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 also donated to El Salvado
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 also 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 conscious of our environmental footprint and have been greening our sacred space for a number of years.
We have LED lights throughout the building. 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 h
We’re conscious of our environmental footprint and have been greening our sacred space for a number of years.
We have LED lights throughout the building. 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 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 quite a lot of music. We welcome people who are questioning. We dress informally and understand that children often run around and make noise.
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, bowling, swing dancing an
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, bowling, swing dancing and Scottish country dancing. Space can be rented for community events and private parties
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 includes 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 lunchtimes 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 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. Once a month we have a free movie night for parents of small children.
n 2023 and 2024 we hosted Melrose 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 a counselling practice, as well as other regular activities such as yoga, Tai Chi and swing dancing. Our 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, and George Mayhew
Church Administrator: Sue Hawthorne-Bate
Supporters of Our Work
Hamilton Community Foundation
United Church of Canada Foundation
United Church of Canada 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.
United Church of Canada Foundation
United Church of Canada Foundation
United Church of Canada Foundation
We are grateful to receive an annual gift from the Eva Porter Estate Fund to support the Melrose UCW and Mission and Service Fund.
Mission Council of Horseshoe Falls
United Church of Canada Foundation
Mission Council of Horseshoe Falls