2021

2021

Rev. Dr. Crittenden was appointed an Educational Supervisor for the United Church of Canada in 2021 and continues to serve in this capacity (2024). No term limit was endorsed.

On a personal note, Dr. Crittenden completed his studies at the end of October for his Doctor of Philosophy degree in Theology at St. Mary’s University, Twickenham, UK. He lectured via ZOOM in various parts of Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom, and continued to teach Homiletics at Western University. 

The Annual Congregational meetings of Metropolitan United church members and the Metropolitan United Church Foundation were held via ZOOM on Feb. 16th and March 2nd respectively, due to the continuing COVID-19 pandemic.

LIVESTREAMING OF OUR WORSHIP SERVICES

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, Met United remained closed for in-person worship services and group activities within the church building for most of the first six months in 2021. In early April, our entire church group was invited to test out livestreaming of Metropolitan United’s 11:00 a.m. worship service on the YouTube website. This new digital means of communication passed the test, and our traditional worship service continues to be livestreamed every Sunday (2023). As Metropolitan United navigated openings and re-openings between COVID-19 provincially imposed lockdowns during 2021, Jon Dahl (audio technician), Rick Wood (liturgist), Catherine Gray (soloist), Gregg Redner (music director and organist), and Dr. Crittenden continued to adapt and offer their very best support during worship services Sunday after Sunday. During lockdowns, only 5 staff were allowed within the church building at any given time.

On December 16th, Dr. Crittenden informed everyone by means of Metro News that, given current COVID-19 projections and looming restrictions, the Dec. 24th Christmas Eve worship services and the Dec. 26th Sunday morning worship service would be livestreamed only for everyone to see. There were no congregations at the services. Only choir members and their immediate families were permitted inside the church Sanctuary.

HONOURING “OUR LONDON FAMILY”

On June 11th, Dr. Crittenden participated in a multi-faith march held to honour four members of the Afzaal family, “Our London Family,” who were killed in an Islamophobic hate attack in London on June 6, 2021, by Nathaniel Veltman who was sentenced in February 2024 to life in prison with no chance for parole for 25 years.

SANCTUARY RENOVATION STUDY

Early in 2021, the conceptual design for the renovations was presented to the Metropolitan United Church Foundation Board of Directors, the London Symphonia Board, and Metropolitan’s Music Committee, all with positive responses. In March, the Met Foundation Board committed financial support ⎯ a grant of $150,000 and a loan of up to $200,000. In June, five information sessions on ZOOM were well attended by members of the congregation. A special congregational hybrid meeting (in-person session and ZOOM session at the same time) took place on June 27th to vote on proposed renovations to the chancel area of the Sanctuary. Two official motions were presented.

It was moved by Al Edwards, Chair of the Sanctuary Renovation Steering Committee, and seconded by Anne Jeffery:

“THAT all adherents of Metropolitan United Church in attendance at this meeting may vote on all further business of this meeting.” Motion passed.

Active members on Metropolitan United’s historical roll were able to vote on the first motion, and a simple majority was needed to carry the motion. The second motion was moved by Al Edwards and seconded by Shirley Smith:

“THAT Metropolitan United Church accept the recommendation endorsed by the Board of Elders and Board of Trustees and supported by the Metropolitan Foundation Board of Directors to proceed with the sanctuary renovation at an estimated cost of $1 million, subject to approval from the Antler River Watershed Regional Council. Before contracting for renovations, the Board of Elders and Board of Trustees must be satisfied that sufficient funds have been committed to allow the project to proceed.” Motion passed. 

Metropolitan United Church’s congregation returned an overwhelming 96% vote in favour of proceeding with renovations to the Sanctuary. Subsequently, on August 4th, Metropolitan United received written approval from the United Church of Canada’s Antler River Watershed Regional Council to proceed with the Sanctuary Renovation Project. 

Our Lights, Camera, Action!!! campaign, launched in mid-August to raise funds in support of the Sanctuary Renovation Project, resulted in an outpouring of financial support from within Metropolitan United Church. By mid-September, more than $850,000 had been pledged. With the Metropolitan United Church Foundation grant of $150,000, this committed the $1 million target funding needed for the project to proceed. The Steering Committee and McMichael Ruth then began the detailed design for the project. Rob Cairns and Ross Turnbull joined in this work, as a new sound system and stage lighting became significant parts of the project.

Over the summer, April Voth and Andrew Chung of London Symphonia worked with Shirley Smith and Al Edwards to negotiate a ten-year Occupancy Agreement governing London Symphonia’s use of space at Metropolitan.

July

On July 18th, we returned to our regular Sunday schedule, with Dr. Crittenden leading the 9:30 a.m. Water’s Edge Eucharist service followed by the traditional worship service at 11:00 a.m. 

RADIO BROADCASTING ENDS

Radio station CJBK ceased to carry Metropolitan United Church’s Sunday morning broadcast following the traditional worship service on September 26th. As the radio program came to an end, the technology that Metropolitan now (2024) enjoys enabled us to nimbly, professionally, and without complication, broadcast various worship services and meetings at different times. 

CRAZY SOCK SUNDAY

Sock Sunday was held on Oct. 24th, when our church members generously provided more than 500 pairs of socks to continue the late Rev. Herb Summers’ legacy! The socks were distributed to London charitable groups in need of socks.

FAIRMONT CAMPUS EVENTS

Dr. Crittenden began discussions with Mark Read to plan a garden at our Fairmont Campus where there is approximately 20,000 square feet of land of unused space. Starting with nothing but a gravel parking lot, we would design & construct a market-style vegetable garden aimed to produce a high yield of vegetables in a small urban space. Once the pilot project was completed, we would "package" the project into a turnkey solution for meeting London's growing food demand and community needs.

In November, the Fairmont Campus of the Centre for Practical Theology collected healthy snack items for neighbourhood families who needed a hand. Metropolitan United members helped by donating grocery store gift cards, granola bars, juice boxes, applesauce, and whole-grain nut-free crackers. On Cereal Sunday, Nov. 28th, our church members brought a variety of boxed cereals to be distributed to families in the Fairmont Campus neighbourhood, thus helping to ensure a good start to the day.

HOSPITALITY MEALS

Another Metropolitan United Church highlight in 2021 for Dr. Crittenden was the tremendous support of our                  weekly hospitality meal. Louise Mauffette-Leenders, Chair of the Meals Program at Metropolitan United Church, navigated very complicated waters to make sure that homeless people continued to receive a nutritious hospitality meal on Fridays throughout the year. Louise’s leadership included revisioning how the meals would be offered. From her vision emerged a weekly meal program called Met Cares. It entailed ongoing involvement and support from Metropolitan’s members.