Everyone is welcome at Parkminster, and we are so glad you are considering joining us!
Parkminster United Church is located at 275 Erb Street East in Waterloo. Sunday worship services are held from 10:00 to 11:15 AM in a hybrid format, so you can join us in person or online. Our services are vibrant, uplifting, and always filled with music, with themes and formats varying from week to week.
Children and youth are an important part of our ministry, and so families of all ages are welcome. Visit our Family Ministry page for more information on how children, youth, and young families can be welcomed and accommodated at Sunday worship.
Click the headings below for more details about what to expect during your first visit to Parkminster.
What should I expect when I arrive?
When you arrive at Parkminster, you’ll see our Welcome Table at the entrance, where someone will greet you and ask you to sign the guest register. Be sure to pick up a Parkminster brochure there; it provides information about all that goes on in our church.
What should I wear and bring?
Dress however you are comfortable! From blue jeans to ties, all are welcome!
You do not need to bring anything with you, but you are welcome to bring anything that would make the experience more enjoyable. Our pews do have cushions, but if you are more comfortable with a back cushion, feel free to bring one.
What will happen during Sunday service?
After you have been greeted at the Welcome Table, you can head upstairs to the Sanctuary. Ushers will greet you at the door to the Sanctuary, welcome you, and may help you find a seat.
There are bulletins on the table just outside the Sanctuary that outline the order of service for that morning. The programming of Sunday morning services varies each week, but in general you can expect the following:
- We sing together often: You will find hymn numbers denoted in the bulletin. We have two hymn books, both found in the pews, and we usually stand to sing together.
- We pray: You will find time for prayer a few times in the service, in different ways.
- We listen: Our minister will share with us a message, with relevance to our current society and the events of the world. Messages are shared in many ways, using different cues, sometimes videos or pictures, but always shared as equals.
- We hear: We hear music from the many musical groups at Parkminster.
- We get involved: There are always ways to connect to a Sunday service, through responsive prayers, singing, dramas, etc. You are always welcome to be as involved (or not involved) as you like.
- We give financially to the work of the local and global church through an offering time — but if you are our guest, please do not feel obligated to give money.
What happens after the service?
We hope you’ll join us for coffee in the gym after the service. If you leave right after the service, the minister is at the door and will be glad to chat with you. As well as inviting you to return, we have a person with the minister who will make sure we have your name and contact information if you’d like to provide it. You’ll likely receive a note or card thanking you for coming and encouraging you to come again.
We are also aware that some who join us for Sunday worship want to maintain their privacy, may want to take things slowly, and are only interested in coming to worship — and we respect that.
We hope that you will feel welcomed here in the Parkminster community and feel called to join us again!
We hope you will join us! If you have any questions you would like answered before or after your first visit, feel free to contact the office at admin@parkuc.ca.