Luseland SK St. John's United Church

The Luseland SK St. John's United Church was built in the early 1900's just like most other major buildings in Luseland.  We are a young province, so we have no ancient historical claims to fame. 

Our architecture is plain white clapboard--like a church on a Christmas card, and in winter, that is exactly what we look like.

Our congregation is also just like our town: we are aging with a few glittering rays of hope in our youth who are yet too young to go off to university and then to jobs around the world, but not often in Luseland.  Our membership boasts persons in Australia and British Columbia and Toronto, members who cannot get the down home flavour out of their systems.

When our congregation figured out we could no longer operate like a traditional church with an ordained minister, we drew up a plan to run our church by continuing all our committees, electing two church administrators who keep track of our statistical information, and asking two lay ministers to make a committment to provide four Sunday services each month.  So far this plan has worked because each committee member and regular member is committed to maintaining our unique contribution to our community.

We feel our open and welcoming theology, one which tries to follow the practice of Jesus, one that delights in the new Song of Faith, and the New Creed which teach we are not alone and we are responsible for our actions, is a necessary and welcome contribution to our community.

About the Service

11 a.m. - 12 noon on Sunday

Our Sunday services are at 11 a.m. year round, except for July--call ahead to find out the summer program.  Also, on the fifth Sunday of any month that has one, we have a surprise planned for everyone--phone to find out the address to go to for the surprise.  Bring a potluck item that does not require electricity to keep it in top form--like a simple salad or open faced buns or just bread in any form, crackers, cheese, fruit washed and ready for sharing, pickles of all sorts.  Also come ready to sing because a bunch of Mennonites join us and can they sing!  Fifth Sundays are a hallmark of our church--invite your friends, they'll love it.

About the Neighbourhood

Across the street from us are the Catholics at Blessed Eugene De Mazenod, and since we both have bells, we have opted to let theirs play through out the town year round so we do not deafen the neighbours by adding ours.

We have a church garden on the south side of the church.  You are welcome to enjoy the garden and use it for weddings or whatever--just do not drive on the lawn by the church steps to the kitchen--the ground is soft there and if there has been any rain or watering of lawn you will get stuck.

Since our town is very small, the whole town is our neighbourhood.  You will find five churches, one amalgamated school, grades K-12, 2 financial institutions, EMS services, volunteer fire brigade, grocery stores, many forms of personal services, theatre, and much more at our door step.  Luseland is alive and well.

Quick Facts

What kind of service do we have?

Lillian's services are Methodist/inspirational; Paulette's services are liturgical/educational. All services are traditionally untraditional.

What kind of music is there?

Piano and organ always; sometimes key boards added; sometimes drums or flutes or guitars, or whatever.

What do people wear to church?

We are a come-as-you-are church; we are just happy you get here.

Do you have a regular Sunday School?

No, not any more. We have no children that age at all. Children are welcome in the service, and if one of the adults there thinks the service is boring the children, that adult will take the kids over to the hall and hold a class just for your kids.

Do you have a UCW?

Yes, and they meet on the first Monday of the month at 2 p.m. Phone first--certain months of the year we traditionally do things away from the church; June is travel month and December we meet in the evening.

Do you have any midweek meetings?

Yes, we have a book study every Wednesday afternoon at 2 p.m. Phone to find out location and book. We have done Three Cups of Tea, Memory Keeper's Daughter, Book of Negroes. In May we are reading As For Me and My House.

Church Minister

Lay ministers serve our church on a permanent rotation schedule. Paulette Halliday will be taking the first 2 Sundays of most months in 2009 and Lillian Body will be there for the last 2 Sundays of each month. These two lay people have been known to suddenly switch Sundays in event of family emergencies, so there are a few surprises from time to time.

Lillian Body has been serving churches in this area of the province as a lay minister for many years.  She has taken courses to help her carry out this important service to her community.  In recent years she has also beome a Justice of the Peace, so she is able to legally marry couples who may wish to marry.  Lillian is an avid gardener and volunteer.

Paulette Halliday is relative newcomer to the United Church.  She has always been interested in theology, and was told as a child she should be a theologian, but she did not know what that was.  In 1995, Paulette had a chance to go back to school after raising a family.  One of her required courses that first year was Theology 101.  That finally led to a Masters in theological studies.  Paulette is not ordained, and cannot marry anyone, but she can give you a blessing. 

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