Other Ministries
NELL BELL GROUP
'Women's groups have been meeting for a variety of reasons throughout the United Church since its formation in 1925. In 1962 United Church Women(UCW) was created as the successor to the Woman's Missionary Society (WMS), a world mission-oriented service and study group, and the Woman's Association (WA), which worked in local congregations.' (United Church Women Guidelines, p. 36)
The purpose of the United Church Women is to unite women of the congregation for the total mission of the church and to provide a medium through which they may express their loyalty and devotion to Jesus Christ in Christian witness, study, fellowship, and service. (United Church Women Guidelines, p. 4)
Centennial has had many units of the UCW as part of its congregation over the years. However, as our members have aged, we have only one unit remaining – faithful women who continue to do the work of the church. They meet once a month for prayer and study inviting all interested members of the congregation (male and female). Guest speakers who have been invited provide stimulating talks with information varying from 'protection from falls' to 'work in Africa through Community Helping Community'. Afterwards the participants enjoy fellowship and refreshments.
The Nell Bell group continues to be of service to the congregation and to the community. They provide individual-sized containers of shampoo to Our Place – several hundred per month. They contribute substantially to the Compassionate Warehouse, not only with goods but also with knitted bears. They were part of an initiative to put an afghan on every bed (84 beds in total) of the emergency shelter, Rock Bay Landing, knitting and crocheting over 150 afghans.
FRIENDS OF 'OUR PLACE'
Our Place, an amalgamation of the Upper Room (which provided meals and transitional housing for men) and the Open Door (also known as the Living Room of Victoria), is a ministry where people who are homeless people can gather during the day to receive many services. Our Place 'offers a sense of belonging to Greater Victoria's most vulnerable citizens'. It also provides meals for those who are homeless and some housing.
To help support Our Place in their ministry, Centennial collects food and clothing once a month. Members also donate funds to Our Place in the weekly collection.
FRIENDS OF 'ROCK BAY LANDING'
The Victoria Cool Aid Society provides 'holistic shelter, housing, and community health services to adults experiencing marginalization in the Victoria area'. The Society offers emergency shelter at Rock Bay Landing on Ellice Street, just around the corner from Centennial.
To help support Rock Bay Landing, Centennial collects various items requested by the Shelter, such as, clothing, underwear, and back packs for men and women.