Blog

Join us at 4 pm on Saturday, December 21st for our Blue Christmas Service. The 21st is the longest night of the year, also known as Winter Solstice. On this day, we recognize that Christmastime holds a lot of difficult … Read More

We have a busy month ahead of us! Here are some of the things going on either at Castlegar United Church or in connection with us at other locations: Sunday, Dec. 1, 10 am Communion Worship, Advent 1, Brass Trio … Read More

On October 7, 2024 we will gather for a time of prayer in front of Castlegar City Hall from noon to 12:30 pm to mark the one year anniversary of the start of the most recent armed conflict between Palestine … Read More

Our Faithful Fitness Fall Exploration dates and times have been changed to Mondays beginning after Thanksgiving! What has our faith got to do with fitness? EVERYTHING! You are wonderfully and fearfully made by God! Join together for a time of … Read More

What has our faith got to do with fitness? EVERYTHING! You are wonderfully and fearfully made by God! Join together for a time of physical and spiritual exercise on Tuesday mornings 9:30-10:30 in the Church Sanctuary starting September 10th and … Read More

Do you have large items you want to donate that are too big for St. David’s Thrift Store? Furniture? Appliances? Bicycles? We have replaced our annual garage sale with a year-round Virtual Garage Sale! Just let us know what you … Read More

Every Wednesday during the 6 weeks of Lent (February 21, 28, March 6, 13, 20, 27) at 1:30 pm, there will be a study group looking into a number of spiritual issues around aging: Identity, Healing Relationships, Physical Pain, Illness, … Read More

February 14th – wait, isn’t that Valentine’s Day??? Well, yes, but it is also Ash Wednesday this year. Blame it on the moon, because Lent and Easter follow the lunar calendar. Anyways, please join us for a noon-time Ash Wednesday … Read More

February 13th is Shrove Tuesday, and do you know what that means? Pancakes!! Our Men’s Group will be serving pancakes and sausages downstairs in the Church Gym starting at 5:30 pm. Admission is by donation. Shrove Tuesday, also known as … Read More

After Church on Sunday, February 11th, 2024 we will be holding our Annual Congregational Meeting with lunch provided afterwards in the lounge. We will review the highlights of 2023 and look ahead to what’s coming in 2024. The ACM report … Read More

We will be having a Potluck Lunch immediately after our Worship Service on Sunday, January 21, 2024. Bring a dish to share or simply join us for the meal. Let’s welcome the New Year with some good fellowship!

There’s lots going on at Castlegar United Church and there are events in cooperation with us, too! We had a lovely Communion Service with special music by our Bell Choir on Dec. 3rd, the first Sunday of Advent. Coming up: … Read More

“And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you or naked and gave you clothing?” “Truly, I tell you, just as you did for the least of these, your neighbours, you did for me.” Campus United … Read More

Our 30+ year tradition continues! Volunteers will be gathering to make as many as 500 pies the first week of October using our tried and true Castlegar United Church Apple Pie Recipe that bring people back year after year. If … Read More

We are celebrating all the teachers and students returning to school today! On Sunday, September 10th, 2023 bring in your back packs to church for a special blessing at the 10 am service.

There’s a common email scam out there targeting churches and church goers. In it, the scammer creates an email address similar to the one someone you know uses, often your minister. They pretend to be that person and then ask … Read More

Now is the time to register for Camp Spirit, a travelling Day Camp for children ages 5-11 that Castlegar United Church will be hosting the week of August 21-25. Last year’s Camp Spirit was a blast and we’re so excited … Read More

Our 2023 Plant Sale will be held right after church on Sunday, May 14th, 2023. There are a limited number of seedlings and plants which will be for sale by donation. Any leftovers will be available by donation throughout the … Read More

We at Castlegar United Church publicly, intentionally, and explicitly declare our support for our 2SLGTBQIA+ members and neighbours. And we affirm that God loves all of us exactly the way we are, gay, straight and everything in-between and everything outside … Read More

Dealing with past trauma from previous religious experiences? Give up fear and shame for Lent. Rediscover the loving Creator you have always known. Join our Lenten Study “Religious Trauma and Recovery” 1pm Tuesday Afternoons February 28 to April 4.

Our Annual Congregational Meeting (ACM) is February 19, 2023 in the Sanctuary following worship around 11:30 am. For those unable to attend in person a Zoom link is available in the Church Chimes e-mail newsletter or by contacting the office. … Read More

Bring your ukulele and maybe a song or two to our beginner ukulele group. This isn’t lessons. This isn’t a performance group. We’re just a handful of not-super-great ukulele players who get together for fun and mutual learning on Wednesday … Read More

Join us for our church services during the season of Christmas! On Christmas Eve, Saturday at 7pm, we will have a traditional telling of the Christmas story, complete with hand-held candles and singing many Christmas Carols. Christmas morning is Sunday, … Read More

Christmas is not all merry and cheerful. For those who have lost loved ones or have had other traumatic life changes like divorce, health challenges, or loss of jobs, it can be tough. The season can be a reminder of … Read More

Imagine being homeless, cold, and out on the streets all day. At last, evening comes, and the shelter opens. They have a bed for you tonight! You come in, your clothes soaked with the day’s snow. Your backpack, too, is … Read More

We are pleased to be hosting a screening of the film “Peace by Chocolate” in support of the Castlegar Refugee Project, on Sunday, November 27, 2022 at 2 PM. Admission by donation. The movie will be followed by a Chocolate … Read More

Our Annual Church meeting will be on Sunday February 19th in the Sanctuary just after the worship service, so starting between 11:15 and 11:30. The meeting will be followed by a light lunch and dessert. A Zoom option will be … Read More

In honour of Breast Cancer awareness month, we will be having a short contemplative worship service, remembering loss and/or celebrating recovery from Breast Cancer. It will be at 6PM, October 18th, 2022 in the Sanctuary with candle lighting, singing, prayer … Read More

After two years of no pies due to pandemic restrictions, our Annual Apple Pie Sale is back! Pies are 2 for $25 (or $12.50 each) Pre-order by Tuesday, October 4 and pick up on Thursday, October 6 between 11 am … Read More

The United Nations General Assembly has declared September 21st to be the International Day of Peace; it is to be observed as a day of global ceasefire and non-violence. On the eve of this important day, we will offer our … Read More

We are delighted to welcome a new person to our ministry team. Cas is joining us as our Summer Student Resource Assistant. This July and August (2022), they will be working on a number of long-overdue projects, as well as … Read More

From August 22-26, 2022 Castlegar United Church is delighted to be hosting Camp Spirit, a week long United Church Day Camp. At Camp Spirit we value listening to and experiencing Sacred Stories, enjoying times of creativity and science, moving to … Read More

We are delighted to have received funding from Canada Summer Jobs to be able to hire a young person to gain work experience in a variety of skills this summer! Resource Assistant / Summer Student Castlegar United Church Wage: $18.20/hr … Read More

We are happy to be able to offer hybrid in-person and YouTube worship during Holy Week and Easter 2022! Good Friday at 10 am with special music by the Spirit Winds Recorder Ensemble Easter Sunrise Service at 8 am outdoors … Read More

Our Sinixt Workshop has been rescheduled! Join us March 1st, 6:30-8 pm in-person with proof of vaccination, for an evening of learning about the history of the Sinixt people with Lori Barkley, Staff Anthropologist for the Autonomous Sinixt. This will … Read More

Our Annual Congregational Meeting (ACM) is February 6, 2022 following worship. The meeting will be on Zoom beginning around 11:30 am. The link is available in the Church Chimes e-mail newsletter or by contacting the office. Click here for the … Read More

We are very sorry to have to postpone today’s Sinixt Workshop due to illness. We look forward to rescheduling soon.

Castlegar United Church is pleased to present at workshop on Sinixt Culture and History with Lori Barkley, Staff Anthropologist for Autonomous Sinixt on Saturday, January 29 from 2-3:30 pm. Participants are recommended to do some reading in preparation: explore the … Read More

As of December 26, 2021, in-person attendance for worship services is temporarily suspended. Please subscribe to our YouTube channel for Sunday Worship and other special services. This decision was made based on information provided by the Pacific Mountain Regional Council … Read More

Effective Dec 12, 2021, proof of vaccination will be required to attend indoor worship and other indoor church-sponsored gatherings at Castlegar United Church for all over the age of 12. Alternatively, you may present a negative COVID-19 test taken no … Read More

Fourth Heritage Credit Union Funded Workshop in our Autumn Series is next Friday November 19th 6-8pm. Queer + Trans History BC with Heather from Creating Accessible Neighbourhoods This workshop will take participants through some of British Columbia’s milestone moments in 2SLGBTQIA+ … Read More

We are so pleased to be able to have returned to offering worship at Castle Wood Village every second Monday afternoon and Castleview and Talarico Place Care Homes on alternate Sunday afternoons. In our church building, we are delighted to … Read More

Thanks to a grant from Heritage Credit Union we will be hosting a fall workshop series! The first two in September will be presented by “Creating Accessible Neighbourhoods”, a non-profit organization who advocates for inclusive neighbourhoods for those who are … Read More

We are pleased to have launched our Sunday Worship live on YouTube starting Holy Week 2021. Please subscribe to our YouTube Channel: Castlegar UC

We met via Zoom on February 7, 2021 for our Annual Church Meeting. To read our Annual Report, please click here.

Announcing two springtime group sessions! Spiritual Attributes Study This multi-week series is based on the book “Thriving Churches” and explores the spiritual attributes which characterize United Church congregations that are thriving and vibrant.  You do not need to read the … Read More

This is the manuscript from which Rev. Greg preached on Sunday, 31 May 2020 (Pentecost Sunday). Check against delivery.   “I can’t breathe.” Eric Garner spoke these words in July 2014 under duress from the four police officers restraining him … Read More

This is the most reliable way to join if you’re going to be in your car. (Note that this is a long-distance call from Castlegar.) Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85975129990?pwd=bCt5MEhRT2V6c2FGSFk4amw1bEtNdz09 Meeting ID: 859 7512 9990 Passcode: 197063 One tap mobile +17789072071,,85975129990#,,,,,,0#,,197063# … Read More

When the COVID-19 restrictions prevented us from gathering in person, we chose to offer a podcast instead of live-streaming our worship services. Consider this a primer in case you haven’t been able to access our podcast, Resilience & Restoration. What’s a … Read More

Dear friends, This is the first of what we presume will be a series of correspondences regarding the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Staying connected and keeping safe are vital, and will likely become even more so as the pandemic progresses. … Read More

Our Annual Congregational Meeting (ACM) is January 26, 2020 following worship (beginning around 11:15am). Here is the report on our activities in 2019. The proposed changes to our congregation’s governance structure are here.

Advent Message from Rev. Greg The afternoon light fades into nighttime sky awfully early at this time of year. For some this means more isolation and separation. For others, this means time to cozy up under a blanket, maybe with … Read More

What is “success” for a church? I’ve been mulling over this question for, well, my entire adult life. At the Kootenay Faith Fest in June of 2019, our keynote speaker, Carol Howard Merritt offered some ideas of what “success” looks … Read More

Editor’s note: At the Mighty Men Conference hosted recently near Castlegar, the keynote speaker encouraged participants to espouse the late-ancient household code that includes wives “submitting” to husbands. Because the speaker had elsewhere voiced strong anti-LGBTQ+ sentiments, a group protested … Read More

The report of our 2018 activities is hot off the press! Download it here (or download the high-resolution version for printing here). Many thanks to all who contributed to the life and work of our congregation, and to the report itself.

“My church is the mountains” is a phrase I hear often. Sometimes I’m the one saying it. And I fully support taking the time to hike or bike or otherwise play outside to find spiritual connection. But sometimes the spirit … Read More

I wouldn’t say that attending summer camp is a pre-requisite for leading a life of meaning. But if I trace my life backward, many, many meaningful experiences have their roots in my days at summer camp. I actually hated being … Read More

The annual report from 2017 is available for download!   Annual Report 2017 v3

Our Young Families Engagement group knew fairly early on that we wanted to launch something similar to what’s called Messy Church, which originated in England and has replicated all over the world. Many United Churches across Canada are doing Messy … Read More

I’ve always had a hard time when exciting experiences come to an end. Even as a child, after a long weekend I’d be overcome with sadness at the prospect of going to school on Tuesday morning. And I liked school! … Read More

Over the past several months, we have been “trying on” our new vision statement. Presently it reads, We envision our church community as vibrant and bold, embodying the reconciling Way of Jesus. A small group of us reviewed survey responses, … Read More

Peace is the theme for Advent this week. When I was studying at the University of Waterloo, the neighbouring college — Conrad Grebel College — offered a Peace and Conflict Studies program. The courses always appealed to me, but I … Read More