MINISTRIES OF SOUTHMINSTER

Southminster have had Vacation Bible School each summer. The last years have been with staff from Niagara Presbytery.

Adult Christian Education
Learning is a life-long process. Opportunities are given throughout the year for people to grow and develop their faith by learning more about themselves and the Christian faith. Usually these opportunities take place in the form of small groups that come together in order to study such things as the Bible, faith based books, or to learn from a particular study program.

Confirmation Classes
We become members of the world-wide church through baptism. "Confirmation" means becoming a formal member of the United Church of Canada through a series of classes followed by a profession of faith. Classes are available upon request for those who have never been confirmed in either the United Church or another denomination. A shorter course is available for those who have been confirmed in another denomination, but who wish to gain a greater understanding for the history and beliefs of the United Church of Canada in order to become a member of the same.

Sunday School After about 20 minutes in worship with the adults including a special time with the Minister - "Time for the Young and Young at Heart" the children go to Sunday school. At Southminster Sunday school your children (ages 4 to grade 6) will take part in bible crafts, activities, creative lessons, stories, skits, games and songs pertaining to our theme of the day. We teach our lessons in ways the children will understand and have fun while doing so.

Southminster provides a nursery for infants and toddlers. We have 3 in 1 playpens, infant swings and a wide variety of toys will ensure your little one feels the comfort of home while their parent or guardian worships in our church service. We are looking forward to seeing you at our Sunday school. Train children in the right way and when old, they will not stray. ~ Proverbs 22:6

Southminster Choir
The Southminster choir is a small, fun group of people who enjoy sharing their gift and love for singing songs that express the Christian faith. If you are interested in joining the choir, just speak to one of its members after a Sunday service - you will be warmly welcomed. The choir normally breaks for the summer at the end of June and then commences again in September.

United Church Women:
Southminster UCW meets every 2nd Thursday of the month at 7:30 PM in the church Parlour.

We organize and carry out, with the help of many in the congregation, Dinners, Bazaar, Funeral Luncheons, Birthday Parties as well as other Fund Raising Projects. We donate to Mission Service, Project Share, Community Kitchen, Brock Chaplaincy, Bethlehem Place Francis Sandy Theological Ministries, Pueblito, Cave Springs, Five Oaks, Wesley Urban Ministries and many others. We serve Jesus Christ in Witness, Fellowship and Commitment. We welcome all ladies to join us on the second Thursday of each month.

Shawl Ministry:

You created every part of me, knitting me in my mother's womb. For such handiwork, I praise you. Awesome this great wonder!
Psalm 139:13-14

The care and love of knitting (and crochet) have been combined into a prayerful ministry that reaches out to those in need of comfort and solace. Many blessings are kitted into every shawl. The knitter begins each shawl with prayer for the recipient. Intentions are continued throughout the creation of the shawl. When the shawl is complete it is offered a final ritual before being sent along its way.

As this gift has been sent along, some recipients have continued the kindness by making one themselves and passing it onto someone in need. Thus, the blessing is rippled from person to person, with both the giver and the receiver feeling the unconditional embrace of a sheltering, mothering God.

Meets the first Wednesday of each month, 1:00 - 3 p.m.

Local Outreach:

Community Out-Reach Endevour CORE
In the fall of 2005 the Southminster congregation formed a committee to investigate various ways to reach out into the community of Niagara Falls.

Christmas parties for children, while parents shop, have been held. One of the best attended outreach offerings is "Lunch 'n' Learn". We have been able to offer a hot lunch including dessert for $7.00.

From this we have been able to have speakers come from various community organizations and to not only enlighten our luncheon guests of community resources, but also to financially support the speaking group.

Some of our speakers have been from the YWCA Women's Shelter; Heartland Niagara; Heart Niagara; Quilts of the Bible; Lundy Manor; A Speaking on Wills; Christmas Shoebox and World Vision to name a few.

This committee has offered Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper the last two years.

We have always supported Project Share at Christmas but this year we were part of the Fight Hunger Program and surpassed our target and took part in the closing day with other churches.

Our white Gift Service this year is being given special emphasis both for food and warm mittens, scarves and hats. We share these items with the Salvation Army as well as Project Share.

Worldwide Outreach:

Southminster's global outreach efforts are largely through supporting the United Church's Mission and Service Fund. For further information click on the United Church website link.