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We acknowledge with gratitude the traditional territories of our Indigenous and Metis neighbours and their hospitality. We offer our respect and commitment to living into right relationship with all our relations.
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Information that you would like included in the Weekly News should be sent to Cherry through this email by 4:00 p.m. on Tuesdays: PrairietoPine@united-church.ca
We REALLY want to facilitate the sharing of news about pastoral concerns, celebrations, educational opportunities and events so PLEASE share them with us. Due to the volume of requests, we will be pleased to publish announcements about events on 2 occasions before the deadline for registration and/or the actual event.
NOTE: We will be aiming to send out the Weekly News on Wednesdays.
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Last week in the weekly news we had a list of those involved in pastoral relations transitions on June 30, 2020. Our apologies for one omission:
Our thoughts and prayers are with the community of faith at Steinbach United Church as they conclude their pastoral relationship with Susie McPherson Derendy. Susie will transition to a fulltime position as Keeper of the Learning Circle at Sandy Saulteaux Spiritual Centre effective July 1st, 2020.
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Manitoba Summer Student Grant and Program updated
The Manitoba Government is inviting Non-Profit Organizations to apply for the Manitoba Summer Student Recovery Program and the Non-Profit Summer Student Incentive Grant. Please read the letter of Hon. Rochelle Squires, Minister for Municipal Relations about these programs or visit the Manitoba Government's website.
The Region also received a message from John Leggat, Government of Manitoba’s Deputy Minister of Families regarding grant programs that the Manitoba Government is offering for the hiring of summer students.
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COVID-19 Internalized Ageism Study New
A study exploring whether COVID-19 public messaging is contributing to the internalized ageism among older people is currently seeking participants. All Manitoba residents over the age of 65 who are English speaking are eligible to participate.
Please click here for more information and how to participate.
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Reconnect with Naramata Centre New
Naramata Centre in BC is offering All-Access Pass. This pass is a virtual doorway to engage in opportunities for learning, growth, and spiritual transformation... with access to over 40 online programs.
Please click here for more information or call 250-496-5751.
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Learning opportunities
Video Black Clergy Network speaks to racism and resilience
Members of the Black Clergy Network of the United Church have produced a video sharing the impact of anti-Black racism on their lives and ministry. Please take some time to absorb and reflect on this.
Belonging in the Body video by transgender Christians: free access for our Regional Council
This video asks transgender Christians to talk about their faith journey, and they do so with insight, grace, and love. It’s an excellent and important resource. Three Regional Councils have offered a fee to Generous Space Ministries, the producer, so that your community of faith can access this free of charge. This is part of the Affirming journey that Northern Spirit, Living Skies, and Prairie to Pine Regional Councils are currently on. Please see full details here.
New Wine: Western Intercultural Gathering online this fall with Eric Law and Tony Snow
We can’t gather in Calgary as planned, but we can come together online, even bigger than before! Join us for part 2 of last year’s cross-Canada gathering of people committed to the United Church’s intercultural vision. Rev. Dr. Eric Law and Tony Snow will be our lead resource people.
When: Fridays, September 25th, October 2nd & 9th, 2020.
Cost: FREE
These will be three hour sessions, with presentations, small group discussion, and tools for talking with your ministry or others between sessions. The sessions will begin at 9:00 AM Pacific; 10:00AM in AB; 11:00AM in MB and NW Ontario; noon in ON and QC; 1:00PM in the Maritimes and 1:30 in NL. Details and registration to follow. Save the dates! More information will follow soon.
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Call for Nominations
There are over 90 members of Prairie to Pine currently doing work for the Region and the wider church - that is, doing work on our collective behalf. We extend a Huge Thank You to all of you!
The Nominating Committee is now looking at filling the positions of those who have so graciously given of themselves and have completed their terms serving on various commissions and committees of the Prairie to Pine Region. We ask you to give your thoughtful consideration to filling some of these roles within the Regional council for the next term. Our committee is carefully discerning the balance, passions, experience and new “blood” for all committees in the Prairie to Pine Region.
If you feel called to one of these vacant positions, please fill out this form online, or speak to a member of the nominations team. If you know someone who may be an especially good fit, please encourage them to put their name forward. More detail regarding the work of each of the commissions and committees can be found on the Prairie to Pine website ( https://prairietopinerc.ca/) or by clicking on the links below!
Please click here for the list of volunteer opportunities on Committees and Commissions.
Other volunteer opportunities:
Nominations Committee
Prairie to Pine Region, United Church of Canada
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General Council 44: Postponed Until 2022
In light of concerns around COVID-19, the decision has been made to postpone General Council 44, previously slated for July 2021 in Calgary, AB, to 2022. Commissioners came to this decision at a special electronic meeting held on June 20, 2020; read the full news piece. Minutes from this meeting will be posted to the United Church Commons in the coming days, and updates related to this postponement will be posted to the General Council 43 website. |
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Celebrating Anniversaries
APOLOGIES FOR OMISSIONS in Anniversary Lists
The Prairie to Pine Weekly News on June 17, 2020 contained a list of those celebrating a special anniversary of their recognition as a Designated Lay Minster/Lay Pastoral Minister, commissioning to Diaconal Ministry, ordination or admission into the Order of Ministry of the United Church of Canada.
Not having received an official list from General Council Office this year, we relied on our own database and listings for the former Conference of Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario and the former Keewatin Presbytery of All Native Circle Conference in the most recent United Church Yearbook (2018) available at that time. We were likely to miss someone and we did.
We extend our apologies to Emily Lovell who was omitted from the list. Emily is celebrating 15 years since she was recognized as a Designated Lay Minister/Lay Pastoral Minister.
It is with gratitude that we remember and celebrate these anniversaries with Ministry Personnel currently living and/or serving within Prairie to Pine Region.
Please click here for the Anniversary List that was initially published.
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Prairie to Pine UCW
Prairie to Pine United Church Women (UCW) has received a thank-you letter from The Right Rev. Dr. Richard Bott, Moderator, The United Church of Canada and Sarah Charters, Acting Director of Philanthropy for its Mission and Service contributions in 2019 . |
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2021 Mission Support
and Regional Council Grant
The 2021 Mission Support and Regional Council Grant application is now available. Please click here for more information or visit our region's website.
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Westworth United Church Summer VBS
Join Julia and Maggie for Zoom VBS 2020, August 24-August 28 th
We will be having fun with ‘Avengers-God’s Game’: Superheroes of the Bible. We will be online with Zoom from 10.00 a.m.-noon each day.
Contact Heather at office@westworth.ca to register. |
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Resources on Re-opening
On May 13, 2020 there was an opportunity for members of Community of Faith and Ministry Personnel from the three regions (Northern Spirit, Living Skies and Prairie to Pine) to attend a ZOOM gathering to discuss re-opening of buildings for worship and/or other activities /tenants or user groups. The ZOOM call that evening was based on resources that we had at that time and the health authority restrictions and gathering numbers at that time. Some of you were unable to access the ZOOM meeting because we exceeded the maximum number.
Since that date, we also now have a few more resources for places of worship from governments and health authorities in various provinces (Alberta and Saskatchewan), from various Regional Councils across the country and from our Ecumenical partners (Evangelical Lutheran Church Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario Synod) some of which were share in an email to active ministry personnel and pastoral charge supervisors on June 1 st, 2020 (Resources available here) In addition to those resources two more have become available this week through the Living Skies Regional Council website:
A Discernment process:
https://livingskiesrc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/DiscerningRe-openingTogether-Living-SkiesRC-UCC.pdf
A template for writing your Community of Faith re-opening plan is available here.
We are awaiting the possibility of a resource for places of worship from the government and/or health authority of the province of Manitoba .
The Prairie to Pine Regional Council through its Executive Minister Shannon McCarthy ( SMcCarthy@united-church.ca) or one of the Co-Chairs of the Regional Council, Lori Stewart ( Loristewart@hagerman.ca) are open to hearing if there are still resources that your communities of faith would find helpful as you make decisions about any aspect of re-engaging in buildings. We expect that It will be a while before the Province of Ontario reaches a stage where re-opening of places of worship for larger groups is anticipated.
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Reminder: Watch out for email
and phone scams targetting churches
Some scammers appear to have gotten bored during COVID and have improved their skills of late. Remember that scammers can use any publicly available information to ask for money or to claim to be from the national church, the Regional office, or the CRA. They can often find your name on your church website.
If you get any email asking for money or claiming to be about finances: no matter how convincing it looks, do NOT click on any of the links. Do not ever click on an attached file. Do not reply.
Hover your mouse over the link or email address without clicking, and your system should show you more information. Most of the time the link or email will include a string of letters and numbers and you’ll be able to tell that it isn’t what it claims to be. If you feel there’s a chance the request is legitimate, always call the person who appears to be sending the request or information before you even think of sending money or responding. Do some searches on “phishing” to improve your scam detection skills.
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Ministry Personnel Zoom Connections
Since the beginning of the COVID 19 pandemic, one of the opportunities provided to Ministry Personnel for checking-in, sharing information and providing support for one another has been a weekly Tuesday afternoon ZOOM connection. It was the decision of the group on the call yesterday (June 16) that we would suspend these calls for the summer months starting now with the understanding that if there is some substantial change in the protocols or guidelines being offered by Health Authorities, politicians or the denomination over the summer months, that an opportunity for a ZOOM gathering would be created and publicized via email and/or the Weekly News. Otherwise the next ZOOM gathering for Ministry Personnel to touch base before school and maybe worship starts up again in the fall, will be on Tuesday, August 24, 2020 at 3:00 p.m. Look for the ZOOM connection on the Weekly News.
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From the Pastoral Relations Minister
of Prairie to Pine Regional Council
COVID-19 Updates
In addition to the information provided above by Julie Graham on COVID 19 Updates please make certain that:
- any governing body that has made decisions or is contemplating decisions about staff layoffs is in touch with the Prairie to Pine Regional Council Pastoral Relations Minister, Judy Hare to review all options, to receive process instruction and receive templates for letters especially for any staff who are members of the UCC Benefits plan.
- Morneau Shepell has made available some more resources which can be used by those who are affected by, or responding to, traumatic events. The Benefits Centre has posted them on the website,https://www.uccan-benefitscentre.ca/morneau-shepell-traumatic-event-support/
- While some Health protocols and restrictions and Government Assistance Programs are the same across the country, please make certain that you check the latest information available on the websites for the province and health region that you are located in.
Here are few sites for those in the Province of Manitoba to be aware of:
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Annual Statistics Forms
Just a reminder that Annual Statistics Forms for General Council need to be completed as soon as possible. If you have questions or concerns please contact Susan Jackson at: Sjackson@united-church.ca or call 1-800-268-3781. |
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Black Lives Matter statement
from the Regional Council
The Regional Council offers a commitment to Black lives and to the struggle against racism. The letter is available here, including a PDF copy for sharing. The letter includes some links for important and more immediate reading, as well as recommended summer reflection resources and consideration of actions we must take.
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Resources on Black Lives Matter
Your Regional Council leadership and Executive Minister are discussing a response and contribution to the Black Lives Matter movement, and to calls for all our communities, and our church, to directly address anti-Black racism and other faces of racism and colonization. While this work continues, here are three important voices to absorb and share:
A joint letter from the United, Anglican, and Lutheran churches.
What I Need from White People: A call from Adele Halliday, Team Leader Discipleship & Witness, who is known to many of us through her years of intercultural ministry and visits to our Region.
An invitation from Rev Paul Walfall, who serves Fort Saskatchewan Pastoral Charge in Northern Spirit Regional Council.
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Request to Share
Some Communities of Faith that are without Called or Appointed Ministry Personnel or those whose Ministry Personnel are planning vacation time would welcome a list of communities of faith who are offering worship through links to YouTube or live through ZOOM. Those willing to share please submit details regarding links or where to access links to Cherry Abad ( cabad@united-church.ca) |
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Reminder: put your community event
on our website!
Reminder: you can still promote your local event through our website. Regular worship should be registered with the national church’s map and listings, but everything from bible study to a workshop to drive up pie or bannock fundraisers can be shared on our Communities of Faith events calendar through our community form. The event needs to be a United Church event open to the public. Give it a try! |
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Employee Support Resources
Morneau Sheppell ( provider of the UCC Employer and Family Assistance Program – EFAP) are excited to announce that they will be supporting the mental wellbeing of Ontarians and Manitobans with AbilitiCBT – our online cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) program.
AbilitiCBT addresses anxiety, depression, and anxiety symptoms related to the uniquely challenging aspects of pandemics: uncertainty, isolation, caring for family and community members, information overload, and stress management.
Employees can access AbilitiCBT from home on a smartphone or a tablet; and it’s guided by registered therapists.
For employees who live in Ontario, here are the key details :
- All Ontarians, aged 16 and over, can access AbilitiCBT for free
- They can learn more about AbilitiCBT here
- Once employees select “Sign up for AbilitiCBT,” they will be asked to complete a short questionnaire and they will be paired with a registered therapist who will guide them through the AbilitiCBT program
- AbilitiCBT is the only iCBT program offered by the Government of Ontario that can address the specific triggers and symptoms associated with a pandemic
AbilitiCBT is an effective way to get help into the hands of employees – particularly during a time when we are required to self-isolate and practice physical distancing.
Morneau would also encourage employees to review the full list of resources made available by the Government of Ontario as part of its expanded mental health support to Ontarians – available here.
Employees in Manitoba can connect here to follow the link to sign up for AbilitiCBT without cost to them, or to you as the employer.
Need broader support?
Ontario’s expanded mental health coverage is a temporary response to the increased challenges we are facing during the pandemic.
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United Church Emergency Support
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National Prayer and Worship Online Gathering
As people get into a new routine in this time of COVID 19 restrictions, various connections are becoming part of those routines. This week I call to your attention a couple of offerings by the Moderator, the Right Reverend Richard Bott that some may have discovered through other sources and some may be unaware of:
Ministry personnel prayer gathering https://zoom.us/j/350685135
EVERY DAY, 9 am PDT / Noon EDT /11:00 am CDT/ 1:30 NDT
Dial in: 1 855 703 8985 Canada Toll-free, Meeting ID: 350 685 135
Weekly Worship Gathering https://zoom.us/j/592865212
TUESDAYS, 4 pm PDT / 7 pm EDT /6:00 p.m. CDT/ 8:30 pm NDT
Dial in: 1 855 703 8985 Canada Toll-free, Meeting ID: 592865212
This worship is taped and available on the UCC YouTube Channel.
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Racism during the pandemic:
A United Church member reflects
From the beginning of this pandemic, incidents of racism against Asian communities and individuals have marred our communal response to COVID. In this reflection on racism and COVID, Kim Uyede-Kai notes that “The curve of the escalation of the disease of racism is rising with the curve of the escalation of COVID-19. While there is presently no vaccine against either disease to stop the spread of both, COVID-19 will eventually be eradicated. Racism will continue to mutate unless we make collective efforts to stop the spread.” She concludes with practical suggestions that could help us identify and address racist comments and acts in our day to day conversations and relationships. |
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Draft Affirming statement for Prairie to Pine
Your Equity and Diversity Committee is currently working with the LGBTQIA+ and Two Spirit Affirming process for the Regional Council. This draft Vision Statement will eventually go to the Regional Council for approval. Please have a look here. For more information, please contact co-chairs Jamie Miller and Ken Delisle. For privacy reasons, please contact them through prairietopine@united-church.ca |
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A Trans Christian Faith Perspective
Some time in the fall, delegates to Regional Council gatherings/ annual meetings will be voting on Remit 1, which proposes renewed, gender inclusive wording Basis of Union wording about who can become a minister in our church. If you’d like to talk further about this important change, please contact Julie Graham, Justice and Communications staff, jgraham@united-church.ca
Watch this recorded 90-minute webinar where five trans and non-binary people share a little of their personal stories, and how their Christian faith has made a difference along the way. Hear about how they understand their gender identity, why language is important, and why the church has been an important part of their lives. Click HERE to access the recording as well as to find Resources for Going Deeper. |
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Pulpit Supply Lists
Those trained lay leaders (Licensed Lay Worship Leaders and Designated Lay Ministers who are collecting pension) who have requested inclusion on the pulpit supply list are on one list - Lay Worship Leaders. Those individuals who are Order of Ministry who are unassigned or collecting pension who have requested inclusion on the pulpit supply list, have their credentials up to date and whose formal association letters have been received are included on a separate list- Ministry Personnel.
Both Lists will be updated as more requests and documents are received. These list will also be included in an email to be sent to every Community of Faith in early December and will be posted on the website when it becomes available.
Ministry Personnel who want to be on the pulpit supply list should see the comments on the Pastoral Relations Ponderings on formal association and credential requirements. All those (Lay or Order of Ministry) who wish to be on the Pulpit Supply List should download, complete and return the following Licensed Lay Worship Leader form or the Ministry Personnel form.
The lists and forms are also available in the Prairie to Pine website. |
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Reply Requested:
Clusters & Interest and Support Groups or Networks
Requests and opportunities for participation in various events being held in specific areas throughout the Regional Council are being received at the office. It would be good to pass these on to groups in those geographic or interest areas. We are once again attempting to compile a list of clusters / support groups, interest groups or networks functioning within the Prairie to Pine Regional Council area. Please send information about the nature of your group and at least one contact person to either Cherry Abad ( cabad@united-church.ca) or Judy Hare ( jhare@united-church.ca). |
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Q&A about Covenants with the Regional Council
1. We submitted our Governance Document and our Covenant. Are we to expect a response to either the Covenant or the Governance Document?
Yes, you will get a response. Over 70 covenants have been received so far. They have all been reviewed by a group of volunteer readers experienced in congregational leadership. The Committee on Community of Faith Support is reviewing the reports received and are drafting letters that will likely go out in January. The Regional Council Executive has named a team of people to draft the Regional Council's portion of the covenant. Eventually this piece of work will be completed! It is taking much longer than we anticipated.
2. We haven't done our covenant yet, and can't seem to find the information that was sent out early in the year. Do we still need to do a covenant?
A ll communities of faith need to complete a covenant of mutual commitment, accountability and support with Prairie to Pine Region. If you need to have the information and sample material resent, please request it from Cherry Abad, ( cabad@united-church.ca) who provides support to the Committee on Community of Faith Support. |
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UCW Assessment and Bursary Donations
Please be advised that cheques for UCW assessment / membership fee should be made out to MNWO Conference UCW and mailed to Karen Corbett (UCW Regional Treasurer). Her address is 1017 Jessie Ave., Winnipeg MB R3M 1A2.
Prairie to Pine Regional Council Bursary donations should be made out to Prairie to Pine Regional Council and mailed to the Regional Office at 1622B St. Mary’s Road, Winnipeg, MB R2M 3W7. Please note UCW bursary on the memo line of the cheque.
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Our newsletter comes out every Thursday!
To make a submission of United Church related news to the Prairie to Pine Weekly Newsletter:
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Deadline:
Email:
Subject line:
Include:
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Tuesdays at 4:00 PM
PrairietoPine@united-church.ca
"Prairie to Pine Weekly News"
TITLE of your news piece
BLURB or WRITE-UP to be included
Files or posters to be included (if any)
Thank you!
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To see all of our previous issues, all in one tidy place, please click below:
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Prairie to Pine Regional Council
1622-B St. Mary's Rd
Winnipeg MB R2M 3S7
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PrairietoPine@united-church.ca
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Prairie to Pine Regional Council
STAFF
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Shannon McCarthy
Executive Minister for
Prairie to Pine Regional Council
Living Skies Regional Council
Northern Spirit Regional Council
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SMcCarthy@united-church.ca
204-421-8149
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Jamie Mckay
Program Assistant for
Prairie to Pine Regional Council
Living Skies Regional Council
Northern Spirit Regional Council
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JMckay@united-church.ca
204-594-8380
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Judy Hare
Pastoral Relations Minister
Prairie to Pine Regional Council
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JHare@united-church.ca
204-421-8151
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Twila MacNair
Minister of Young Adults And Youth
Prairie to Pine Regional Council
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TMacNair@united-church.ca
204-421-8148
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Cherry Abad
Administrative Support
Prairie to Pine Regional Council
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CAbad@united-church.ca
204-594-8381
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Heather Dootoff
Financial Administrator for
Prairie to Pine Regional Council
Living Skies Regional Council
Northern Spirit Regional Council
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HDootoff@united-church.ca
Phone:306-789-1622
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Julie Graham
Regional Minister: Justice & Communication for
Prairie to Pine Regional Council
Living Skies Regional Council
Northern Spirit Regional Council
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JGraham@united-church.ca
Phone: 306-244-2157
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Erin Acland
Keeper of the Archives
Prairie to Pine Regional Council
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ucarchives@uwinnipeg.ca
Phone: 204-783-0708
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