Who We Are
Outreach
Greening Sacred Spaces
Land Acknowledgement
We work through Wesley, one of the longest-standing non-profits in the region, supporting child care, people experiencing homelessness, supportive housing, employment services and refugee settlement. We also contribute to Helping Hands Street Mission, Fiddes Fresh Food Drive, and Hamilton Food Share.
In 2023 we donated to El Salvador Chi
We work through Wesley, one of the longest-standing non-profits in the region, supporting child care, people experiencing homelessness, supportive housing, employment services and refugee settlement. We also contribute to Helping Hands Street Mission, Fiddes Fresh Food Drive, and Hamilton Food Share.
In 2023 we donated to El Salvador Children's Community Centre, and to the Raw Carrot, a social enterprise that provides the dignity of work to people who face barriers to traditional employment. We collected food and financial donations for St Matthew's house, which supports senior citizens living in the Hamilton community.
Land Acknowledgement
Greening Sacred Spaces
Land Acknowledgement
We gather on the territory of Erie, Neutral, Huron-Wendat, Haudenosaunee and Mississaugas. This territory was included in the Between-the-Lakes purchase (Treaty 3), an agreement between the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and the British Crown; the Dish with One Spoon Wampum Belt Covenant, an agreement between the Haudenosaun
We gather on the territory of Erie, Neutral, Huron-Wendat, Haudenosaunee and Mississaugas. This territory was included in the Between-the-Lakes purchase (Treaty 3), an agreement between the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and the British Crown; the Dish with One Spoon Wampum Belt Covenant, an agreement between the Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabe to share and care for the resources around the Great Lakes; and the Two Row Wampum Belt Covenant, between First Nations and colonials.
We recognize that as settlers we have not lived up to these ideals and that our relationship with First Nations people has often been characterized by a sense of superiority, a desire to dominate, and by the theft of land. We now work to be people of reconciliation.
Greening Sacred Spaces
Greening Sacred Spaces
Greening Sacred Spaces
We’re very conscious of our environmental footprint and have been greening our sacred space for a number of years.
We have installed LED lights throughout the building and we heat the sanctuary only when
it is in use.
In 2011, we replaced our boiler with a more efficient model, and installed solar panels on the roof.
Since their placeme
We’re very conscious of our environmental footprint and have been greening our sacred space for a number of years.
We have installed LED lights throughout the building and we heat the sanctuary only when
it is in use.
In 2011, we replaced our boiler with a more efficient model, and installed solar panels on the roof.
Since their placement, these panels have generated over 167,000 kWh, offsetting tons of CO2 emissions, that would have resulted from this electricity generation, had it been generated conventionally.
Worship
Mission Statement
Community
We are a progressive church with traditional elements to our service and include quite a lot of music.
We welcome people who are questioning.
We dress informally and understand that children often run around and make noise.
All are welcome here!
Community
Mission Statement
Community
We work through Wesley to support people experiencing homelessness and people experiencing food insecurity.
We organize community events, including lectures, potlucks, knitting and euchre.
Our building is home to a day-care and counselling practices, as well as other regular activities such as yoga, Tai Chi, carpet bowling, swing danc
We work through Wesley to support people experiencing homelessness and people experiencing food insecurity.
We organize community events, including lectures, potlucks, knitting and euchre.
Our building is home to a day-care and counselling practices, as well as other regular activities such as yoga, Tai Chi, carpet bowling, swing dancing, basketball and
Scottish country dancing.
Space can be rented for community events and private parties.
Contact the office for more information!
Mission Statement
Mission Statement
Mission Statement
As a congregation of the United Church of Canada our Mission is to respond to God's call by being a people of faith who open our hearts and minds to the true power and love of Jesus Christ; and to live our faith by providing, within our changing community, a welcoming environment which encourages all people to care for and accept one another.
Equity, Diversity, Inclusiveness
In 2015 the statement ‘Affirming Other Spiritual Paths’ reminded us of the 1966 UCC Report that stated that God is at work in the religious life of all humanity, not just the United Church or the Christian denominations.
The UCC 1998 apology to Indigenous peoples included the powerful words “As we travel this difficult road of repentance, reconciliation, and healing, we commit ourselves to work toward ensuring that we will never again use our power as a Church to hurt others with attitudes of racial and spiritual superiority. We work to recognize that Every Child Matters, to undo the harm of colonial practices, and to be a people of reconciliation.”
People who are LGBTQ2SIA+ have also suffered much harm from some interpretations of Christianity. We recognize how wrong it was that our spiritual ancestors behaved in this way, and work towards harmony, justice and equity. We practice equal marriage.
Everyone is welcome here.
Community
We organize sacred and secular community events. A regular lecture series on Wednesday at lunchtime has covered topics from women djinn in Hebrew scripture to preparing, as people and as caregivers, for long-term care. Twice a month (first and third Saturdays) our community knitting group meets to share skills, ideas and conversation. At potlucks with our own community and with other communities of faith we share food and hear about opportunities to work for justice in our community. Our regular euchre group meets on fourth Friday evenings and we host a family board games event once a month on a Sunday afternoon.
In 2023 and 2024 we Melrose hosted a Community Music Evening, a cafe-style event with local established and emerging musicians, which was sold out, and which raised money for Wesley refugee settlement.
Here is the hyperlink for 'Wesley refugee settlement': https://services.settlement.org/en/hamilton/settlement-services/wesley-wesley-resettlement-assistance-program-rap/
Our building is home to a day care and counselling practices, as well as other regular activities such as yoga, Tai Chi and Scotting country dancing, and swing dancing. Our carpet bowling alley is used by a community group weekly.
Space can be rented for community events and private parties: we have a gym, and a certified kitchen with adjacent parlour and auditorium. Our beautiful abbey-style sanctuary is used throughout the year by diverse musical groups for concerts.
Baptisms are part of Sunday services held by our minister. Weddings and funerals are usually officiated by our minister, but at her discretion. Other ministers may officiate in our space. We practice equal marriage and all are welcome here.
Each Christmas our Mistletoe Bazaar is a popular community event; our advent also includes a candelight service, and on Christmas evening we have a welcoming early family service and a beautiful midnight communion.
Music is a strong tradition at Melrose, one upheld by our current music director, Alex Cann, our choir, gifted soloists Chris Palmer and Allana Stevenson, and our congregational signing.
Staff Team
Director of Music: Alexander Cann
Property Manager: Kevin Geluch
Custodial Team:
Alan Ritcey, George Mayhew and Tim Hammond
Church Administrator: Sue Hawthorne-Bate
Supporters of Our Work
Hamilton Community Foundation
Hamilton Community Foundation
We are grateful to receive an annual gift from the Hamilton Community Foundation Douglas J Clark Fund to support the work of the church.
UCC Foundation
Hamilton Community Foundation
We are grateful to receive an annual gift from the Eva Porter Estate Fund to support the Melrose Mission and Service Fund.
Horseshoe Falls Regional Council
Horseshoe Falls Regional Council
