Our Character

Scarboro United Church is a caring community of risk-takers, adventurers, and explorers in contemporary Christian living. Working from a traditional base, we seek new ways if understanding the meeting of the human and the divine. We are a liberal, open-minded congregation, welcoming doubters, seekers, questioners, believers, and those of other faith experiences.

Our History

Scarboro United Church grew out of the union of Bankview Methodist Church and Bankview Presbyterian Church, both founded in 1908. Our present church building dates back to 1929. As a community of faith, we celebrate and draw upon this history in order to become actively engaged in our wide range of contemporary religious and social issues.

We welcome everyone into our fellowship.

Scarboro United is an affirming congregation. Click here to learn more

Our Staff

Ministers:

Rev. Paul Mullen

Rev. Jan Craig

Music Director:

Liz Paynter

Coordinator:

Jill Newman

Caretaker:

Cindy Clark

Office Administrator:

Mela Becker

Our Ministers

To Learn more about our Ministers, please follow this link: Ministers

Our Congregation

A recent survey of our congregation uncovered where we are and where we want to go. Some highlights of the survey are:

Member Demographics   

1. •One half of our congregation have one or more university degrees.
   

2. •Generally affluent, but with a small, significant group of low-  income people who worship regularly
   

3. •7 out of 10 are congregational members.
   

4. •Over one half have attended Scarboro for over ten years; three quarters for at least three years.
   

Reasons for Coming - and Staying

1. •Desire to find a supportive Christian community in which they can grow spiritually and enjoy good music.
   

2. •Many have had a previous Christian background.
   

3. •Quality of the worship service, meaningful, excellent music, and sermons which address them personally.
   

Worship Service - Now and in the Future

1. •9 out of 10 like the worship service as it is.
   

2. •Congregation divided on traditional vs. informal style of communion.
   

3. •Almost everyone wants the church facilities used more for non-profit outreach programs.
   

4. •A third would like the worship experience enhanced by meditation or silence. Some want opportunity to discuss the sermon.
   

5. •Some would like an opportunity to greet those around them during the service.
   

6. •Of those new to congregation in the last three years, just over one half found the congregation welcoming and inclusive, while just under one half found the congregation friendly but relating mostly to people they know.
   

The Future

1. •9 out of 10 want variety in worship, emphasizing contemporary music, drama and the involvement of children and youth.
   

2. •9 out of 10 want Scarboro to work with community organizations and other churches to minister to the community = emphasizing social justice and making space in the church available for more outreach programs. If more ministerial time were available,
   

3. • the congregation would like the time devoted to educational programs for adults and young people, outreach to new members and social justice issues.
   

4. •Over two-thirds would like to hold adult education programs at the weekday supper hour, half would like a weekday mid-morning time and half the Sunday lunch hour.
   

What We Expect - and Value

1. •Sermons that teach, provide emotional and spiritual uplift and have a strong message.
   

2. •Leading edge of theological understanding.
   

3. •9 out of 10 want Scarboro committed to outreach and social action.
   

4. •The importance of education and the building-up of the church community.
   

5. •Strongest factors influencing our mission/covenant with the future are the economy (especially the global economy, the gap between rich and poor nations and child poverty), social issues, including homelessness, social justice and the marginalized, and person issues including social indifference individual isolation and changing morality.