Parkminster’s Outreach Committee supports many initiatives locally and globally, turning compassion into action. Visit this page to see events happening in the Parkminster community and learn how you can support outreach and community efforts—in the church, in our region, and beyond.
Outreach Events & Opportunities
TOASTY TOES AT TINY HOME TAKEOUT: The Tiny Home Takeout Community Closet would appreciate donations to their Toasty Toes program. With the cooler weather approaching, warm socks are necessary to restock their cupboard so they can provide clothing to those in need. Also requested are men’s used winter coats. If you wish to donate, you can deposit warm socks in the blue bin at the top of the stairs.
MEET JODI SPARGUR, AUTHOR OF MEND: Join us for an evening of honest truth-telling, biblical reimagining, and hopeful conversation as author and speaker Jodi Spargur introduces her book, Mend. Together, we will explore how Scripture, history, and Indigenous witness call us away from polite lament and toward tangible, land-based restoration. We hope that you will have some concrete next steps for you and your church on your journey to restore right relationships with our neighbors and the land itself.
Monday, November 9th at 7 PM in the Parkminster sanctuary
Includes a Q&A and book signing.
Admission is free but donations will be accepted.
TRANSGENDER DAY OF REMEMBRANCE (TDOR) is an annual international observance held on November 20th to honor and memorialize transgender and gender-nonconforming people whose lives were lost to anti-transgender violence, hate, and discrimination. As this day approaches, we would like to support the community with a special collection for Spectrum.
Spectrum is an organization that serves, affirms, and supports the well-being of 2S and LGBTQIA+ individuals in Waterloo Region and the broader community through peer support, community partnerships, education and training, resources, and events. As a space that does not receive core government funding, there is an ongoing challenge to keep the lights on and continue to support a community that is relentlessly targeted in the current climate of hatred.
At Parkminster United Church, we are also celebrating the 20th anniversary of our church becoming affirming. As part of this, we will hold a special cash collection on Sunday, November 15th for Spectrum. For larger donations and to get a tax receipt, we encourage people to donate online.
To donate online: https://ourspectrum.com/donate/
Spectrum’s main web page: https://ourspectrum.com/
Please consider giving generously to this important organization.
LIVING INTO RIGHT RELATIONS OPPORTUNITIES: This year, Mennonite Central Committee Ontario is hosting two learning series open to anyone interested in deepening their commitment to reconciliation with Indigenous Neighbours. Contact lauraenns@mcco.ca with any questions.
– Hearts Exchanged is a learning and action journey designed to equip Christians to go beyond the headlines into deep work, as we wrestle with the challenges and opportunities of reconciliation in our personal lives, local communities, churches and institutions. Join our Online Ecumenical Cohort, based around churches and communities on the Haldimand Tract, and learn more about the “Spiritual Covenant with Churches.” Meets on Zoom on the first Thursday of each month, 7-9 PM, October 2026 to May 2027. Learn more and sign up here!
– Organizing for Repair is a learning series which draws on teachings by Sarah Augustine and experiences of local churches to equip us to engage our congregations for meaningful repair through relational solidarity with Indigenous communities. Meets on Zoom on the second Thursday of each month, 7-8:30 PM, November 2026 to March 2027, with an in-person retreat at Shantz Mennonite Church in Baden on Saturday, October 3 from 8:30-3:30 PM. Register here!
SIX NATIONS LAND CLAIM CASE GOES TO COURT. The wheels of justice grind slowly for Indigenous people in Canada. After decades of preparing legal counsel and expert witnesses, the Haldimand Tract litigation case of the Six Nations of the Grand River begins on Monday, October 5.
The case concerns 950,000 acres of lands along the Grand River. These lands were promised to Six Nations of the Grand River in the Haldimand Proclamation of 1784. However, the lands failed to be protected, were improperly sold, or the proceeds of sold lands were mismanaged by the Crown. To follow the case, visit this website.
On September 13, Waterloo Region churches listened to accounts of the trial preparation from Six Nations lawyer, Lonny Bomberry, and lands right consultant, Phil Monture. We pray for justice and eventual reparations for historical wrongs as the case is heard in court.
YOUR COLLABORATION COMMITTEE NEEDS YOU! The Collaboration Committee of the United Churches in Waterloo is seeking your ideas to strengthen our church organizations and build cooperation among our local churches. If you have suggestions that can help us work together more effectively — whether in property and operations, community outreach, youth programs, charitable initiatives, or shared events — we welcome your input.
You can talk directly with one of the committee members, or you can email us at waterloo.uc.collaboration@gmail.com. The committee members are Bruce Carter, Stephen Dixon, Heather and Doug Jacklin, Nancy Lennox, Cory MacKay, Scott McGaire, Bruce Mutton, Sandra and Ken Nethercott, Muriel Omand-Naylor, Paul Warder, and Joan Westcott.
Community Resources
OBTAINING MINUTES & ANNUAL REPORTS – SECURE ADMINISTRATIVE PORTAL: Minutes and Annual Reports are available to everyone. They can be accessed through our website, using a password to enter the secure administrative portal or by contacting the church office. All minutes are of public record with the
exception of Ministry & Personnel. If you require assistance, please contact the office: admin@parkuc.ca
PRAYER/COMFORT SHAWL MINISTRY: Prayer/Comfort Shawls are presented as a tangible sign of care and compassion offered by the Parkminster community of faith. Shawls are available for anyone (you, family, or friend) who is in need of comfort in difficult times as well as in good times.
Do you knit or crochet? Do you wish to contribute your care and concern to this ministry? Do you have yarn that you will no longer use? Your yarn donations would be appreciated. For more information contact Roxy Linkletter at roxylinkletter@gmail.com.
HEARING ASSIST UNITS: We are pleased to announce that the hearing assist units have arrived for use in the sanctuary with our new AV system. There are 4 units available. Access may also be obtained by using your own smart phone. Please click here for instructions. The AV team will be happy to assist you.
Anti-Racism: United Church’s 40 Days of Engagement to Become an Anti Racist Church: https://united-church.ca/social-action/justice-initiatives/anti-racism/40-days-engagement-anti-racism
How Can I Help Ukraine? United Church Mission and Service and Partners are responding to the rapidly unfolding crisis in Ukraine. To find out how to show your support and make a gift united-church.ca/social-action/act-now/ukraine-crisis