2010

2010

January

This year, 2010, was a year of anticipation, celebration, and joy as Metropolitan United Church moved forward. On January 3rd, our congregation issued a call to the Reverend Dr. Jeffrey Paul Crittenden to be our Senior Minister. The call was accepted with a commencement of July 1, 2010, after Dr. Crittenden completed his ministry at Glen Abbey United Church in Oakville. 

July and August 

In the summer months, the entire Metropolitan United Church community learned from Dr. Crittenden how they could more fully embrace and provide three main areas of service: Hospitality, Outreach and Discipleship. Since that time, our congregation has continued to shine (through 2024) as Met United remains committed to its ministry of these three essential principles. 

Dr. Crittenden thanked church members who came out on a Wednesday afternoon in August to write letters of invitation and welcome to the Sunday-school-aged children in our congregation. We expected the children would be thrilled that we reached out to them in this way. 

September

Metropolitan United Church members attended the Covenanting Service with its deep promises of faith and support for Rev. Dr. Jeff Crittenden on Sunday, September 12th at 7:00 p.m. This was the official start of Jeff’s ministry at Met United. It was a moving covenanting service with Jeff’s father, the Rev. Dr. Paul Crittenden, providing the message as Jeff made his formal covenant with our congregation. This was an exciting year as our congregation embraced our Senior Minister and his family.

Metropolitan United Church decided to honour three former ministers by annually inviting guest preachers to speak at our Sunday morning worship services and to lecture at conferences. In October each year, the Dr. John Bruce Hunter Anniversary Series of guest preachers would honour the Rev. Dr. John Bruce Hunter, Senior Minister of Metropolitan United Church from 1923 (before the church union) to 1934.  In October each year, the Dr. George Goth Lecture Series of guest preachers would honour the Rev. Dr. George Goth, Senior Minister of Metropolitan United Church from 1948 to 1975. And lastly, in February each year, the Dr. R. Maurice Boyd Preacher of Distinction series would honour Rev. Dr. R. Maurice Boyd, Senior Minister of Metropolitan United Church from 1975 to 1988. 

On September 9th, the first weekly issue of Metro News, a computer-generated newsletter listing upcoming events at Met United, and providing details of the Sunday worship services, was distributed electronically to Metropolitan United Church members. Thankfully, this electronic means of communication remains steadfast and continues to this day (2024), informing our congregation every Thursday. 

In Metro News on September 16th, Dr. Crittenden and his family expressed their gratitude to those who attended the Covenanting Service on Sept. 12th. Metropolitan’s organizers also thanked Met United congregants, representatives from Middlesex Presbytery and National Office, and Jeff’s family. An offering collected during the Covenanting Service amounted to $1,042.35 and was sent to Middlesex Presbytery to support its work.At the regular meeting of Middlesex Presbytery held at Reynolds Creek United Church on September 28th, the Rev. Dr. Jeff Crittenden, Linda Hoover (Presbytery representative at Metropolitan United Church) and Rev. Dr. Kate Crawford (First-St. Andrew’s United Church) were introduced to the General Council Court as new members. 

Metropolitan United Church and St. Paul’s Cathedral organized the Religious Social Action Coalition (renamed Multi-Faith Social Action Coalition in 2011) to address poverty in our communities. Metropolitan United Church joined forces with First-St. Andrew’s United Church and St. Paul’s Cathedral, Temple Israel Synagogue, London Muslim Mosque, St. Peter’s Cathedral Basilica, the Sisters of St. Joseph, and possibly others, to raise awareness in the London Community about issues of poverty and to work together on joint projects such as food distribution in London and area.

October 

Dr. Crittenden and Brad Johnson would regularly conduct The Gathering worship service at 9:00 a.m. each Sunday morning, while Dr. Crittenden and Rev. Herbert Summers would lead the 11:00 a.m. traditional worship service regularly. 

Metropolitan’s Thanksgiving service at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday Oct. 10th was the only worship service and was broadcast on Radio 1290 CJBK. Elements from both The Gathering worship service and our traditional worship service were combined into this single service of gratitude and praise.

Throughout October 2010, Dr. Crittenden led Licensed Lay Worship Leader (LLWL) courses at Five Oaks Education and Retreat Centre in Paris, Ontario.

December

Metropolitan United Church organized our Advent Pilgrimage at four different venues in the city of London, scheduled all Advent half-hour services over four consecutive Wednesday evenings in December 2010, and opened the Pilgrimage opportunities to everyone to rediscover the anticipation and coming of Christ.

On Friday Dec. 24th, Metropolitan offered three Christmas Eve Services: “Teddy Bears and PJs” interactive service at 4:30 p.m. for young children with Dr. Crittenden; The Gathering at 6:30 p.m. for a somewhat casual worship service with their Praise Band while Dr. Crittenden preached on the topic O What A Night!; and lastly, Dr. Crittenden’s same sermon at our 8:30 p.m. traditional service of Communion with our Senior Choir in attendance.