Office Hours:

Rev. Bev:  Wed 9:00 to noon 1:00 to 3:00

(Cell- 705-919-6541)

Bernie Houle-Office Admin: Thurs. 10am to 1 pm

Bernie Houle-Treasurer:  Tuesday 12:30 to 3:30

Contact us

Office Email Address: [email protected]

Church Office phone (can leave messages):  Tel:705-869-1215

We will:

• Respond to emerging needs in the community.
• Feed the hungry.
• Enable healing.
• Encourage and support creativity through music and the arts.
• Reach out and connect with youth.
• Provide Christian education opportunities for all ages.

BAPTISUM

Those interested in being baptized or having their child(ren) baptized should contact the church office at Tel: 705-869-1215 

WHAT IS IT?

Baptism is a sacrament of initiation into the Church of Jesus Christ, a one-time event for Christian adults and their children. Through Baptism, children are welcomed into the Church and adults profess their faith in Jesus Christ.

WHO MAY BE BAPTIZED?

We want to encourage people in wherever they are in their faith journey. So, we will welcome infants, children and their parent(s) or adults who still see some value in baptism and so will endeavour to fan into flame the flicker of faith, acknowledging that most people seeking baptism have some connection or experience with the church.

BAPTISM FORMULA

Baptism is in the name of God, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Water is used as a sign of cleansing, and symbolic of God's abundant grace.

TIMES OF BAPTISM

Recognizing that the occasion is a celebratory one for those who come seeking baptism, and that the presence of family is very important, and that baptism takes place during a regular worship service; a mutually agreed upon date will be offered by the clergy.

BAPTISMAL VOWS

Adult candidates and the parents of infant candidates will be asked to respond to the historic faith of the Christian church. The candidates will be asked:

• To profess their faith in the Triune God.
•  To express their commitment to seek justice and resist evil.
• To express their commitment to follow the way of Jesus Christ.
•  To express their commitment to the mission and ministry of the church.

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

Education is an important part of the baptismal process. The types of education differs depending upon the candidate for baptism. All candidates and/or parents shall meet with the Minister and learn about baptism.

WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?

Baptism is a step along a new journey of faith. People who have made baptismal vows should try, to the best of their ability, to fulfill them; and we will encourage them to further engage in the life and work of the church.

The Church has the responsibility to provide Christian Education programs for all ages.

RESPONSIBILITY FOR BAPTISM

Baptism is the responsibility of the Church Board. The Worship Committee is designated to oversee the Baptism Policy.

Approved: November 2016

MARRIAGE

Those wishing to be married at The United Church of Espanola should contact the church office at 705-869-1215. Please note that The United Church of Espanola has an equal marriage policy, anyone who who may lawfully be married in the Province of Ontario can be married here.

RESPONSIBILITY FOR MARRIAGE

Marriage is the responsibility of the Church Board. The Worship Committee is responsible to oversee the Marriage Policy.

MARRIAGE AS A SERVICE OF WORSHIP

Any services, including marriages, conducted in the church building or by the minister will be considered to be Christian services of worship.

PLACE OF MARRIAGE

Most marriages take place in the sanctuary. Other locations can also be considered in consultation with the Minister.

PERSONS ELIGIBLE FOR MARRIAGE

The United Church of Espanola welcomes any couple to be married who may lawfully be married in the Province of Ontario. The couple do not need to be a members or adherents of the church.

MARRIAGE PREPARATION

People wishing to be married are advised to take a marriage preparation course, the Minister will provide information about available courses in the area.

ORGANIST/MUSIC

The Church Organist/Pianist is to be given first right of refusal to play at all worship services, including weddings. If the Church musician is not available, the couple may ask another musician or provide music of their choice, in consultation with the Minister.

HONORARIA & DONATIONS

All applicable costs are due two weeks before the date of marriage. (See FEES below).

PHOTOS & VIDEOS

A marriage service is a sacred service of worship. As such, people will be encouraged to take pictures at the suggested times (processional, recessional, and signing of the register). The couple's designated photographer and videographer will consult with the Minister regarding the taking of pictures.

CHURCH PROPERTY

Any damages to Church property that occur as a result of a wedding are the responsibility of the couple being married.

ALCOHOL & DRUGS

Provincial law requires that couples being married, and their witnesses must be sober/of sound mind. Therefore the Minister will ask that the bridal party refrain from use of alcohol or drugs prior to the ceremony. Failure to do so could result in cancellation of the ceremony and forfeiture of fees.

Approved: May 2019

FEES

Sanctuary:  $200

Minister:  $250 ($375, Sunday or Long Weekend)

Organist:  $75  ($120, Sunday or Long Weekend)

Custodian: $50 ($75, Sunday or Long Weekend)

Please note that our minister is a representative of the United Church of Canada and a minister of the Christian faith. A wedding is a service of divine worship, do not ask for a secular service which omits references to God. If that is your preference there are others who are happy to provide that service.

There is Lunchtime Conversation every Friday at noon (In the chapel).Everyone is welcome! Bring your own lunch. Call Pat Parker if you need a ride.(Cell-705-822-3113)

The Espanola United Church Choir practises every Thursday afternoon at 3:00 pm, under the direction of Valerie Brill, from September until the end of May. We are mainly retirees, with our numbers sometimes depleted when we go away on holidays or to visit family, so we always welcome new singers. We would especially love to have some students in our choir. 

Teens attending our high school have lots of time to walk a few blocks from the school after dismissal before choir practice gets underway. 

In mid-October we start working on Christmas music. Perhaps you would like to sing in the choir only for the Christmas season, or the Easter season. Come and join us as we get ready for these special times.

Besides sacred music, we like to learn some contemporary songs to sing in our church's occasional special music presentations. We are quite versatile within the limits of our small numbers, and we all have an interest in many kinds of music. 

Our church's music ministry also includes solos, duets, and special presentations of piano and piano/organ duets from several talented musicians in our church community.

Soup and Sandwhich

Since October 2022, on the third Tuesday of the month, from September to May, The United Church of Espanola has been hosting a monthly Soup & Sandwich Lunch. Our guests enjoy hot soup, an assortment of sandwiches and if available, cookies and squares. Once in a while, we provide a chilli lunch.

We have a small group of dedicated volunteers who help make and serve the lunches. We usually get two or three kinds of soup. The sandwiches are made the morning of the lunch. There is also an assortment of beverages offered. Coffee, tea, water, juice and chocolate milk are provided. Leftover sandwiches are taken to the High School to provide for a need there. We also provide lunches to shut-ins when asked. Take out is available as well. This allows those who can’t attend to enjoy a tasty lunch. Leftover soup is taken to shut-ins, or offered to anyone who wants it. Leftover soup is also frozen if necessary.

It is word of mouth and a free ad in the local paper that brings people in the community to our lunches. It is always a good time to enjoy a meal and fellowship. We usually have students from Cambrain College, and sometimes students from the High School join us. It is always nice to see someone new.

Students from Cambrian College stay behind to help with the clean up. This is so much appreciated by the volunteers. It allows us to get the clean up done quickly.

If desired, a freewill offering can be made. It is not expected. This offering helps to offset the cost of the lunches, and also helps to fund bag lunches that are sent to the schools.

The Soup and Sandwich Lunch feeds the hungry – those hungry in body and those hungry for companionship. ALL ARE WELCOME!

Brown Bag Lunch Ministry

Under the very capable leadership of Jennifer Mokohonuk, brown bag lunches containing a sandwich, granola bar, apple and juice box are prepared Tuesday evening during the second and fourth weeks of the month.  Jennifer is assisted by several volunteers who help to make the sandwiches, fill the brown bags, and label them.  They are then refrigerated.

Early Wednesday morning, before classes begin, other volunteers deliver the lunches to the school.  An announcement is made:  “Did you forget your lunch today?  Brown bag lunches are available in room ____.”  50 brown bag lunches are picked up within five minutes.

Thus every week one nutritious lunch is supplied to hungry students at Espanola High School, and A.B. Ellis enabling students to apply themselves to their studies, without the distraction and hindrance of a hungry tummy.

Espanola United Church Choir 

The choir, under the direction of Valerie Brill, and accompanied by Elaine O'Reilly, meets weekly on Thursday mornings at 10:30 am. The ability to read music is definitely an asset, but not a requirement, and new singers are always welcome. We meet as much for the joy of singing together as we do to prepare for Sunday services.

The Espanola Festival Choir, which originated in the United Church of Espanola in 1979 under the direction of Audrey Waddell, sings a Christmas cantata each year at several local churches and at the Seniors' Centre in early December. Practices take place in the United Church sanctuary Monday and Thursday evenings from 7 to 8:30 pm during the months of October and November in preparation for the performances. This is an ecumenical choir and new singers from the community are always welcome.

Northshore Quilting & Stitchery Guild uses the downstairs space for monthly sew days, usually the first Saturday of the month. 

A Brief Historical Overview of the Espanola Pastoral Charge.

In 1911 a newly ordained minister, Rev. E. C. Hunter, with the Methodist Annual Conference began his ministry in Espanola.  The first Sunday one little boy came; the next Sunday 12 people assembled in the schoolhouse, and on December 17, 1911, the church was opened.  Land had been provided by the Spanish Power and Pulp Co. and the church building erected; hundreds of dollars were subscribed for pulpit, pews and organ.

In the early years ministry was provided by first a Methodist minister, then Presbyterian, then Anglican.  In the 1920’s the church became self-supporting, the property and church were bought, a parsonage added, a kitchen and Sunday School rooms.  In 1925, when church union took place, the church became known as the United Church of Espanola.  

Espanola was hit hard during the depression, and that affected the church as well.  The Home Mission Board took over, and in the late 40’s the town and church flourished once again.  In the 1950’s the narthex was built housing a spacious clergy study and church office.  In 1973 a new manse was built adjacent to the church.  In later years, the narthex was renovated to include a chapel and bathrooms, and church offices and Sunday School rooms created at the back.  In 2005 the basement was renovated to include a large up-to-date kitchen.  In 2008 the upper part of the lower level was freshly painted and in 2009 due to water damage, more renovations were done, including wiring the back offices for state of the art communications.  

The church continues to update and upkeep its facilities regularly, largely with volunteer help and generous donations for special projects.  In 2009 the Bill Maslen Memorial Garden was begun and the following year a Peace Pole was installed.  

In 2011 the United Church of Espanola celebrated its 100th anniversary with a variety of events held throughout the year including a Bridal Show featuring pieces back to the 1930’s, several concerts and a business appreciation luncheon.

In 2011 the pastoral charge also celebrated the 120th anniversary of the Webbwood United Church, the second point of the Espanola Pastoral Charge.  The Webbwood church had Methodist roots as well, and was sometimes affiliated with the Presbyterian Church of Canada.  Depending upon what the denominational affiliation was at the time, the Webbwood church sometimes was part of the Massey preaching circuit, and sometimes part of the Espanola circuit.  So at times it was connected to churches in Massey, Birch Lake, Lee Valley, and Nairn.

The original services were held in the school house until the church was built.  A parsonage was built in 1896.  Through the years a basement was added, as well as a vestry and vestibule, again with much volunteer labour.  In 1958 Webbwood United Church joined with the United Church of Espanola to become the Espanola Pastoral Charge.

On November 24, 2013, a final service of thanksgiving and decommissioning was held at the Webbwood church; following the service a full course chicken dinner was provided by St. Andrews United Church, Massey.  The building was put up for sale and finally in July, 2014, it was sold to a couple who are renovating the building into their home.   

The Webbwood congregation had a generous food ministry:  turkey dinners, ham suppers, sweet sales, and of course the soup and sandwich lunch which drew many people from the community, and the free will offering profits used to support community people in need.  The Webbwood soup and sandwich ministry inspired the Espanola outreach project to the high school students and Cambrian students.  

In the past few years, the Espanola manse has been sold, and solar panels erected upon the west facing roof of the church, which profits help to provide housing allowance for the minister.  

What will the future hold for the Espanola Pastoral Charge?

• The United Church
• Manitou Intentional Learning Community (MILC)
• Broadview Magazine(The Observer)
• Canadian Shield Regional Council
• Kairos Canada
• The Atlantic School of Theology
• Town of Espanola, Ontario
• Bourcier Funeral Home (Espanola)
• Espanola Food Bank
• Espanola High School
• A. B. Ellis Public School