Sunset United Church: Who we are

We’re an affirming ministry – that’s what this symbol means. When we say “all are welcome”; we mean ALL. As we affirm in in our Statement of Faith:

“… Diversity is truly a gift of God … We celebrate the richness that diversity brings to our church, even as it challenges us individually and collectively.”

That is the short way of saying: We are committed to making you welcome – if you’re old or young, male or female, straight or gay or lesbian or bisexual or transgendered, married or single, rich or poor, disabled or not, in whatever combination of any of these characteristics you possess – and combined with whatever ethnicity or cultural membership or other background or experience you may bring with you. And all of your friends as well. That’s affirming.

Sunset is the center of a circle of community - a place for joyful worship, open minded spiritual exploration and growth, support for one another and outreach to the broader community and around the world. We welcome all to be a part of us - to find comfort, purpose, challenges and opportunities for service. Come help us be the church God calls us to be.

What to expect on a Sunday morning:

• We worship “in the round” – no matter where you sit (and since there is no “reserved” seating – every chair is a possibility!), you will always be able to see the face of someone else across the circle from you
• There is Sunday School most weeks for ages 3 and older and we are very baby and toddler friendly – there are rocking chairs at the back for anyone who needs space to rock; there is a play room for parents to take their children if need be; we often have children dancing in the space in the centre of our circle while the choir is singing!
• Our worship is thought-provoking, vibrant, and Spirit-filled. We are enriched both by the heart-felt sermons, and the beauty of our choir anthems. Although there is a general flow to the service each week, we are also very open to exploring alternative expressions of worship, such as drama, music, videos and humour.

Every Sunday, we encourage children of all ages to join the minister in the center of the circle for "Conversation time on the Quilt". Afterwards, children three years and older can go to Sunday School.

Sunday School

We use the Workshop Rotation Model which allows children to explore a story for a few weeks in order to be immersed in a particular story more fully. We choose a theme or idea that pertains to the story and have an activity to show the children what it means (like "love" or "overcoming obstacles").

Sunday School returns on January 11, 2015.

Contact Michelle at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by calling the church office if you wish to volunteer.

Youth Group

The Sunset Youth Group is for our youth from Grade 5 and up. If you wish to be part of the group, contact Michelle at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by calling the church office. 

K-Cups and Kids Group

Once a month, this group of young gamilies meet at the church so the parents can chat, socialize and get to know each other while their children play with each other.

Contact the office to sign up for our weekly newsletter to be notified when the next K-Cups and Kids Group meets.

Task Descriptions for House Groups

If for any reason you are unable to meet your commitment, please find a replacement.

Please wear your nametag.

There is one First Aid Kit in the kitchen, in the first drawer on the left, and another in the office on top of the metal cupboard near the west wall, should it be needed.

Phone calls can be made from the office phone or the phone in the kitchen.

Duties for Worship Hosts

Please arrive at 10 a.m. in the fall/winter and 9:30 a.m. in June and July. Your duties include:  

• Put out – and remember to bring in – the reserved parking signs kept in the coatroom at the sanctuary entrance.  Please allow an extra 1-2 car lengths in front of the Handicapped parking area in front of the west doors on Sunset Drive. 
  
   
• Turn on the sanctuary lights and fans if necessary.
  
   
• Put out on the entry table by the House Group bulletin board the individual hearing assistance devices.  These are kept in a basket in the office cupboard above the file cabinets.  Please put them away at the end of the service.
  
   
• Welcome all arriving for the church service.
  • Be sure people are located at the main doors and also the doors near the office.
    • Three people should stand at the main door.
    • One person should stand at the office entrance to hand out hymn books and bulletins there.
  • Invite newcomers, guests, and visitors to sign the guest book and/or fill out a hymnal card.
  • Distribute hymnbooks and bulletins as people enter the sanctuary.
  • Provide information when required.
  • As part of our welcoming atmosphere, please keep the foyer doors open during the service.
    
  
   
• Encourage people to fill the seats in front of the pillars before adding more chairs.
  
   
• Assist in setting up more chairs if needed. Extra chairs are in Faith Hall, the room immediately to the east of the Centrum.
  
   
• Receive the collection, asking people from the congregation to help if necessary.  Collection plates should be on the hymnbook shelves, but may be in the office.  Counters will take the plates after the offering prayer.
  
   
• Confirm that someone is counting the congregation who attended service.  The count is written on the Task Roster on the House Group bulletin board in the foyer. These numbers are needed for statistics for the United Church of Canada.
   
• Collect/put away hymnbooks at end of service.
  
   
• Turn off lights/fans, check to see windows are closed.
  
   
• Bring in reserved parking signs from outside.
  
   
• Check with the ministers that the doors are locked.
  

Thank you for helping to make worship a richer experience for all.  Your help is very much appreciated!                                

 May 2013

Task Descriptions for House Groups

If for any reason you are unable to meet your commitment, please find a replacement.  Please wear your name tag.

Taking Part in the Service

• Lighting the Peace and Christ candles (a child, children, adult(s), family)

• Reading the opening prayers which are printed in the bulletin. You will:
  
  • read “Call to Worship”,
    
  • read “Prayer of Approach”,
    
  • introduce the Hymn,
    
  • read “Prayer for Wholeness”, and
    
  • read “Words of Assurance”  

The new bulletin will be on the website on Friday. If you don’t have access to the internet, call the office  during office hours, which are 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday through Friday.  You can stop by to pick up a Bulletin early, once they are printed.

Thank you for helping to make worship a richer experience for all.

May 2013