Media advisory - The United Church of Canada launches centennial celebrations June 9, 2024

TORONTO, May 8, 2024 /CNW/ - A worship service in the historic Metropolitan United Church will kick off a year-long celebration of the 100th anniversary of The United Church of Canada, which was formed by an Act of Parliament on June 10, 1925. Its first General Council meeting was held in the Mutual Street Arena, not far from Metropolitan UC.

The in-person service will also be livestreamed nationally on The United Church of Canada's YouTube channel. Celebratory cupcakes and refreshments will be served outside, under a big tent, following the service.

Centennial logo for The United Church of Canada. The launch of the Centennial is on June 9, 2024, at Metropolitan United Church in Toronto, very close to the former site of the Mutual Street Arena. On June 10, 1925, the arena was used as the venue for the inaugural service of the United Church of Canada. (CNW Group/United Church of Canada)

The Centennial will be celebrated across the nation on June 10, 2025.

WHEN: Sunday, June 9, 2024, 4 p.m.

WHERE: Metropolitan United Church, 56 Queen St E, Toronto, ON M5C 2Z3

WHAT: Photo opportunity or interview

WHO: Rev. Dr. Michael Blair, General Secretary; former Moderators and General Secretaries

BACKGROUND

The United Church of Canada was formed by an Act of Parliament in 1925, through a union of Methodist, Presbyterian, Congregational, and other Christian churches. It is one of the first ecumenical unions in the world to bring together major Christian denominations into one body. It is the largest Protestant denomination in Canada, with a membership of more than 330,000, and has a rich, progressive, and continuing history of welcoming all in the name of Christ.

Metropolitan United Church has been an anchor in the heart of Toronto for more than 200 years. It serves a diverse congregation drawn from across the city and around the world. As an Affirming church, everyone is welcome, inclusive of faith, race, class, gender, sexual orientation, or ability.

Based in Kitchener, Ont., on the ancestral lands of the Haudenosaunee, the Anishinaabeg and the Chonnonton peoples.

SOURCE United Church of Canada

MEDIA CONTACTS: Lori-Ann Livingston (she/her), Press and public relations lead, The United Church of Canada, 416-231- 5931 x 2051, [email protected], [email protected]