Crawford United Church
United Church
Mission Statement: Acknowledging Christ as the spiritual leader of the church we strive to follow in His footsteps by welcoming all people to worship with us in Christian unity. We encourage spiritual growth based on biblical teaching and with compassion respond to the needs of the community.
Future Vision: Crawford United Church seeks to identify the changing spiritual needs of the Crawford Community and respond to those needs by being open to new ideas and methods to foster spiritual growth and promote Christian values.
About Us:
Crawford United Church is a small country church nestled in the hills of Bentinck Township, Grey County, Ontario
Crawford United Church is affiliated with the larger Knox United Church in Durham, a relationship that has been beneficial for both churches. We share a minister, rely on them for secretarial services and support each other’s fundraising activities and social events.
The village of Crawford has traditionally been a close-knit community with residents supporting each other through good times and bad. Crawford United Church has provided continuous Christian leadership to the mostly rural Crawford Community since 1878.
This is now changing as many of the residents – and church members – are getting older. In the recent past seven valued church members have passed away while others have moved into retirement homes or are downsizing and leaving the area. At the same time Crawford is experiencing rapid growth with much new construction going on bringing new people into the area. This naturally changes the dynamics of the community presenting the church with both opportunities and challenges.
Church membership is small with just over 30 families making up the church roster and this has both advantages and disadvantages. The advantage – a tight-knit church family ready to support and help each other. Disadvantage – a limited number of volunteers to carry out the work of the Church.
Church Leadership:
The Governing Body is responsible for ensuring the work of the church is completed in a timely manner.
The Session and Worship Committees take care of the worship services, including organizing services for communion and special holy days.
Ministry and Personnel (M&P) Committee oversees relationships within the congregation, particularly the roles and functions of paid personnel. It also recommends wages for paid personnel to the Governing Body.
The Stewards and Trustees are responsible for the financial management of the church and of the church property.
The church finances are reviewed annually by an independent auditor.
Activities and Events:
• Annual Special Anniversary Service – 141st in 2019.
• Joint Outdoor Worship Service with Knox United Church at Durham Conservation Park.
• Annual All Denomination Fall Fair Worship Service on Labour Day Weekend.
• Annual Advent Carol Service
• White Gift Sunday in December
• Fundraiser: Annual Garden Party – 118th in 2019
• Fundraiser: Annual Harvest Breakfast – 7th in 2019
• Community Outreach: Meet and Greet Program in support of Alzheimer’s Coffee Break.
Community Outreach:
The Community Outreach Program is focused on creating greater awareness and a welcoming environment for the residents of the Crawford Community believing this will open the door to newcomers. The church is financially stable which makes our community outreach program possible.
United Church Women (UCW):
The UCW has lost quite a few members over the past couple of years; however, existing members continue to work hard and meet for Christian worship, Friendship and Community Service through:
• Prayer Shawl Ministry – through the giving-away of handmade shawls to the sick and shut-ins, the UCW ladies meet their mandate of Service to the Community.
• Cater Funeral Lunches – having the familiar UCW serve the after-funeral lunches provides a small but significant comfort to the bereaved.
• Good Samaritan Christmas Box Program – In late October shoe-boxes are delivered to the church for members to fill with items to help youngsters around the world to have a Blessed Christmas.
• World Day of Prayer – The UCW along with ladies from two other local churches take turns hosting this worldwide event. In 2020 the spotlight will be on the Christian life and needs of Zimbabwe.
• Local Community Support – The UCW ladies are in tune with what is happening within the Crawford community and thus able to respond to those in genuine need.
Like many churches today Crawford United Church is facing challenges. However, the church family has shown great resilience and determination in the past. The church is now relying on those same qualities to meet and overcome any and all challenges.
Immediate challenges:
• Growing church membership;
• Hiring a Music Director to provide a strong Ministry of Music;
• Responsive outreach to the Crawford Community.
Service Times
Sunday Worship Service
From April 1 to October 31: 9:00am
From November 1 to March 31: 11:30am
United Church Women (UCW):
1:00pm-1st Wednesday of every month
Location
502239 Concession Road 10
RR 3
Elmwood
Ontario
Canada
N0G 1S0
Staff
Rev. Tessica Hackshaw
Minister
Nora Howlett
Knox Church Secretary
Contacts
Tel: 5193693200
Web: https://knoxunitedchurch.weebly.com/crawford
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