FAQs

We admit it - we're a bit of an anomaly in the world of faith communities.  We don't fit neatly into a box. We're not for everyone - but we'd love if you check us out.

Here are some of the questions we get asked about AbbeyChurch from folks. 

What are you about?

At the AbbeyChurch, we practice the teachings and ways of Jesus as best we can. We share hope, share meals, throw parties, care for our neighbours, and for God's creation.

We're all hungry in our own ways for a deeper sense of meaning, connection and spirituality.

We share a willingness to honestly wrestle with God and with our questions and doubts.

We long to be truly diverse; old, young, rich, poor, orthodox, radical, liberal, single, married, 2SLGBTQIA+, straight, BIPOC, indigenous, settler, evangelical, progressive, overeducated, undereducated, certain, doubting, hurting, traumatized, thriving (to name a few).

We believe that Christ's love binds our differences together in unity as we gather at Jesus' table of welcome.

We say we like keep church weird: which means we keep church open to the surprising, the creative, the mysterious, mystical and the authentic.  We sometimes like to say that we're 'disorganized religion'.

It means too that each person is safe to grow and be themselves and contribute in ways that are uniquely theirs.  There will also likely be something to offend just about everyone.

There is no cookie cutter religion here.

“We trust that everyone will be safe, but that no one will be comfortable.” [some of the above adapted from Rachel Held Evans - Searching for Sunday page 72]

What is it like?

The AbbeyChurch is liturgical (that is, we draw upon ancient forms of Christian liturgy). 

We like to say that we're reverent but informal. 

Our gatherings include the participation and the joyful sounds of children! 

We celebrate communion / eucharist / the Lord's supper weekly.

As you enter, we usually have tea, snacks, water - and you are very welcome to bring those (or outside beverages) into the worship area / sanctuary. 

You can pick up a leaflet when you enter which has the words of songs, readings and everything you need to follow along.  

We sing. Our music is an eclectic yet (usually!) singable blend of traditional hymns, spirituals, praise songs, contemplative chants and music drawn from the wider culture - all played by a rotating host of musicians. 

We usually have a poem that our poet-in-residence chooses - as well as readings from our sacred texts (the Holy Bible) and a reflection or sermon from one of our clergy or lay leaders.  

We sometimes have interactive prayer stations or anointing with oil (for healing) - instead of written or spoken prayers. 

When it comes to communion, all are welcome (the bread is gluten-free and there are both wine and juice options).  This is a sacred and holy feast for us, where we remember the Story and sacrifice of Jesus. 

All are welcome to come and receive as you feel called.  All welcome, none are compelled.

Occasionally we change things up and hold a 'bluegrass mass', a beer and hymns night - or a time of contemplative prayer in the way of the Taize Community.

What about my children and youth?

The AbbeyChurch loves children and youth as a full part o us. 

Kids participate in the worship as they are comfortable by helping read, set the table and help out with community.  We have a table up at the front with prepared kids activities. 

There are usually some kits in the space as well for 'children of all ages' who wish to draw, or express themselves creatively.

We usually have  screened and trained childrens' ministry leaders on site who take children during the sermon (talk) and teach the ancient stories of the Christian faith in a way that calls them to be followers of Jesus; to love God and people! 

Most of our children are elementary, middle school age or high school - and we love to mentor teenagers in leading the children.

On weeks that we do or don't have children / youth programming, we WARMLY welcome children and youth to stay in the main worship space

How do I get there? Where do I park?

The AbbeyChurch meets at the building that used to be First Met United (soon to be renamed - stay tuned!) before that community amalgamated with Broad View United in 2023 and moved up to Gordon Head. 

There are many buses which serve this location, and bike racks in the Balmoral parking lot and you are also welcomed to bring your bike inside the sanctuary (worship space). 

There is angle parking on Balmoral and some spots in the lot off Balmoral and another lot across the street beside the new Cool Aid building for more cars. 

We enter through the front Quadra doors.

If you have an accessibility need that makes steps difficult, let us know by email or phone beforehand and we'll help you in from another entrance. 

What do I wear?

Anything you'd like.  We're pretty casual, generally speaking. Or you can dress up. Come as you'd like.

What do you believe?

We draw on the ancient Story and practices of the Christian faith. 

As a way to tell our sacred story (that is of God's action in Jesus), we often sing or say either an ancient creed (i.e. the Apostles' Creed) or a more modern one (UCC 'New'Creed)  - you can find these creeds here.   

Some might say we're a bit more 'Jesus-y' or 'orthodox' - while we also hold a deep committment to inclusivity and social / ecological justice action.

There are many folk at AbbeyChurch who are at the edges of faith, or even of no faith at all.

Many of us have been deeply hurt by the church or religion.

As much as the Jesus story moves and shapes many of us as 'followers of the Way' - and this is reflected in our worship - we welcome with open arms those who are skeptical, uncertain, traumatised or somehow still curiously drawn to this 'Story' of liberation and redemption found in Jesus Christ.

As we often say please 'come as you are'.

Can I get baptised, married, buried?

Yep, we do all of those things - baptisms (infant or adult), marriages (all genders and sexual orientations), funerals or memorials.  We also do trans re-naming ceremonies for those who are transitioning or transitioned and wish to name that in a faith / Christian context.

Please do drop us a line if you're interested in a Christian baptism, marriage, funeral or renaming ceremony.  

What is your denomination / affiliation?

We're a shared ministry of The United Church of Canada and The Anglican Church of Canada. 

The United Church is a 100-year old union of Methodist, Presbyterian and Congregational Churches in Canada - meaning we draw on a faith that is experiental, justice-seeking, Holy-Spirit focused, inclusive (affirming, anti-oppressive) and reformed.  The UCC of today speaks of 'deep spirituality, bold discipleship and daring justice'. 

The Anglican Church has its roots in the English reformation as is, thus, more of a liturgical or 'ritual' tradition - meaning you'll get some more 'Catholic-feeling' elements in our worship including chants, candles, robes (vestments) and sometimes even incense! The Anglican Church sees itself as a middle way, a 'via media', between protestantism and catholicism.

We seek to draw from the deep jewels of both of these traditions - while also drawing from other parts of the Christian church - eastern / Orthodox, contemplative, Celtic, inclusive evangelical, ecumenical, activist / radical - as well as from all that is good, beautiful and just in the wider culture. 

We sometimes say there will likely be something at AbbeyChurch to offend everyone.

I'm queer - am I welcome into full participation and leadership?

Yes.  We are fully affirming and we also seek to be de-colonizing in our practices. Full stop. You can read more about what that means here.

What's this "Emmaus Community" thing?

Here's the story: 

In 2014 a few of us decided we wanted to start an intentional community where we might live life together, pray together, share some stuff, eat a lot of common meals, practice hospitality - and do things for the common good. We drew on monasticism as one of our influences and called ourselves The Emmaus Community.  If you want to know more about that "Emmaus" side of things, you can read more here. 

As one of our committments, we said that we'd gather for communion on Sunday afternoons - whether or not any of us had another place of worship on Sunday mornings.

We started in a living room - and then (again, drawing on the monks and nuns) started calling it our "Abbey Church". 

After a while, we moved, first, to a larger storefront in Fernwood, then were hosted at an Anglican Church at Fairfield-Gonzales. A few years back we moved here to what was then, First Met United. In 2023 First Met moved out and we became an 'anchor' congregation in the North Park site as the United Church Region is dreaming about how to do ministry in new ways in this sacred space.

Though Emmaus continues to be our 'parent' (we share a website, budget, treasurer and charitable number), and as much as we seek to reflect Emmaus' commitments to prayer, presence and simplicity - and all Emmaus folk attend the AbbeyChurch - the reality is that the majority of AbbeyChurch 'regulars' aren't formally connected with Emmaus. 

So even if you think the 'intentional community' or 'monastic' thing is a bit odd - or isn't where you're called, please know that you're welcome here at our "Abbey Church" as a full participant!  

How can I get connected?

Come and visit us - or, if you're a bit nervous, why not check out our livestream first - or email us at admin@emmauscommunity.ca  - and why not have a conversation with one of our clergy.

 

If you have other questions, please do drop us a line.