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.

Out of the Cold
Volunteers from Central United Church prepare and serve a hot nourishing meal one Tuesday per month for those in need in our community. Out of the Cold happens at the Guild hall, in Port Colborne. Guests include seniors, young families, teens, seeking The Fellowship of others and a good meal lovingly prepared and graciously served by Central United Church volunteers. Guests’ numbers vary between 50 to 70 per meal.

Wheels to Meals
A program run by local meals-on-wheels where recipients of that service gather at Central United Church one day each month to enjoy a special lunch and program. Volunteers from Central United Church prepare and serve the meal to about 30 guests. Volunteers strive to make the occasion special with thoughtful menus and table settings. Guests pay a modest sum for the lunches which make it a bit of a fundraiser as well.

Cookies and Christ
Cookies & Christ is Central United’s Seniors day program. We go to the seniors at Northland Pointe and Portal Village once a month alternating between the two. We offer them a short service and hymn sing followed by fellowship, refreshments and goodies! All seniors are welcome to attend!

Holy Hands Puppets
The Holy Hands Puppets are a group of Church goers from grade 5 to adults who provide a different venue for worship songs/singing. The puppet team have done various events from entertaining the retirement and long-term care homes in the area (for Easter, Christmas & Family Day Celebrations) to Canada Day, Canal Days, the Wainfleet Fall Fair, children’s birthday parties and after supper entertainment at neighbouring churches.
We spread the Word of God in a fun and entertaining fashion. For more information, or to book the Holy Hand Puppets, please contact the church office at 905-834-4533 or use the contact page.

Prayer Shawls
The knitting of prayer shawls was started by two Anglican ladies in the USA who felt it was needed as an outreach into their community and has since spread all across the states and into Canada. A member of Central United Church thought it would be a good idea to have one here in Port Colborne. The prayer shawl group got underway and the congregation was asked for knitting yarn, gift bags and tissue paper. The congregation responded magnificently and are still doing so, which means this is not just for the knitters but that the whole congregation is involved. The first meeting of knitters was held on October 2016 and three knitters attended. In November 6 knitters came in, and since then we have averaged 6 to 10 knitters.
This group meets the third Thursday every month at 9:30 a.m. and go right through the year as people are in need all year. The knitters do most of the knitting at home and in their own time. The completed shawls are blessed during the Sunday service, the Sunday following our meeting. These shawls are given free to anyone who needs comforting such as those who are hospitalized, ill, depressed, lonely, experiencing tough times, etc. The shawls are for folk not only in the congregation, but in the community, anywhere in Canada or overseas, those that need to know the comfort that somebody cares.

Dementia Caregivers Group
While attending Aurora United Church, a Central United Church member started going to a small group once a week for anyone caring for a spouse or loved one with Alzheimer’s or dementia that had been started by a parish nurse. With the encouragement of the staff at Central United Church Port Colborne, a group was started at Central United Church.
Informal discussions are held on how caregivers could cope. The group is very mixed- with newly diagnosed, still at home, in long-term care or deceased. The various stages, actions and emotional toll is discussed. Guilt, in adequacy, heartbreak, tears, irritation, lack of patience, excessive tiredness and the gradual loss of the personality once known are all emotions a caregiver goes through with the dementia patient. Previously, responsibilities were shared. Now all the decisions and responsibility is on the caregiver. A lot of the time, it is very difficult to speak to family or friends about the nitty-gritty of dealing with this and it really helped speaking to others who have been down that road.
At present, the group is on a as need basis. If you have need for more information or support, contact the church.

World Vision
Central United Church started our World Vision sponsorship in 2009. Today we sponsor 5 children around the world- Columbia, Bangladesh, Mongolia, and 2 young ladies from Chad, Africa. World Vision works in a community until it becomes self-sufficient, which usually takes from 10 to 15 years. Take some time to check out the bulletin board in the banquet hall to catch up on the children. Buy a used book to read from the ‘Book Table’ in the banquet hall. And write the kids a letter! They love to hear from you.