Dunsford United Church
Dunsford
ON

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We are a diverse, intentional, inclusive, compassionate, hope-filled Christian family of faith, seeking to respect everyone’s individuality and dignity as Jesus modelled, creating safe space, to demonstrate the spirit of God’s love through worship, work, growth, and respect for all creation. We celebrate and value people of every age, health, race, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, family configuration, background, ability, interest, culture, economic circumstance and faith journey. All are encouraged to be in full participation in the life and work of all ministries. We endeavor to be aware of, and responsive to, the needs in our community and beyond.

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Rev. Sharon Ballantyne, PhD

Minister

705-793-2511

Sharon and her husband Cliff moved to the Dunsford area when Sharon accepted the call to serve at Dunsford United Church effective July 1, 2016. Sharon was ordained in 2006 and served her settlement charge in Peterborough until coming to Dunsford. Prior to ordination and since ordination Sharon was an elementary school teacher, feeling led to leave the classroom in June 2016 to focus on ministry at Dunsford. Sharon has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, an Honours B.A. in religious studies, a Bachelor of Education and a Master’s of Divinity all from Queen’s University in Kingston. She received a PhD in Theology specializing in the area of Pastoral Care and Counselling Psychology, in 2012 from Graduate Theological Foundation in Indiana. She completed the Spiritual Director program through the JubileeOntario. Cliff and Sharon have two daughters, Emily and Sarah.

“As your ordained minister, I am humbled and privileged that God has called us to prayerfully work together to faithfully serve God, in all the ways we are called to do and be. Walking with each other, we seek to uplift God’s gift of hope, peace, joy and love into all the places where we live, work and have our being.”

Christena-Lynn Erglis

Administrative Assistant

705-793-2511

There is a parking lot right beside the church. Overflow parking is along the side of the street on Sturgeon Road.

Worship: Sunday 10:00-11:00AM
Refreshments afterwards

Service Times last updated on the 2nd of December, 2018

People are welcome to wear whatever they are comfortable wearing. People wear a range of different attire, from casual to more “dressed-up.” During particular sports seasons, sports enthusiasts are known to don their team attire in support. In the summer, shorts and t-shirts are common. Some folks may wear jeans and hoodies or dresses or suits and ties, but there is no dress code, written or unwritten. Come as you are. We have folks coming to and from other activities, coming from the cottage or the farm. We want to know you not your clothes.

Dunsford United Church is accessible. There is a ramped entrance from outside. Within the building there is a small ramp, equivalent of one step internally from the sanctuary to the church hall. The church hall, washrooms junior church, nursery, offices, kitchen and fellowship space are all on the main floor. Our washrooms are accessible and we have an infant’s change table in the largest washroom. The washroom has support bars and lots of room to accommodate a walker, a wheelchair, stroller, or service animal. Our minister uses a service animal as she is a person who is totally blind. Our community of faith is familiar with the expectations for the appropriate interactions with a working dog.

Our congregation was founded in the early 1830's when the first Methodist settlers of this area of City of Kawartha Lakes (Verulam Township) began holding worship services in the home of Henry V. Thurston. The original timber frame church, a part of our present church hall, was built over the years 1860-63. We became part of the Bobcaygeon Methodist circuit that extended from Kinmount South, including Fenelon Falls to within three miles of Lindsay.

With a flourishing congregation, it was decided to build again and in 1886 our present brick church was erected. Historical documents were placed underneath the cornerstone of the foundation for future generations to enjoy.

With the birth of the United Church of Canada in 1925, the Dunsford Methodist Church and Dunsford Presbyterian Church congregations joined together as Dunsford United Church. The Presbyterian Church was sold to a local family and to this day, it provides a home to one of Dunsford's families. Dunsford United and Salem-Emily United operated as a two point Pastoral Charge for many years.

The original church was renovated and rebuilt as the church hall in 1951. In 1966, the Salem-Emily congregation decided to close their church and join with Dunsford. A long relationship with Trinity United in Bobcaygeon began in 1969 as part of the Bobcaygeon Pastoral Charge. Building renovations had been made in 1968 and a new addition added later in 1980. In 2001 we restored and redecorated the sanctuary.

On April 1st 1998, we took a leap of faith to follow God's leading and became a single point charge. The new direction gave us a new life. We are now a very dedicated, caring, and active congregation. Our congregation has grown steadily over the past few years.

New families have joined us bringing the energy of young children and the wisdom of the senior years.

We at Dunsford United are proud to say that this church is still a very important and active part of our community.

** This history was taken from the 2015 Joint Needs Assessment Committee Report prepared by Dunsford United Church.