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About Us

Our Vision

“Learning, Changing and Growing Together” 

We are unique spiritual beings, seeking wholeness within ourselves, community, and creation. 
Guided and inspired by the life and teachings of Jesus and other sources of great wisdom, 
we seek to learn, change, and grow. 

We are committed to provide a safe, welcoming, and accepting gathering space for people of all ages, genders, abilities, gender identities, sexual orientations, faiths, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds to worship God, foster connections, nurture wholeness, and strengthen relationships. 

We celebrate the richness that diversity and inclusivity bring to our community of faith, 
welcoming all persons to participate in every aspect of church life, including membership, leadership, 
and participation in all sacraments, rites, and ceremonies. 

We work toward building partnerships, inspiring change in community, healing the wounds of isolation, 
marginalization, and injustice. With God’s Love we go into the future with hope.

We Value:

  • community that is caring, welcoming, inclusive, diverse and respectful of all
  • spiritual nurture that inspires us, deepens our faith and transforms us through multiple means of expression
  • compassionate engagement with the broader community to build shared understanding, partnerships and social justice
  • opportunities for growth in broadening our understanding of the stories of our faith and what they mean in our lives and our world

Our History

In 2014, four south Edmonton congregations with common challenges and purposes, began a journey together to forge a future of hope, renewal and relevance. Avonmore, Knox-Metropolitan, Pleasantview and Ritchie United Churches became member congregations of the new United on Whyte Pastoral Charge, approved by Edmonton Presbytery in November of 2015.

Beginning in January of 2016, they began worshipping together in the building located at 7909 82 Avenue NW. On January 1, 2018, the four congregations officially amalgamated to form United on Whyte United Church.

As part of our transition process, in late 2018 we re-examined our church’s name, inviting members to submit suggestions that reflect the congregation as it had become; resonating with our mission, vision and values and providing a clearer public indication of our focus on spirit and hope. At our Annual Congregational Meeting on March 3, 2019, our congregation approved the new name, Spirit of Hope United Church. This name was subsequently approved for use by the Northern Spirit Region of The United Church of Canada. In September of 2019 our congregation approved the Spirit of Hope logo.

An essential part of any change in the structure of a pastoral charge is an intentional focus on the transition process. With the support of Edmonton Presbytery, Reverend Heather D. Wright was appointed as Intentional Interim Minister to provide leadership through the many stages of coming together. A Transition Team was selected (five members of the United on Whyte Pastoral Charge and one member of Edmonton Presbytery) to guide the transition process. Their work ended on June 30, 2019 when the formal transition was over. Our deep gratitude and appreciation to them for their tireless and creative work during this transition period, a time when the health and spiritual life of the congregation has improved significantly.

For the last six months of 2019 we were very fortunate to have Reverend Donald Koots as our temporary Minister while the search for a permanent minister was completed. Reverend T. Blaine Gregg accepted the call and on January 1, 2020 joined us.

After several years of study, prayer and discernment, on June 6, 2021, Spirit of Hope United Church became an Affirming Ministry. This means that this church strives to be fully inclusive of people of all sexual orientations and gender identities and is committed to work for justice and inclusion within the community of faith, the wider church, and the community.

Leadership Team Governance

With the approval of the congregation, Spirit of Hope United Church has begun to operate under a Leadership Team model of governance that emphasizes spiritual leadership and the empowerment of the laity. Three “Faith in Action Teams (FIATs)” – covering Worship, Just and Caring Community and Learning and Growth – oversee and support the many activities of our congregation.

The Leadership Team meets the first Wednesday of most months. Its current members are listed below. 

 Currently:

  • Chair                                                                               Carol Loewen
  • Chair Elect                                                                     Jim Lewis
  • Treasurer                                                                       Kevin Gue
  • Secretary                                                                        Phyllis Verhaar
  • M & P Chair                                                                  Eva Cooper
  • Property, Finance & Stewardship Chair           Cathy Martin 
  • Communications Chair                                           Susan Bramm
  • Trustees Chair                                                             Sandra Hawes
  • Worship FIAT Leads                                                 Roslyn Thomson and Keith Kasha
  • Learning & Growth FIAT Leads                           Heather Green and Chris Meintzer
  • Just & Caring Community FIAT Leads              Judy Meintzer and Rhys Toone
  •  Regional Representatives                                      Katharine Moore (and Cathy Martin)
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