2016

2016

January

Our Music Director Dr. Gregg Redner, and our Senior Minister Dr. Jeff Crittenden went on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land in January (7-23). Everyone at Met United shared in Gregg and Jeff’s interesting stories of events following the 11:00 a.m. worship service on March 6th when our two pilgrims showed approximately 90 slides of their pilgrimage. 

February and March 

Members of Met United and Byron United churches provided support for two Syrian families to come to London on February 3rd (the Alkhatib family) and February 5th (the Odicho family). Our Syrian Refugee Support Team, led by Don Scanlon, Byron United Church, focused on getting the families settled into their new homes, the children enrolled in school, and the adults the guidance they required for employment and further education. The English As a Second Language (ESL) training program was offered by the Cross Cultural Learning Centre to family members. A large reception for the Syrian refugees was held at Byron United Church on March 19th. Welcoming remarks were extended by guest speakers including London’s Mayor Matt Brown, our Rev. Dr. Jeff Crittenden, Byron United’s Rev. Gregory Brawn, and others. Many Met United church members attended the reception. In July, Met United forwarded another $600 in donations to Byron United Church for its Syrian Refugee Fund. 

On Sunday, February 7th, we welcomed our Dr. R. Maurice Boyd Preacher of Distinction lecture series guest preacher, The Rev. Dr. George Malcolm Sinclair whose sermon was entitled Children’s Books You Will Never See. Dr. Sinclair was called to the pulpit of Metropolitan United Church (Toronto) in 1988 where he is now (2023) Minister Emeritus, having served four Toronto congregations over forty-three years. 

As inspiration for his Lenten sermons, Dr. Crittenden preached on selected works written by authors with their last names beginning with the letter D. The dates and titles of Dr. Crittenden’s sermons were:
Feb 14 Temptation - Crime and Punishment
Feb 21 Being alone - Until Friday
Feb 28 Suffering - with Virgil
Mar 6 Finding Oneself - in Deptford
Mar 13 A Twist in the Plot
Mar 20 A Lingering Fragrance
Mar 27 The Blast of the Trumpet

April

On April 2nd, Rev. Dr. Bradley Morrison, Assistant Professor of Practical Theology at Huron University College, was joined by colleagues and supporters for a workshop and Q&A session to launch his new book Already Missional – Congregations as Community Partners. First-St. Andrew’s United and Metropolitan United Churches co-hosted the event. 

The same Rev. Dr. Brad Morrison, Grace United Church in Sarnia, returned to Met United on Sunday morning April 10th and preached at both worship services on the topic of Already Missional. 

Our guest preacher on Sunday morning, April 24th, was the Rev. Kevin Dixon whose sermon at both services was In the Face of Injustice, God says, “Here I Am.” Rev. Dixon is the former dean of St. Paul’s Cathedral in London, Ontario, diocese of Huron. In 2015 he became vice-president of operations at the International Justice Mission Canada. 

May

On May 26th, Rev. Dr. John Pentland, lead minister at Hillhurst United Church, Calgary, Alberta, launched his new book entitled Fishing Tips: How Curiosity Transformed a Community of Faith. Dr. Pentland was one of several guest theologians who lectured at the first annual ReVITALize gathering, hosted by Metropolitan in April 2017. Dr. Pentland is also a childhood friend of Dr. Crittenden; their fathers were friends. “John and I are lifelong friends,” Dr. Crittenden has affirmed.

June

On June 5th, 2016, our Minister of Pastoral Care, the Rev. Herbert Summers, marked his 50th anniversary in church ministry. He was ordained at Metropolitan United Church in June 1966 into the ministry of Word, Sacrament and Pastoral Care. A large reception was held to honour Rev. Summers, his commitment to ministry and to Metropolitan United Church as well. Herb later sent the church a thank-you note in which he expressed his gratitude to everyone for making his 50th anniversary celebration a “great congregational event.” 

July

Dr. Crittenden walked in the London Pride Parade on July 24th. He has participated each year since 2010. After Metropolitan’s Board of Elders passed a new marriage policy in 2012, some Metropolitan staff and a few church members have joined Dr. Crittenden in the annual Pride Parade.

September

Our Children’s and Youth Ministry welcomed Gabrielle (Gabi) Heidinger Baerg as our Youth Leader beginning in September 2016. During the prior 10 years at Metropolitan, Gabi sang in the senior choir, was often a soloist, and volunteered with our mCAMP program. While continuing her work as Youth Minister, she studied towards her Master of Divinity degree. In the summer of 2016, Gabi provided pulpit supply for Fairmont United Church. On Sunday morning, August 20th, 2023, Rev. Gabrielle Heidinger Baerg was warmly welcomed back to Metropolitan where she preached her first sermon at both worship services on the topic of Wholly Love, Wholly Other.

October

On Saturday, October 29th, guest speaker Dr. James Siemens opened our Dr. George Goth Preacher of Distinction lecture series with lectures on 1) Falling in Love With Eastern Orthodoxy, 2) Exploring the Eastern Treasures, and 3) Habits of the Soul in Confusing Times. The first two lectures were open to the public with the third lecture intended for clergy and worship leaders. 

For our Rev. Dr. Hunter Anniversary services on Sunday, October 30th, Rev. Dr. Siemens, also known as Father James, preached at our 9:30 a.m. Water’s Edge worship service. Dr. Siemens is a parish priest who resides in the city of Cardiff, Wales, UK. His research has focussed on late antique and early medieval theology, especially Christology, eschatology, and historiography, as they span Christian East and West. 

Dr. Crittenden preached at the traditional 11:00 a.m. service of worship on When East Meets West. On this Celebration Sunday, Metropolitan celebrated 162 years since our forefathers began worshipping in the North Street Methodist Church at the corner of Clarence and North Streets (later Queens Avenue). It was 120 years since people began worshipping in our present church building. Repairs, renovations, and improvements to our church building over the previous 16 years were recognized. Renewal of Metropolitan was the theme of our celebration shortly after the 11 o’clock worship service when presenters highlighted enhancements to our church home. Everyone then joined together in celebration and fellowship to socialize at a luncheon in the Vineyard. Many Metropolitan United Church legacies were celebrated in 2016.

November

Due to an unsafe roof at London’s St. Paul’s Cathedral, the Right Reverend Linda Carol Nicholls was officially seated (made a Bishop) as the 13th Bishop of Huron in London, Ontario on Saturday, November 26th at Metropolitan United Church … yes, at Metropolitan!!! She is the first woman to head the Anglican Church of Canada (in 2019) and the second female primate in the Anglican Communion.

Dr. Crittenden established the Centre for Practical Theology (CPT) in 2016. CPT exists for people passionate about the intersection of theology and practice. It is a shared place for the community to gather, connect, learn, reflect, worship, be inspired, and belong. CPT is a missional congregation in London, Ontario. CPT offers conferences (i.e., ReVITALize), Licensed Lay Worship Leader (LLWL) training, pilgrimages, confirmation classes, clergy events (e.g., Worship Wednesday @7pm, Inviting Circle), etc.