WORSHIP SERVICES ARE HELD

SUNDAY MORNINGS AT 10:30 A.M.

Sunday, April 22 – 4th of Easter 

   Celebrating the Sacrament of Baptism & Earth Sunday

Rev. P. Hobbs (Transitional Lead Minister) & Rev. V. Fulcher (Minister of Pastoral Care) 

Rev. Phil’s Sermon – “Children of God”

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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“Come to the Souq” – Saturday, Apr. 21, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Bridge St. United Church (use Bridge St. entrance)

25 vendors, homegrown independent artists, jewelers, businesses, craftspeople, ethnic foods and entertainment.

Silent Auction items donated by local businesses.     

Lunch to be offered, featuring “Chilango’s Mexican restaurant.

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The following information is from our bulletin announcements, April 15.

Calendar of Activities

THIS WEEK @ BSUC

• “Coffee Time” following worship each Sunday downstairs in the Sills Auditorium. Thank you to today’s hosts.
• Strategic Planning Committee – Tuesday, April 24, 1 p.m. – Chapel
• April’s End of the Month Meals – Tues., Apr. 24 & Thurs., April 26 – SEE COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
• Pastoral Care Team – Tues., April 24, 2 p.m. – Parlour
• 8 a.m. Wednesday Morning Bible Study – Parlour. Ring the buzzer at the Bridge St. entrance.
• Knitter’s United – Wed., April 25, 3 to 5 p.m. – Auditorium
• Choir Practices – Thurs., April 19 – 5:45 p.m. (handbells), 7:30 p.m. (vocals)
• Stuff ‘n Chatter (bulletin collation) – Fridays @ 9 a.m. – Auditorium
• Thank God It’s Friday Frozen Meal Distribution – every Friday, 2 to 4 p.m., Bridge St. entrance.
• 5^th of Easter Worship – Sunday, April 29, 10:30 a.m.

AND BEYOND …

• Personnel Team – Tues., May 1, 1 p.m. – Parlour
• UCW Spring Tea & Fashion Show – Wednesday, May 2, 2 p.m. Tickets now available from UCW members and in the church office.  SEE UCW, BELOW, FOR DETAILS.

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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).

• 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

FACILITY USE:

• Belleville Choral Society Concert @ BSUC – Sunday, April 29, 3 p.m. – Show tunes, Broadway and Messiah Choruses.  Advance tickets ($20) available at Quinte Arts Council and at bellevillechoralsociety.org.  Tickets available at the door $25.  POSTER
• Quinte Symphony @ BSUC proudly presents “From the New World” – Saturday, May 12, 7:30 p.m. featuring our concertmaster, David Shewchuk, performing the magnificent Violin Concerto in D Minor by Sibelius.  Also on the program: Dvorak’s timeless Symphony No. 9.  For information and tickets, please visit com.

Community Connections

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

HOMELESS ENUMERATION:

BSUC is involved with community partners including the Community Development Council of Quinte and Hastings County in social research into homelessness. The purpose of the

research is to gain an understanding of the number of folk who are homeless in our community – so that action can be taken to reduce homelessness by providing shelter and affordable housing.  A total of approximately $30,000 has been provided by the Federal and Provincial Governments to fund this research.

• Steve van de Hoef, BSUC’s Food Ministry Program Manager, to lead a “Jane’s Walk” – “A Day in My Life” – , May 5 beginning at 9:30 a.m. – Walk Belleville’s downtown in the shoes of those experiencing poverty.  Start @ Salvation Army, 295 Pinnacle St.

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.   

• “Come to the Souq” returns to Bridge Street United Church on Saturday, April 21, 2018 from 9:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. – a repeat of last year’s successful middle-eastern bazaar to support our Syrian families.  See you there!  SEE ABOVE FOR MORE DETAILS.

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.

KNITTERS UNITED:

KNITTERS UNITED IS A GROUP OF APPROXIMATELY 30 KNITTERS WHO GATHER ON THE 2^ND & 4^TH 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. 

• On Feb. 28, a representative from the Deployment Department at CFB Trenton collected 101 Izzy Dolls to be taken overseas and given to children in areas affected by war or social unrest. ALSO, during IFTC, KU was responsible for distributing the following:  hats (136), mittens (186), scarves (79), socks (136 – mostly purchased with cash donations).  PLUS, since January 1, 214 items were given to the Hastings & Prince Edward Learning Foundation.  TOTAL of 852 items!
• Do join us, as we create mittens and hats for the community and beyond. We are running out of yarn and are ready and willing to receive your and your friends’ surplus stashes of yarn.
  

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’s March Report to the Congregation – The church’s financial position to the end of March 2018 reflects a deficit in the amount of $34,851 – an improvement from last month’s deficit position – however, Sunday and PAR offerings continue to decline as our congregation ages.  We are pleased to report that Easter offerings to April 8 in the amount of $4,273 are approaching the approved budgeted figure of $4,500.  For those who have not yet made their special Easter offering, envelopes are available on the backs of pews again this Sunday.  As always, if you would like a set of offering envelopes or would like to sign up for Pre-Authorized offering remittances each month, please contact the church office info@bridgestchurch.com.

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. 

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.

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. 

 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.

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.

Banner Description – White – The colour for EASTERTIDE; that period from the Saturday before Easter to the Saturday after Whitsunday.  A period of nature’s rebirth and renewal representing our own triumphant change from an old nature to the new nature of Christ, under a sun, the symbol of Christ’s resurrection and a sign of joy and hope.

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). 

• UCW Meeting – The UCW will meet on Thursday, April 19 at 1:30 in the Sills Auditorium.  The guest presenter will be Alison Cooke speaking on the topic of therapeutic touch.  Come along to learn the benefits of treatment with no pain!  Even you can learn to treat yourself.
• Spring Tea & Fashion Show – Wednesday, May 2 at 2 pm at Bridge St. United Church.  For a minimum $10 donation, you will enjoy fancy sandwiches, tea and a special dessert delivered by dashing male servers while you sit back, relax and enjoy a fashion show, courtesy of Kimberley’s Deja Vu Boutique. Whether it’s the food, the fashions or the conversation, expect to have a good time!  Tickets available from Joan Hemlin, Jo Cooper, Shirley Graham, Kay Summers, Nancy LeClair or in the church office. All money raised will go towards repairing the stained glass window in the Children’s Centre.
• Kente UCW Presbyterial Spring Fling, Wednesday, May 2. 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Thomasburg United Church.  The theme is “Cleaning Up Your Act”. For more details, check the UCW bulletin board in the Sills Auditorium. 
• Bazaar News – It’s a New Year and time for a new strategy! A strategy for what you ask? The Bridge Street “Candy Cane Lane” Bazaar of course.  Mark your calendars for Friday, November 16th from 1-6 pm and Saturday, November 17th from 9:30 am to 3 pm. That’s right folks! A two day event! 
  • The Early Bird Gets The Worm! For a mere $50, we are appealing to all crafters to reserve your table space now.  Tables will be rented on a first-come, first-served basis, so do not delay and sign up today!  For more information, please contact Sharon 613-962-2228.  Donations for baskets and the treasure rooms may be dropped off at any time.
    

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.

• Minutes of the Annual General Meeting of the Bridge St. United Church Foundation dated March 11, 2018 are available on the desk at the back of the Sanctuary. 

QUINTE LIVING CENTRE:

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.  Click here to connect to the Quinte Living Centre website.

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Area Church & Community Activities

• Toronto Welsh Male Voice Choir @ St. Thomas’ Anglican – Sunday, April 22, 2 p.m. Tickets $20  POSTER
• St. Matthew’s United – Giant Indoor Spring Yard Sale – Fri., Apr. 27 & Sat., Apr. 28, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. (both days). Lunch Counter, Bake Table, Rummage & Apparel.
• Spring Clean Up at B of Q Conference Church Camp – Camp Quin-Mo-Lac, Tweed, ON – Sat., Apr. 28, beginning at 9 a.m. Notify camp if you can help, 613-473-2877.  POSTER
• Homemade Soup & Sandwich Luncheon @ College Hill United Church – Sat., April 28^th, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. $8 per person.  Take out available. There will be a bake table and 6 springtime vendors on site. Come out and support Belleville Odd Fellows Lodge#81 and College Hill United Church.
  
• Let’s Make a Choir under the direction of Michael Faulkner present “Stairway of the Stars” Two performances Wednesday, May 2 at 7:30 pm and Sunday, May 6 at 2:30 pm, at St. Columba Presbyterian Church, 520 Bridge St. E. (Corner of Bridge & Farley). Free will offering. For more information please contact Michael Faulkner 613.391.1541 or michael.faulkner@gmail.com
• Jane’s Walk Belleville – Free Guided Walks and Bike Rides – May 4 – 6.   See “Community Connections” for deails about “A Day In My Life”, Sat., May 5, 9:30 a.m. being led by Steve van de Hoef, BSUC’s Food Ministry Program Manager.
• Immigration, Refugees & Human Rights – Understsanding the Changing Landscape of Canada – Tues., May 8, 6:30 social, 7 p.m. lecture. A discussion placed in Canadian context with Immigration Lawyer:  Chantal Desloges.  Free admission – space is limited, so please RSVP at tinyurl.com/Manion2018 to confirm attendance. Presented by The Learning Curve – Kevin Manion Memorial Lecture Series.
• Joyfull Noise is now in Belleville (at Bridge St. United Church)!  If you are a woman who enjoys the music of the 50s, 60s and 70s, come out and sing with us.  No experience required; no auditions; no need to read music.  Our women’s choir meets weekly on Mondays, 7 to 9 p.m. at Bridge Street United Church.  (Use Chapel entrance please – most northerly entrance and down the stairs).  First night is free so come and check us out.  Call 1-877-433-4386 or visit www.joyfull-noise.com for more information.

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