Building Renovation
Learn about our renovation plan and help us make essential updates to our space.
Our Story
Based on Treaty 7 land in Calgary Alberta, Hillhurst United Church is a progressive Christian community that values diversity. Our Sunday gatherings are relaxed and inviting, blending the relevant spiritual issues of the day with reflections rooted in scripture. Using humour, story, and an invitation to question, we journey to discover the message the Spirit has for us, both individually and as a community.
We are an Affirming church.
This means we strive to be an inclusive and supportive community of faith that follows in the Way of Jesus. We welcome the ministry and participation of all persons regardless of age, gender identity, health, race, sexual orientation, differing abilities, religious or ethnic background or economic circumstance.
We hope that in all we do, God's unconditional love is experienced.
Beliefs
Our mission is to embody a progressive, faithful, and biblically
based expression of good religion. We know that there are many examples of unhealthy religion in the world, both today and throughout history.
We seek to live out healthy religion.
At Hillhurst, both action and reflection are encouraged.
It’s our belief that by deepening spiritually and connecting with God, we are compelled to work for a more just and compassionate world.
We understand Jesus’ path as one that includes respect for creation and honours all God’s people. A path that focuses not on salvation in the after-life, but on creating heaven
here on earth.
Love guides our intention to live with care for all.
Our vision is to help lead the great social movement for love.
We trust in this hope.
For more information on what the United Church of Canada believes, read the United Church of Canada Creed.
RADICAL HOSPITALITY
Come as you are! We strive to make our congregants feel at home. Eating and drinking together is a part of who we are. Enjoy coffee before and during the service and lunch after the 10:45 am service prepared by members of the congregation.
SPIRITUALITY
Not all people are religious. We believe all people are spiritual. Throughout the week, we offer many opportunities to deepen our souls, take a breathe, and listen to the Divine inside each of us. Contemplative arts (such as meditation, retreats, and spiritual direction) as well as lectures and workshops are offered throughout the year. See more about these programs here.
SOCIAL JUSTICE
It’s easy to love everyone on Sunday, but how do we love the rest of the week? How do we take what we say and sing out into the streets? We lend our voice to social justice movements that align with our faith. Whether it’s marching for climate action, Black Lives Matter, or Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women, we keep a newspaper in one hand and a Bible in the other. We have several groups related to social justice that you can view here.
RISK
At Hillhurst, we take risks. Jesus’ favourite line was be not afraid. How do we live more fearlessly in the world? Each of the core values listed above are grounded in risk, as we strive to reach beyond our comfort zone and be the church in the world.
An Affirming Church
An Affirming church is an official designation in the United Church of Canada, publicly declaring commitment to inclusion and justice for people of all sexual orientations, gender identities, race, ethnicity, ability, age, religion, and economic status.
Our Affirming Statement:
We are an inclusive and supportive community of faith that follows in the Way of Jesus. We welcome the ministry and participation of all persons regardless of age, gender identity, health, race, sexual orientation, differing abilities, religious or ethnic background or economic circumstance.
We hope that in all we do, God's unconditional love is experienced.
Our Community
The magic of Hillhurst can be hard to put into words, so we asked our congregants to do the hard work for us. This is how they responded when asked to describe our community:
“Progressive, engaged, active, reflective.”
“My spiritual lifeline.”
“My happy place! My place of learning! Where I feel deeply challenged, spiritually whole, grounded, truly loved and accepted!”
“Room for everyone.”
“Humbly courageous, playfully spiritual, authentically embracing, unapologetically human.”
“Fabulous and faithful.”
“Hillhurst is my haven, religious grounding, and community. It cannot be replaced.”
“Life-changing.”
Questions?
If you have further questions about Hillhurst, click the button below to get in touch with us.
Next Steps Gallery
