Adult Groups & Programs
Weekly Groups
Word Alive
Mondays | 10:30am
A bible study and discussion group to delve into scripture and explore beyond the message in worship. This bible study is led by Rev. Mark. Westminster is also looking to add another bible study at another time during the week. Contact Rev. Mark if you are interested!
A bible study and discussion group to delve into scripture and explore beyond the message in worship. This bible study is led by Rev. Mark. Westminster is also looking to add another bible study at another time during the week. Contact Rev. Mark if you are interested!
100th Anniversary Mass Choir
Westminster is pulling together again a mass choir together for the 100th Anniversary of The United Church of Canada! Each event will have a worship component, lots of great music, some fun and fellowship, and a celebration of who we’ve been, who we are, and who we hope to be as a Church . . . together!
We are extending this invitation to the churches of the former Oxford Presbytery and local churches of the Region . . . and anyone who would like to take part.
For the choir, we are breaking rehearsals into three ‘terms’ to be ready for each of the events – you can sign up for one, two, or all three! We will learn 5-6 new songs each term, as well as any hymns or worship music that would be used. Like the events themselves, rehearsals will be held at Westminster United Church, 115 George St., Thamesford, and typically run around an hour and a half. Here’s what it would look like:
Term 1 - Christmas Event – Sunday, December 29 at 4:00 p.m.
🎵 Rehearsals at 7:00 p.m. on Sept 29, Oct 6, 20, 27, No 3, 10, 17, 24, Dec 1, 15
🎵 Warm up at 3:00 p.m. for the December 29th event
🎵 25 music fee + $15 participation fee = $40 total
Term 2 – Easter Event – Sunday, April 27 at 4:00 p.m.
🎶 Rehearsals at 6:00 p.m. on Jan 12, 19, 26, Feb 2, 9, 16, 23, Mar, 2, 16, 23, 30, April 6 & 13
🎶 Warm up at 3:00 p.m. for the April 27 event
🎶 $25 music fee + $15 participation fee = $40 total
Term 3 – 100th Anniversary Event – Sunday, June 8 at 4:00 p.m.
🎵 Rehearsals at 7:00 p.m. on May 4, 11, 18, 25, & June 1 (and can join rehearsals already in progress on March 2, 16, 23, 30 at 7:00 p.m.)
🎵 Warm up at 3:00 p.m. for the June 8 event
🎵 $25 music fee + $10 participation fee = $35 total
🎵🎶🎵 All Three – sign up for all three terms by October 1 and do all three for $100 (for the 100th!) 🎵🎶🎵
Please pass this on to anyone you know who is or has been connected to the United Church as well. Folks don’t need to be part of a choir or even part of a congregation to take part. Really, just a desire to sing and celebrate together is all that you need to bring – and a pencil with eraser and black binder 😀 All are welcome!
Email us at choir@makingconnexions.com for more information or to sign up for the choir. Let’s make some music and celebrate together!
We are extending this invitation to the churches of the former Oxford Presbytery and local churches of the Region . . . and anyone who would like to take part.
For the choir, we are breaking rehearsals into three ‘terms’ to be ready for each of the events – you can sign up for one, two, or all three! We will learn 5-6 new songs each term, as well as any hymns or worship music that would be used. Like the events themselves, rehearsals will be held at Westminster United Church, 115 George St., Thamesford, and typically run around an hour and a half. Here’s what it would look like:
Term 1 - Christmas Event – Sunday, December 29 at 4:00 p.m.
🎵 Rehearsals at 7:00 p.m. on Sept 29, Oct 6, 20, 27, No 3, 10, 17, 24, Dec 1, 15
🎵 Warm up at 3:00 p.m. for the December 29th event
🎵 25 music fee + $15 participation fee = $40 total
Term 2 – Easter Event – Sunday, April 27 at 4:00 p.m.
🎶 Rehearsals at 6:00 p.m. on Jan 12, 19, 26, Feb 2, 9, 16, 23, Mar, 2, 16, 23, 30, April 6 & 13
🎶 Warm up at 3:00 p.m. for the April 27 event
🎶 $25 music fee + $15 participation fee = $40 total
Term 3 – 100th Anniversary Event – Sunday, June 8 at 4:00 p.m.
🎵 Rehearsals at 7:00 p.m. on May 4, 11, 18, 25, & June 1 (and can join rehearsals already in progress on March 2, 16, 23, 30 at 7:00 p.m.)
🎵 Warm up at 3:00 p.m. for the June 8 event
🎵 $25 music fee + $10 participation fee = $35 total
🎵🎶🎵 All Three – sign up for all three terms by October 1 and do all three for $100 (for the 100th!) 🎵🎶🎵
Please pass this on to anyone you know who is or has been connected to the United Church as well. Folks don’t need to be part of a choir or even part of a congregation to take part. Really, just a desire to sing and celebrate together is all that you need to bring – and a pencil with eraser and black binder 😀 All are welcome!
Email us at choir@makingconnexions.com for more information or to sign up for the choir. Let’s make some music and celebrate together!
Monthly Groups
Stitch Connexion
First Monday of the month | 1:00pm
The prayer shawls and pocket prayer shawls that we make are handed out for people that are in hospital, nursing homes, retirement homes or just need a hug. We are a small group but we have fun while knitting! Anyone that is interested in knitting or crocheting you are more than welcome to join us. We are willing to teach anyone how to knit and crochet if you would like to learn. Come share some connexions with us and others! Contact Ann Wilson if you're interested at 519-485-6595.
The prayer shawls and pocket prayer shawls that we make are handed out for people that are in hospital, nursing homes, retirement homes or just need a hug. We are a small group but we have fun while knitting! Anyone that is interested in knitting or crocheting you are more than welcome to join us. We are willing to teach anyone how to knit and crochet if you would like to learn. Come share some connexions with us and others! Contact Ann Wilson if you're interested at 519-485-6595.
Cooking Connexion
Third Thursday of each month | 10:30am
Cooking Connexion is a monthly social and food experience, offering a cooked meal and fellowship to single individuals in the Thamesford community. Together we prepare, nutritious, home style cooking and everyone participates in the preparation, cooking and clean up. Participants pay $10 and that gets you a lovely sit down meal, with enough food to take home for another meal later in the week. For more information, please contact Mariette Bardoel at 519-533-7515.
Cooking Connexion is a monthly social and food experience, offering a cooked meal and fellowship to single individuals in the Thamesford community. Together we prepare, nutritious, home style cooking and everyone participates in the preparation, cooking and clean up. Participants pay $10 and that gets you a lovely sit down meal, with enough food to take home for another meal later in the week. For more information, please contact Mariette Bardoel at 519-533-7515.
Grief & Loss Support
Grief Workshop
There are more than 60 events that can create the range of human emotions called grief. A death, divorce, estrangements, loss of trust issues, financial changes, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and health issues head the list. Grief is a natural human response to loss. Whether the loss was recent or long ago, it may still be limiting your ability to participate fully in life and relationships.
The Edu-Therapy™ Grief Resolution Process, facilitated by Catherine Cannon, assists in the ultimate journey back to your heart and to the mainstream of your life. Unfortunately there is little information on how to resolve the intense conflicting emotions caused by life events. Edu-Therapy™ Grief Resolution is an easy to use model that reduces and eliminates intense uncomfortable emotional responses to loss, trauma, and abuse. We have had much success in teaching people how to reframe their thoughts and find joy again.
Check the testimonials at www.chcannon.ca to see how people have been helped by learning new perspectives. Because of the generosity of the church, this course to offered to you for only $75 for the entire 8 sessions. If you are interested in this workshop, please contact Cathy (Grief Edu-Therapy™ Specialist) at 519-619-8108.
The Edu-Therapy™ Grief Resolution Process, facilitated by Catherine Cannon, assists in the ultimate journey back to your heart and to the mainstream of your life. Unfortunately there is little information on how to resolve the intense conflicting emotions caused by life events. Edu-Therapy™ Grief Resolution is an easy to use model that reduces and eliminates intense uncomfortable emotional responses to loss, trauma, and abuse. We have had much success in teaching people how to reframe their thoughts and find joy again.
Check the testimonials at www.chcannon.ca to see how people have been helped by learning new perspectives. Because of the generosity of the church, this course to offered to you for only $75 for the entire 8 sessions. If you are interested in this workshop, please contact Cathy (Grief Edu-Therapy™ Specialist) at 519-619-8108.
Seasonally
Death Café
Select Sundays | 1:30pm
The object of the Death Café is 'to increase awareness of death with a view to helping people make the most of their (finite) lives'. Many people feel that our culture has an unhealthy fear and discomfort with the topic of death. Jon Underwood (founder) felt strongly that opening up the dialogue about death would help people cope better with their own mortality. He established a movement called Death Café, where people could meet together to talk about any aspect regarding death of their choosing. These meeting are not about grief counselling; there is no agenda, or advice giving, and they always include cake and coffee.
The object of the Death Café is 'to increase awareness of death with a view to helping people make the most of their (finite) lives'. Many people feel that our culture has an unhealthy fear and discomfort with the topic of death. Jon Underwood (founder) felt strongly that opening up the dialogue about death would help people cope better with their own mortality. He established a movement called Death Café, where people could meet together to talk about any aspect regarding death of their choosing. These meeting are not about grief counselling; there is no agenda, or advice giving, and they always include cake and coffee.
Marriage Prep Workshop
Are you recently engaged, or planning toward your upcoming marriage? Please express your interest for this workshop to with Rev. Mark.
Entering the Marriage Scene is a video-based pre-marital workshop for nearly-weds to begin discussing difficult topics to help set a strong foundation to build your new marriage. These group discussions, coupled with ‘date night’ video homework, will help you explore marriage issues from a Christian perspective, giving you a good start to your new life together. This marriage prep workshop is facilitated by Rev. Mark Marshall & Grief Edu-Therapy™ Specialist, Catherine Cannon.
Entering the Marriage Scene is a video-based pre-marital workshop for nearly-weds to begin discussing difficult topics to help set a strong foundation to build your new marriage. These group discussions, coupled with ‘date night’ video homework, will help you explore marriage issues from a Christian perspective, giving you a good start to your new life together. This marriage prep workshop is facilitated by Rev. Mark Marshall & Grief Edu-Therapy™ Specialist, Catherine Cannon.