Ladner United Church-

Yes. We are a friendly neighbourhood church located in the heart of the historic Ladner Village. Our motto is “A heart for God in the heart of the Village”

We encourage guests to come to see if Ladner United ‘feels’ good for you, or suits your hopes of a faith community where your values and morals meet with your expression of the Holy.

We have people who have been involved here all their lives and others whose involvement began more recently when they moved to ‘the-well-kept-secret’ of Ladner.

We desire to be attentive to the whole person throughout the spectrum of ages and abilities, including, body, mind and spirit.

WHO ATTENDS LADNER UNITED CHURCH? WHAT ARE THEY LIKE?

People who attend Ladner United are young and old, varied in economic resources, single, gay, lesbian and heterosexual, married and attend with or without their partner.

Like the demographics of Ladner, those who attend Ladner United are a mix of people who are unemployed and employed, farmers, fishers/hunters, pensioners, students, retired/semi-retired professionals, healthcare workers, teachers, skilled trades people, service industry folk, counsellors, musicians and singers, house husbands and wives, and people with healthy and ailing bodies.

Ladner United is attended by people of diverse beliefs and religious backgrounds, and people who grew up in various Christian denominations, or without any experience in the church at all.

All are welcome.

HOW LONG DOES THE SUNDAY SERVICE LAST?

Usually about one hour and 15 minutes. If something special is happening, such as communion or a baptism, worship can be extended by about another 15 minutes.

IS THERE SPECIFIC SEATING, OR CAN I SIT ANYWHERE?

Please feel free to sit anywhere. If you are uncertain, the usher will help you find a seat.
Occasionally, due to a baptism or special services, certain rows will be indicated as reserved.

WILL I BE CENTERED OUT, OR HAVE ATTENTION DRAWN TO ME OR MY FAMILY?

You’ll be greeted by a host at the door, offered some helpful information and extended a welcome. Guests and newcomers are not identified individually or publicly in worship, although occasionally you might hear people mentioned by name if they are celebrating something special.

People participate in worship at their own comfort level. If you have not been to a Sunday church service before, things will seem strange – it’s like a new language. Participate as you are able and as you feel comfortable to. No one will mind.

WHAT HAPPENS WHILE I SIT IN THE PEWS BEFORE THE SERVICE?

You will notice people doing different things. Some people sit quietly and pray. Some people talk with their neighbours. Other’s read the announcements. It’s like a gaggle of snow geese arriving in their own style, path, and timing to the feeding spot.

IS THERE A DRESS CODE?

People wear the kind of clothing and style they are comfortable in…everything from jeans and a sweatshirt to a suit, tie or dressy outfit. Summer brings some folks in sandals, shorts and a t-shirt. What’s important is that you are worshipping and comfortable – not focussed on what you’re wearing. Stacy and Clinton don’t work at Ladner United.*

WHAT HAPPENS DURING THE SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICE?

The 900am service has five components – singing, story time with the children, Bible readings, a message (sermon), and prayers. There is a program with the children that they attend after the story time in the worship service.

All the words for the service, including songs, are projected onto a PowerPoint screen. Announcements about weekly activities and events are printed and handed to you as you enter the worship space. They are also displayed on the screen prior to the service beginning.

Music is led by our Church Musician Kenn and the Music Leadership team (often accompanied with a drummer). Kenn ends each service with a solo piece on the piano, during which some people stay and slowly end their worship experience, while others leave the sanctuary for various purposes.

The 1100 am service has a printed bulletin which people follow (its handed to you when you enter the worship space). In the bulletin, the words that the congregation says together at various times throughout the service are bolded.

There is no program for children during this service.

There are two hymnbooks we sing from – Voices United (VU) a burgundy-covered book, and More Voices (MV) a coil paper backed book. Hymns are identified in the bulletin by numbers. There are prayers, bible lessons and a message.
There are numerous choirs at Ladner United: The 11:00 am Choir ‘Voices of Vision' (primarily adults with a wide variety in music backgrounds, and welcoming of all who love to sing) and the ‘Kids of the Kingdom’ Youth Choir who mainly sing during the 900 am service. The Men's Choir sing on the third Sunday of each month. Various people's musical gifts and abilities also find their way into worship.

At both services worship proceeds unannounced. If you speak, or stand or sit out of sync with what the rest of the worshippers are doing – don’t fret and don’t worry – we’re a pretty friendly and relaxed group of people. It happens occasionally to everyone.

Worship is like Lower Mainland weather. It’s not the same all the time.

IS THERE ANYTHING FOR CHILDREN ON SUNDAY MORNINGS?

Children are a very integral part of Ladner United church and they are always welcome.

During the 900am service children sit with the adult(s) they came with until the minister, (who prefers to be called ‘Jim’ by people of all ages) invites them to be together up front for a story time. Sometimes this is more like a conversation and sharing time.

After the time up front they are lead out to church school by the teachers, if they wish to participate. They meet in the church hall for stories, and activities until you pick them up after the worship service.

Your children are welcome to stay with you in worship if they wish, as are babies. Nursing needs are well accepted within the worship space.

You can accompany your children up front during the story time in worship and when they go to church school. Our teaching with children centres on the biblical stories, along with prayer, activities, and awareness of the world they live in.

There are always two adults present during the children’s program. All of our church volunteers who lead any programs undergo a criminal records check and are known to the leadership of the church community.

During the 1100 am service there is no church school and so children stay in worship with the adult(s) they came with and can also go to the children’s area in the worship space at the front left hand side of the church. There are pews right beside the children’s area for accompanying adults.

We understand children are children, so their noise level and behaviour is different than adults. It depends on your comfort level how you navigate your children’s needs during the service.

Your child may stay in church, even if their body is busy and they want to speak to you about something. If they or you need a break from sitting and listening, there is a speaker in the church entrance where you can go and still hear the service, while taking care of your needs together. Also, during the 9:00 am service, there is a small nursery area in the Church Hall.

There are baby change tables in all of our washrooms, one that is located in the nursery.

WHAT HAPPENS AT COMMUNION?

The United Church of Canada practices an “open communion table” where all who seek to live as Jesus would have them live, irregardless of denomination, are welcome to receive communion.

The Sacrament of Holy Communion (also called the Eucharist, the Lord’s Supper or ‘the meal’) is a remembrance of the “last supper” that Jesus shared with his disciples before his death. It is remembered in the sharing of bread and wine (grape juice). It is a sacred act connecting us with God and each other.

We celebrate Holy Communion during Sunday worship about every 6 weeks, using bread/rice crackers and grape juice. Instruction is always given as to how communion is to be served (either while sitting in your pew or by coming to the front if you are able). Adults, children and “inbetweeners” are welcome.

WHAT IS “THE PASSING OF THE PEACE?”

The First Letter of Peter ends: “Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace to all who are in Christ” (1 Peter 5:14). During worship on most Sundays people are invited to stand as they are able and briefly greet their neighbour in peace.

One person extends their hand and says “The peace of Christ be with you” and the other takes the person’s hand and responds “And also with you.”

You might see some people who know each other well offer ‘the peace’ with a hug or kiss. We both wish to practice the passing of the peace as a way of embodying the common love we share in Christ, while at the same time respecting varying needs for personal space. We encourage each person to indicate their comfort level in the way they wish to be greeted. Usually extending out one hand is a clear enough message that you prefer to greet with a handshake.

AM I EXPECTED TO GIVE ANY MONEY?

A weekly free will offering of money is taken during the service by the passing around of offering plates (looks like a bronze Frisbee). Regular attendees give money in a number of ways – through the use of a numbered offering envelope that they bring to church and put on the plate, or by pre-authorized giving (a monthly withdrawal from their bank account). Some people put cash on the offering plate.

Those who give money on a regular on-going basis do this to support the church’s ministry. This includes expenses at Ladner United, and also the national United Church of Canada’s Mission and Service Fund that supports people in need in Canada and around the world.

By registering regular givings through the use of envelopes (issued through the office) or pre-authorized givings (PAR), there is assurance of receiving a yearly charitable tax receipt to be submitted with your income tax. Some people give weekly and some on other schedules. That means that not everyone will put something on the plate each Sunday.

The word “free will” is the key. You don’t pay to go to church. If you wish to make an offering – that choice is up to you and no one will judge you either way. For guests and newcomers, there are one-time envelopes in the pews.

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE WORSHIP SERVICE?

Again it’s up to you. All are welcome to share refreshments and community time in the Church Hall (the other side of the building – follow the crowd). Tea, Coffee and juice are served, as well as whatever light snacks people have brought. Some sit at tables, others stand and mingle or observe the gathering quietly. Others visit, introduce themselves and talk. It’s a very informal time.

Some people leave immediately following worship and go to the next thing in their day.

WHAT DOES THE UNITED CHURCH OF CANADA BELIEVE?

The New Creed is the Statement of Faith for The United Church of Canada. It’s simple and very beautiful. For more about the United Church of Canada and its life – go to www.united-church.ca

WHO DO I CONTACT IF:

• I WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT LADNER UNITED CHURCH,
• I WANT TO KEEP ATTENDING
• I’D LIKE TO DISCUSS SOMETHING PERSONAL WITH THE MINISTER?

The best thing to do is call or email our minister, Jim Short – minister@ladnerunited.org or 604-946-6254 (office) or on his cell 604-561-2911. He’ll arrange a mutually convenient time to get together with you either at your home, in his office or a neutral location. You can also chat with him by phone or email.

We have other staff that is very caring, skilled and, approachable:
1. Visiting Minister – Cliff McMurtry
2. Parish Health Nurse – Agnes Bauer.

They can be contacted through the church office (Wendy, our secretary, is in Mon – Fri – 0900 – 100pm) 604-946-6254 or office@ladnerunited.org

IS LADNER UNITED ACCESSIBLE TO PEOPLE WITH LIMITED MOBILITY?

Yes, there is a ramp and space in the sanctuary for wheelchairs. The church building is on one floor. The main bathroom can accommodate a wheelchair.

IS THERE PARKING?
Lots of it and free. On the church property at the back and front, on the street and in a large parking lot across the street. There are designated parking for those with mobility limits near the main entrance ramp at the front of the church. Because the village of Ladner is small, people can walk or cycle to church.

* The Learning Channel’s “What Not To Wear”

Ladner United Church

...a heart for God in the heart of the village

Worship Times

10:00 am with Sunday School

Greetings

Location

Q & A about Ladner United Church

10:00 am

with Sunday School