Our Values
Our core values include risk, respect, responsibility, vulnerability and trust.
Our purpose is to welcome and strengthen in community all who wish to serve God’s world and follow the way of Jesus.
We are on a journey from the current Community of Faith organizational structure towards empowering various communities of the faithful to live out their passion, one step at a time, into a future filled with experimentation and learning.
We strive to do this by...
Our purpose is to welcome and strengthen in community all who wish to serve God’s world and follow the way of Jesus.
We are on a journey from the current Community of Faith organizational structure towards empowering various communities of the faithful to live out their passion, one step at a time, into a future filled with experimentation and learning.
We strive to do this by...
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LGBTQ+
As an Affirming Community since 2005, Harcourt strives to be fully inclusive of people of all sexual orientations and gender identities. This includes how we worship and gather, holding annual Pride events, and sponsoring local LGBTQ+ groups, such as the Rainbow Chorus of Waterloo-Wellington. |
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Greening
Harcourt cares for creation by participating in green initiatives. For example, our Community Garden and Orchard are maintained by volunteers who grow food to support local food insecurity efforts. Our Celebration Garden is an ongoing living project for the whole community, built on donations from our members. Donations for garden development are welcome to honour an individual, commemorate a family event, celebrate a milestone or provide a memorial gift. Our solar panels reduce our carbon footprint and are a source of revenue for the church. You can see their real-time performance here. |
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Our Causes
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Anti-Poverty
Harcourt regularly collects food, clothing, and monetary donations for Chalmers Community Services Centre. You can contribute to our regular donations by leaving food items in the grocery cart in our Greeting Area. Saturday Night Suppers
The Saturday Night Supper program started in 1998 at the former Chalmers United Church, now called Royal City Mission. There are currently 20 churches or groups participating to provide a good hot meal to all in need, in the company and fellowship of others. Supper is served every Saturday from 6-7 p.m. at Royal City Mission, 50 Quebec Street, Guelph. Harcourt typically hosts four Saturday Night Suppers each year, requiring 12 volunteers each supper to prepare and serve the meal. Cash donations for food purchases are gratefully accepted. |
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Our next supper will take place on September 2, 2023. If you would like to participate, please sign up here. Volunteers, click here to view the recipe for the Beef Pasta Casserole.
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Refugee Sponsorship: Helping Families Build a Future
The Harcourt community has been welcoming and supporting refugees since 1979. Our refugee sponsorship, working through the United Church of Canada, began with a Vietnamese family and has since included families and individuals from Poland, Bosnia, Sierra Leone and, most recently, Syria. We have learned much and have been richly blessed by our accompaniment with those who are seeking a safe haven and the creation of a new life in Canada. |
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