Clifford Pastoral Charge

Regular Services
Alsfeldt-
Sunday Worship - 9:45 a.m.
Knox-
Sunday Worship – 11:15 a.m.

Special Services - see Calendar

Sunday School
Our Sunday School is held on Sunday mornings during Church services. It is open to children aged 4 years to 11 years. In Knox, children under 4 years old are welcome to use the creche with their parent or guardian, while the other children go to Sunday School. In Alsfeldt we have a Toddler's Corner which shares the same room as their Sunday School. Children are invited to join in the experience of sharing and learning together. We base each class around a Bible story and use crafts, acting, games and puzzles to help learn the story. Our aim is to introduce the Bible to children in a format that is easily understood. It provides a good foundation for a child to live life as God wants us to.

Kid's Worship Events
Our Kid’s Worship Events run from September until June on the third Saturday of each month. It runs from 10am to 1pm in Knox United Church, Clifford. It is open to children aged 4 years and upwards. A parent or guardian is invited to stay with any children aged 4 years to supervise. This morning promotes fellowship in a safe environment of fun, sharing and learning. Activities vary and could include sharing experiences, Bibles stories, crafts, acting, puzzles and some very energetic games! There is something to attract all kids and we finish off the morning with a hot dog lunch and fabulous desert. This event is one not to be missed!

Vacation Bible School
One week of our summer is filled with an action packed program called Vacation Bible School. It is held in Knox United Church, Clifford, and runs from Monday to Friday for mornings only. This event promotes learning the message of God in a fun way that is easily understood by children. We have a great team of helpers who keep the children busy using a variety of activities; games, crafts, Bible stories, baking, building, acting, songs, puzzles and lots more. This is a great event for bringing children together to learn about the Bible and feel the love of Jesus Christ as we join in fellowship each day.

U.C.W. (United Church Women)
Purpose: To unite women of the congregation for the total mission of the church and to provide a medium through which they may express their loyalty and dedication to Jesus Christ in Christian witness, study, fellowship and service.

Clifford Pastoral Charge U.C.W. Activities
-tie quilts in Jan., Feb. and March
-cater to functions in our church
-visit the elderly
-knit for White Gift Sunday
-host our Holly Berry Bazaar fund raiser

For more information on meeting dates please refer to ‘Calendar’ tab on Home Page.

Adult Fellowship
This is a social group for adults with meetings held the first Thursday of every month except July and August. We have interesting guest speakers, a traveling supper in June, games night in January and our Christmas dinner in December. It’s an evening out with neighbours and friends. Some topics covered have been to hear of people’s travels, mission work, interesting hobbies and new technology.
Everyone is invited to join us for one or many meetings and you don’t have to be a couple.

Current meeting date and location can be found under the ‘Calendar’ tab on Home Page.

Tea and Testament
Join us for Tea and Testament Bible Study on Tuesday afternoons as we read and engage the Focus Scripture for the coming Sunday. All are welcome to participate – if it is your first time or if you have come many times. Join us weekly or as you are able.

Current meeting dates and locations can be found under the ‘Calendar’ tab on Home page.

Clifford Food Bank
Please help those in our community who don’t have enough by dropping off canned goods and non-perishable food items. The Food Bank can also use Kleenex, toilet tissue, hand soap, laundry soap, shampoo cereal, sugar, flour, and cash donations. If you or anyone you know needs assistance, please leave a message and include your contact information at 519-327-8588. You will be contacted by a member of the committee.

For cash donations, please leave a message including your contact information at the same number, 519-327-8588.


Canadian Foodgrains Bank
The Canadian Foodgrains Bank is a partnership of Canadian churches and church-based agencies working to end global hunger by pooling resources, both human and financial.

Each year Clifford hosts a curling bonspiel to raise funds for the upcoming cropping year. These funds combined with donations from Maple Grove United, buy the seed, fertilizer and other crop inputs needed to grow an agricultural crop on donated parcels of land. Local volunteer farmers prepare, sew and harvest various crops that are then sold. The income from these crops is then passed on to the Canadian Foodgrains Bank where it matched 4 to 1 by the Canadian government. The combined funds then are directed to developing countries in need.

2014 will be our 19th year partnering with Maple Grove United in Oakville as participants in the Canadian Foodgrains Bank Project.

Find more info on this at www.foodgrainsbank.ca


Mission and Service Fund
The work of the United Church of Canada across the country and around the world is funded by the Mission and Service (M&S) Fund. Members and supporters of the United Church know that it takes money to put their faith into action. In the M&S fund they combine their gifts so that the work of the church can be done effectively.

The Clifford Pastoral Charge of the United Church generously supports the M&S fund and uplifts many of the projects in Canada and around the world. Each November we bring attention to M&S with our Jeans for Jesus where toonies and loonies are collected if you wear jeans to church. Our M&S Enthusiast also encourages further support through articles and stories about the mission.
More info can be found at www.united-church.ca/funding/msfund

Cape Croker
Cape Croker is an Ojibway First Nation living on unceded territory in the Bruce Peninsula, Ontario, Canada. Along with the Saugeen First Nation, they form the Chippewas of Saugeen Ojibway Territory. There is a population of 700 living on the reserve; however the band roll has about 2080 registered in total.

Each year, leading up to the Christmas season, and through our Outreach program, Clifford United Pastoral Charge collects various donated new items that are then delivered to Cape Croker for their annual Gift Exchange.
Reaching out in this way enables us to connect with our First Nations people, their culture and traditions. Our contributions of books, toys, clothing and personal care products enable the Cape Croker residents to enjoy their annual tradition.

Sacramental Policies
Through our sacraments, our minister and Official Board seek to live into the open and inclusive ethos of the United Church of Canada: http://www.united-church.ca/beliefs/overview#3
Like all United Church communities, however, we also have ‘particular’ sacramental policies:

Baptism

Baptismal requests come to our minister. The minister then comes to your home to discuss the request, explain our baptismal policies and choose a mutually suitable Sunday. She then takes your request to the Official Board via the Pastoral Care committee. At Knox U.C. we celebrate with a Baptismal luncheon following the service,

Communion

Clifford P.C. celebrates communion six times per year: 1st of Advent, Christmas Eve, 1st of Lent,
Palm Sunday, Pentecost, World Wide Communion Sunday. You may be invited to come forward
to receive Communion via the Intinction Method or the elements may come to you in the pews.
We practice both methods.

Funerals

A funeral request typically (but not always) comes to the minister via a Funeral Director.
(Please see the ‘Links’ page for contact info for our local Funeral Homes.)
The Funeral Director will make arrangements for service time, place, accompanist and luncheon.
He or she will also disperse payment for same. Our fee structure is:
Minister $200.00; Accompanist $75.00; Luncheon - suggested fee of $5.00 per person.

Once contact is made, our minister will meet with you to plan a ‘Celebration of Life’ service for
your loved one. If requested, ministers from other congregations or denominations are most
welcome to participate. In this situation, however, our minister will give the closing funeral ‘homily.’

Depending on the time of year, the Committal Service may happen immediately following or it
may be held on a day when the cemetery grounds are more accessible.

Weddings

Wedding requests come to the minister who then takes the request to the Board.

Sharing Our Faith Quilting Group (S.O.F)
This is a group of local ladies who share a passion for creating various quilted and tied blankets. They construct quilts that are then donated to charities, fire victims, halfway houses, and the needy. Meeting monthly, they share in the joy of creation, giving, and helping those who are in need.
For meeting dates and times, please refer to ‘Calendar’ or ‘Bulletin’ on our homepage.

Alcoholics Anonymous, Clifford
Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others recover from alcoholism.
Weekly meetings of A.A. are held at Knox, United in Clifford.

To confirm date and time of meetings please refer to ‘calendar’ or bulletin’ on homepage.

Find more info on A.A. at www.aa.org/lang/en/subpage.cfm?page=28


Victorian Order of Nurses (V.O.N.) SMART Exercise Program
The V.O.N. SMART Program is short for Seniors Maintaining Active Roles Together. This group meets at Knox United every Monday and Thursday morning from 9 to 10 a.m. for moderate level exercises, lead by a trained health care professional.

To confirm dates and times please refer to ‘calendar’ or ‘bulletin’ on homepage.

For more info go to, www.von.ca/pdf/seniors_smart_followup_english.pdf


Seniors’ Centre for Excellence Congregate Dining Program
All faith denominations are welcome to join us for monthly programs usually featuring a guest speaker, but sometimes it’s a game or a group sharing session. There is always good food and great company at these events so come and see for yourself. There is no cost except for a suggested food donation of $6.00. Pre-registration is asked.

For current date, time & location, refer to ‘calendar’ or ‘bulletin’ on homepage

More info and registration contacts found at
www.mapleton.ca/live-mapleton/seniors-centre.html