Our WCUC families enjoyed a gorgeous Sunday afternoon climbing trees, picking apples, and sampling cider donuts from Carver Hill Orchard. The picking was more sparse than in years past because of a May frost that destroyed about 80% of the crop, but the kids declared this year “the best ever” because they got to scramble up trees and use the giant pickers to grab apples at the tops of the branches. Nothing like a challenge for motivation! You can see from the pictures that we managed to pick PLENTY of apples. 🙂

It was great to be back in our sanctuary with the Senior Choir, Sunday School Youth Class, our lovely piano, and one another!

Children, youth, and teachers receiving a blessing before their first class of the program year!

On Friday night, September 8th, the youth gathered in North Hall for their annual Welcome Back Game Night, complete with pizza, ice cream, and of course a few suspenseful rounds of Sardines. (the game, not the fish) We then returned to church on Sunday for our first class of the year to learn about how the early Christians learned to form community and to brainstorm ideas about what makes for a fun, safe, and meaningful community in Youth Group. Kindness, mutual respect, inclusivity, trust, and non-judgement all ranked high among these young people. It is such a gift to be walking with them in faith and in life. Today, I give thanks to God for joyous play, contagious laughter, and friendships, old and new!

On September 3rd, we gave thanks to Rev. Lee Atherton for her caring pastoral presence, while welcoming Pastor Hannah back to WCUC.

A sermon on Exodus 3:1-10 given by Rev. Hannah Brown on September 3rd, 2023.

Jesus asked his followers, “Who do you say I am?” Jesus? Christ? Great Prophet? Son of Joseph? Carpenter? Crazy Man? … What’s in a name, anyway?

I must give credit where credit is due… Although I have adapted it a wee bit, this sermon comes to you from Pastor Josiah Boyd of Oakridge Bible Chapel in Oakville, Ontario. – Pastor Lee

How often do you push the limits of any boxes in your life? How is that? Fun? Challenging? Easy? Scary? A piece of cake?

Our church has a new Community Garden! This planter was built as part of our Service Sunday last fall, and this summer we have added some marigolds and herbs to the soil. It is completely wheelchair accessible, and tools are provided so all passing by are encouraged to weed, plant, or harvest as they please. Stop by when you’re in the neighborhood!