Annual Congregational Meeting 2022
What’s the ACM all about?
Every year we hold an ACM to review and celebrate the year past and look toward the year to come. This year, the ACM took place on Sunday, March 13 from 11 AM to 12 PM on Zoom.
Scroll down to see images from 2021 and hear what some people tell their friends about Cedar Park United, and how being part of this community throughout the pandemic has positively impacted their lives. We hope you’ll be inspired!
You can download the 2021 Annual Report below (including our financial report and last year’s ACM minutes) for more details from our ministry and task teams.
Rev. Dr. Elisabeth Jones, Lead Minister, and Paul Clarke, Chair of the Congregational Board
Hear about their hopes and dreams for Cedar Park in the Annual Report.
Click above to watch our 2021 video review
Be inspired by the life and work of this community of faith in 2021.
What people are saying
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"What do I tell friends (and contractors) when the Cedar Park United community comes up in conversation? The welcome is genuine."
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"The KidZoom children's programme has been my child's church all through the pandemic, even when we moved away from Montreal. I am so thankful for that beautiful space for our little family to connect, centre, and celebrate."
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“CPU is forward thinking, using careful discernment and decision-making to be proactive, not reactive, always following where we feel God is calling us."
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“CPU has been like extended family to me for over 70 years.”
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"Remaining connected with CPU online has helped me stay sane during the pandemic. Sunday worship services, midrash discussions, clusters, etc., do indeed feed my soul, make me feel at home, and help me fulfill my purpose within and without our community."
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“A very special and warm place, imaginative leaders, tangible acts of service in the community."
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"What makes CPU so special for me? The balance between honouring traditions, addressing current events and supporting active social justice partners, and planning for future generations."
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"The generosity of this church, your generosity, whether in donations, conversations or any other form, does far more than furnish homes and raise spirits. It weaves the fabric of our community and keeps our hearts and spirits warm, come what may."
Gathering — Online, indoors and outdoors
Cluster gatherings took place online and outside
Spring cluster gathering
Our digital worship space on YouTube
Summer rock painting with families
Garden worship on the labyrinth in September
Onsite worship in the fall
A wild (un)church outing to L'Anse à l'orme
The choir rehearsed virtually to create beautiful music to for online worship.
Learning and growing
Learning happened online in Midweek Midrash, the "So you Want to Talk about Race" book studies and Men's and Women's groups.
The garden in the CPU courtyard grew higher and taller than ever before!
The tech team had a steep learning curve in 2021 and helped make worship amazing.
Experiencing a mindful start to Advent onsite with families.
Caring — Connections, comfort and healing
The prayer tree on our front lawn offered hope and healing to the neighbourhood.
Our comfort food freezer was a source of comfort and care all year.
Prayer shawls were knitted and shared as a tangible sign of care.
Cluster gatherings were important times of connection.
Sharing — Time, talent and treasure
We shared joy with the neighbourhood on Easter.
The creation of our outdoor labyrinth took so many hands and hours of work.
The youth spent several weeks clearing out the back garden in the spring.
We served as a community drop-off point for the Welcome Collective and were able to support them in caring for newly arrived people to Canada.
Building — Renovation, renewal and the great outdoors
To see more images of the sanctuary renewal project, click here.
It was a thrill to see how much progress had been made by September.
We had beautiful new chairs to sit on when we resumed onsite worship.
We entered through a new door when we resumed onsite worship in November.
The outdoor labyrinth welcomed many feet for contemplative walks.