CHURCH SERVICES
Everyone is welcome to worship at Spirit of Hope United Church on Sundays at 10:30 a.m. at 7909-82 Ave NW in Edmonton. People of all ages, genders and gender identities, sexual orientation, abilities, and socio-economic status are invited to participate in all aspects of the church service, including communion. Most services last about an hour.
Come as you are to the service. There is no dress code. You will be offered a bulletin with the order of service and a copy of the weekly newsletter, The Spark. Large print versions, nametags, hearing assist devices and the guest book can be accessed at the Welcome Desk. The coat room is located behind the Welcome Desk.
The live service can be viewed from the Sanctuary or Quiet Room. It can also be watched online at https://www.youtube.com/@spiritofhopeunitedchurch791 or on the monitor in the Lobby.
A typical service will include an Acknowledgement of the Land, music, readings, reflections, and prayer.
On most Sundays, children and youth are invited to attend church school classes that begin part way through the service. They are also welcome to attend the whole service.
About once every two months, everyone is invited to share in communion - a ritual common to almost all Christian churches where Jesus' last supper is remembered. At Spirit of Hope, as in other United Churches, grapes or grape juice is offered instead of wine. Usually gluten-free bread is provided. You are not required to receive communion.
At any time during the service, you are invited to light a candle at the table on the right side of the sanctuary as an act of remembrance, reflection or thankfulness.
There are many ways to make a donation to the church, however a donation is not required.
From the earliest days of the Christian movement, baptism has been used as a special ceremony of welcome and grace. Through baptism we are affirming the love that God already has for the person being baptized. The ceremony is our response to God's love for each of us. It is a reminder and a sign of that love.
When a person is baptized, they become a member of Christ's one universal Church. Their membership is exercised through one of many denominations, such as the United Church of Canada. Baptism and confirmation are generally transferable between denominations and congregations. As such, Baptism, generally, happens only once in a person's life.
At Spirit of Hope United Church, baptism can happen at any age. When a child is baptized, they are not expected to understand how to respond to God's love. Through baptism, the parents and the church act on behalf of the child as a response to God's love. One or both of the parents promise to raise their child in an atmosphere of spiritual curiosity and provide opportunities to nurture and grow faith. The people of the church promise to support and nurture the child and their family.
Part of this church support is offering programming for the family and continuing opportunities to grow their faith. If, as the child grows up, they wish to recognize their own faith, they can participate in a ceremony of Confirmation (or Reaffirmation of their Baptismal Faith) and become a Full Member of the church.
The baptism ceremony normally takes place during a regular Sunday morning Church Service. There are no fees related to baptism.
During the baptism ceremony the parents will be asked to respond to these, or similar, questions:
If you are interested in Baptism for yourself or your child or would like information about Confirmation, please contact the church’s minister (780) 468-1418 or minister@spiritofhope.ca for more information.
Spirit of Hope United Church is pleased to celebrate marriages for all couples who recognize the importance of the Christian faith and spirituality in their life and marriage.
This church believes that God's love is unconditional for all and that committed love occurs no matter what gender you or your partner are. This church affirms that God's love is unconditional for all and that committed love grows between couples regardless of their past relationship experiences. The church welcomes divorced people, common law couples, couples with children, etc. to celebrate their weddings with Spirit of Hope.
The sanctuary is lined with colourful stained-glass windows and seats about 150 people. The church’s minister may be available to conduct wedding ceremonies at locations other than the church building.
Please see the Rental Opportunities tab for information on fees.
If you are interested in asking Spirit of Hope to help celebrate your wedding, please contact the church’s minister (780) 468-1418 or minister@spiritofhope.ca for more information.
Couples will meet with the church’s minister in the weeks or months prior to the wedding to discuss the details of their wedding service. The couple is encouraged to take an active role in deciding on the aspects of their wedding service.
When death touches our lives, we experience a range of feelings and are often drawn into reflecting on the life of our loved one. The church can help.
Whether it is just a comforting phone call or assistance with a service of celebration and memorial, the church and its minister can help.
Spirit of Hope is open to working with you in providing the kind of service that makes the most sense for you and the person we are remembering.
Funeral or Memorial Services can take place in the Spirit of Hope building or at other locations such as funeral homes or community halls. Please see the Facilities tab for information on fees for services in the church building.
Spirit of Hope United Church occasionally schedules worship services to celebrate special days, including Shrove Tuesday/ Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Christmas Eve. An Easter Sunrise Service and some Sunday services during the summer are held outdoors at a park. Details for these services can be found on the church website and newsletter.
Spirit of Hope United Church is recognised as an Affirming Ministry by Affirm United/S’affimer Ensemble. This means that the congregation is committed to a public, intentional, and explicit welcome and involvement of people of all sexual orientations and gender identities. Furthermore, Spirit of Hope is committed to providing 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.
Spirit of Hope United Church is located on Treaty 6 lands — the traditional and ancestral territory of the Cree, Dene, Blackfoot, Saulteaux and Nakota Sioux and the home to the Métis Settlements and the Métis Nation of Alberta, Regions 2, 3 and 4 within the historical Northwest Métis Homeland. Spirit of Hope is committed to living in right relations with all.
Explore these workshops that the congregation offered as part of its journey towards becoming an Affirming Ministry:
Each Sunday preschool and elementary school aged children are welcome to attend the first 15 minutes of the main worship service and then head off to a special children's program. Each week the children are provided with a lesson, activities and a music session. Community outreach is also encouraged, and the church school children participate in a few small projects each year.
Youth and young adults from grade six and up meet on Sunday mornings in the Youth Room after attending the early part of the worship service in the sanctuary. Participation in worship services and other church activities is encouraged, including greeting, reading, singing, playing musical instruments and helping to run our AV equipment (including sound, camera operation and PowerPoint presentation).
Many aspects of faith are explored during discussions and they are encouraged to be involved in outreach projects including neighbourhood youth service organizations and the Garneau Strathcona Food Security program that operates out of Spirit of Hope United Church.
Opportunities are provided to connect with other Edmonton church-based youth groups and to participate together in activities they enjoy such as skating, art activities and even building a fireplace from donated cans of food!
Everyone is welcome to attend programs or events. For more information, or to get involved, please contact the church office at officeadmin@spiritofhope.ca or 780-468-1418.
In addition to our programs for children, youth and young adults, each year we pursue one or two series of study for adult spiritual enrichment.
This group meets monthly in the lower hall of the Church, excluding July and August. We are a friendly group and offer fellowship to all women of the Church who wish to join. If you can only attend on a casual basis, we look forward to seeing you when you are available.
The group caters for funerals, organizes several lunches after worship throughout the year and hosts special annual events such as Irish and Halloween potluck suppers, a Christmas bazaar and tea. We provide funds to several charities and to general funds of the Church.
For more information about the group or becoming involved, please contact the church office at 780-468-1418 or via email at officeadmin@spiritofhope.ca.
The BLT! Breakfast is an event organized by men of Spirit of Hope for all members and friends of the congregation. The breakfasts are organized and prepared by a dedicated core group of men and assisted by many of the regular attendees who help in clearing the tables and cleaning up the kitchen.
There are four BLT! Breakfast group events each year on Saturday mornings to share breakfast and enjoy presentations by guest speakers; usually in September, November, February and April.
The BLT! Breakfasts serve the congregation as educational fellowship events.
A Legacy of Spirit – Roads to a New Meeting Place
The Glass Menagerie
Not a Choice
Affirming Ministry: What Does It Mean?
An Advent Gift
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHcgM2M47vQ&t=137s
If you would like more information about the breakfasts, have an idea for a guest speaker or would like to speak, please contact the church office at 780-468-1418 or via email at officeadmin@spiritofhope.ca.
All are welcome to attend this drop-in exercise group that is held every Tuesday morning at 9:30 a.m.
Online videos are selected for the group each week by the group facilitator. Everyone is encouraged to exercise at their own pace in a comfortable position either standing or with chair options offered.
Attendees are encouraged to wear comfortable clothes and to bring a water bottle. Hand weights can be used but are not essential.
There is no charge.
Everyone is welcome to drop by the church café on Wednesday afternoons from 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. to relax, chat and enjoy a warm beverage with friends and neighbours.
You may wish to bring along a creative project to work on while you visit.
No charge.
These informal potluck events are usually held on the second Saturday every two months. People of all ages and interests are invited to share food and visit, play board games, participate in gym activities or observe the action. Everyone is welcome.
Details are included in The Spark, and on the Spirit of Hope website and Facebook page.
Five-week Sunday afternoon sessions of Jazz and Reflections concerts are hosted at Spirit of Hope in the fall and in the spring.
Everyone is welcome to enjoy an afternoon of music, spiritual reflection and refreshments at no cost.
Donations are accepted to cover the musician's fees and other expenses.
Dates for each series are posted in The Spark and on the Spirit of Hope website and Facebook page.
This drop-in group arranges art gatherings and special events every 1-2 months. Details are included in The Spark and on the Spirit of Hope website and Facebook page.
Contact officeadmin@spiritofhope.ca if you have recommendations for community art events.
The Breakfast Fellowship meets on the third Saturday morning of every second month for breakfast at a local restaurant.
There is no formal program; rather it is intended as a time to get to know each other, share pleasant conversation, and enjoy whatever breakfast a person feels like having that morning - anything from a muffin to ham and eggs.
There are usually 5-10 people who gather, but the group varies from month to month. So it is always interesting to see who will be there.
Anyone is welcome to join us.
MUSIC AND THE ARTS
The Spirit of Hope Choir is a group of dedicated singers under the direction of Warren Mack, Music Director. The choir enjoys singing a variety of traditional and modern music during worship, special events and fundraisers. The group's primary goal is to enhance the Sunday morning worship experience for the congregation by leading hymns, singing anthems to supplement the scripture messages, and participating in other ways that contribute to a meaningful worship service. In addition, the choir organizes fundraising concerts and other special events with local choirs, musicians and instrumentalists.
The Spirit of Hope Choir is a friendly group that welcomes anyone who enjoys singing. Practices are held on Thursday nights (7:30 to 9:30) in the months of September through June. New and novice singers are aided by the choir director and members. Choir members also have access to a variety of music resources that help with practice and tackle any of the more difficult anthems.
For more information or if you are interested in joining, please contact the Spirit of Hope church office at 780-468-1418 or via email at officeadmin@spiritofhope.ca.
The Chancel Ringers, an inter-generational handbell choir, practice every Tuesday evening from early September to early May. Learning a variety of music, members play as part of Sunday worship every four to six weeks.
For the past 15 years, the group has presented a Christmas service at Garneau Hall. The Chancel Ringers are a very committed, loyal group who are wonderful to work with, always up for new challenges and full of fun.
Other very important functions of this group include providing our members with a musical outlet in a caring atmosphere, and an amazing support group when one meets a "bump on the road."
Playing bells is a lot more difficult than it looks! Some members of our group have an extensive music background, but several are "learning on the job!" We are always looking for new members to train as regular players or substitutes.
For more information about this group or becoming involved, please contact the church office at 780-468-1418 or via email at officeadmin@spiritofhope.ca.
Many of the 9th Street Players theatrical group are members of Spirit of Hope. Each year this group adds drama to several worship services, and may present a major production.
The 9th Street players are always looking for new actors and people to work behind the scenes. No experience is necessary, just a desire to have fun.
For more information about this group or becoming involved, please contact the church office at 780-468-1418 or via email at officeadmin@spiritofhope.ca.
All are welcome to gather by Zoom to sing their favourite hymns together from 7-8 pm on the first and third Tuesday every month.
These sessions are accompanied by music director, Warren Mack or online videos.
Lyrics are displayed on the screen so everyone can sing along.
Due to limitations on Zoom, only the accompaniment is shared. Song requests are made during the session.
CARE AND OUTREACH
The Congregational Care Team at Spirit of Hope works together to identify needs and provide support during our church family's life changing times. It provides an empathetic presence during bereavement, transition and illness.
In addition to our pastoral visiting team, Spirit of Hope also has a Prayer Shawl Ministry. The shawls are deeply appreciated and they are a material presence representing the love and prayers of our congregation.
The NeedleWORCS group that organizes knitters and works on the shawls meets monthly.
For more information about this group or becoming involved, please contact the Spirit of Hope church office at 780-468-1418 or via email at officeadmin@spiritofhope.ca.
Every August, 18 members from Spirit of Hope and St. Paul’s United Church serve lunch to 300 inner city residents attending the Inner City Pastoral Ministry worship service at the Bissell Centre.
Other members from these two churches work together to prepare loaves of sandwiches, vegetables, fruit and cookies for this meal.
The Garneau Strathcona Food Security Program (GSFS) is a drop-in food distribution program held at Spirit of Hope United Church (7909 – 82 Ave.) every Saturday morning from 8:00 – 9:30 a.m.
Three south side United Churches lead volunteer teams for this program - St. Paul's, Garneau, and Spirit of Hope. Each Friday morning, volunteers collect food items from the Food Bank and bread is collected from a local bakery. These items are taken to the church where volunteers sort them and pack grocery bags to be distributed on Saturday. Bread is collected from a second local bakery on Saturday morning.
Between 8:00 and 9:30 a.m. on Saturday morning groceries are distributed on a drop-in basis and 9:30 to families in need. Approximately 110 to 130 guests pick up the food items for their families (representing more than 450 people) each week.
We are looking for more volunteers to assist with this vital and ongoing service. The commitment would be once a month for approximately 3 hours on a Friday from 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., or on a Saturday from 7:00 – 10:00 a.m. For further information please contact the church office.
Founded in 1997 by Spirit of Hope members Meheret Worku and her husband Scott Smillie, Sustainable East Africa Education and Development Society (SEEDS) has supported childhood education in Ethiopia by partnering with schools in rural Ethiopia to support hundreds of children who would otherwise be unable to attend school. It costs SEEDS $204 CDN to send one child to school for a year; just $17 a month. Any contribution helps reach the goal of bringing education to as many Ethiopian children as possible. Currently 260 students are able to attend school because of SEEDS.
With the underlying belief that education is the key to bringing families out of poverty and to developing communities, SEEDS has also been involved in activities directly related to strengthening these children’s families and communities through economic, community and capacity development activities.
Spirit of Hope United Church is happy to continue our involvement in and support of SEEDS by providing opportunities for SEEDS to use our facilities for meetings, education and special events (including our annual Christmas lunch) and for members to be involved as volunteers and supporters. See https://www.seedseastafrica.com for more information or to make a donation.
This group was initially formed by Spirit of Hope United Church in August of 2018 as part of a formal transition process of making contact with community-based agencies and groups in our neighborhood, learning about their challenges and needs, and identifying opportunities for collaboration.
Collaborative members seek to enhance the work of organizations serving the community by building and supporting strong interagency relationships to better understand and respond to the needs of the community. Meetings are usually held to share updates and plan networking events on the 3rd Friday of every 2nd month.
New community partners are encouraged to share updates, collaborate on projects, share updates and attend meetings and networking events. Contact officeadmin@spiritofhope.ca for dates and details.
Active organizations involved in the collaborative include:
by Spirit of Hope United Church