New to Our Church?

Are you:

Of a different religious background?

You’re welcome here. 

Divorced? Come on in. 

In recovery from addiction? 

The door is OPEN!  

Re-entering the community after time spent in prison? Look forward to seeing you!  

Struggling with mental health issues? 

How can we help? 

A member of the LGBTQ+ community? Positive, safe space here! 

Blue, black, brown, green or anything in between? Please join us. 

When we say everyone is welcome, we really mean everyone is welcome. Come as you are. No matter what path brought you to our door, we welcome you to come in.

Everyone travels a different faith journey. Doubts  are welcome! It's not about a religion; it's about a relationship between everyone who is on the same journey. 

Yep, wear clothes! We're a pretty casual church when it comes to wardrobe. Come as you are. We value you; we aren't here to judge your wardrobe!

We have a 10:15 am service, we provide a program every Sunday that outlines the order of the prayers and hymns for that service. The program has some guidelines. If you are unsure of the standing ups and downs, a good tip is to watch the choir or the Minister. Most of the time, they know what's going on!

We sing a lot during services, so join in as you feel comfortable. If standing is difficult for you, please stay seated. It's all OK. 

Our Minister will also hold "Joys and Concerns" near the end of worship. If you have a celebration or a saddness in your life or the community,  please feel free to share the news at this time and the Minister will add it to their prayer. 

We often have a coffee hour after service where you can grab a drink , snack and friendly conversation. 

We do  have an offering plate at the door for each service but you will see that not everyone puts something on the plate! Some people have an automatic monthly donation taken from their bank account (Pre-Authorized Remittance or "PAR" for short), some people make an offering only once a month, some people donate online and others may make their offering by donating their time as that is what they have to give. 

How can you donate your time? Do you like being in the kitchen? We have lots of ways to help out!  If yardwork, gardening or building are more your thing, the Property Committee appreciates volunteers to help with spring and fall clean-up and maintenance bees. Do you like to decorate and share your creative talents?  We could use your helpt too! There are many, many ways to give.

If you wish to make an offering and get a tax receipt for it, you can use a Visitors Envelope  in the little shelf in the pews in the sanctuary . Make sure your name and address are written on the envelope so we can send you a tax receipt at the end of the year.

Communion is one of the two sacraments of the United Church – the other being baptism. At Bracebridge United Church, we have communion as part of the Sunday service about 6 times a year – so roughly, every other month.

In the United Church, we have what we call “an open table”. This means that anyone who feels they want to receive communion is welcome to do so. You do not have to be baptized or confirmed or be a United Church person. You just have to understand that this is an important ritual that draws us closer to one another and closer to God. 

The ritual of Communion is based on Jesus' instructions to the disciples at the Last Supper. Here at BUC the minister usually gives pretty detailed directions as to what to do so that everyone feels comfortable. There is also information printed in the program you are handed when you arrive. 

Adults and children are invited to come forward to receive communion. Because we want all to feel welcome, we serve gluten free bread and grape juice.

It's The Lord's Prayer. This is the prayer that Jesus taught his disciples when they asked him how they should pray. 

Our Father, who art in heaven,

             hallowed be thy name,

             thy kingdom come,

             thy will be done,

             on earth, as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread,

And forgive us our trespasses,

             as we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation,

              but deliver us from evil:

For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory

              forever and ever. Amen.

Sometimes, we use a newer version of this prayer:

Our Father in heaven,

Hallowed be your name.

Your kingdom come,

Your will be done on earth as in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread

And forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.

Save us from the time of trial

And deliver us from evil.

For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours, 

Now and forever.

Amen.