Over 100 United Church communities extended a radical welcome to their neighbours as part of 100 Tables. Hear some of their stories.
The United Church of Canada's 100 Tables really took off this summer. As of August 22, there are 109 communities of faith registered as hosts of a table in their town or city.
As part of this year’s Centennial celebrations, The United Church of Canada launched 100 Tables in late spring. It's an initiative that turns ordinary picnic tables into extraordinary places of welcome, and a key component of our campaign to create A Place at the Table for all to join. Rooted in justice, compassion, and radical belonging, 100 Tables invites communities to create tables that reflect local priorities, whether those are food security, care for creation, 2S and LGBTQIA+ inclusion, or reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples. Together, these 100 tables embody the church’s Centennial theme of Deep Spirituality, Bold Discipleship, and Daring Justice.
United Churches across the country have set up picnic tables in their communities, extending radical welcome to the public and making connections with their neighbours who, for one reason or another, normally would not consider going to a traditional church service.
Here are snapshots from a few of the over 100 tables reaching out to their communities this summer:
Grace United Church (Meadow Lake Pastoral Charge, Meadow Lake, SK)
Grace United Church made a splash at the Meadow Lake Aquatic Centre this summer, sponsoring the afternoon public swim and setting up a table to meet neighbours. The pool was alive with energy as children, youth, and families from across the community enjoyed time together in the water. Students, youth leaders, and adult volunteers from the church’s Summer Vacation Bible School program joined in as well, bringing the program’s spirit beyond the church walls and into the wider community.
Alongside the fun, Grace United offered a chance for families to learn more about the church’s ministries. Volunteers shared stories about the After-School Youth Café, the Volunteer Medical Transportation Service, and their work with the Meadow Lake Homeplate Shelter Coalition, which supports local homelessness and transitional housing needs.
It was an afternoon of laughter, swimming, and connection—an example of Grace United Church’s ongoing commitment to building community and offering care in Meadow Lake.
Grace United is also sharing A Place at the Table postcards with visitors to their table, with information about their community of faith to help people learn more about their ministries and how they support the community.
“The response from the public was warm and positive,” Rev. SunDo Hyun of Grace United says. “Many families expressed gratitude for the sponsored swim and took time to hear about our ongoing ministries. This event offered a relaxed and welcoming space to meet new people, share our story, and celebrate the United Church’s legacy of faith, inclusion, and community service in Meadow Lake.”
Knox United Church (Kenora, ON)
At Knox United Church, the 100 Tables gathering drew together a mix of friends from the congregation, neighbours from the community, summer visitors, and even a few newcomers. The church chose a simple, portable table for the event—perfect for their green space and ideal for taking on the road. With plans to bring the table into different corners of town, Knox is creating new opportunities to meet neighbours, spark conversations, and build meaningful connections.
Dunlop Central United Church (Sarnia, ON)
Dunlop Central United Church in Sarnia took the 100 Tables initiative to the world during their vacation camp this summer. The camp brought 40 young people together for five days to “travel the world”. During the camp, the group “visited” five countries at the table: Morocco, New Zealand, The Netherlands, Ethiopia, and Iceland, with opportunities to explore the dress, culture, games, crafts, and food from each of these countries.
Hillside United Church (Halifax, NS)
Hillside United Church linked their 100 Tables gathering to a celebration of the 100th anniversary of The United Church of Canada in June. Unveiling their celebratory table and chairs, they welcomed people to a community party, complete with a bouncy castle, face and rock painting, games for all ages, a barbeque, and a viewing party of the livestream broadcast of the United Church Centennial Service from Newfoundland.
Trinity United Church (Lively, ON)
Trinity United Church recently drew local media attention for its contribution to the 100 Tables initiative. As part of the United Church of Canada’s Centennial celebrations, the congregation hosted a community barbecue on June 27 for volunteers and clients of the Walden Food Bank.
The event, which received coverage in Sudbury.com, was both a celebration and an expression of gratitude. Church members organized the meal to honour those connected with the food bank, with which Trinity has partnered since 2022. The gathering was one of many across the country transforming picnic tables into places of hospitality and connection as part of 100 Tables.
Harrow United Church (Winnipeg, MB)
At Harrow United Church in Winnipeg, creativity and community spirit came together this summer through the 100 Tables initiative. Volunteers first built the picnic table in June, followed by weeks of priming, painting, and artistic collaboration throughout July. Members of the congregation with an artistic flair began painting a vibrant floral scene, while others from the church and surrounding neighbourhood dropped by to offer a hand, share ideas, or simply enjoy the process taking shape.
The table now sits overlooking a section of the church’s Healing Garden, a space dedicated to reconciliation. Its design draws on the four colours of the Medicine Wheel—black, white, red, and yellow—as the background, with flowers and plants stretching across the tabletop to symbolize growth, beauty, and renewal. The project reflects Harrow United’s ongoing commitment to reconciliation and the spirit of hospitality at the heart of the Centennial celebrations.
Stories like these show the creativity and joy that is emerging through the 100 Tables initiative, as congregations find new ways to welcome neighbours, celebrate diversity, and create spaces where everyone can feel at home. At Kitchissippi United in Ottawa, Rev. Daniel Addai Fobi—leader of their God’s Beloved group and a strong advocate for 2S and LGBTQIA+ inclusion—shared a moving poem of gratitude and invitation, in the theme of 100 Tables’ spirit of radical welcome, and a sermon reflecting on the initiative's bold display of hope.
Want to experience the spirit of 100 Tables yourself? Find a table near you or discover how to host one in your own community by visiting the 100 Tables webpage.