CONGREGATIONAL UPDATE

September 7, 2025

Dear Congregant of Central,

We hope this message finds you well and feeling encouraged by all that’s happening in our church community. As members of the Strategy Implementation Team (SIT), we wanted to share an update on the progress we’ve all made together and the exciting steps ahead.

Each initiative that has been undertaken has been shaped by prayer, thoughtful collaboration, and a deep desire to live out our shared vision: Central United Church will be a thriving and welcoming community church encouraging all people to accept and grow in the Christian Faith.”

With Reverend Lori Diaz now fully settled into her ministry—and with joyful energy from the congregation—we feel blessed by the momentum and eager to keep building on it.

🏠 Building Refresh Project

•         The painting, flooring, and lighting upgrades on the Main Floor and Main Hall are now complete—thank you for your generous support so far!

•         We’ve finalized a new furniture layout for the Main Floor to better support how we gather and plan to welcome newcomers.

•         Furniture selection is currently underway, and we’ll share a financial update once that’s complete.

📣 Communications

•         Sunday morning announcements and our monthly colour bulletin have been refreshed to better highlight our programs. The bulletin is also shared at community events to help newcomers and visitors feel informed and invited.

•         Our website and social media (Instagram and Facebook) are being regularly updated to reflect the life of our church and reach out to the wider community.

•         We’re exploring ways to make invitations and deepen our connection with adults in our community who are seeking spiritual, intellectual, and relational growth.

🙌 Sunday Services

•         We’ve relaunched a structured children’s program on Sunday mornings, with additional volunteer teachers joining in.

•         On September 14th, a refreshed worship format will be introduced. It is designed to enrich our worship experience and reflect the uplifting of our faith.

🌱 Vision Implementation Project Teams

•         Over 50 members of our congregation are actively involved in one of five Project Teams, each focused on bringing our vision to life in new and meaningful ways.

•         These Project Teams have been meeting since July and will share their recommendations with the SIT by the end of September. We’re excited to begin implementing their ideas in partnership with Council, Committees and our staff.

•         The five teams are:

1.       Facility and Audio/Visual Support

2.       Enhanced Music Program

3.       Outward-Facing Pastoral Care and Missions

4.       Inviting, Welcoming, and Involving

5.       Financial Stewardship

This isn’t an exhaustive list, but we hope it gives you a sense of the good work unfolding across the church—and the faithful energy behind it. Thank you for your prayers and your continued support. We’re grateful to be on this journey with you.

“Speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of Him who is the head, that is, Christ. From Him the whole body… grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.” Ephesians 4:15-16 (NIV)

In His service,

Doug Stirling (Chair of SIT), Rev Lori Diaz, Christina Ng, Joan Hubbert (Chair of Council), Scott Wetmore, Mark Ono