Category: New to Us?

First Time at First†Met?

By: r.a. paterson | May 31, 2009

  • Are you new to Victoria?
  • Looking for a new church home?
  • Visiting for a few days or spending the summer/winter here?
Welcome!

Please join us at a worship service or enjoy one of the many spiritual development seminars or study groups, musical offerings, children’s events, social events and clubs, educational or health and wellness activities that take place every week at First†Met. In addition to the events sponsored directly by the congregation, First†Met is committed to building bridges through community partnerships with such organizations as the Inter-Cultural Association of greater Victoria, the Church of St. John the Divine Anglican, Inter-faith Chaplaincy at the University of Victoria and many other groups. For a sampling of the activities, visit our events page.

Welcome Badge

We welcome visitors and encourage you to identify yourself to one of the greeters at our services. Greeters are easily identified by their white metal “Welcome” badges. They will ensure that you are made welcome, that you receive a service bulletin to use during the service and will invite you to coffee so that you have an opportunity to meet others.

If you are a local visitor, we will call you to welcome you to our church and thank you for taking your time to worship with us. Should you have any questions about First†Met and what we may have to offer, please ask. You can also contact us directly at the e-mail at the bottom of this page.

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Newcomers Welcoming Network

By: r.a. paterson | May 31, 2009

Buffet Photo

The Newcomers Welcoming Network hosts several luncheons throughout the year for our newcomers. They are intimate, fun-filled gatherings that will give you an opportunity to meet others who may be new to our church, as well as our ministers and staff.

Look for our display board, located in the concourse next to the interior entrance to the Chapel. You will find photos from our luncheons and pictures of our Greeters, Core Team, and Ushers, all part of this vital ministry of First†Met. Watch for notices of upcoming events that we may be hosting as well.

If you are a newcomer, snowbird or summer visitor, First†Met has special events and activities just for you. Please give us your name, address, local contact information and email address so that we can invite you to attend. We write to keep in touch with our Snowbirds through the year. We can arrange to have the church’s monthly newsletter mailed to you as well – just let us know! We are here for you – wherever you may be hanging your hat!

This website has lots of information for church members and visitors. Please browse its contents using the menu bar at the top or the popular subjects and features on the right. If you still have questions or would like some information, please contact the Newcomers Welcoming Network.

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Directions to First†Met

By: r.a. paterson | May 31, 2009

The church is located at the northeast corner of Quadra Street and Balmoral Road in Victoria, BC. Note that Balmoral Road becomes Fisgard west of Quadra.

The entrance to the Sanctuary is on Quadra, while the entrances to the church office, chapel, fellowship hall, and meeting rooms are on Balmoral. If you are attending Epiphany Explorations or other conferences and events, please use the Balmoral entrance.

Parking

On Sundays, angle parking is available on Balmoral Road. Weekdays, parallel parking is the rule. The two hour time limit on street parking 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday to Saturday is strictly enforced, so please observe the signs and watch your time. Additional parking spots are available in a small lot off North Park Road, beside Canadian Linen Supply. A walkway and stairs leads from the back of this parking lot to the entrance to the church buildings adjacent to the office. Please note that this entrance is not accessible to those with wheelchairs.

For a current map of parking facilities, including secure bicycle parking and disabled parking zones, see the City of Victoria’s Downtown Parking Map (PDF).

Parking rates vary from $0.50 per hour to $1.00 per hour. Daily rates are from $4.00 to $6.00.

When attending large conferences or events at First†Metropolitan, check the event brochure or registration package for availability of additional parking.

Public Transit

First†Metropolitan United Church is located on a bus route. For transit information and schedules, see the Victoria Regional Transit System. If you require accessible bus transportation, see the Guide to Accessibility.

Taxi Service

Many taxi companies serve the Victoria area. Blue Bird Cabs and Yellow Cab of Victoria offer wheelchair accessible vehicles. They also honour BC Transit Taxi Saver coupons.

There are two phones available at the church to phone for a taxi. One is located in the Narthex (main entrance) of the Sanctuary, and the other in the photocopy room.

Security Reminder

Please do not leave any valuables in the pews or meeting rooms while at church functions. While we do the very best to be watchful and aware, things do go missing if left.

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Accessibility at First†Met

By: r.a. paterson | May 31, 2009

Several parking spots, for those who with handicapped stickers, are available outside the entrance to the church buildings on Balmoral Road. From this entrance, both floors including the Sanctuary, Chapel, all offices, classrooms, and social areas are accessible. The elevator to the second floor is located just prior to the interior (chancel) entrance into the Sanctuary.

Please note that the only areas not accessible to wheelchair users are the balcony and the Kindergarten room – the entrances to these rooms having two to four steps – as well as the washrooms located downstairs from the Fellowship Hall and from the Narthex.

There is a universal access washroom on each floor: 1st floor – adjacent to Balmoral Road entrance; 2nd floor – almost directly above next to the Social Suite (Rm. 200.)

Our Greeters, Ushers, and staff are happy to assist you in your seating and/or addressing any needs you may have.

For persons with hearing impairments, our regular amplification in the Sanctuary is augmented by an FM system. You may be provided with "ear plugs" or for those who have a "T" device in their hearing aids, a "loop." At present this system is not available for the Chapel or other areas of the church.

First Metropolitan is a smoke-free, scent-free church. Please note while we do our best to accommodate the special needs visitors, we cannot guarantee to meet every need. We have a family room available to those with special sensitivities. Please dress appropriately for the season in layers so that you can adjust your clothing for comfort.

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Social Groups

By: r.a. paterson | June 1, 2009

People new to the congregation will find that joining one or more of the social groups is an excellent way to begin to feel part of our community. Our groups include:

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The Sacrament of Communion

By: r.a. paterson | June 1, 2009

At the Last Supper, Jesus celebrated Passover with his disciples and invited them to break bread and drink wine together in remembrance of Him. We observe this sacrament in the United Church. At First†Metropolitan United Church, we practice an “open table,” that is, we invite all those who seek to follow in Christ’s way to take communion. Membership, baptism or confirmation is not required.

Communion service is usually served using the practice of intinction. A small piece of bread or rice wafer is dipped into grape juice and consumed. At the 9:00 a.m. chapel service, communion is offered every Sunday and the elements of bread and wine are brought to the seats of those attending by lay leaders.

At the 11:00 a.m. service communion is offered several times a year, including World-wide Communion Sunday. Those attending the service are invited to come to several stations around the Sanctuary. At each station, two servers hold the elements. Once you have taken a piece of bread or wafer, dipped it into the cup of grape juice and eaten it, you return to your seat. Lay leaders watch for those who might have difficulty in leaving their seats and bring the elements to those members of the congregation. As an alternative to intinction, traditionally trays with cubes of bread and small glasses of juice are passed amongst the pews.

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The Sacrament of Baptism

By: r.a. paterson | June 1, 2009

Baptism is the second of the two sacraments in the United Church of Canada (the sacrament of communion being the first). It is an initiation into Christianity and into our own church family and is held as part of a regular Sunday service. As such, it requires a commitment from the individual or in the case of a child, from his or her family. Adults, children and infants may be baptized. Adults who have previously been baptized into another denomination need not be baptized again; they will be admitted into membership in the Church through confirmation.

Normally, at least one parent of a child or infant being brought forward for baptism should be an active member of First Metropolitan United Church or have stated an intention of becoming a member. If you regularly attend church at another congregation, we would encourage you to have your children baptized in that church so that your church family can support the commitment you are making to your child as well as the Christian faith as a whole.

At baptism, parents are asked to commit themselves to leading their child to Christian faith by their teaching and example. The congregation vows to encourage the participation of parents and children in our community and to support them as they grow in faith. Baptisms are generally held at least four times during the year, on designated days.

In the United Church, we believe all infants are blessed and known by God. Baptism is not necessary to remove the stain of original sin from a child or to protect a child from evil. In baptism we celebrate the love that God already has for the child.

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Confirmation

By: r.a. paterson | June 1, 2009

Confirmation is conducted annually as needed. In the presence of the congregation, young and older adults affirm their Baptismal vows, stating those vows for themselves, and become adults of the faith.

Confirmation may be chosen by an individual who returns to the church after a period of absence and wishes to re-dedicate him/herself.

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Rainbow Welcoming

By: r.a. paterson | June 10, 2009

First†Metropolitan United Church welcomes and celebrates diversity.

Friends, family and allies come together in a spirit of Christian love with people who are gay, lesbian, bi-sexual and transgendered, transsexual, two-spirited, queer, and questioning. We support one another through worship, spiritual study, socializing, studying scripture, health and wellness activities, and by discussing issues of the day. All are welcome.

First Metropolitan also provides a meeting place for a new group sponsored by the Victoria Presbytery. Queer Victoria Christians meets monthly.

For more information, contact Allan Saunders, Lead Minister at 250.388-5188, ext. 226 or by emailE-mail Allan Saunders.

See Also:

Affirm United is an organization of people of all sexual orientations and gender identities within The United Church of Canada. They work to provide the full inclusion of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people in the church and in society.

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Newcomers Luncheon

By: brian shields | August 26, 2009

New to FirstMet?

Come, join other newcomers for lunch, conversation and an opportunity to meet our staff. We will be sharing information about First Metropolitan United Church and the programs we offer. Lunch follows the 11 am service and is in the Doreene McLeod Room. Contact Sharon at the Front Office (Ext 221) or Merle at 250.361.0064 or email merle.nicholds@gmail.com to attend.

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