For more details on these groups or any other activities at Central United Church please check our Google Calendar, contact the church office at 905-834-4533 or use the Contact Page.

Central Casting (formally known as Sunday School)
Central Casting is open to all young people, Junior Kindergarten – grade 8. All young people are welcome Sunday morning-we stay in the church service until Children’s Time where we then go as a group downstairs to Central Casting. Children not yet attending school are invited to visit the nursery (a teen will be happy to watch your child while you’re in Worship, or you are more than welcome to stay in our nursery and listen to the service through our sound system).

From September – June we run a set curriculum (excluding holiday weekends where games or crafts are enjoyed). The curriculum includes a Bible story and then either crafts, games or both to solidity the lesson. In 2017-2018 we chose the ‘Gospel According To Dr. Seuss’ which was very well received. In the fall we prepare and present a Children’s Pageant for the congregation on the second Sunday in Advent-all children are invited to participate no matter their age.

All high school students are welcome to come into Central Casting and volunteer their time helping with the weekly lesson, craft and games.  This is a great way to stay connected with Central Casting and accumulate those Community hours needed for high school graduation.

Youth Group
Central United has an enthusiastic Youth Group, Junior Youth (grade 3-7) and Senior Youth (grade8+)
We meet on Sunday directly following Worship so please have all school homework completed before Sunday morning. Before we do anything, we have lunch together-anything from Kraft dinner (a popular choice) to tacos, burgers, chicken fingers, you get the idea.

On any given Sunday the two groups either work separately or together. There is a balance of doing projects for the community, the church and doing fun things for the youth, all with a Christian base. Road trips include water parks, Christian events, tobogganing, and visiting places like Safari Niagara. Weekly dues are $2

Program Committee
Central United’s program committee consists of between 8 and 10 ladies who are always willing to lend a hand where needed. We plan and prepare the summer lunches for the last Sunday of the month from May through September. This also includes being coffee hour hosts on these days. We are also in charge of the soup lunch for the annual Christmas bazaar held in November. This includes contacting people to make the soups, making the dessert and being present on bazaar day to serve. The past three years we have held a pasta and meatball dinner/pie auction as a fundraiser in the spring and last fall also prepared a ham and scalloped potato dinner. These events are very well supported by the congregation, friends and family.

UCW – United Church Women
Founded in 1962, the UCW’s mission is to love God, foster Christian commitment, faithfulness, and spirituality and to promote respect and love of all of God’s creations. Any woman “willing to contribute her prayers, gifts and service for the work of God and the church” may join the United Church Women – UCW. We invite you to join us for fellowship and support and interesting guest speakers.

UCW Benediction
The light of God surrounds us,
The love of God enfolds us,
The power of God protects us,
The presence of God watches over us

Refreshment Hosts
The friendships and hospitality of the Central United Church Congregation continue after each worship service as all are invited to share coffee, tea, cold drinks and conversation.

Approximately forty-four volunteer men and ladies extend their efforts and share their time to make this work each Sunday. Some members of this team go beyond doing their fair share donating additional times to help this program run smoothly. We all owe them a big “Thank You”.

Would you like to join in this task one or two Sundays a year? If you could lend a hand, please call the church office and leave a note for Darlene Oord. I would be happy to hear from you. Many hands make light work! In scheduling these fine members, I have been lucky to acquire good friendships and meet new people, too. The Refreshment Hosts are certainly well-respected members of our church family and community.

Church Library
The Wilma Tomas Library was introduced in April 1979 and has been kindly financially supported by the United Church Women (UCW).  The library is family friendly with a current variety of books and movies for all ages and interests.

Soup Sundays
For the months of January to April, October and November we enjoy lunch together on the last Sunday of the month following worship. 4 or 5 people bring a pot of their favourite soup, others bring rolls/bread, or goodies to satisfy the sweet tooth. We “pass the basket” with all proceeds donated to the work of the church.  This is such a popular program – a winning combination of a delicious lunch, great fellowship with other members of our church family, and some extra funds for our church.

Flower Committee
The Flower Committee are responsible for placing seasonal flowers in the sanctuary each Sunday.  Due to numerous scent sensitivities we have converted to using many silk flowers.  We also decorate the banquet room and office entrance in seasonal decor.  Christmas is our busiest time as we decorate many area of our church home for the holiday.  Easter is another time for decorating.  We welcome anyone who is interested in joining this group or just helping out during the busy times.

Mission Outreach
The Mission and Outreach committee works hard to encourage support of various causes locally, nationally and internationally.  The committee uses the mission and outreach money to support local school breakfast clubs, Out of the Cold meals, Cave Springs Camp, and an emergency fund. Each year we encourage the congregation to participate in the Samaritans Purse project at Christmas. In the past we have focused our attention on a Maternity home for young women, cooperated with the Mennonite Central Committee and prepared emergency relief kits to be distributed in refugee camps, Free the Children, Ryan’s Wells to help get potable water available in third world countries, Sleeping Children Around the World (a charity organized by the Dryden family). Our very successful book table where books are purchased by donation is enjoyed not only by our congregation but is also available to groups using our banquet hall to support our 5 World Vision children.