About Us
St. James United Church has grown from the beginnings of English settlement in what was once the township of Innisfil. A little crossroads Methodist Chapel in the days when the settlement here was called Victoria served the needs of English pioneers. Despite hardship and a succession of fires, this little community continued to rise from the ashes to worship God and discern God’s will. Today, St. James is a red brick testimony to the tenacity of our pioneer ancestors. The present building was raised in 1907, and has continued to grow and change to reflect the growth and changes of its history. We are still a little crossroads church in the community now known as Stroud, in the heart of the Town of Innisfil. But we are not small.
We gather in seekers and seasoned United Church folk from South Barrie to Alcona, and from the shores of Lake Simcoe almost all the way to the Fifth Sideroad. Historically a farming community, our church community is comprised of a mixture of people whose backgrounds embrace a broad range of occupations. We have a small but vibrant Sunday School program, where the children are given a lot of attention. According to church growth strategists, we are considered a “family” church, and we try to live this reality. However, we have some of the depth and enthusiasm of bigger churches, and try to make the best use possible of our resources to offer diverse ministries.
The faith expressed among the members is diverse as well, but mostly we tend to line up with progressive Christian theology. Faith and reason coexist at St. James.
We are very connected to the identity of our denomination as a justice-seeking, justice-making community. We raise money for causes, and we raise consciousnesses for transformation and social action. We think globally, and are learning how to act locally.
Our various ministries are carried out by a great team, who are named below:
Congregational Life Team:
Board Reps: Linda Winson, Pat Dryden, Roberta Noble, Pat Edmonds, Kay Boer.
Birthday cakes & Phone calls: Audrey Kirby.
Lay Visitation/Phoning: Faith Kerswill & Barbara Lane, Kay Boer, Brenda Forrest, Mary Gillespie, Audrey Kirby, Maureen Attwell.
Friendship Letters: Ena Burbidge.
Welcoming Coordinator: Howard Burbidge, Joan Jay.
Worship/Music Planning: Shirley Parker, Kay Boer, Karen Kelly, Yvonne Walmsley.
Children & Youth: Shirley King, Roberta Noble, Maureen Watson, Pat Dryden.
Mission & Outreach: Ross Wallace, Audrey Beck, Shirley Harris.
Sermon Mailings: Ethel Cope.
Coffee Hour Coordinator: Nancy Robbins.
Newsletter: Shirley King.
U.C.W.: Co-Presidents: Kay Boer & Pat Edmonds.
Resource Team:
Board Reps: Donna Wice, Merv Wice, Silvia Leibundgut, Ross Parker, Ross Wallace.
Ministry & Personnel: Donna Wice, Jim Madill, Audrey Kirby.
Property: Ross Parker, Ron McPhee, Jack Irwin, Pete Bileski, Jordan Richardson.
Gardens: Henry & Kay Boer, Donna Wice.
Finance: Silvia Leibundgut, Roy Kirby, Cliff Ashdown.
Counters: Bob McGinley, Murray Spence, Cliff Ashdown, Roy Kirby, Shirley McNabb, Cindy Chornobaj.
Historic Roll: Ross Wallace, Kay Boer, Joanne Bennett, Silvia Leibundgut.
Trustees: Earl Feren, Henry Boer, Donna Wice.
Cemetery: Board Chair/Treasurer: Merv Wice, Manager: Ross Parker, Secretary: Joe Winson; Members: Orrie Collins, John Juffermans, Norman Kerswill, Roy King.
Policy & Planning Team:
Board Reps: Earl Feren, Shirley King, Joyce Feren.
Visioning & Special Events: Linda Winson, Donna Wice, Maureen Attwell, Maureen Watson, Cindy Chornobaj, Shirley King, Roberta Noble, Lilly Webb, Joyce Feren, Pat Edmonds, Ross Parker.
Policy Development: Earl Feren.
