Who We Are
We are a vital faith community and Affirming congregation within The United Church of Canada. We believe “God’s love is for everyone.” We celebrate diversity, inclusivity and abundant life, informed by Jesus’s teaching and The Bible. We are committed to spiritual development, social justice and artistic expression. We welcome all and strive to build healthy, nurturing relationships with each other. We seek to build community locally and globally. We are located at The Spire in downtown Kingston, Ontario, Canada.
Worship Services
Note About All In Person Services:
- masks and physical distancing are always required!
Sunday Services for Sydenham Street United Church are, in person in the Sanctuary, with our minister, The Reverend Catherine Elsdon!
Note that the Sunday services begin at 11:00 hr. We have returned to the Sanctuary, at maximum 50% of capacity, with masking and distancing! Please enter by the William Street entrance! Services will also be live-streamed and uploaded to the Sydenham Street United Church YouTube channel Youtube
Please read this summary of the “Covid-19 Protocols for Attending SSUC Worship” before each Sunday worship service! For further information, contact Kenn Doerksen.
2022! If you are unable to attend in person, please join us online for our weekly services. Watch them on our YouTube site Youtube
- May 15: Season of Easter Following Easter, the resurrected Christ appears to his disciples in different places. Through the month of May we will explore these encounters. What can we learn about the identity and message of the Risen Christ? How do these stories relate to our lives today?
- May 22: Reflections by Marylil Megginson
- May 29: Service of Welcome, a service to recognize and welcome new people who have joined our worshipping community
- June 5: Pride Sunday Rev. Elizabeth Macdonald co-presiding
- June 12: Spirit of Diversity Guest Preacher: Rev. Michelle Down from Edith Rankin Memorial United Church
- June 19: Spirit of Reconciliation Indigenous Day of Prayer Service with Chalmers & Faith United Churches. Helena Neveu in dialogue with Michael Cooke – Honouring the land: the meaning and practice of The Dish with One Spoon Location: Rotary Park, Lemoine Point
- June 19: SAVE THE DATE – On Sunday, June 19, 15:00 hr, join us at The Spire for A Tribute to Don Mitchell
- June 26: Spirit & the Trinity Guest Preacher: Rev. Stephen Ambury from Cooke’s-Portsmouth United Church
The weekly Service Bulletin is available Bulletin
Growing Spirits is our weekly program for children ages 5-10. For further information, please send an email to web@sydenhamstreet.ca.
Concern for Ukrainian Communities: The United Church of Canada invites communities of faith to express solidarity with their Ukrainian neighbours and to support those most affected by the war.
On Sunday, March 6th, children in Growing Spirits made Lenten mice with extremely long tails and committed to tie a knot in the tail for every good deed done during Lent. The tails are getter shorter, and mice more plentiful in some households. Thank you for Kate Wicker for sharing this idea on the Internet at: https://katewicker.com/2010/02/lent-for-little-ones/
Please Note : Virtual Coffee Time has been suspended because of the return to in-person service, Feb. 6. More information to be provided in the weekly eNews Letter.
We have been so blessed that Dr. Mark Sirett has provided us such beautiful music during a number of our previous services. Thank you so very much, Mark! Thank you also for the great guest musicians that you invited to augment your program. The music has been wonderful and inspiring!
On Feb. 6, we welcomed our new Music Director, Howard Lopez, to Sydenham Street United Church.
Receive comfort and inspiration from the words, music and images of our worship leaders through recordings of Our Worship Services available by 11:00 hr every Sunday on our YouTube site Youtube
Please contact us with comments or general questions about Sydenham Street United Church, the website, getting on the mailing list, etc via Email: web@sydenhamstreet.ca
If you or someone you know needs someone to talk to, you can contact the Indian Residential School Survivors Society for counselling support available at 1-800-721-0066. People can also access emotional and crisis referral services by calling the 24-hour national crisis line: 1-866-925-4419.
A call to mourn, LEARN, support and REMEMBER! This link also includes the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Reports.
Since time immemorial, Indigenous peoples have occupied and cared for
this land. In acknowledging this land, the traditional home of the
Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee, we seek to rebuild right relations with
First Nations, Metis and Inuit peoples, to learn from them, and to live on this
land with respect and gratitude for its bounty.
Updated 2022 05 16