Mission Statement
In response to God's love, and guided by Christ's spirit, we journey together; a growing, nurturing and forgiving community, joyfully reaching out to all with compassion and hope.
Clergy: Rev. Dr. Bruce Sweet
Dr. Sweet was ordained by London conference in 1976 and settled in Saskatchewan. In 1979 he enrolled in the Canadian Armed Forces where he served as a military chaplain for twenty years. He was called to Emmanuel in January 2006 after serving 7 years at Glenburnie Pastoral Charge in Kingston Presbytery.
Dr. Sweet earned a Doctor of Ministry degree in 2002, studying the use of imagery; and has received training in stress management, post traumatic stress disorder, critical incident stress, mediation and conflict resolution and suicide awareness training.
Dr. Sweet is certified as a Spiritual Director through Toronto School of Theology. He brings to us a range of preaching styles using innovation and creativity to make the word of God relevant in our daily lives.
Music Ministry: Nancy Martin
Nancy's background includes a B.Mus from WLU and she has been guiding our music ministry since 2005. She particularly enjoys working with the youth and with musical drama. Currently she shepherds both mixed adult and men's choirs, as well as the inter-generational instrumental group.
Pastoral Care Minister: Marilyn Hollinger
Marilyn Hollinger says of her childhood, "I have been very fortunate to grow up in a Christian family in the creative and bustling city of Kitchener. As a child, Rockway Gardens were my playground; Zion United (formerly Evangelical United Brethren) Church was attended weekly." She studied at North Central College (an EUB college in Illinois) for her BA, and Emmanuel College at University of Toronto for her Master of Religious Education.
After marrying a United Church minister, she first moved to Northern Saskatchewan where he served White Fox Pastoral Charge (a three-point charge). They later moved to churches in London, Ancaster and Mississauga. Marilyn and her husband were blessed with four children; Marc, Sara, Martha and Alice. She says "I was fortunate to be able to be a full-time mother and homemaker until my marriage ended."
In 1988 a new chapter in her life began when she and her children returned to the Kitchener-Waterloo region, and she began attending Wilfred Laurier University, earning her Doctorate of Social Work and Master of Theology degrees. She and her husband, Ross McKee, were married at Emmanuel 10 years ago. Her children are now grown and all employed in southern Ontario. Marilyn has employed her gifts specializing in life losses, grief and bereavement for individuals, couples and groups.
Marilyn says, "It is a privilege to be the Pastoral Care Minister at Emmanuel where people share their joys, their difficulties and their sadness. As I sit and we talk I try to support you on this leg of your trip. I may point out the roadblocks, suggest alternative routes and help you negotiate the rough spots. But ultimately, you're in the driver's seat."
Youth Ministry: Gord Spence
Gord Spence is a candidate for ordained ministry in the United Church of Canada. His studies began at Lambton College in the Professional Aviation Program, where he earned a commercial pilot license... then he discovered that nobody was hiring pilots! He is currently studying at the University of Waterloo, majoring in Religious Studies.
Having grown up at High Park United in Sarnia, he led a small group of young people, and helped lead a number of annual youth retreats. Young people are his focus in ministry, and he strives to help them attain a greater role in the church.
Church Secretary: Ilona Gomery
Ilona has been our church secretary for over twenty years and she is one of those exceptional people who can please all of the people all of the time! Ilona is the friendly person who answers the telephone when you call the church office. She always knows what is happening, where it is happening, when and who to talk to if you need more information. Although most of Ilona's time is taken up working for Emmanuel she still finds time to be active in the K-W Council of Churches.
Custodian: Paul Wagner
Paul has been our custodian for several years now. He is very friendly and very handy - seems to be able to fix anything. Paul comes to us after retiring from a career as a business owner and a driver.
Treasurer: Pam Clayfield
As Treasurer, Pam keeps track of our finances and assists the Stewards in managing our money. Pam's daughter is the fourth generation of her family to worship at Emmanuel.
Sunday School: Emily McIsaac
Emily McIsaac came all the way to Waterloo from Prince Edward Island with her husband, Mike. Together they run the Sunday School at Emmanuel and very much enjoy doing so. Emily graduated from the Wilfrid Laurier Bachelor of Education programme and is pursuing a career in teaching. She has a passion for working with children and hopes that they learn as much from her as she learns from them!
Children are Emily's focus in the church and she sees them as the foundation for the church's growth and evolution.
Christian Development
At Emmanuel we try to provide Christian Development to members of all ages.
We have Church School for children aged 4 to 12 and children older then that are involved in Church School as teachers or teacher assistants. Our children attend the first part of the church service and after a children's time they leave the service for classes tailored to their age level. Our church school is blessed to have Emily McIsaac, a wonderful, organized, enthusiast professional coordinator.
To give new parents time for worship we have a paid child-care worker who with the help of members takes care of children from newborn to 3 years of age.
We love and value our children at Emmanuel and know that church would be very empty without their presence.
Keeping our youth active in our church is important to us. Gord Spence leads our Youth Ministry, and is looking forward to facilitating a year of spiritually fulfilling activities.
For adults we periodically run a Bible Study lead by the minister. These sessions are well attended by the members of the congregation.
Mission & Service
Emmanuel has an active outreach ministry. The majority of our outreach donations go to the M&S fund of the United Church but we are also active in supporting outreach in our community. Among the local charities we support are The House of Friendship, Anselma House, The Working Centre, Habitat for Humanity, Out of the Cold, The Foodbank of Waterloo Region, Mary's Place, Waterloo Interfaith Supportive Housing. We try to educate ourselves about world and local social justice issues. We have sold Olive Oil from Palestine, beef from local farmers, and signed petitions and written letters to our elected members of parliament. We have also raised funds to support projects in Cambodia and Kenya that members were involved with.
Worship
Our Sunday morning worship service at Emmanuel leans toward the traditional but we are open to trying new forms of worship. In our worship service we value a thought provoking sermon, beautiful music from our choir, hymn singing and prayer.
We have communion once a month generally on the first Sunday of the month. Sometimes communion is served to us in the pew by our elders and sometimes we walk forward to the communion table to receive communion from the minister assisted by the elders. Our children are invited to take communion.
Each Sunday a child is asked to be the acolyte and is responsible for lighting the candles at the beginning of the service and extinguishing them when the service ends. Our children attend the first part of the service and after a children's time with the minister they leave the service for Church School.
On Christmas eve we have a family service in the evening and later a candle light service that ends at midnight. During Holy week we have additional worship services on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. Easter Sunday starts with a sunrise service in Waterloo Park, breakfast in the church followed by a worship service where we celebrate Christ's triumph over death with wonderful music, singing and prayer.
Some Sundays the worship service is prepared by a group within the church: the youth group, the Mission and Service Committee, a musical drama group, and candidates for the ministry.
We provide infant child care during Sunday worship to give parents an opportunity to relax during the worship service but we also welcome infants to stay with their parents in the worship service. Our sanctuary is wheel chair accessible and we have equipment to help the hearing impaired hear and large print hymn books for those with poor vision.
We hope that worshiping at Emmanuel is meaningful and rejuvenating.
Visiting Angels (Pastoral Care)
Our Visiting Angels Ministry keeps those who are sick or shut-in connected with our church community and also lends a friendly ear to listen to people who are experiencing problems in their daily lives. Members who have chosen to be Visiting Angels are partnered with those who would appreciate a visit. Marilyn Hollinger our Pastoral Care Minister also visits many sick and elderly watching for any needs they may have whether it is medical attention, more caring from family or knowing they are still connected to Emmanuel Church.
Toothpix is another Pastoral Care program. Elderly members come together once a month for lunch, entertainment and fellowship.
Ministering to the sick, shut-ins and elderly of our congregation is an essential part of who we are as a church.