SASKATOON — A quick Google search of United Churches in Saskatoon brings up a list of nine. These nine congregations work together to create positive change through their outreach initiatives. These churches say they want to serve with purpose and continue their outreach projects in community caring, giving back to the community they serve.
Saskatoon United Churches held a food bank drive May 5–11 that included a little friendly competition, all to benefit the Saskatoon Food Bank and Learning Centre. Hundreds of pounds of food were collected to support this city resource centre.
Kelly Gabrielson, office administrator at St. Paul's United Church in the Bridge City, says their purpose statement includes the words “changing lives and making a difference in the world.”
“After the pandemic, we took a look at our neighbourhood to see what the current needs are of our community. The two main needs we identified were food insecurity and social isolation. There are so many who are experiencing feelings of isolation and loneliness, which was only exacerbated after the pandemic. Getting people together and socializing brings back the sense of community to our neighbourhood and gives people the chance to connect with others again. Our church is a church for the people and God calls on us to practice radical hospitality and welcome everyone with open arms,” acknowledges Gabrielson.
St. Paul’s United undertakes multiple outreach initiatives within this mandate. For instance, every Wednesday morning, they serve breakfast and coffee to anyone who comes in.
“It's become a great program that especially seniors in our neighbourhood and young kids enjoy. The muffins are baked by members of our congregation and the church supplies coffee, juice, fruit, and cheese. We average approximately 40 guests each week (growing every week) and eat an average of 10 dozen muffins each week. Any leftovers that can't be frozen for the next week are placed in our little book library in front of the building and are gone within an hour. We just surpassed our 10,000th muffin served.”
This church also hosts all-ages events, open to the public, and includes the five F’s: family oriented, free, faith based, fun, and with lots of food.
Additionally, St. Paul’s says, “There are people in the community that are experiencing food insecurity for themselves and their family. We provide a food hamper, which contains enough food for 2–3 meals for a family, once per year to each household to try to get them through difficult times. This food is donated from the congregation, either through donating the food directly or donating money for the program to purchase food. We are able to provide hampers to 20–25 families each year.”
Additional Christmas hampers provided 21 families an opportunity to celebrate Christmas.
Two neighbouring community schools with low-income families are assisted with the school supply drive.
In 2024, volunteers created 171 quilts to donate to community programs around Saskatoon, along with 84 pairs of neonatal bonding swatches, 68 NICU quilts, three bag quilts/sleeping mats for unhoused people, dog beds for a rescue kennel, and 25 tote bags to accompany Christmas hampers.
McClure United Church, located on Taylor Street in Saskatoon, also has a long list of outreach projects. Some are annual activities and traditions, while others come into their pathway by special request.
McClure works together to sponsor and settle a refugee family. This ministry has been part of the McClure community for 50 years. McClure has successfully sponsored 24 families that included 85 people.
Organizers at McClure United Church recently held a dessert night fundraiser to benefit Haven House, formerly known as Crisis Nursery.
McClure recently held a unique fundraiser called the Big Shred, which benefits the McClure Place Foundation and Amy McClure House.
The east side Saskatoon United Church was approached by a neighbouring community school and enlisted congregation members to donate food items and books. Recently, members baked 51 dozen muffins to donate to the school for breakfast items.
Socks for the Homeless is another big undertaking by the outreach committee at this church. People are asked to donate a number of items, including socks, beneficial for those in the community who are unhoused. The Saskatoon Community Support Team helps distribute these packages on McClure’s behalf.
At Christmas, a unique collection was taken when it was discovered the Saskatoon Food Bank was in need of baby formula, and congregation members wholeheartedly embraced the theme that “every baby needs love.”
While these outreach actions encompass just two of Saskatoon’s United Churches, a Facebook page — Saskatoon Cluster of UCC (United Church of Canada) — provides regular updates on events and activities United Churches in the city are undertaking within their outreach goals.
