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Our Church
Welcome Home
We are the Church in the Woods, a church family on Bearinger Road in north Waterloo, gathered under the trees between two universities. We have been here since 1978. Professors and students, families and retirees, lifelong believers and people still working out what they think — what we want most is to be a church where everyone belongs. Not everyone here agrees about everything, and that is alright. Belonging does not wait until you have it all sorted out. We sing in several voices, we look after one another, and there is a place at the table for you before you have decided anything at all. Worship is Sundays at 10:30 am, and there is coffee afterward. Come as you are.
Our Faith
What We Believe
Everyone Belongs
This is the one we care about most. Not everyone welcome, which any church will say, but everyone belongs — with a place, a part to play, and people who notice when you are missing. We have built that into how we actually run: Friendship Club, Safe Church, students fed once a month, an accessible entrance and a ride if you need one. Belonging you can point at, not belonging we assert.
A Thinking Faith
We sit between two universities and we have never treated hard questions as a threat. Doubt gets a hearing here. So does scholarship. You are not required to have your questions answered before you are welcome to bring them.
Grace at the Centre
We trust God’s grace, God’s Word, and God’s care over the whole of life, including the parts studied in a lab. Nobody here earned their place, which is precisely why nobody here can be turned away from it.
Worship in More Than One Voice
Praise teams, a choir, a classical praise team. A congregation this varied should not have to agree on a single musical style in order to worship together, and it does not.
A Church Family in Transition
After more than twenty years of faithful ministry our long-time pastor has retired, and we are in a season of discernment about who God is calling us to be next. We would rather say that honestly than pretend nothing has changed. What has not changed is that there is room for you here while we work it out.
Join Us
Service Times
Sunday
10:30 AM — Worship
Your First Visit
Here's What to Expect
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Dress Code
Come as you are. You will see everything from jeans to a jacket, and nobody is counting.
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Parking
Free parking on site, in the lot off Bearinger.
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Children
Nursery care during the service, and Sunday School from age three through Grade 8. Children are welcome in the service too.
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First Visit
You will find us at 209 Bearinger Road, at the southwest corner of Parkside and Bearinger, set back among the trees. People call it the Church in the Woods for a reason. Someone will greet you at the door and nobody will make a fuss.
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Music Style
It varies by Sunday. Praise teams, a choir, and a classical praise team share the year between them.
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Service Length
About an hour and a quarter, followed by coffee.
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Accessibility
Our People
Meet Our Team
Rev. Jim Poelman
Transitional Minister
Jim is walking the congregation through the season after Vicki’s retirement, helping Waterloo CRC ask who God is calling it to be next. He preaches, and he is a good person to reach with questions about the direction of the church.
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Mariya Paul
Administrative Assistant
Mariya runs the church office. She is the first person most enquiries reach, and the right contact for bulletin items, building use, calendar questions, and anything you are not sure who to ask.
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Grace Ferguson
Church Clerk
Grace keeps the records and the correspondence for council. She is the right first contact for official enquiries, membership questions, and anything that needs to reach the council as a whole.
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Mary Langendyk
Get Involved
Ministries
Worship
Sunday worship at 10:30 am, sung in more than one voice. Waterloo CRC carries…
Friendship Club
Friendship Club shares God’s love with people who have intellectual…
Watch
July 12, 2026 Sunday Worship Service
July 5, 2026 Sunday Worship Service
June 28, 2026 Sunday Worship Service
June 21, 2026 Sunday Worship Service
What's Happening
Upcoming Events
August 2026
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Upcoming Events
Aug30
Sun, Aug 30, 2026
10:30 AM
We gather to worship God together - song, prayer, confession, and the preaching of the Word. The...
Aug30
Sun, Aug 30, 2026
10:55 AM
Ages 3 through Grade 3 leave for Sunday School about 25 minutes into the service, just before the...
Sep1
Tue, Sep 1, 2026
5:30 PM
A hot meal and honest conversation for students from Wilfrid Laurier and the University of...
Sep5
Sat, Sep 5, 2026
8:30 AM
A quiet hour of coffee, Scripture, and prayer for the congregation, the campus, and the
Sep6
Sun, Sep 6, 2026
10:30 AM
We gather to worship God together - song, prayer, confession, and the preaching of the Word. The...
Sep6
Sun, Sep 6, 2026
10:55 AM
Ages 3 through Grade 3 leave for Sunday School about 25 minutes into the service, just before the...
Sep8
Tue, Sep 8, 2026
7:00 PM
Elders and deacons meet to pray and to care for the life of the
Sep9
Wed, Sep 9, 2026
7:00 PM
One of the many adult Bible study groups that meet through the year. New here? The office can point...
Sep13
Sun, Sep 13, 2026
10:30 AM
We gather to worship God together - song, prayer, confession, and the preaching of the Word. The...
Sep13
Sun, Sep 13, 2026
10:55 AM
Ages 3 through Grade 3 leave for Sunday School about 25 minutes into the service, just before the...
Sep13
Sun, Sep 13, 2026
12:00 PM
Ministries start up again after the summer. A barbecue on the lawn after the service, and a chance...
Sep14
Mon, Sep 14, 2026
7:00 - 8:30 PM
Friendship Club shares God's love with people who have intellectual disabilities. Monday evenings,...
Sep15
Tue, Sep 15, 2026
5:30 PM
A hot meal and honest conversation for students from Wilfrid Laurier and the University of...
Sep17
Thu, Sep 17, 2026
7:00 - 8:30 PM
GEMS (Girls Everywhere Meeting the Saviour) for girls in Grades 2 to 8, and Cadets for the boys -...
Sep20
Sun, Sep 20, 2026
10:30 AM
We gather to worship God together - song, prayer, confession, and the preaching of the Word. The...
Sep20
Sun, Sep 20, 2026
10:55 AM
Ages 3 through Grade 3 leave for Sunday School about 25 minutes into the service, just before the...
Sep21
Mon, Sep 21, 2026
7:00 - 8:30 PM
Friendship Club shares God's love with people who have intellectual disabilities. Monday evenings,...
Sep24
Thu, Sep 24, 2026
7:00 - 8:30 PM
GEMS (Girls Everywhere Meeting the Saviour) for girls in Grades 2 to 8, and Cadets for the boys -...
Sep26
Sat, Sep 26, 2026
9:30 AM
Screening and training for everyone who serves with children, youth, and vulnerable adults....
Sep27
Sun, Sep 27, 2026
10:30 AM
We gather to worship God together - song, prayer, confession, and the preaching of the Word. The...
Sep27
Sun, Sep 27, 2026
10:55 AM
Ages 3 through Grade 3 leave for Sunday School about 25 minutes into the service, just before the...
Sep28
Mon, Sep 28, 2026
7:00 - 8:30 PM
Friendship Club shares God's love with people who have intellectual disabilities. Monday evenings,...
Oct1
Thu, Oct 1, 2026
7:00 - 8:30 PM
GEMS (Girls Everywhere Meeting the Saviour) for girls in Grades 2 to 8, and Cadets for the boys -...
Oct3
Sat, Oct 3, 2026
8:30 AM
A quiet hour of coffee, Scripture, and prayer for the congregation, the campus, and the
Oct4
Sun, Oct 4, 2026
10:30 AM
We gather to worship God together - song, prayer, confession, and the preaching of the Word. The...
Oct4
Sun, Oct 4, 2026
10:55 AM
Ages 3 through Grade 3 leave for Sunday School about 25 minutes into the service, just before the...
Oct5
Mon, Oct 5, 2026
7:00 - 8:30 PM
Friendship Club shares God's love with people who have intellectual disabilities. Monday evenings,...
Oct6
Tue, Oct 6, 2026
5:30 PM
A hot meal and honest conversation for students from Wilfrid Laurier and the University of...
Oct8
Thu, Oct 8, 2026
7:00 - 8:30 PM
GEMS (Girls Everywhere Meeting the Saviour) for girls in Grades 2 to 8, and Cadets for the boys -...
Oct11
Sun, Oct 11, 2026
10:30 AM
A service of gratitude on Thanksgiving weekend, with a food drive for the Food Bank of Waterloo...
Oct11
Sun, Oct 11, 2026
10:55 AM
Ages 3 through Grade 3 leave for Sunday School about 25 minutes into the service, just before the...
Oct12
Mon, Oct 12, 2026
7:00 - 8:30 PM
Friendship Club shares God's love with people who have intellectual disabilities. Monday evenings,...
Oct13
Tue, Oct 13, 2026
7:00 PM
Elders and deacons meet to pray and to care for the life of the
Oct14
Wed, Oct 14, 2026
7:00 PM
One of the many adult Bible study groups that meet through the year. New here? The office can point...
Oct15
Thu, Oct 15, 2026
7:00 - 8:30 PM
GEMS (Girls Everywhere Meeting the Saviour) for girls in Grades 2 to 8, and Cadets for the boys -...
Oct18
Sun, Oct 18, 2026
10:30 AM
We gather to worship God together - song, prayer, confession, and the preaching of the Word. The...
Oct18
Sun, Oct 18, 2026
10:55 AM
Ages 3 through Grade 3 leave for Sunday School about 25 minutes into the service, just before the...
Oct19
Mon, Oct 19, 2026
7:00 - 8:30 PM
Friendship Club shares God's love with people who have intellectual disabilities. Monday evenings,...
Oct20
Tue, Oct 20, 2026
5:30 PM
A hot meal and honest conversation for students from Wilfrid Laurier and the University of...
Oct22
Thu, Oct 22, 2026
7:00 - 8:30 PM
GEMS (Girls Everywhere Meeting the Saviour) for girls in Grades 2 to 8, and Cadets for the boys -...
Oct25
Sun, Oct 25, 2026
10:30 AM
We gather to worship God together - song, prayer, confession, and the preaching of the Word. The...
Oct25
Sun, Oct 25, 2026
10:55 AM
Ages 3 through Grade 3 leave for Sunday School about 25 minutes into the service, just before the...
Oct26
Mon, Oct 26, 2026
7:00 - 8:30 PM
Friendship Club shares God's love with people who have intellectual disabilities. Monday evenings,...
Oct29
Thu, Oct 29, 2026
7:00 - 8:30 PM
GEMS (Girls Everywhere Meeting the Saviour) for girls in Grades 2 to 8, and Cadets for the boys -...
Nov1
Sun, Nov 1, 2026
10:30 AM
We remember the Reformation and sing the hymns of the church, together with congregations around...
Nov1
Sun, Nov 1, 2026
10:55 AM
Ages 3 through Grade 3 leave for Sunday School about 25 minutes into the service, just before the...
Nov2
Mon, Nov 2, 2026
7:00 - 8:30 PM
Friendship Club shares God's love with people who have intellectual disabilities. Monday evenings,...
Nov3
Tue, Nov 3, 2026
5:30 PM
A hot meal and honest conversation for students from Wilfrid Laurier and the University of...
Nov5
Thu, Nov 5, 2026
7:00 - 8:30 PM
GEMS (Girls Everywhere Meeting the Saviour) for girls in Grades 2 to 8, and Cadets for the boys -...
Nov7
Sat, Nov 7, 2026
8:30 AM
A quiet hour of coffee, Scripture, and prayer for the congregation, the campus, and the
Nov8
Sun, Nov 8, 2026
10:30 AM
We gather to worship God together - song, prayer, confession, and the preaching of the Word. The...
Nov8
Sun, Nov 8, 2026
10:55 AM
Ages 3 through Grade 3 leave for Sunday School about 25 minutes into the service, just before the...
Nov9
Mon, Nov 9, 2026
7:00 - 8:30 PM
Friendship Club shares God's love with people who have intellectual disabilities. Monday evenings,...
Nov10
Tue, Nov 10, 2026
7:00 PM
An evening for the congregation to hear where we are, ask questions, and pray together about who...
Nov11
Wed, Nov 11, 2026
7:00 PM
One of the many adult Bible study groups that meet through the year. New here? The office can point...
Nov12
Thu, Nov 12, 2026
7:00 - 8:30 PM
GEMS (Girls Everywhere Meeting the Saviour) for girls in Grades 2 to 8, and Cadets for the boys -...
Nov15
Sun, Nov 15, 2026
10:30 AM
We gather to worship God together - song, prayer, confession, and the preaching of the Word. The...
Nov15
Sun, Nov 15, 2026
10:55 AM
Ages 3 through Grade 3 leave for Sunday School about 25 minutes into the service, just before the...
Nov16
Mon, Nov 16, 2026
7:00 - 8:30 PM
Friendship Club shares God's love with people who have intellectual disabilities. Monday evenings,...
Nov17
Tue, Nov 17, 2026
5:30 PM
A hot meal and honest conversation for students from Wilfrid Laurier and the University of...
Nov19
Thu, Nov 19, 2026
7:00 - 8:30 PM
GEMS (Girls Everywhere Meeting the Saviour) for girls in Grades 2 to 8, and Cadets for the boys -...
Nov22
Sun, Nov 22, 2026
10:30 AM
We gather to worship God together - song, prayer, confession, and the preaching of the Word. The...
Nov22
Sun, Nov 22, 2026
10:55 AM
Ages 3 through Grade 3 leave for Sunday School about 25 minutes into the service, just before the...
Nov23
Mon, Nov 23, 2026
7:00 - 8:30 PM
Friendship Club shares God's love with people who have intellectual disabilities. Monday evenings,...
Nov26
Thu, Nov 26, 2026
7:00 - 8:30 PM
GEMS (Girls Everywhere Meeting the Saviour) for girls in Grades 2 to 8, and Cadets for the boys -...
Nov29
Sun, Nov 29, 2026
10:30 AM
The first Sunday of Advent. Lighting of the first candle, and the beginning of our journey toward...
Nov29
Sun, Nov 29, 2026
10:55 AM
Ages 3 through Grade 3 leave for Sunday School about 25 minutes into the service, just before the...
Nov30
Mon, Nov 30, 2026
7:00 - 8:30 PM
Friendship Club shares God's love with people who have intellectual disabilities. Monday evenings,...
Dec1
Tue, Dec 1, 2026
5:30 PM
A hot meal and honest conversation for students from Wilfrid Laurier and the University of...
Dec3
Thu, Dec 3, 2026
7:00 - 8:30 PM
GEMS (Girls Everywhere Meeting the Saviour) for girls in Grades 2 to 8, and Cadets for the boys -...
Dec5
Sat, Dec 5, 2026
8:30 AM
A quiet hour of coffee, Scripture, and prayer for the congregation, the campus, and the
Dec6
Sun, Dec 6, 2026
10:30 AM
We gather to worship God together - song, prayer, confession, and the preaching of the Word. The...
Dec6
Sun, Dec 6, 2026
10:55 AM
Ages 3 through Grade 3 leave for Sunday School about 25 minutes into the service, just before the...
Dec7
Mon, Dec 7, 2026
7:00 - 8:30 PM
Friendship Club shares God's love with people who have intellectual disabilities. Monday evenings,...
Dec9
Wed, Dec 9, 2026
7:00 PM
One of the many adult Bible study groups that meet through the year. New here? The office can point...
Dec10
Thu, Dec 10, 2026
7:00 - 8:30 PM
GEMS (Girls Everywhere Meeting the Saviour) for girls in Grades 2 to 8, and Cadets for the boys -...
Dec13
Sun, Dec 13, 2026
10:30 AM
We gather to worship God together - song, prayer, confession, and the preaching of the Word. The...
Dec13
Sun, Dec 13, 2026
10:55 AM
Ages 3 through Grade 3 leave for Sunday School about 25 minutes into the service, just before the...
Dec14
Mon, Dec 14, 2026
7:00 - 8:30 PM
Friendship Club shares God's love with people who have intellectual disabilities. Monday evenings,...
Dec15
Tue, Dec 15, 2026
5:30 PM
A hot meal and honest conversation for students from Wilfrid Laurier and the University of...
Dec17
Thu, Dec 17, 2026
7:00 - 8:30 PM
GEMS (Girls Everywhere Meeting the Saviour) for girls in Grades 2 to 8, and Cadets for the boys -...
Dec20
Sun, Dec 20, 2026
10:30 AM
We gather to worship God together - song, prayer, confession, and the preaching of the Word. The...
Dec20
Sun, Dec 20, 2026
10:55 AM
Ages 3 through Grade 3 leave for Sunday School about 25 minutes into the service, just before the...
Dec21
Mon, Dec 21, 2026
7:00 - 8:30 PM
Friendship Club shares God's love with people who have intellectual disabilities. Monday evenings,...
Dec24
Thu, Dec 24, 2026
7:00 - 8:30 PM
GEMS (Girls Everywhere Meeting the Saviour) for girls in Grades 2 to 8, and Cadets for the boys -...
Dec24
Thu, Dec 24, 2026
7:00 PM
Candlelight, carols, and the Christmas story. All are welcome - bring your
Dec27
Sun, Dec 27, 2026
10:30 AM
We gather to worship God together - song, prayer, confession, and the preaching of the Word. The...
Dec27
Sun, Dec 27, 2026
10:55 AM
Ages 3 through Grade 3 leave for Sunday School about 25 minutes into the service, just before the...
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Address
209 Bearinger Road, Waterloo, ON, Waterloo, Ontario, N2L 4H5