Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors

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You are warmly invited to join us for worship at 9:15 am in the church building.   

Coffee fellowship follows the service downstairs. 

Our services are also broadcast on live Zoom, at 9:15 am.  For the Zoom info, please contact our minister through our contact page on this website.  

COVID requirements for worship: 

Full vaccination is encouraged for attending worship. 

Please self-screen for COVID symptoms before entering the church. 

Masks are required in the church building and during worship.      

Please sign in as you enter the church. 

We are a welcoming, caring congregation of the United Church of Canada, with all of the warmth of a small family-sized church. 

WHO WE ARE:
• an open and welcoming Christian congregation
• accepting, diverse and progressive in our social views
• compassionate
• thoughtful people who create a safe environment in which to question and explore

WHAT WE BELIEVE:
• That all people are created equal in the eyes of God.

OUR MISSION STATEMENT:

OPEN HEARTS
OPEN MINDS
OPEN DOORS

​OUR VISION:

OPEN HEARTS
• Work to improve the living conditions of those less fortunate than ourselves
• Extend a helping hand to those in need
• Welcome those who attend our services no matter what background , varying abilities they bring
• Respect all people and opinions and create an open environment for discussion

OPEN MINDS
• Accept those of varying race, creed and colour as well as values as children of God
• Learn about our world and our place in it in relation to God
• Provide good stewardship for our earth in old as well as new and innovative ways

OPEN DOORS
• Partner in the community in as many ways as we can to improve the lives of all those who live and work nearby
• Provide a secular gathering place for community activities as well as a place of worship
• Create an accessible environment for all wishing to enter our facilities for whatever purpose

In response to the amazing love of God embodied in the life and ministry of Jesus, Goodwood United Church seeks to be an inclusive, loving and welcoming community of faith, extending a warm welcome to all who have ever felt excluded by the church.
 

You’re welcome here if you’re female, male, or transgender…
 

You’re welcome here if you’re rich or poor, single, married, or divorced, gay, straight, or bisexual …
 

You’re welcome here if you're Aboriginal, Asian, Mid-Eastern, Black or White.
 

We extend a special welcome to those who are a crying new-born, learning English as a second language, skinny as a rail or struggling to lose a few pounds…
 

You’re welcome if you can sing like Anne Murray or can’t carry a note in a bucket…
 

You’re welcome here if you’re “just browsing”, just woke up, or just got out of jail…
 

We don’t care if you’re a life-long United Church member, have never stepped foot in a church, or haven’t attended church since little Joey’s Baptism…
 

We extend a special welcome to those who are over 60 but haven’t grown up yet, and teenagers who feel like they have grown up…
 

We welcome soccer moms, hockey dads, starving artists, tree-huggers, latte-sippers, vegetarians, junk-food eaters…
 

If you’re in recovery, or still addicted, or blew all your offering money at the race track, you’re welcome here…
 

You’re welcome if you’re having problems, down in the dumps or, if you don’t like “organized religion” …
 

We offer a special welcome to those who think the earth is flat, work too hard, don’t work, can’t spell, or wanted to go to church because grandma is in town…
 

We welcome those who are inked, pierced or both…
 

A special welcome to those who could use a prayer right now, had religion shoved down your throat as a kid or got lost in traffic and wound up here by mistake...
 

Welcome to those of diverse abilities. We're working to make our church fully accessible for all people!
 

We welcome tourists, seekers and doubters, bleeding hearts … and of course, you!  Following Jesus’ example of radical, generous hospitality, we invite you to join us in our shared ministry as a community of faith so that together we can embody God’s reign of love, justice and wholeness in our world.

Rev. Lionel Ketola was called to Goodwood United Church in July of 2019. Originally ordained in the Lutheran tradition, Lionel received his M. Div. from the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Saskatoon, completed a 3 year diploma program in Expressive Arts Therapy from The Create Institute Centre for Expressive Arts Therapy Education (1998), and completed a one year residency program in Spiritual Care (2011) at St Joseph’s Healthcare, Hamilton. 

Lionel was received into the order of ministry of the United Church in Canada in 2013 and previously served for 4 years as minister at Fairbank United Church, Toronto.  Lionel brings a diverse background which includes work experiences in the non-profit housing sector, working as an expressive arts therapist, and 20 years of chaplaincy ministry in a variety of settings including long term care, acute care and critical care.  

Lionel is excited to be serving at Goodwood United Church and has a passion for  worship and pastoral care, the emerging church movement, and exploring new ways for churches to be the hands and heart of Christ through acts of love and justice in our world. Lionel and his husband Steven have been married since 2003 and enjoy their home surrounded by the beauty of Ontario’s ‘near north’.  Lionel enjoys gardening, canoeing, swimming, camping, and treks into the city for Jay’s games.    

We are happy to welcome our new musician for our worship services:  Catherine Lin!   It's good to have you with us, Catherine!