About Us

Our Mission Statement

We are a community called to live our lives as witnesses to God as known through Jesus. We invite others to share our Christian journey as we seek to be a transforming presence in our city and the world.

Our Values:

  1. To love one another unconditionally as God loves us.
  2. To value each person’s uniqueness and the gifts of community.
  3. To actively care for and live with respect in Creation
  4. To nurture Christian spirituality and justice-seeking in ways that foster personal growth and creative interaction.

Our Vision:

  1. To be an alive, welcoming and inclusive Christian community for all ages.
  2. To enter into worship that draws us closer to our Creator, enabling us to be active followers of Jesus in our communities.
  3. To nurture transformation through spiritual practices and learning that reconnect us to our Source and empower us to be salt and light in the world.
  4. To reach out with compassion and respect , seeking justice and healing within our church, our community and beyond.

Priorities for 2009 – 2010:

  1. Transformational Worship in diverse forms.
  2. Care for those in times of major life transitions.
  3. Engagement and nurture of children, youth and adults under 45.
  4. Outreach and justice-seeking within our community and world.
  5. Financial viability and accountability.

Our History

When Metropolitan United Church and First United Church joined together in 1997, it marked the amalgamation of two historic congregations in Victoria, one with Presbyterian roots, the other with Methodist and Congregational roots. The United Church of Canada, founded in 1925 by these three denominations, was at the forefront of the ecumenical movement in Canada. Together we bring over 300 years of mission and service to the life of Victoria, with a ripple effect that has literally gone out around the world. As strong winds of change have blown through society at the beginning of the 21st century, so the Spirit encourages us to become a fresh and vital community of Christ at the heart of the city.

See Also

Staff Profiles

Facilities

Letting at First Met: We make space available to support individuals and families in the important transitions in life as well as meeting the needs of nonprofit community groups.

Governance

Organizational Structure at First†Met: The Ministry Teams seek to draw on people’s spirituality and wisdom to help formulate church policies. To that end, anyone who wishes is invited to their monthly brainstorming session (first Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m.) where decisions on major policies are birthed.

The Church Executive and Council attend to the regular, administration details that any group must have to organize their many activities. The congregation of the church approves some matters such as the annual budget of the church, appointment of council and ministry team members, financial statements and the annual report.

First†Metropolitan United Church Foundation: Have you considered the church in your will? To ensure that yours is a lasting gift, please include a bequest to the First†Metropolitan United Church Foundation.

Share Your Gifts

Whether it is your regular or one-time financial contribution or your skill as a musician, singer or performer, your friendly smile to greet newcomers, your warmth and empathy, your aptitude as a baker, cook or gardener, or your ability to type, photocopy, write or create graphics, you can share your gifts with other members of First†Met and the broader community.