Welcome to John Black Memorial United Church!
We are pleased that you have found our website.
We would be delighted to meet you, or have you join in any
of the activities of this wonderful faith community.
We are a church that is rooted in the past, grounded in the
present, and living for God’s future.
Rooted in the past.
We celebrate a living history that is very significant in this community. We are named after Rev. John Black, the first Presbyterian minister called to serve the Scottish settlers who arrived, impoverished but resourceful, in the Red River colony of what is now Winnipeg. Black’s legacy is long and deep. He married an aboriginal woman, was one of the founders of what is now the University of Manitoba, and sought to maintain respectful dialogue between Protestant, Catholic, Métis and aboriginal communities in the mid to late-1800s, a time of great turmoil.
We hope that the ministry we offer today reflects the same kind of openness, respect and creative courage that our predecessor demonstrated and encouraged in others.
We celebrate a living history that is very significant in this community. We are named after Rev. John Black, the first Presbyterian minister called to serve the Scottish settlers who arrived, impoverished but resourceful, in the Red River colony of what is now Winnipeg. Black’s legacy is long and deep. He married an aboriginal woman, was one of the founders of what is now the University of Manitoba, and sought to maintain respectful dialogue between Protestant, Catholic, Métis and aboriginal communities in the mid to late-1800s, a time of great turmoil.
We hope that the ministry we offer today reflects the same kind of openness, respect and creative courage that our predecessor demonstrated and encouraged in others.
Grounded in the present.
Our church has been around for 90 years but we are always
finding new ways of “being church.”
We made a huge change in 2008, scrapping our old
organizational system entirely and adopting a new model that encourages
people to be involved in ways that suit their interests and lifestyle,
and yet is open to responding to the call of God in creative ways.
We are looser than we were.
More people are involved than ever before.
We have given ourselves “permission” to try things that are
new.
Living for God’s future
No church can live in its past.
We have kept…
- an ear and eye to changes in society and the world, and know the church can only be relevant if it is engaged with the world.
- an open heart and imagination for what God might have for us.
- adaptability in our way of being church.
The cornerstones of our church life are worship,
growth, care and witness.
Growth
Our faith calls us to grow in awareness of …
ourselves,
God,
others,
the environment around us.
We offer many opportunities for people to gather for study
and reflection.
There is a regular Thursday morning Bible study beginning at
9:30.
Care
JohnBlackChurch has
an active and committed Pastoral Care Team made up of our ministry
staff and several church members who have a passion for compassion. You
may wish to be involved in offering supportive care to others, or wish
to find support at a critical time in your life. Let us know.
Witness
Witness is a word that involves inviting others to live with
hope.
Our church supports various efforts towards promoting peace
and justice throughout the year.
We do this through an active Peace Group, Sunday School,
active involvement with West Broadway Community Ministry and seasonal
projects.
We rely on the imagination of our members and the Spirit of
Christ’s love for the world to continue to enliven our “witness” to
hope.
Everyone is gifted and called. We would love to involve
you!
About the Service
Worship
Our regular worship time is at 10:30 am.
We offer programs for children from kindergarten through to
Jr. High.
John Black Church is
fully wheelchair accessible.
We worship in some new ways now,
including:
- Making effective use of technology to enhance our worship life.
- Ministry for toddlers.
- Family nights (care and outreach crafts and a shared meal.)
- A renovated sanctuary that allows for more flexibility for music, drama and concerts.
- Our music ministry is developing in new and exciting
directions.
