INNISFAIL – The date was June 10, 1925 when the United Church of Canada was created – a union of the Methodist Church of Canada, the Congregational Union of Canada, and 70 per cent of the Presbyterian Church in Canada.
Today the United Church of Canada, which also brought into the fold the General Council of Union churches, is the largest Protestant denomination in the country with more than a million Canadians in about 2,500 congregations.
To reflect its vision for the future, the church is moving forward under the tagline 'Deep Spirituality, Bold Discipleship, and Daring Justice'.
On June 8, the Innisfail United Church, led by Rev. Tammy Allan since June of 2022, held a grand celebration service on Pentecost Sunday to mark the centennial of the United Church of Canada.
Before the union in 1925, the Innisfail church was Methodist, which was founded in 1896 and located downtown.
Along with about 50 congregation members in attendance on June 8 were guests from the Peace Lutheran Church of Innisfail, St. Mark's Anglican Church, and St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church.
Before the start of the anniversary service, Allan asked attendees how long they had been part of the United Church of Canada, starting with 10 years of less.
When it got to 90 years, Dave Munro raised his hand, as his family have been citizens in the region, including Big Bend District, for a century or more.
Allan then told attendees the writing for the centennial service was a joint effort between herself, and Rev. Michelle Armstrong and Rev. Penny Nelson, former Albertans and now ministering in eastern Canada.
“It is really neat to know that many churches across our denomination will be saying the same words today and praying the same prayers today and celebrating this same liturgy,” said Allan in her opening address.
And the service itself was moving and colourful, with attendees embracing red and orange streamers to celebrate the last day of the Easter season, along with the centennial, with a special Canadian symbol.
“Normally on Pentecost Sunday we celebrate the spirit in wind and fire, and so we have symbols of fire and colours of reds and oranges,” Allan told the Albertan.
“The people that wrote the service were cognizant of the number of people across our country who have experienced devastating fires in the last few years, so they wanted to choose another image that was equally evoking a sense of the spirit but didn't bring up those negative fire images.
“And the Northern Lights are really a Canadian symbol, and the United Church is uniquely Canadian in that it was formed by an act of parliament,” said Allan, expressing gratitude for the United Church of Canada.
“But also, for this community of faith, Innisfail United Church. I am so grateful for everyone that contributes to making this church the great community of faith that it is.”
And a big part of that gratitude, Allan told attendees, was for her and the church to acknowledge its respect for the history, culture, and spirituality of the First Nations people with whom Treaty 7 was signed and the territory the Innisfail United Church lies, and where most Innisfailians reside.
“We also honour the heritage and gifts of the Metis people of Region 3, and we commit to living with respect on this land and to living in peace with all who abide here.”
There was also legacy to celebrate after 100 years of service.
At its 31st General Council in 1986, the United Church of Canada issued the first formal apology by a major Christian denomination in the nation for its role in the residential school system.
Two years later in 1988, the United Church of Canada officially welcomed the LGBTQ+ community, declaring that all people, regardless of sexual orientation, are welcome as full members, and are eligible to be considered for ordered ministry.
About three years ago, added Allan, the church made a commitment to become a “racially just” church.
“Many of the other denominations are bringing in ministry personnel from other countries, and many of them are not,” Allan told the Albertan following the June 8 service.
“We're known here as a denomination that is open and welcoming.”
