We, the congregation of Squamish United Church want to present ourselves to all as humbly, honestly and realistically as possible, without understating our hopes and dreams for the future of this church.

Squamish United Church is working toward ministry and leadership being the joint responsibility of all members of the congregation together with our appointed leaders.  We have been working to move away from a shepherd model of leadership and we presently have strong leadership in the ministries of worship, music and pastoral care and in the area of church operations and building and property maintenance.  We seek to further develop this participatory leadership model.

We will miss our minister of 3 years, Rev. Dr. Daniel Bogert O’Brien and his wife Loretta, who are leaving for ministry in Toronto in September.  We wish them well!  We look forward to a new minister co-creating with us as we continue to become a stronger and more vibrant church.  We want to be an ever more welcoming, inclusive, and spiritually nurturing place.

Squamish Community: The Heart of Sea to Sky

The District of Squamish is a rapidly growing community of over fifteen thousand people, located at the head of Howe Sound, one hour north of Vancouver and forty-five minutes south of Whistler.

Tourism, outdoor recreation, the service sector, light industrial, waterfront development and education are some of the industries leading a renewed economic growth in Squamish. There are a number of new developments along the highway which include residential areas, a business park and shopping plazas.  There are substantial highway upgrades nearing completion.

Squamish has a well-equipped public education system that strives to meet and exceed the needs of students. In addition to the regular curriculum, the School District offers French Immersion and International Education Programs, with other specialty programs available.  Post secondary education is available in Squamish through two excellent institutions, Capilano University and Quest University.

Our medical services are comprehensive.  There are many doctors and dentists as well as alternate health care providers in Squamish.  There is an excellent intermediate and extended long-term health care facility attached to a modern hospital.

Drawn by lifestyle choices, there are now many residents who commute to either the Vancouver or Whistler areas.  With substantial highway upgrades, commuters have helped drive a healthy real estate industry.

The community has a rich cultural life that includes vibrant community and school theatre groups, performing and visual arts groups and a community choir.  It also has an active physical lifestyle.  We benefit from the natural beauty of Howe Sound; rivers, mountains, parks, lakes and forests are an integral part of the community. Squamish has been deemed the “Outdoor Recreation Capital of Canada” offering golf, hiking, mountain biking, skiing, rock climbing, wind surfing, fishing, sailing and eagle viewing.  Many young people, single and with young families, are attracted to Squamish.  Brennan Park Recreational Centre provides a variety of athletic and social programs in the local parks and facilities.  These facilities include a swimming pool, ice rink, and soccer and ball fields.  Squamish has a strong community of volunteers and outdoor enthusiasts.  We are the “Heart of Sea to Sky Country”, nestled between Vancouver and Whistler.

Our Congregation

Our Mission Statement is “to be an inclusive community serving God’s world”.  We are a welcoming congregation ministering to the spiritual needs of the community.  Squamish United Church, located in the downtown core of Squamish, provides leadership and a Christian presence that serves both the congregation and the wider community.  We are currently planning to replace the present buildings and are led by a very capable Facilities Development committee, looking creatively and realistically for solutions that will serve the future needs of the congregation and community.  Our Sunday worship service is joyful with uplifting music by our much-appreciated choir and engages the participation of  adults and children of all ages.  We encourage family and youth involvement.  Communion is celebrated monthly.  Each Sunday, the worship service concludes with coffee, refreshments and conversation.
 Our church has a long and rich history that has been documented and is entitled “A Journey in Faith: The Story of Squamish United Church”.  It is available both in print and on our Website (www.squamishunitedchurch.org).

The church board is the local government of Squamish United Church. The unified board consists of approximately 12 members.

The following is a list of the church committees and groups:

·        Finance committee

·        Worship committee

·        Trustees

·        Facilities Development committee

·        Shawl Ministry

·        Ministry and Personnel committee

·        Property committee

·        Caring committee

·        Healing Touch Ministry

·        United Church Women’s Groups (3 units)

·        Men’s Group

·        Sunday School/Youth Group

·        Choir

·        Mission and Service

Values and Goals

Our values and goals are as follows:

·        We value our seniors.  Our goal is to maintain our strong pastoral care.

·        We value our children and families.  Our goals are to welcome and increase the number of young families worshiping with us and re-energize our Sunday School and Youth programs.

·        We value our inspiring Sunday services with compelling messages.  Our goal is to continue to support our minister with our Worship committee.

·        We value our strong music program.  Our goal is to continue to offer inspiring music to all ages.

·        We value our vital downtown presence.  Our goal is to redesign our facilities to provide a multipurpose use for our congregation and for the downtown community.

·        We value our staff.  Our goal is to maintain a well functioning Ministry and Personnel committee to support our staff and liaise with our congregation.

·        We value our lay leadership.  Our goal is to have an ordained minister who is a strong resource and participant.

·        We value life-long spiritual learning.  Our goal is to have Christian Education programs for all ages.

·        We value the opportunity to reach out to others in the world.  Our goal is to continue to enthusiastically support the Mission and Service fund.

·        We value our sense of church community.  Our goal is to continue to care for each other as a church family.
Resources

Squamish United Church is located on Victoria Street and Fourth Avenue in downtown Squamish.  There are two buildings situated on five lots on the church site.  The first is the original church, which is now used for Sunday School and is referred to as Trinity Hall.  It is utilized by outside groups during the week.  These community groups are Alcoholics Anonymous, Soup Kitchen, a pre-school and a Healthy Pregnancy Outreach program.  The second building, built in 1963, is the main church.  In this building is our sanctuary, our minister’s and secretary’s offices and a kitchen.  Our facilities are maintained largely through volunteer efforts, hiring professionals when needed.  Squamish United Church provides a housing allowance in lieu of a manse.
 
Squamish United Church has the following staff and ministry personnel:

·        Ordained Minister (full time), vacant effective September 1, 2008

·        Organist (part time, paid)

·        Choir Director (part time, honorarium)

·        Secretary (part time, paid)

 

As we have stated above, we welcome new members and visitors!  Come “check us out”!  Our Sunday service is at 10:00 am.