How did you travel to church today? Hear now how mission and service arrives in some hard-to-reach places across the country.

By outboard, by helicopter, by snowmobile: these are some ways the minister travels each week between St. Michael’s Church in Chevery, Quebec, and Elizabeth United Church in Harrington Harbour. The two congregations make up the Harrington Harbour Pastoral Charge on the Lower North Shore/Basse-Côte-Nord of Quebec, near the mouth of the Nétagamiou River, facing Newfoundland.

The cost of travelling to and from this part of Canada is very high, and the weather often interrupts travel. These factors add to the sense of remoteness and isolation for ministers. Consequently, this pastoral charge has always had difficulty finding ministers willing to be settled here. Because of the remoteness, part-time ministry is not an option. We could not ask someone to make this substantial personal commitment for anything less than a full-time salary.

Gratefully, there have been many adventurous individuals who have joined us, to the mutual benefit of both the minister and our communities. Currently, our minister is the only full-time United Church minister between the Eastern Townships and Labrador.

Our small communities rely on your M&S dollars to support this ministry. Your M&S dollars help with salary, high moving costs, travel to and from presbytery, Conference, and General Council meetings, as well as ensuring that our minister has a decent manse to live in. Thank you for your continued support of this ministry, which is vital for our community and our culture.

Every gift to the church’s mission and service is used wisely and helps transform lives. Please continue to give generously.

[available in French (online only)/disponible en français (en ligne seulement).  Visit www.UCRDstore.ca and search for “minutes for mission 2013.”  Visitez le site www.UCRDstore.ca et recherchez “minutes for mission 2013.”]

Photo: http://www.quebecmaritime.ca