Reaching Out to the Community
If you enjoy helping others and yourself get more fun, joy and excitement, join in.

OASIS Summer Camp and Youth Drop-In Programs
For many years, in July and August, Erin Mills United Church has hosted a free, non-denominational youth (10-15) drop-in located on the church grounds.

Since 2008, this opportunity has been enhanced into a true summer camp experience, complete with a weekly field trip to a popular GTA destination. (including the Science Centre; Ontario Place; Canada's Wonderland, etc.) Other Oasis programs offer youth a safe, fun, accessible, and positive place to gather in the afternoons and evenings. They enjoy basketball, soccer, safe biking, playing games, and sharing refreshments.

Forest Ridge Book Club (Summer Literacy Program)
Buddy reading, word games, themes, prizes and snacks make the Book Club fun. Children 6-9 meet Tuesdays from 6:30-7:30 pm in July and August at the Forest Ridge Apartments Recreation Room. Church volunteers help with this church-sponsored program.

Springfield Gardens Breakfast Club
Church and community volunteers serve a nutritious breakfast daily during the school year to about 40 children at the Springfield Gardens Apartments. Volunteers commit to helping for a 2-hour period from 6:45 to 8:45 a.m. once or more a month. Their responsibilities include serving, cleaning up, and supervising the children while they enjoy a satisfying meal.

Community Rental Garden Plots
EMUC has created community gardening plots on the church grounds. Some are rented to community gardeners to grow their own flowers and vegetables. Others are used to grow vegetables for the local Food Bank.

Pastoral Care and Worship at Erin Mills Lodge
The church offers several programs to connect with residents at Erin Mills Lodge, including worship services and seasonal activities.

Adult Learning Programs
A variety of adult learning opportunities are offered and supported by Erin Mills United Church. Past programs have included seasonal bible studies, workshop sessions on prayer, leadership programs, and book studies of The Red Tent and The Da Vinci Code. For more information on faith, book and bible study groups, please check the Faith Studies page.

Deacon’s Cupboard
Members sign-up to commit to donating a needed food item every month to this outreach program. Volunteers help with distribution.

Foodpath
The church collects donations of food and essential household items (soap etc) for distribution by the Foodpath food bank.

Grief Support Group
EMUC supports a ten-week program led by an experienced professional grief counsellor at Neweduk Funeral Home, 1981 Dundas St West, just east of Erin Mills Parkway.

Hampers
EMUC coordinates, fills and delivers boxes of food and necessities to dozens of families needing help at Christmas.

Open Door Drop-in Centre
Several times a year, EMUC provides the meal for visitors at the Open Door Drop-in Centre at Square One shopping mall. Church members also assemble comfort kits, with small luxuries like donated shampoos and conditioners, bath soaps, lotions, perfumes, bubblebath, candles etc. and a book of reflections, for distribution to those visiting the drop-in centre.

Out of the Cold Donations
EMUC is a location where people can drop-off donations of good, clean, warm winter clothing and bedding for distribution to those in need. Donations are accepted during the fall and winter months.

Ten Thousand Villages
Erin Mills has twice hosted a Ten Thousand Villages sale. This organization buys local handicrafts around the world at a fair price (not a typical wholesale price) from artisans, then re-sells them. By treating artisans fairly, it helps strengthen communities.

Times of Need
For more information on support from the Minister in times of need, please see the Worship page.