Our Community
St. James United Church Tapestry: This informal service, held on the second Sunday of each month, celebrates the strands that make us who we are in terms of faith, experience, and identity. Based on a theme, the service makes use of popular music as its “hymnbook”. Participants explore the theme through facilitated conversation rather than a sermon and time is given for individual reflection at a series of "prayer stations". There is also now a potluck prior to the service. Potluck at 5:30 pm and service at 7:00 pm.
Cowan Heights United Church Ash Wednesday: Join Cowan Heights United Church on Ash Wednesday, March 5 at 7:30 p.m. as we reflect upon the fragility of life and look towards our Lenten journey to the cross. We will receive the imposition of ashes, and share together at the communion table to be strengthened and sustained for our Lenten journey. The Rev. Miriam Bowlby is our guest preacher.
People of the Sea Service: Memorial United Church in Portugal Cove is excited to be hosting the People of the Sea Service again this year. 62 years ago George Street United Church held the first of these services to honor all those who make their living on or from the sea. Many years before, the event was known as the blessing of the fleet as people gathered at the local wharves to bless the sealers and their ships as they headed for the front. In 1963 Rev. Naboth Winsor began to hold the service in George Street United. Over the years the focus grew to include all those who harvest the sea and those who make a living on the sea. In 2023 George Street United was decommissioned.
Memorial United Church in Portugal Cove felt that this service was indeed an important part of our heritage and an integral part of the “sea culture” of our Province as well as our call to be good stewards of our oceans and seas. Consequently we worked with George Street United Church in transitioning this service to a new venue in Portugal Cove. We were committed to the same heartfelt heritage, history and links to the past. We were also committed to maintaining this service as “A Legacy of George Street United Church.”
Last year we held the first of these at Memorial United Church (61 years after the initial service!) It was a wonderfully successful event with guests including the Lt. Governor, Her Honour Joan Marie Aylward, representatives from Federal, Provincial and Municipal governments, sealers, fisher-people, community organizations, speakers, soloists, the Salvation Army Citadel Band, representatives from several branches of the Armed Forces, the coast guard, etc.
On behalf of Memorial United Church, it is my pleasure to invite you to the 62nd Annual Service for “The People of the Sea”. This year’s service will be held on Sunday, March 30, 2025 at 2pm. Please RSVP by Friday, March 21, 2025. Please RSVP by calling the Chair of the Board, Sid Woolfrey at 709-770-1245 or email: sidwoolfrey@gmail.com.
We look forward to your attendance at this special service celebrating the lives of those whose work is focused on the sea. A reception will follow the service.