We are members of the United Church of Canada living in the St Francis area in Quebec, striving to nurture the faith of our members. But we are also much more than that: We are here for our communities, for our friends, for our neighbours, and for strangers, too.
We do this in many ways, from welcoming newcomers, to offering a sympathetic ear to hosting regular meals and gatherings for children and their parents and support networks. The Messy Church program, which moves from church to church, offers food and finger painting. Beulah United in Ayer’s Cliff has pizza nights for the kids.
Let’s talk a bit more about food. In fact, let’s talk a lot more.
Breaking bread brings us together. Food brings us together in comradeship, reconnecting old friends, and making new friends. Covid has certainly set things back a bit, but Lennoxville United is looking into restarting its weekly take-out meals for college and university students (working ecumenically with other area churches). Richmond United is working to bring back its regular community lunches, held the third Thursday of every month (donate what you can, from 5 cents to 10 dollars). St. Paul’s United in Magog partners with a local school to distribute food baskets every Christmas. The United Eaton Valley Pastoral Charge of the United Church of Canada is in touch with area food banks and schools, sharing information on accessing elementary school breakfast programs, and the location of the fridge at the family community centre Relève St François.
Do you have a few spare dollars? Beulah United in Ayer’s Cliff pairs with a local company to sell beaver tails at Christmas. Plymouth-Trinity in Sherbrooke has an active and ongoing fundraising campaign raising money for the Estrie Aide food bank.
