St. Mary’s Pastoral Charge is part of The United Church of Canada, which is Canada’s largest Protestant denomination. We are a member of Region 15 (Nova Scotia & Bermuda, UCCEast.ca). In the United Church, we follow the Reformation principle of “in essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity.” St. Mary’s Pastoral Charge generally celebrates a more historic faith, but you will find each United Church congregation has their own unique character. We are truly blessed to be part of such a historically rich, diverse, and inclusive denomination.
Worship
We will ensure that our worship is authentic, centered on and pleasing to God. Our worship will strive to touch hearts, stir longings for a whole, healthy life, and help people to discover hope. It will be meaningful, uplifting, and relevant to everyday life. It will be simple, stirring, and inspirational, with hymns and songs in which all can participate, and prayers, preaching, and sacraments that help us discover the love and promise of God, the grace and compassion of Christ, and the healing and hope of the Holy Spirit. Worship should be a time for all to encounter and experience God. Our worship space will be inviting, clean, and accessible. It will be warm and welcoming. We will also be warm and welcoming to one another and to new people, providing a place for growth and development, community and belonging, a place where people can share, be encouraged, have fun, and discover a sense of purpose and power in their lives.
Christian Education
We recognize that we are called to continue growing in our knowledge of God and that faith is a life-long learning commitment. This means reading and studying the scriptures, reflecting, praying, and meeting together to be challenged and encouraged as we share our spiritual journey. We are committed to developing, offering, and participating in an array of Christian education and small group opportunities which will teach the ways of salvation, increase faith and spiritual maturity in the believer, help us to lead lives which are pleasing to God, and equip all followers of Christ to do good works.
Fellowship
The Bible commands and encourages us to seek fellowship with each other so we can grow, develop, and mature as believers. Fellowship is first and foremost a relationship rather than an activity. Interpersonal relationships are desperately needed to keep our faith alive and growing. We will be intentional in providing many opportunities for fellowship and make a conscious effort to get to know one another, foster relationships, and establish strong ties.
Mission
As individuals and as a congregation, we are committed to community service, assisting those in need and seeking justice for all of God’s creation. As a congregation we will identify and undertake one needed local mission initiative and do it well. We will continue to generously support world missions through The United Church of Canada’s Mission & Service Fund.
A New Creed
We are not alone,
We live in God’s world.We believe in God:
who has created and is creating,
who has come in Jesus,
the Word made flesh,
to reconcile and make new,
who works in us and others
by the Spirit.We trust in God.
We are called to be the Church:
to celebrate God’s presence,
to live with respect in Creation,
to love and serve others,
to seek justice and resist evil,
to proclaim Jesus, crucified and risen,
our judge and our hope.In life, in death, in life beyond death,
God is with us.We are not alone.
Thanks be to God.
A New Creed is a brief and well-loved affirmation of faith used widely in United Church of Canada worship (1968; rev. 1980, 1995).
St. Mary's Pastoral Charge 