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Valley Pastoral Charge
Valley Pastoral Charge
Valley Pastoral Charge
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St. Andrew's, Emerson ... Dominion City ... Green Ridge The geographical area of Valley Pastoral Charge is immense, stretching from west of the Red River, east to Vita and beyond, north to the St. Pierre area and south to the International Boundary. Its congregations make up the last United Church in the southern area of Manitoba before the Ontario Border, and have extended Pastoral Care into the Sundown - Piney areas and beyond. Pastoral Care often stretches beyond our boundaries to Altona, Morris, Steinbach, Boundary Trails Health Centre (near Winkler), and Winnipeg. Diverse, and yet bonded in common goals, values, and beliefs, Valley Pastoral Charge offers varied opportunities to its ministry personnel. Originally, two ministers served Valley Pastoral Charge, one living in Altona and the other in Emerson. They served as many as seven churches on a Sunday. Amalgamation of churches and changing populations led to changes in boundaries of the charge, with Altona separating and what is now Valley Pastoral Charge being formed. The Pastoral Charge has 326 confirmed members and a large number of adherents. Three active church boards and one Pastoral Charge Board (consisting of members from the three local boards) care for the need of the congregations. The secretary is diligent, detail oriented and offers hugs in all her emails. Committees meet regularly along with the paid accountable minister. Valley Pastoral charge has three modern church buildings, three Sunday Schools, and two of the churches have choirs. Each of the three congregations is unique and has its own personality. Although diverse, the three congregations work together well and share some worship services throughout the year: Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunrise Services and Advent 1 to name a few. Each congregation holds a Christmas Eve service (Green Ridge often holds a Christmas morning service) where all are welcome. Each church takes a turn in the rotation to lead Sunday Worship at the Emerson Personal Care Home, while the Green Ridge congregation also conducts the service at the Vita Care Home three times a year. Ecumenical work with neighbouring faith traditions has been growing. The work load of the Charge can be daunting and congregations have been active in finding ways to lighten the load through various committees and active laity. The charge is frtunate to have a retired clergy couple living in our area to conduct one service every Sunday. |
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