Caring Ministries
You can find a place of belonging and purpose in the caring community that is Cedar Park United.
We’re here for each other and take care of one another through all stages of life.
Congregational Care Clusters
Congregational Care Clusters were originally created at the beginning of the pandemic in 2020 as a way to ensure that Cedar Park neighbours were managing okay during that difficult time, and where needed to support those in difficulty.
Post-pandemic, we continue the Congregational Care Clusters for these reasons, as a way
a) to maintain local connections with one another.
b) to create manageable size-groups for volunteer "Cluster Connectors" to be an additional point of contact between members and the ministry staff.
c) to ensure that any care needs within the congregation are communicated so that we can respond appropriately and in a timely manner.
d) to help newcomers to Cedar Park United become acquainted with other members in a care cluster.
e) and as a way forward in faith, helping each other along the "Way,” and helping each other to find our fit within the community of faith.
Two times per year, volunteer “Cluster Connectors” reach out to everyone in their cluster by phone (or other means), to check in with everyone, and to share highlights of what is coming up in CPU programming and ministry, and to receive and forward any questions, comments, changes in circumstances, etc. to the ministry team.
The cluster ministry support and work is shared by Candidate Minister, Jessica Gauthier, Radical Welcome and Care Team Lead, Heidi Simmons, and Lead Minister, Rev. Dr. Elisabeth Jones.
To find out more, or to communicate a care concern: congregationalcare@cedarparkunited.org
Healing Pathway Ministry
The Healing Pathway Ministry is grounded in the practice of healing within the Christian tradition, with strong connections to other healing traditions and modalities. Its aim is to assist in restoring wholeness, balance and harmony at all levels of being – physical, emotional, mental and spiritual – by intentional connection to the divine.
Find out more about Healing Pathway.
Healing Pathway sessions are offered by appointment on Mondays between 2 and 5 PM in the Oasis Room (basement level) in the Cedar Park United church building.
Sessions will resume on January 13.
To book an appointment with the Healing Pathway team: cpu.healingpathway@gmail.com
Prayer Ministry
Each Sunday during worship, we pray for the world, and for loved ones in need of prayerful support. Some are named, others remain anonymous, but their request is honoured in weekly community prayer.
Prayer Shawl Ministry
This is a key component of our caring ministry. When someone is ill, in hospital, in grief, or in need of some tangible and prayerful support for whatever reason, a prayer shawl is given to them to offer a comforting reminder of our care and God’s healing love.
Some shawls are returned by folk, often with stories of healing and comfort, and these shawls continue to do “their” ministry among the community. Other shawls make their way out into the world to share God’s healing love. So we knit, or crochet more!
Donate a shawl you’ve made or find out more: administrator@cedarparkunited.org
This short video was created by Rev. Elisabeth to help anyone become more competent and confident as a caring human being. Listening—practicing the pause—is a crucial skill we can all learn, for the benefit of all.
Bread and Beyond
We’re so pleased to be the West Island drop-off hub for Bread and Beyond, a non-profit that offers support for people experiencing homelessness in Montreal.
We’re currently collecting specific items for their Essentials Boxes initiative. These can be dropped off at 204 Lakeview in Pointe-Claire on Wednesdays from 9 AM to noon and on Sundays from 9:30-10 AM and 11 to noon. Check the list of items to donate.
We also make sandwiches for Bread and Beyond at our monthly Wednesday Community Connections gatherings. Find out when you can participate next!
Comfort Food Freezer
This freezer is between the two sets of front doors of the church building. It’s there for anyone who needs a meal or a muffin, for whatever reason, and to ensure that CPU can provide nutritious meals to a number of older members who live alone, and to families who could use some food support.
You can contribute clearly labelled and dated, home-cooked, frozen meals in portions for 1, or for a family. You can take a meal when you need one.
The Comfort Freezer is accessible for pickups and dropoffs on Wednesdays from 9-12 and on Sundays from 10:30-11 and 11 to 12.
For more information: administrator@cedarparkunited.org
Comfort Pantry
The Comfort Pantry is in the hallway near the Comfort Food Freezer.
Anyone is welcome to take from the shelves and anyone is welcome to fill the shelves.
Here's what we hope to keep the shelves stocked with:
Peanut butter/jam
Single-serving snacks (apple sauce, granola bars, juice boxes, crackers, etc.)
Pasta/sauce/canned tomatoes/rice/Kraft dinner
Breakfast cereal
Cans of soup and crackers
Boxed milk (that doesn’t require refrigeration)
Period products (pads, tampons, etc.)
You can access the Comfort Pantry on Wednesdays from 9 to 12 and on Sundays from 9:30 to 10 and from 11 to 12.
Linden, our Prayer Tree
Our prayer tree was created at the beginning of the pandemic, and has become a treasured feature that graces our front lawn. Passersby stop to write a prayer or a name onto a ribbon, which is tied to the tree.
Each spring we remove the prayer ribbons (to give the tree a chance to grow new twigs) and then pray for each one, and we begin the cycle of prayer again.
If you connect with us from afar, we’ll be happy to tie a prayer onto Linden’s branches for you: communications@cedarparkunited.org