Right Relations and Reconciliation

Calendar of Events


  • Month of June: National Indigenous History Month
  • July 16th: Sunday service focusing on Right Relations and Reconciliation. Come enjoy our guest speaker Rev. Rodney Smith-Merkley.
Rev. Rodney Smith-Merkley was born and raised in Chesterville (Eastern Ontario) and studied biology at the University of Guelph prior to completing his M.Div. at Queen's Theological College (where he met his wife Suzanne, who is a high school teacher).   Rodney and Suzanne have three children ages 13 to 18, and live in Bobcaygeon.  Rodney was minister in Bobcaygeon for 6 years before coming to the Buckhorn Pastoral Charge (Wesley and Curve Lake) in January 2019.  Prior to that he served 7 years in Elgin and Portland, two active rural congregations north of Kingston.  Prior to that he was settled in Bella Bella on the central coast of BC, where he had a wonderful, challenging, and interesting three years serving the Heiltsuk First Nation.   Rodney works one day a week for the United Church's East Central Ontario (ECO) Region (churches from Kingston to Oshawa) as minister for Respectful Relationship and Indigenous Justice, and is a volunteer with the Bobcaygeon Truth and Reconciliation Community.  Rodney enjoys sailing, canoeing, cross country skiing, basketball (among other sports), and food!
 
  • Oct 1st: Orange Shirt Sunday: Orange Shirt Day, Sept 30th, is the National Truth and Reconciliation Day commemorating the tragic legacy of residential schools in Canada. You may already have an orange shirt with a logo purchased at Atlohsa in 2022 or other retailer, or an orange shirt in your closet. Wear your orange shirt on Sept 30th and to Sunday service Oct. 1st to acknowledge your support for First Nation peoples.​
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Our Mission:  "With Christ as our Guide, we are called to be an inclusive, progressive faith family, to worship God, nurture our community and serve the wider world."
Statement of Intention: 
  • We are intent on making Lakeshore United Church a broader reflection of God’s vision for creation, to be a safer haven for all seeking peace, justice, affirmation, acceptance, and equality.
  • We are a people who celebrate differences and accept them as gifts; in a place where new ideas are embraced, rather than feared, as we learn to expand our hearts and open our minds so that all are welcome.
  • We are called to be a part of a ministry that welcomes and includes all, honours the gifts of each, and recognizes that all receive God’s abundant grace.
  • We affirm that this includes full participation of persons of all sexual orientations, gender identities, races, abilities, ages, economic circumstances, ethnic and faith backgrounds in the life and work of the ministry.
  • Jesus reached out to all people, honouring all in their diversity.  We celebrate the richness this brings to Lakeshore United Church.






Lakeshore United Church
56 North St., Goderich, ON N7A 2T4
519-524-2103