Dozens gathered at The Hazel Bluff United Church to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the union between the Methodist Church, Congregational Union of Canada and 70 per cent of The Presbyterian Church.
The celebration on Sunday, June 15 started at 11 a.m. with a homage to the very first service done in 1925, complete with a selection of hymns from the five hymn books adopted since its union. The echoes of the choir followed patrons from the pews to the grass as they gathered for a celebratory picnic. With a selection of games for kids and food for all, the 88 who attended talked about the progressive history of the church after a special presentation from Cathy Lent.
Lent talked about how the Hazel Bluff Church, in particular, was turning 115 years old after having originally been a Methodist Church before switching to United after the agreement was first signed on June 10, 1925.
This day means more than just a union but for Lori Glebe, the Vice Chair on the Westlock Pastoral Charge Official Board, it “means 100 years of constant change. We are a fairly progressive church.”
The United Church expanded beyond the scope of its capabilities back in 1925. By 1986, they had become the first church to formally apologize to Indigenous students of Residential Schools. They continued to support them by creating The Healing Fund Support and adding an Indigenous Ministry to their community.
They were also leaders in gender equality, becoming the first church to ordain a woman minister in Canada, the Rev. Lydia Gruchy. They later formed the United Church Women which united the Women’s Association and Women’s Missionary Society where they were at the forefront of missionary and fundraising work. In 1980, the Church stood up for a women’s right to choose.
In the early 2000s, the United Church became the first to speak in favour of same-sex marriage, urging parliament to vote for the legislation. A year later, in 2006, they would rule not to reopen the issue for debate in the House of Commons.
On their website, the United Church speaks about the history of religion against the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, misogyny and racism, “Even as we seek to eliminate sexism, misogyny, homophobia, biphobia, and transphobia, we know that we, too, are guilty of these forms of oppression.” However, they continue to support legislation that establishes equality across the world.
For Glebe, and many members of the United Church, it is more than just a guide, “it means faith community. Really, the United Church is about community. It's about looking after each other and having a place to go when you need help. About being there for others.”
The United Church in all of Canada has gotten smaller within the past twenty years. In October of 2019, the Westlock United Church was put on the market due to congregation numbers being too low to support the building, according to Brian Trueblood, the board of trustees chair at the time. The Westlock congregation was welcomed to Hazel Bluff with open arms but they hope more people will join in the coming years.
One of the defining factors of the United Church is its progressive ideology, “We are welcome and open to any and all,” says Glebe.
The Hazel Bluff United Church gathers at its building located west of Highway 18, every Sunday at 10 a.m.
