Worship
(Each week) Sunday morning worship: Our Sunday morning service begins at 10:00am. We are in the process of re-developing our Church School programme, and work to ensure a good experience for children each Sunday. If they would like, children and infants are welcome to remain with their families. The church is wheelchair accessible and there is a "hearing assist" system in place. Everyone is welcome!
(Each week) Worship in the style of Taizé: St. Andrew's is offering a time of worship in the spirit and music of the community of Taizé. This is a service of meditative prayer and gentle music, inviting the congregation to both reach deep within themselves, as well as reaching towards God and those around them. The service is in the church sanctuary on Wednesday evenings, beginning at 6:50pm and continuing until 7:30pm. If you find that music (singing yourself, or listening to those around) and quiet are ways that you worship, then this is a worship time for you.
(Each month) Together Time: We would like to invite families to gather together for a potluck supper, followed by a child-focused worship service. On the first Sunday of each month, at 5:30pm, people of all ages are invited to gather in the church hall for a potluck supper. After we've shared in food and conversation, the adults will "retire to the kitchen" to get the dishes washed, while the children will move into the sanctuary to help prepare the the worship service. When everything is cleaned up, everyone will join in the sanctuary for a 15 to 20 minute time of worshipful celebration.
Eucharist/Communion: Held approximately monthly, Communion is open to anyone who wishes to respond to the Call of Christ to participate. Consistent with our Methodist tradition, Communion in the United Church is always open, because it is Christ's table... not the church's.
Customarily, we use ordinary bread and non-alcoholic grape juice. Rice wafers are available for those with gluten allergies. Participants are directed toward the front of the church, are served bread and juice (in individual cups), partake of the elements and return to where they were sitting. For individuals who are unable to come to the front of the church, servers move into the congregation.
Baptism: Parents and/or sponsors are asked to promise to raise their children in a Christian context, to Worship God and share in the mission and service of Christ. As Baptism designates membership and a commitment, services are only held during Church Worship (except in extreme situations of health). Parents who present children for baptism will be asked to meet with the minister and members of the congregation, and to consider their personal relationship to Christ and the Church.
Adults who choose to be baptized or reaffirm their faith will be included in the same Baptism services.
Marriages: Couples are not required to have a church affiliation but should expect a Christian service. Persons married in the United Church are never required to make vows that imply "obey," nor are they "given away." Persons are expected to make vows of commitment to one another, to be faithful with the intention of a life long relationship. Parents are invited to give their continued blessing to their children and to the marriage. Weddings may be conducted either at the Church or other locations.
Any two persons in possession of a valid marriage licence may be married at St. Andrew’s Haney UC.
Funerals & Memorials: Services may be held at the Church, Funeral Chapel or other location (Hall, Legion, Garden setting). No Church affiliation is required. A pall (white covering) is available to cover caskets indicating that all come before God on an equal basis. Caskets are closed during the service although a viewing can be arranged prior to the funeral. Memorials are conducted without the presence of the body.
The St. Andrew’s Hall is available for receptions following Weddings and Funerals. Additional charges apply and if alcohol is to be served, permission from the Church Board is required in addition to a licence from the BC Liquor Commission.