Church Groups

Caring Community, Congregational Life, Stewardship

Caring Community

Pastoral Care - Prayer Chain - Prayer Shawl Ministry - Casserole Ministry - Card Ministry - Catering - Healing Pathways

Pastoral Care

Pastoral Care is the ministry of care. It is a term applied where Christians offer help and caring to others in their church and congregation, or within the wider community. Our goal at Woodcliff United has been to reach out to our members through One- On One communication, or through larger community building events such as luncheons or other social occasions.. Under the Pastoral Care umbrella there are many different care groups that minister to the congregation Pastoral Care - Prayer Chain - Prayer Shawl Ministry - Casserole Ministry - Card Ministry - Catering.

One-On-One

One of our objectives is to organize and implement one-on one visiting and communication with “shut ins”, or others. For example seniors isolated at home or in care facilities – those who had been active members of Woodcliff, but are now unable to get to church services. We have been quite sucessful with regular visiting of members in some facilities. Rev. Piotr and a team of volunteers are able to provide scheduled worship services to residents at Wentworth Manor and Cedars Villa.

Prayer Chain

So I tell you whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

Mark 11:24 (NRSV)

To have names placed on the confidential Prayer Chain List please Email prayerchain@shaw.ca.

The Prayer Chain respects the confidential nature of prayer requests. Names are kept on the prayer list for one month unless a longer period of time is requested, The Prayer chain meets the second Sunday of the month to update the list. We welcome any who like to join us.

Prayer Shawl Ministry

Imagine that you are lonely, grieving or ill, or perhaps leaving home for the first time, or celebrating the birth of a child, what a blessing it would be to receive a soft, warm and comforting shawl that was created with the love and prayers of your church family. Over the centuries, shawls have come to symbolize shelter, peace and spiritual sustenance. Members of Woodcliff United have lovingly donated their time and talents by creating hand-knit and crocheted shawls, filled with the power of prayer, for those in need. Prayer Shawl Ministry began here at Woodcliff United with the Pastoral Care Committee and several willing volunteers, we have already begun to create an inventory of shawls. The prayer shawls are begun with prayer which continues throughout the making and then receive a final blessing when they are dedicated in church. We look forward to continuing with this ministry and with the creation and blessing of more shawls in the coming months and years. If you know of someone who would like to receive the blessing of a prayer shawl please contact the church office or speak to Bette.

Casserole Ministry

In 2008 the Casserole Ministry began after recognizing a need within the membership of Woodcliff. Casseroles are made by a group of volunteers to help members of the congregation who may have returned home from the hospital, are housebound or might benefit from some TLC. The casseroles are delivered to by volunteers. If you know of someone who would benefit from a casserole, a visit and some TLC please contact the church office or speak to Eileen.

Card Ministry

The Card Ministry is one way of expressing care to members of the congregation that are experiencing life passages. Whether it is in celebration or in caring Woodcliff acknowledges its care for the congregation through the ministry of cards. Please contact the church office or speak to Bev to have a card sent.

Catering

The Catering Committee is a group of teams that help to hold community building events, such as luncheons or other social functions at Woodcliff United. They provide care and service at memorial or funeral services to families experiencing bereavement. Included in the catering is setup and takedown; coffee, tea, beverages, linens, serviettes and dishes. Families provide the food which can be ordered by them quite readily.

Healing Pathways

Jesus called the twelve together and gave them power
and authority … and sent them out to heal.
Luke 9:1,2

As Trained Practitioners We Do Not Act On Our Own.
We Do Not Claim Any Credit For Healings In Which We Have A Part.
We Are Simply Conduits, Or Instruments, Through Which God's Grace Flows.
We firmly believe that God is the only One who can decide what God's energy will do – and where that energy will go – within your Mind, Body and Spirit in order to do the most good for you, the recipient.
God's Intention Is For Wholeness, Harmony, Balance And Health.

The Healing Pathways is our newest Ministry which enables people to develop the gifts and skills of healing hands within the Christian tradition, and fosters the development of healing ministries in congregations and other communities. Anyone interested in Healing Pathways is asked to contact Bev Holroyd.

Congregational Life

Worship - Christian Education - Communication

Congregational Life Working Group plans and supports three areas of ministry: Worship, Christian Education, and Communications. The Worship team focuses on planning and ensuring support for the various aspects of Woodcliff's worship services including the choir and other aspects of the music program, sacraments and symbols. Christian Education provides direction and support to the work of our Sunday School, Youth Group, and various adult programs. Communications is concerned with providing information to Woodcliff's congregation as well as to the larger community. Sacraments and Symbols - the banner committee always works hard to add to the feel of the sanctuary through the cycles of the church season with tasteful decorations. Music - our choir enriches our worship experience at Sunday services as well as special Holy days., thanks to all the dedicated choir members Music Director Sandra and Assistant Director Gail who volunteer their time and expertise to our Music program. The choir always welcomes new members and does not require exceptional vocal abilities! Just a willingness to sing joyfully!! Christian Education - we have a thriving Christian Education program which also emcompasses our Adult Programs - for more information on Women of Woodcliff and the Men's Breakfast Group look below. Rev. Piotr and volunteer leaders offered study and discussion programs throughout the year with a particular focus on Lenten and fall programs.,our Minister of Christian Education, has many responsibilities. The annual "Vacation Bible School" is a very successful program and operates with exceptional volunteer support. Youth - Youth coordinator Amy participates in worship services and is injecting life and vitality into our Youth Program. The Scripture Proclaimers' Group continued to offer enriched understandings of scripture passages during worship. All of their contributions are greatly appreciated. Lorraine and the Powerpoint team help present the PowerPoint presentations each Sunday that helps to enrich our worship experiences. Communications - is ably coordinated by Ron and his team.

Congregational Life Working Group planning meetings are open to all. If you are interested in Worship, Christian Education, or Communications, and would like to help plan and support these areas of congregational life, you would be most welcome. A continuing area of interest for our group is church growth. Fresh input would be welcome.

Women of Woodcliff

Women of Woodcliff (WOW) meet the first and third Mondays of the month. The First Monday of each month the group usually brings in a speaker who deals with relevant topics for today's woman. The Third Monday of the month is devoted to Friendship Circle Time and you are welcome to bring projects you are working on whether it be knitting, crocheting or something else or nothing at all and just enjoy the lively discusssions and sharing. If you enjoy knitting or any other handcrafting arts and want to take part in one of the many projects that WOW supports such as "Worry Dolls" or slippers for the Sherrif King Women's Shelter, Afghans for those in need or helping the Prayer Shawl Ministry make shawls for members and families of Woodcliff then WOW is the time and place to share your gifts. All women, no matter what your age, are invited to take part in any or all of WOW's programs. You can find out about upcoming events by visiting NEW EVENTS on the right hand side of the homepage.

Men's Breakfast Group

The Men's Breakfast Group meets the third Saturday from 8:30 - 10:00 for breakfast and a time to connect. Breakfast making occurs on a rotating basis giving all a chance to explore their culinary expertise. All men are welcome, phone the church office or email woodclif@telus.net for more information or to RSVP for breakfast so those who are cooking have an idea of how many to expect. You can find out about upcoming events by visiting NEW EVENTS on the right hand side of the homepage.

Stewardship

Property - Finance - Planned Gifts

The Stewardship Group consists of three components: Property, Finance and Planned Gifts. The Property is ably cared for by Jim, Property Chair, and Custodian, Stern. The administration and maintenance of the church is an ongoing process, which involves continuous cleaning and upgrading of the property, clearing of the parking lot and other necessary projects to keep the building and equipment up to date. Woodcliff Garden Club - work weeding and upgrading the front gardens and volunteering their time planting, watering and looking after the gardens over the summer. Church Use - Church use continues to be made available to the community at large with the continuation of exciting programs, such as the choir programs, the Scouting programs, the Yoga sessions, and many other self-help community based programs. See the bottom list for groups you may be interested in. The Finance Team consists of: Betty - Envelope Secretary, Gwen - Payroll Clerk, Lorna - Accounts Payable, George and Marjorie who coordinate our Count Teams and our Treasurer - Campion. Any financial questions may be direscted to them. Planned Gifts - the church has a brokerage account to take advantages of tax benefits that were introduced on donations of negotiable securities. This donation route is available to anyone who would like to use it. There is a need to ensure we all understand the opportunities and benefits for the long-term viability of the church that can be ensured by planned giving.

Groups At Woodcliff

If you would like more information or to sign up for any of these programs

phone the church office to be put in contact with the coordinator(s).

Yoga - Mondays 9:00 & 1:15

Cubs and Scouts - Mondays and Wednesdays 6:30

One Accord Choir - Mondays 7:30

Multicultural Choir - Tuesdays 7:30

Overeaters Anonymous - Wednesdays 10:00 AM & 7:00 PM

Food Addicts - Saturdays 10:00 AM

Al-Anon - Mondays 8:00 PM

Thursaday Night Ladies Group - Thursdays 7:00 PM

Anonymi (AA) - Sundays 7:30 PM

Porcelain Artists - Fourth Monday of the month 10:00AM

Kidzone- Tuesdays - Fridays 9:00AM - 5:00 PM