Sugarbush Christian Church

Sugarbush is an online church that includes and welcomes people who are interested in and committed to their own spiritual development. Its weekly gathering - Plan BE - is a safe container for deep questions, reflection, and growth.

Sugarbush is Open and Affirming, which means that it affirms the belovedness of all people, especially those who are queer and part of the LGBTQIA+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, intersex, and asexual) community. In this way, leaders and members are committed to reading the Bible and other sacred texts through the lens of radical love and inclusion. 

Weekly gatherings are in English. You can easily follow the flow of the service, read scripture, and participate in group discussions with the help of a PowerPoint presentation that is screen shared on Zoom. Each gathering includes a land acknowledgement/Indigenous learning, group meditation, a reading from sacred texts from diverse faith traditions, a message, and small group discussion. In addition, to its core team of lay leaders who lead meditations and workshops, Disciples ministers and other speakers are often invited to share a message.

Please email sugarbushcc@gmail.com for the Zoom link to worship online or for details about the monthly in-person gathering!

In the early 2000s, after much discernment, Guelph Christian Church, one of the oldest churches in Guelph, sold its building and provided a significant portion of its funds to birth something new in Guelph, Ontario. In 2011, church planter, Rev. Dr. Jen Garbin and her family started Sugarbush as a youth group since most of the people who joined were teenagers. The congregation grew to include adults and families who were new to Christianity, those who came from different denominations, faiths, and ethnic backgrounds, and had diverse gender identities and sexual orientations. In 2019, Sugarbush shifted from having a contemporary church service and praise band to being a workshop and discussion-based gathering called Plan BE, which focuses on sprituality, personal growth, and being Divine Love in the world.

Over the years, Sugarbush has rented space in a community centre, church basement, and a cafe. At the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020, the congregation quickly shifted its Plan BE gatherings to Zoom and it has remained online ever since. Starting in October 2023, on every 3rd Saturday of the month, Plan BE will have a hybrid online and in-person gathering in Guelph.

The congregation has offered workshops and book studies on anti-racism, love, and queerness. Its members have participated together in Pride and Black Lives Matter events in and around Guelph. Its members also organize Christmas hampers for families in need.

Sugarbush is a lay-led congregation with a core team who organizes, plans, and hosts online and in person services, social gatherings, and outreach activities that are focused on spirituality, growth, and community-building. The core team works behind the scenes to stay connected to new people and long-time members, and this committed group of leaders prays for and plans for the future of this ever-evolving church!