Grosvenor is the proud sponsor of the
Contemplative Arts Festival of Saskatoon
save the date!
our Mini-festival will take place May 24, 2025
Join us!
Everyone's welcome on Sundays at 10:00 AM
You're welcome here, whatever your:
gender, gender identity or sexual orientation;
abilities and challenges;
personal and private history;
age, race, language or country of origin;
marital status or family type;
faith or political preference;
education, income, employment status or living situation.
Located near the university, our Saskatoon church is a welcoming and family-friendly congregation. We celebrate diversity through our Affirming and Intercultural ministries, and invite everyone to come experience us.
First Sunday Visit
Worship begins 10:00 AM
If you aren't familiar with our church, then perhaps the first thing you'll want to know is how to say the name! It's GROVE - ner. Most of us say it in two syllables.
Next we imagine you'll want to know how to say our minister's Japanese name. Rev. Nobuko Iwai is pronounced n'BOO - koh (Koh rhymes with grow!) EEE - why.
What to wear? Dress like "you." It is recommended to wear a facemask to protect against Covid-19 and other respiratory illnesses, especially during cold and flu season, but masks are optional.
What to bring? You. And yours.
Running a tad late? Not to worry -- the front end of the service is padded with announcements. Though they can be quite important, too!
Running a tad early? Then you can listen in to the Worship band rehearsal, and you might be treated to learning a song with our Music Director.
If you're driving, you'll find plenty of street parking on a Sunday morning. (On other days? Not so much.) There is accessible permit parking on the east side of the building; enter the alley from 14th street, where you will find ramps and a lift. There is a drop off zone on 14th St East, by the main doors.
If you're biking, we have a rack where you can lock up.
As you go up the stairs to the reception area, you'll find our greeters, who'll be happy to answer any questions.
Children are always welcome in our worship services. We offer a children’s program for preschool to grade 3 - see details under Programs.
Ushers will provide you with an Order of Service; you'll also find our Order of Service on the screens at the front of the Sanctuary.
Sit wherever you're comfortable, but Rev. Nobuko wants you to know she doesn't bite!
Kids will be kids. So long as they're safe and respectful of others (we know - please define respectful!) we're okay with the usual squawks and goofiness.
Children up to grade 3 usually stay in the sanctuary with us until the end of "Children's Time" and then go downstairs for kid-centred fun in Grace Land - our version of Sunday School. Parents can pick them up there after the service, which usually wraps up by 11:15 AM.
Some of our services are intergenerational.
The Sacrament of Communion occurs once a month, and all are welcome, including children.
Donations are appreciated but not expected of our visitors. Should you wish a tax receipt, envelopes are provided, or you may donate via CanadaHelps, and receive an immediate tax receipt that way.
During the service, sit back, breathe, listen, sing, pray and just be. (Unless you have a child who is shy about going to the nursery.)
Coffee, sometimes snacks or a light lunch, and fellowship always follows the service. It's a great way to get to know us, and vice versa.
We hope to see you again!
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Worship
Creating a worship service that’s all things to all people is a near impossible task, but at Grosvenor we do our best to present our congregants with an experience that is at once reverent and uplifting, without being dour or superficial.
Our “style” of service is a reflection of our beliefs and values – in particular we include elements that acknowledge our commitment to Affirming, disability and intercultural ministries, as well as recognizing the part churches must play in reconciling with Indigenous peoples. Consequently, you may see and hear brief passages in different languages, a “minute” about an issue related to the 2SLGBTQ+ community, some of our Elmwood friends helping with actions in a song, or a sermon based on Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Report, or other social and environmental justice concerns.
Our Worship Committee (which includes our minister) conducts congregational surveys about all aspects of our services every two years in order to guide the decisions taken about worship style and music.
Music
Music has long been front and centre for this congregation. Having a worship band made up of church members allows for more flexibility in the kind of music presented, and enriches the worship experience. Congregants are regularly asked for their hymn requests, and are welcome to share their talents in solo performances. Our choir performs every two weeks, and guest musicians are featured regularly.
Our hymn books are Voices United and More Voices.
If you'd like to participate in the choir or worship band, please visit our Programs section.
Life Events
Whether you're a long-time member of Grosvenor, or someone new, you may be looking for guidance as you plan for baptism, confirmation, a wedding or a funeral. We hope the information below will be helpful.
For further information please email our Office Administrator, or call us at (306) 374-7766.
Baptism
As part of The United Church of Canada, the Sacrament of Baptism is one of two sacraments recognized by our church, the other being the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper (also called Holy Communion or the Eucharist).
The holy Sacrament of Baptism is neither a privilege nor a right, neither a social occasion nor a good luck charm. Instead, it is the deeply religious faith statement of the parents involved in the infant's baptism and of the candidates for adult baptism. It involves taking vows and making a holy agreement among parent(s) or guardian(s), sponsors, child, church, and God. God's children are received into the fellowship of the church based on a profession of faith of the parent(s) or significant care giver(s). The church accepts those baptized as members of the congregation and promises to support them in Christian living. Baptism is very important to our congregation, and therefore, an act of the entire community, taking place in the congregation during a regular public worship service.
It's important for us to state that every child, whether baptized or not, is loved and cherished by God.
Confirmation/Adult Baptism
All of us are on a faith journey, whether we are aged 2 or 102. Some of us explore the possibility of being full participants in the faith expressed at Grosvenor Park United Church through Adult Baptism and/or Confirmation.
For those in The United Church of Canada, Confirmation is a process of confirming the decision of our caregivers to have us baptized as children. Confirmation is for anyone at any age who is ready to explore their faith as an autonomous person, and ready to proclaim for his or herself the desire to live a Christian life.
If you're an adult who wasn't baptized as a child, you can choose to participate in this sacrament at any age. All youth and adults are welcome to undertake the process of Confirmation, regardless of whether or not you choose to become baptized or confirmed at this time.
Here are the details about Confirmation and Adult Baptism as our church has chosen to design the program:
Weddings
We open our Sanctuary for all couples, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, who are wishing to have a Christian marriage, and who have availed themselves of appropriate pre-marriage preparation.
A church wedding is two things: a legal ceremony and an act of worship. We pray for a sense of God’s presence and ask a blessing on the couple being married. This religious element is essential if the wedding is to be held in our church. Many more details can be found in this document:
Funerals
Grosvenor is open to all people who wish to hold a Celebration of Life or Memorial Service in our church. We are also here to provide spiritual support to grieving family members or friends of the deceased.
Our facilities are available for rent to applicants at the same rates as our church members. In cases where the costs listed in our policy document present a hardship, other arrangements can be made.
MEMORIAL DONATIONS: People often donate to Grosvenor in memory of a loved one. These contributions do not go into our general revenues, but rather are held for very special and important initiatives that must be selected through a motion of Church Council. These donations may be made using our CanadaHelps page (which asks for the name of the memorialized person) or by sending a cheque to our office.