Our Mission
To love God and to love people; and in response to that call, to be a loving, safe spiritual home where all are invited to continue along the road of spiritual growth, and to follow the inclusive path of Jesus. We join together to express our love of God through our worship and service to others. We are a community of ordinary people joyously celebrating the opportunity to follow Jesus’ radical message of unconditional love and to live the beatitudes. We embrace the challenge of Dr. Martin Luther King Junior’s message of “dangerous unselfishness”.
Galatians 3:2
“For you are all children of God in the Spirit.
There is no Jew or Greek;
There is no slave or free;
There is no male and female.
For you are all one in the Spirit.”
Our Vision
Our beliefs are evolving, and will continue to do so, under the guidance of God's Spirit, but, at this point in time, these are the things that we hold dear and trust. Regardless of our differing experiences: age, gender identity, (full inclusion of LGBTQ persons), economic status, ancestry, creed and culture. We share a common vision.
Today we remain a welcoming, inclusive, and open congregation, committed to spiritual growth and the pursuit of peace and justice in Christ’s name.
We invite the full participation of all people regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, ability or worldly condition in the life and ministry of our church.
We are a community of Christian believers who are seeking to model the early Christians in inclusiveness and in an evolving faith journey.
We are a church that holds to visibly living out the Great Commandments: love God and love others. We seek to love and serve our neighbours in response to their needs.
We are a church where everyone is equal and welcome; in working together we commit to remove barriers of race, class, culture, gender and social prejudices that inhibit full participation.
Our History
Christ The Servant Church came into being in April 2006 when a small group of Catholic parishioners and their local priest embraced the concept of dialogue for equality in ministry.
Since that incredible beginning we have strived to keep an open mind and heart, dedicated to living the gospels through faith, as well as service to others locally and globally. We celebrate the opportunity to follow Jesus’ radical message of unconditional love and hope you will join us.
Inclusive For All
We are a Christian church in which the laity and clergy together share an understanding of the church, its goals and its purpose, and work together to bring these to life.
We are a church that respects all of God’s creation and our responsibility as stewards of our natural environment. We embrace the Anishinabek First Nations worldview that the earth is seen as a feminine being and is regarded as the source of all life-sustaining things (Wilson 2003). “Mother Earth is everything that you see. You look everywhere on earth and you see Mother Earth. The way you raise your children, the way people do things together, the way we live among our people. She is in everything we do.”
About Christ the Servant Church
Our worship and congregational life reflect our beliefs. Worship includes a variety of elements and styles of music. We view Communion as a deeply personal spiritual experience and believe that Christ invites ALL people to dine at his table.
We draw on a wide variety of voices through which to hear the word proclaimed: in addition to our pastor who preaches regularly, Deacon, lay preachers and preachers from the wider community often bring their own diverse insights. Our congregation is supported by an elected Board who lead the congregation in decisions about how best to use our resources. The clergy share in this discernment and lead in worship and spiritual matters.
Congregation members have a voice on major decisions in the church's life and are encouraged to take an active role in our various ministries.
What We Value:
Pastoral care: provided by both ordained clergy and lay ministry. Ministering to those in our congregation in spiritual, emotional or physical or material need.
Outreach to the larger community: Responding to the needs of our greater community as they arise.
We will actively engage in local and global social justice initiatives.
Congregational Governance:
An Elected Church Board
Congregational voting on all major issues that affect the life and future of our church (e.g. the selection of clergy, major expenditures, amendments of bylaws, selection of a Church Board).
Our Ministry Team lead and direct us in matters of worship and spirituality
Joyful praise through music: strong music ministry during our celebrations as well as accepting music as a form of worship and praise.
Faith development: in our Sunday service, Sunday Message, in prayer, Scripture study, and in discussion.
Provide opportunities to enhance personal faith development.
Connecting with other faith communities. Encouraging everyone to have a role in our church life: everyone has been given a gift from God, and is called to share those gifts through the various ministries
Statement of Faith in Prayer
We worship and love God, source, essence, and aim of all things, spirit that enlivens all beings.
“We follow the way of Jesus, who found God in himself and shared a way for others to find God in themselves.
He was born through love,
He lived for love,
He suffered for love,
He died for love,
But love never dies.
We submit ourselves to the leadings of the love that is God,
that we may be compassionate to all beings,
that we may live and serve in community with others,
that we may ask for and offer forgiveness,
that we may praise and enjoy God forever. Amen!”
Gary O’Dwyer
Pastor
Gary, born and raised in the Ottawa Valley, initially pursued seminary studies before opting for a career in high school history teaching and marrying his partner, Pauline. Educated at Carleton University, he taught primarily in Cobourg for forty years, where his commitment to social justice extended beyond the classroom through initiatives like the "Speaker's Forum," hosting renowned figures like Fr. John Dear and Bobby Seale. Recognized with awards such as the Marshall McLuhan Teaching Excellence Award and the Governor General’s Award for Excellence in Teaching Canadian History, Gary's impact was profound. Following retirement, he was ordained by Abba Ministries of Canada, serving as pastor at Christ the Servant Church, continuing his advocacy for social justice locally and abroad. His inclusive liturgical work and penchant for dad jokes are cherished by his community, family, and colleagues.
Patricia Partridge
Board Chair
Pat, a native of Toronto, was raised in Cobourg, attending Cobourg District Collegiate Institute West and Fleming College. The youngest of nine children, she began her caregiving role at twelve, tending to her family. Married to Glen, they raised two children, Denise and Derek. Pat dedicated nine years to volunteering in the Horizons of Friendship Accounting Department, establishing thrift shops and building a strong volunteer base. Transitioning to personal caregiving with Community Care in 2010, she found fulfillment assisting individuals facing various challenges. Actively involved in Christ the Servant Church since 2011, Pat currently serves as Board Chair, focusing on supporting members, their families, and the Northumberland community, particularly those facing food and housing insecurities.
Board Members
Gary O’Dwyer Pastor Email: grodwyer@gmail.com
Nancy Coyle Deacon Email: cts.nancy@gmail.com
Patricia Partridge Chairperson Email: 133pmp@gmail.com
Iris Milne Secertary Email: Irismilne46@gmail.com
Edie Lean Bookkeeper Email: layzdayzie@hotmail.com
Joan Woods Member Email: jd.woods@sympatico.ca
Maryisa Kordas-Fraser Member Email: mjkordas@gmail.com
Andrea Marchand Member Email: andrea.marchand58@gmail.com