul’s United Church will be ringing it’s bell 90 times to mark the 90th anniversary of the forming of The United Church of Canada. Along with the bell ringing, we will have coffee and lemonade from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m..
Here’s a little history from The United Church of Canada website:
The United Church of Canada is the largest Protestant denomination in Canada. We minister to over 2 million people in about 3,000 congregations across the country. Ours is a rich history closely entwined with the development of Canada itself.
The United Church was inaugurated on June 10, 1925 in Toronto, Ontario, when the Methodist Church, Canada, the Congregational Union of Canada, and 70 per cent of the Presbyterian Church of Canada entered into an organic union. Joining as well was the small General Council of Union Churches, centred largely in Western Canada.
It was the first union of churches in the world to cross historical denominational lines and hence received international acclaim. Impetus for the union arose out of the concerns for serving the vast Canadian northwest and in the desire for better overseas mission. Each of the uniting churches, however, had a long history prior to 1925.
We are excited to have made it to 90 years, but in the grand scheme of things, we’re still angsty teenagers filled with emotions trying to find our place in the world.
So come on over between 10 and 11, listen for the ringing of the bells, and say a little prayer for all churches as they continue the message of spreading the Good News of God’s great love for all of creation!
Peace,
Rev. Richard Bowley