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WORSHIP SERVICES ARE HELD

SUNDAY MORNINGS AT 10:30 A.M.

Sunday, June 24 –

     Canada Week Worship Service and

Rev. Phil Hobbs’ final service as our Transitional Lead Minister

with Rev. Phil Hobbs and Rev. Vicki Fulcher

Rev. Hobbs’ sermon – “Pie in the Sky?”

WE INVITE AND WELCOME YOU! 

Rev. Hobbs’ e-mail address is rev.phil@bridgestchurch.com and his church phone extension is #73.

Click here to read Rev. Hobbs’ sermons.

 Rev. Fulcher’s e-mail address is vfulcher@bridgestchurch.com and her church phone extension is #72.

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The following information is from our bulletin announcements, June 17.

Calendar of Activities

THIS WEEK @ BSUC

  • Congregational Annual General Meeting – Part II (Reports only)–following worship, Sunday, June 17.
  • “Coffee Time” following worship each Sunday downstairs in the Sills Auditorium. Thank you to today’s hosts:  June, Audrey and Maureen.
  • 8 a.m. Wednesday Morning Bible Study – Parlour. Ring the buzzer at the Bridge St. entrance.
  • Team Leads’ Meeting – Wed., June 20, 11 a.m. – Parlour
  • Fellowship & Worship @ Quinte Gardens – Wed,, June 20, 3 p.m. – SEE “PASTORAL CARE” FOR DETAILS.
  • Property Team – Wed., June 20, 4 p.m. – Parlour
  • Worship Team – Thurs., June 21, 9:30 a.m. – Parlour
  • Book Lovers Club –Thurs., June 21, 10 a.m. – Offsite. SEE “HOSPITALITY” FOR DETAILS.
  • Governance Board Meeting – Thurs., June 21, 4 p.m. – Parlour
  • Choir Practice (vocals only) – Thurs., June 21, 7 p.m.
  • Last Stuff ‘n Chatter (bulletin collation) for this season – Friday, June 22 @ 9 a.m. – Auditorium
  • Thank God It’s Friday Frozen Meal Distribution – every Friday, 2 to 4 p.m., Bridge St. entrance.
  • Phil Hobbs’ last Sunday as Bridge Street’s Transitional Lead Minister & Canada Week Worship Service – NEXT Sunday, June 24, 10:30 a.m. Join us during “Coffee Time” to extend your best wishes to Rev. Phil as he moves to a half-time position at South Bay Pastoral Charge.

AND BEYOND …

  • End-of-the-Month Meals – Tues., June 26 & Thurs., June 28. SEE “COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS” FOR DETAILS.
  • Knitters United – Wed., June 27, 3 – 5 p.m. SEE “COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS” FOR SUMMER KNITTERS UNITED INFORMATION.
  • Summer Sunday Worship Services begin in our air-conditioned auditorium – Sunday, July 1, 10 a.m.
  • Summer Sunday Breakfast & Worship Service – Sun., July 8 & Sun., Aug. 12 beginning @ 9:30 a.m. – Continental Style with freewill offering.
  • Annual General Meeting of the Quinte Living Centre will be held on Sunday, July 8, 2018, Bridge Street Church, Sills Auditorium, immediately following the worship service (at approximately 11 a.m.). SEE “QLC” FOR MORE INFORMATION.

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GOVERNANCE BOARD NEWS     

The congregation elects the Governance Board to function as its governing body (and selects a Lead Minister to act as its spiritual, programmatic and administrative leader).

  • Congregational Annual General Meeting – Part II (Reports only) – Sunday, June 17, following worship. Kente Presbytery has stipulated that there will be no new nominations/elections of Governance Board members at this time; therefore, the purpose of this meeting is to receive the reports, as presented in the 2017 Annual Reports’ document.  Copies of this Annual Report were made available prior to the March 11, AGM Part I (finances only) meeting, and have been available for pick up in the church office since that date.
  • Anyone wishing to see the Monthly Report of the Transitional Lead Minister to the Governance Board will find it on the “Governance Board News” bulletin board, located directly across from the kitchen door.
  • Click here to read our congregation’s named mission, values and vision statements.
  • Click here to learn about the governing structure and visioning of Bridge St. United Church.
  • Click here to view Strategic Planning Committee Town Hall presentations on visioning steps for Bridge St. United Church. 
  • Strategic Planning Committee Town Hall Presentations are available on this website.  Click here.

Click here for our governance webpage.

MINISTRY TEAM NEWS

Ministry Teams manage the daily practical work of the congregation.

Administration

  • Girls Inc. Free Summer Day Camp for Girls entering Grades 4 to 8 @ Bridge St. United Church – Mon., July 9 to Friday, July 20. A strong, smart and bold two-week adventure for girls!  Mornings will consist of STEM programming (science, technology, engineering and math), while the afternoon will include Life Skills programming (economic, media, language, literacy, problem-solving and decision-making).  There will also be lots of fun activities, games and sports.  To learn more about Girls Inc. Limestone and this camp, visit www.girlsinclimestone.ca.  POSTER
  • Facility Use During the Month of May – The following organizations used church space in the month of May to further their own mission: Cangrands; Drumantics Drum Circle; HIV-AIDS Regional Services (Kingston); Joyfull Noise Choir; Quinte Deaf Fellowship; Quinte Symphony; United Syrian Family Support (Belleville).

Community Connections

The Community Connections Ministry Team lives out Christ’s mission in response to the world.

HOMELESS ENUMERATION:

The Bridge Street Church Food Ministry conducted an enumeration of homelessness in Hastings County between April 17 – 23, 2018.  Preliminary results from this enumeration will be presented by Steve van de Hoef, Food Ministry Program Manager, at a meeting of the Poverty Roundtable on June 13, 2 – 4 pm at Maranatha Church, 100 College St. W., Belleville.  All are welcome to attend.  The presentation will be followed by a panel discussion on actions to address homelessness and the need for housing in Hastings County.  A subsequent report will also be made to the congregation.  (A total of approximately $30,000 has been provided by the Federal and Provincial Governments to fund this research).

UNITED SYRIAN FAMILY SUPPORT (USFS) BELLEVILLE SPONSORSHIP GROUP:

THE UNITED SYRIAN FAMILY SUPPORT (BELLEVILLE) TEAM IS COMPRISED OF APPROXIMATELY 100 INDIVIDUALS; MEMBERS FROM THE BELLEVILLE AREA, INCLUDING BRIDGE STREET, ST. MATTHEW’S AND EASTMINSTER UNITED CHURCHES, ST. JOSEPH’S ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH AND MEMBERS OF THE BAHA’I AND MUSLIM COMMUNITIES; WHO HAVE COMMITTED TO SUPPORT FIVE SYRIAN FAMILIES.   

  • 8 Wing Concert Fundraiser for United Syrian Family Support (Belleville) – Wed., June 20, 7:30 p.m.  (Doors open at 7 p.m.) – St. Joseph’s Church, 399 Victoria Ave.  FREEWILL OFFERING to support the 5 local Syrian families associated with USFS (Belleville).

Click here to connect to the United Syrian Family Support (Belleville) website.

FOOD MINISTRY:

BRIDGE STREET UNITED CHURCH (BSUC) HAS HAD AN ACTIVE MEAL MINISTRY SERVING THE BELLEVILLE COMMUNITY SINCE 1997.  THE MISSION OF THE BSUC FOOD MINISTRY PROGRAMS ALIGNS CLOSELY WITH THE STATED VALUES AND MISSION OF BSUC.  WITH THE HELP OF APPROX. 180 VOLUNTEERS, THE FOOD MINISTRY OFFERS THREE DIFFERENT MEAL PROGRAMS:  INN FROM THE COLD (IFTC), THANK GOD IT’S FRIDAY (TGIF), AND END-OF-THE-MONTH MEALS (EOTM), EACH OF WHICH IS DIRECTED TO THOSE IN OUR COMMUNITY WHO ARE EXPERIENCING HUNGER AND FOOD INSECURITY.  Click here for our Food Ministry webpage.

  • During the six weeks of the 2018 Inn from the Cold food ministry program, 7,070 meals were served or distributed.
  • Total number of meals served/distributed in 2017 through the three BSUC food ministry programs = 14,436.
  • TGIF – “Thank God It’s Friday” frozen meal distribution continues every Friday from 2 to 4 p.m. at our 60 Bridge St. East entrance.  There is no cost for these meals, and no pre-ordering is required.  Simply register on your first visit by showing ID for each meal you wish to pick up.
  • End-of-the Month Meals – Doors open at 4:30 p.m.  Meal served from 5 – 6:30 p.m.  End of the Month meals started in 2016 to meet the observed increase in demand for meals near the end of each month.  End of the Month meals runs the same as Inn from the Cold in that a hot meal is served, which includes salad, main course, and dessert. June’s EOTM dates are … Tues., June 26 and Thurs., June 28.

KNITTERS UNITED:

KNITTERS UNITED IS A GROUP OF APPROXIMATELY 30 KNITTERS WHO GATHER ON THE 2ND & 4TH WEDNESDAY OF EACH MONTH FROM 3 TO 5 P.M. TO KNIT MITTS AND HATS WITH DONATED YARN FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS, WHICH ARE DISTRIBUTED THROUGH THE HASTINGS & PRINCE EDWARD LEARNING FOUNDATION AND BRIDGE ST. UNITED CHURCH’S FOOD MINISTRY PROGRAMS.

  • Knitters United … during the Summer Months – For July and August, and on the second Wednesday in September, we will again meet at the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 99, 132 Pinnacle Street.  (Remember we meet on the second and fourth Wednesdays).  If you enjoy knitting and are looking for a project, but can’t attend our knitting bees, we are in need of some large mittens (with a length of 6 1/2 to 8 1/2″ plus the cuff — in other words, to fit 12 years to adult).  We are also in need of knit hats.  Our first distributions after the summer will be to “Keep Kids Warm” (formerly Adopt-a-Child), and the Hastings-Prince Edward Learning Foundation for school children in our area.  In the fall, it will be time to ramp up for “Inn from the Cold” and its related meal programs.  We are always welcoming new knitters, more yarn, and information about other opportunities for us to share our talents.  Elizabeth Ewashkiw, Knitters United Coordinator.

Faith Formation/Children & Youth

The Faith Formation Ministry Team enables spiritual nurturing of children and adults.

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION FOR CHILDREN:

Our Sunday School programme has expanded!

  • Crib /Toddler – ages 0-48 months
  • Primary – ages 4-6
  • Junior/Intermediate – ages 7-12

Each group will be facilitated and supervised by two adults.

Many thanks to all who will be volunteering their time to support Christian Education.

Click here for our Children’s Centre web page.

WEDNESDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY:

Every Wednesday morning at 8 a.m., enjoy a cup of coffee while reading and discussing the scripture on which the next Sunday’s worship service will be based.  Our lessons in September will have a “Creation Time” theme.  Everyone is welcome.  Use Bridge St. entrance.

Finance

  • Finance Ministry Team Report to the Congregation – At May 31, Envelope Offerings are now down 20% compared to the same date last year, which is most disconcerting to Team members. Deficit to the end of May 31, 2018 is ($13,554).
  • PAR (Pre-Authorized Remittance) is a convenient way to make contributions to your church, especially during the summer months when you may be away at the cottage, or on holidays. Contact the church office if you are interested in switching to this form of offering.

Hospitality & Fellowship

The Hospitality & Fellowship Team endeavours to model the practice of “Radical Hospitality” with greeters, to warmly welcome friends and strangers alike each Sunday, and at special events planned throughout the year. 

BOOK CLUB

  • The Bridge Street Book Lover’s Club will be featuring their “Potluck of Plots!” meeting on June 21, 2018 at 10:00 a.m., off-site. This is an excellent opportunity to develop a summer reading list! A potluck lunch will follow the meeting. For more information, please call Carol Wolfgarth at 613-968-4776.

COFFEE TIME 

  • Join us for coffee on Sunday mornings following worship.

Music

The goal of the Music Ministry Team is to support the Music Director by planning, supporting and implementing relevant activities to be creative, courageous and joyful in praise, and for education and outreach into the community.

 Choir Practices are held on Thursdays (times may vary – check “This Week @ BSUC, above)

Bell ringers’ practice begins @ 5:45 p.m. – Ring the buzzer at Bridge St. entrance.

Vocal Choir practice begins at 7:30 p.m. – Knock on the Sanctuary “ramp” door.

Click here for our choir webpage.  

  • “Joyfull Noise Choir” at Bridge St. United Church, Friday, June 15, 7:30 p.m.  Come out and enjoy the music of the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s.  You will want to sing along as these good old songs bring back memories from the Rock & Roll era.  Freewill offering will support Bridge St. United Church operations. – Everyone welcome!

Pastoral Care

Members of the Pastoral Care Ministry Team offer a compassionate, empathetic and Spirit-filled presence to those of our church family who find themselves unable to participate more fully in the life and work of BSUC.

  • The UCW, in collaboration with the PASTORAL CARE TEAM, has arranged a time of fellowship and worship at Quinte Gardens on June 20th.  Join our BSC residents for worship at 3 p.m. Tea, coffee and dessert will be served in the auditorium following the worship service.  
    • For those interested in a tour of Quinte Gardens, a complimentary lunch will be served at 1 p.m. followed by a tour at 2 p.m.  All are welcome! Registration is required for both lunch and tours. Call Sue Reid to register at 613-968-4655.

FLOWER MINISTRY:

  • Roses in the bud vase are this congregation’s way of extending congratulations to its members. If you have good news that you’d like to share with members of your church family, contact the church office, and a “rose date” will be coordinated for you.  Thank you to Audrey C., Bud Vase Coordinator.  (Bud vase roses are paid for/budgeted through the Pastoral Care Team through its “Flower Ministry” budget line).

PRAYER CIRCLE:

  • Prayer Box – We invite you to submit your prayer requests to be included with the daily prayers of our dedicated team of pray-ers. Please slip your prayers into the special Prayer Box, located on the table at the back of the Auditorium.  Prayer requests are dedicated each Sunday along with the morning offering.

Personnel

The Personnel Ministry Team meets on the first Tuesday of every month from 1 to 3:30 p.m. to provide a regular opportunity for the Church staff and members of the congregation to meet with the team to discuss any issues related to personnel matters within the church. 

Property

The Property Ministry Team manages the upkeep of the physical Bridge St. Church building.

Stewardship

Message from the United Church of Canada – Thank you!  As a supporter of Mission & Service you are making a difference.  Your gifts to M & S through this church allow us to live the gospel message of hope and justice in tangible, life-changing ways.

Worship

The Worship Ministry Team plans services for the liturgical year and oversees related policy.  They also manage the Memorial Fund.

  • The Season of Pentecost – The Day of Pentecost closes the Easter season and opens the door to the liturgical season of Pentecost; dozens of weeks that carry us from Pentecost Sunday to the First Sunday in Advent. The Day of Pentecost is the birthday of the Christian Church.  Sundays after Pentecost focus on discipleship – the new life in Christ in which we are living and growing.

UCW –

The purpose of the United Church Women is “to unite all women of the congregation for the total mission of the church and provide a medium through which they may express their loyalty and devotion to Jesus Christ in Christian witness, study, service, and fellowship.” (excerpt from UCW Guidelines).

  • FUNDRAISER: The UCW has organized a bus trip to the Herongate Barn Dinner Theatre in Pickering on Sunday, September 23 to see the play “You Know I Can’t Hear You When The Water’s Running”. As this is a matinée performance, the bus will leave Belleville at 10 am arriving in Pickering for a buffet meal with the play starting at 2 pm and ending around 4:30 pm.  The all-inclusive ticket price is $110 per person. Tickets sales are open to all including the general public, with seating limited to 32 people.  Ticket sales are non-refundable.  If by chance you have a need to cancel, it is up to you to try and sell your ticket.  See poster on bulletin board outside church office. Ticket sales will close on September 7th. For tickets please call Nancy at 613-962-7498.
  • “Candy Cane Lane” Bazaar – With your calendar in hand scheduling those pool parties and summer BBQ’s, please take a few minutes and reserve November 16 & 17th. These are the dates for this year’s “Candy Cane Lane” Bazaar.  That’s right folks!  A two day event.  When those lazy days of summer are upon us and you do not know what to do, please keep us in mind.  Use this time to “craft” a little something to help fill the church’s craft table, or if you are one to do any preserving, donations of any “fruits of your labour” would be added to our bake table. Donations for baskets, silent auction or the treasure rooms may be dropped off at any time.  Your Bazaar Committee

Click here for the UCW webpage. 

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COUNCIL OF TRUSTEES:

The Council of Trustees performs the duties of managing the “lands, premises, and Real Property and Personal Property acquired for the use of the Bridge Street Church Pastoral Charge of the United Church of Canada” as specified by the Model Trust Deed.

BRIDGE ST. UNITED CHURCH FOUNDATION:

The Bridge Street United Church Foundation, incorporated in 1973 as a charitable organization, administers on behalf of the Bridge Street United Church congregation, funds from the estate of the late Charlotte E. Sills, and other funds that are received from time to time. The Foundation is composed of all members of the Bridge Street United Church congregation and is administered by a Board of Directors, which the members of the Foundation elect.  Click here for the BSUC Foundation webpage.

QUINTE LIVING CENTRE:

  • Located at 370 Front Street, Belleville, this 112-unit seniors’ apartment building was built in 1982 as an outreach project of BSUC and operates as a registered, non-profit, charitable corporation. The Board of Directors consists primarily of members of Bridge Street Church and members from the community-at-large.
    • Annual General Meeting of the QLC will be held on Sunday July 8, 2018, Bridge Street Church, Sills Auditorium, immediately following the worship service (at approximately 11 a.m.).

Click here to connect to the Quinte Living Centre website.

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Area Church & Community Activities

  • Cleaned Clamshell (fruit & vegetable) Containers can be dropped off at Gleaners Foodbank, 25 Wallbridge Crescent, M – F, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. during this garden season. Containers will be used to distribute fresh produce to those in need.
  • Poverty Roundtable Meeting – Wed., June 13, 2 – 4 p.m., Maranatha Church – Preliminary results from the enumeration of homelessness in Hastings County, conducted between Apr. 17 & 23 by the Bridge Street Church Food Ministry, will be presented by Steve van de Hoef, BSUC’s Food Ministry Program Manager. All are welcome to attend.  The presentation will be followed by a panel discussion on actions to address homelessness and the need for housing in Hastings County. 
  • Eastminster’s Father’s Day Fish Fry – Sunday, June 17, following their worship service (which begins at 10 a.m.) –Tickets: Adults – $15, Age 12 & under $8.  Deadline to purchase tickets is June 13.  432 Bridge St. E., 613-969-5212.  POSTER
  • 8 Wing Concert Fundraiser for United Syrian Family Support (Belleville) – Wed., June 20, 7:30 p.m.  (Doors open at 7 p.m.) – St. Joseph’s Church, 399 Victoria Ave.  FREEWILL OFFERING to support the 5 local Syrian families associated with USFS (Belleville).
  • Scott Woods & Band “Fiddling Up a Storm” @ Picton United Church – Sunday, June 23, 2018 – Proceeds from this presentation to support Picton United Church. Tickets may be purchased at Picton United Church (12 Chapel St.) 613-476-6050 (Tues.- Fri., 9am-noon) or purchase by phone by calling 1-855-726-8896 – the Scott Woods Band Office. Ticket prices are $25 for adults, $10 for children ages 6-12, and kids 5 & under get in free. Doors will open approx. one hour prior to show time.
  • Emmanuel United Strawberry Tea – Tuesday, June 26, 2 – 4 p.m. Fresh berries, cake and ice cream & strawberry fare bake table.  Freewill donations for Old Hay Bay Church.
  • CFUW’s “A Town & Country Garden Tour” – July 7, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. POSTER
  • “Girls Inc. Limestone” Free Summer Day Camp for Girls entering Grades 4 to 8 @ Bridge St. United Church – Mon., July 9 to Friday, July 20. A strong, smart and bold two-week adventure for girls!  Mornings will consist of STEM programming (science, technology, engineering and math), while the afternoon will include Life Skills programming (economic, media, language, literacy, problem-solving and decision-making).  There will also be fun activities, games and sports.  To learn more about Girls Inc. Limestone and this camp, visit www.girlsinclimestone.ca.  POSTER

Other event notices, as well as community services notices, are posted on/near the Bridge St. foyer bulletin board.