Grace/Woodhouse Pastoral Charge
The Port Dover Pastoral Charge has a history richly steeped in the Methodist Church. Since 1853, Woodhouse Wesleyan Methodist Church, the country church and Grace Methodist Church, the town church were paired together as a two-point pastoral charge. In 1925, both congregations became part of the United Church of Canada and have remained together since their first union in 1853. Relations between the two churches have remained friendly and supportive. In recent times, financial issues have created some stress on the relationship but these have now been worked through. Both churches have members that are loyal, dedicated to the projects and services that the United Church has established, and are instrumental in participating in worship and spreading the word of the gospel.
How we work together
Woodhouse and Grace share: A Secretary, Traditional Order of Service, Hymns- Voices United, and Shared Choirs for special services, Manse Committee, Mission and Outreach Committee, Ministry and Personnel Committee, a Finance Committee and a Pastoral Charge Board.
Joint services and Fellowship
• Lenten Breakfast
• Meals celebrating various events such as Shrove Tuesday and St. Patrick's Day
Lift Up Your Spirit Women's Day (April)
• Easter Sunrise Service at the beach (interdenominational)
• Memorial Hymn Sing
• Picnic for the Pastoral Charge (June)
• Woodhouse closes during July and joins with Grace for summer services
• Outdoor Service (last Sunday in July)
• Decoration Day at Woodhouse ( second Sunday in August)
• Woodhouse Anniversary Sunday (third Sunday in October)
• Anniversary Supper at Grace
• Grace Anniversary Sunday (first Sunday in November);
• Christmas Candlelight services ( Woodhouse- the Sunday before Christmas, Grace- Christmas Eve)
• Advent Walk (interdenominational)
Projects that both churches support
• Collecting stamps, pop can tabs, Campbell's Soup Labels
• Coins for Lent
• Food Banks
Mission and Outreach donations are directed to Ryerson Beach Camp, Caribbean Workers Outreach Project, Canadian Foodgrains Bank, Gideons, World Vision, Christian Service Centres, Canadian Bible Study and local benevolence funds.
Grace/Woodhouse Pastoral Charge
The Port Dover Pastoral Charge has a history richly steeped in the Methodist Church. Since 1853, Woodhouse Wesleyan Methodist Church, the country church and Grace Methodist Church, the town church were paired together as a two-point pastoral charge. In 1925, both congregations became part of the United Church of Canada and have remained together since their first union in 1853. Relations between the two churches have remained friendly and supportive. In recent times, financial issues have created some stress on the relationship but these have now been worked through. Both churches have members that are loyal, dedicated to the projects and services that the United Church has established, and are instrumental in participating in worship and spreading the word of the gospel.
How we work together
Woodhouse and Grace share: A Secretary, Traditional Order of Service, Hymns- Voices United, and Shared Choirs for special services, Manse Committee, Mission and Outreach Committee, Ministry and Personnel Committee, a Finance Committee and a Pastoral Charge Board.
Joint services and Fellowship
• Lenten Breakfast
• Meals celebrating various events such as Shrove Tuesday and St. Patrick's Day
Lift Up Your Spirit Women's Day (April)
• Easter Sunrise Service at the beach (interdenominational)
• Memorial Hymn Sing
• Picnic for the Pastoral Charge (June)
• Woodhouse closes during July and joins with Grace for summer services
• Outdoor Service (last Sunday in July)
• Decoration Day at Woodhouse ( second Sunday in August)
• Woodhouse Anniversary Sunday (third Sunday in October)
• Anniversary Supper at Grace
• Grace Anniversary Sunday (first Sunday in November);
• Christmas Candlelight services ( Woodhouse- the Sunday before Christmas, Grace- Christmas Eve)
• Advent Walk (interdenominational)
Projects that both churches support
• Collecting stamps, pop can tabs, Campbell's Soup Labels
• Coins for Lent
• Food Banks
Mission and Outreach donations are directed to Ryerson Beach Camp, Caribbean Workers Outreach Project, Canadian Foodgrains Bank, Gideons, World Vision, Christian Service Centres, Canadian Bible Study and local benevolence funds.
