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Churches Thinking Like Hubs
Wellington United Church in Prince Edward County has been thinking like a hub and how to respond to the neighbourhood’s needs for some time now.
The church runs a health unit inspected commercial kitchen that has launched many a food-related community entrepreneur. Their launching capacity continues as they run a food only farmer’s market, from which local restaurants and cafes have grown.
But through connection with the community change-makers at Wellington United they have observed a need for a shift. Local senior adults are looking to stay in the community but downsize their homes, but have few options. There is a need to change gears, but how? And what to do in this time of transition?
Watch the story straight from Rev. Steven Spicer.
If you are a church thinking like a hub, please join us! Our next gathering is July 25 on Zoom. To register, send an email to Colleen with the name of your community of faith, a success in your community hub, and a challenge in your community hub.
[Photo by Anne Preble on Unsplash]
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'What is the Church Called to Be Today?'
Join EDGE and United Church General Secretary Nora Sanders for a digital kitchen table conversation over a Zoom Call at 1pm (EDT) on Monday 15 July!
Given the drastic demographic shift in our church over the past several decades and the recent structural changes, the topic will be 'What is the Church called to be Today?'
This is a listening session for EDGE and Nora to hear firsthand from you.
Join the Zoom meeting!
[Photo by Danielle MacInnes on Unsplash]
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Skylight Festival: July 26-28
Nurturing a narrative of hope, joy, and transformation.
As ancient people looked to the heavens and celebrated creation, we gather around the skylight to dream about what is possible. No matter your background, you are welcome here, at the Skylight Festival.
Founded in 2015 by people passionate about the arts, faith, and justice, Skylight is a celebratory and creative space where diverse communities connect to explore arts, faith, peace and justice.
Register and learn more.
[Photo courtesy of Skylight Festival]
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Re-energised, Re-invigorated: The Impact of Storytelling-Time
By Reverend Blessing Shambare, Pastor/Rector of St Peter’s Ecumenical Church in Slave Lake, Alberta. (Shared Ministry: Anglican Church of Canada, The United Church of Canada, Evangelical Lutheran Church of Canada and others)
"In the Africa-Zimbabwean Shona context, storytelling is a tool used for building and shaping individuals as much as strengthening community stability. Story telling has much value and relevance; it is a unique mode of reaching out and relating; it is participatory in style and structure; and it gives the story the real taste and flavour. To the audience who are participants, storytelling is encouraging, and re-energising.
In Africa, stories are told around the fire and at night. After the hard work in the fields and/or tending the animals (cows, goats, or sheep), people are exhausted and overwhelmed, all they want to do is relax. Storytelling rejuvenates the people, for they captivate and encourage a tired mind and body. While the stories are educational and designed to transmit knowledge, they give unabated entertainment. Stories told express lived experiences meant to motivate and encourage innovative role modelling. The society is kept functional through shared stories of hope and conquering.
I joined Edge Storytelling under the flag of Embracing the Spirit on an invitation. I thought this would be only a once-off participation. However, I keep being drawn into the different topics and stories every week. I have been encouraged and motivated. The stories are real and touch deeply on everyday living. I concluded that, while the church is faced with some challenges, it is alive and real in the communities it is located. This side of the church is not publicised much other than the side of dwindling congregations, financial struggles, closing churches, and sold church building among other negative headlines. This has been the case with the church in time immemorial, we hear more of the persecutions, the errors of commission in history or missed mission opportunity by the church and hear less of the praying house churches, intercession night vigils, helping hand missions and listening clubs in churches. If these were the focus of publications, indeed the church would benefit and expand in ministry.
The Edge Storytelling time has strongly impacted my perspective of where I am located and the demographics thereof. Soon after the conversation I feel different in my attitude and mood. I have a greater understanding of relevancy of continual mission stimulation. The conversations shed more light on direction of purpose, much like a campus or map to anyone. One feels more confident, back on track and redirected. The power of storytelling is replayed in me, I feel like I am back at the fire pit conversations I experienced growing up. Listening to others tell their stories, you cannot help but get captivated by enthusiasm, joy, and passion. It’s an enhancing experience which leaves one feeling in sync with everyone.
The church is located in the community not for extinction but for transformation; not for exit but for permanence. How can this be possible when the society has become anti-church and more self-seeking than God-seeking? While this is the context the church finds itself in, there are more mission possibilities than before. Through the living God and with the Holy Spirit the church will be guided into life-transforming partnerships which keep the societies alive in God. Excellent thoughts shared at the storytelling reinforce the idea of transforming society, not pew filling.
Exhausted and overwhelmed can also be equated to ministry in the “post-church society”, where more young families find no relevance in committed spirituality of attending church worship. “Post-church society” is where church has no place in people’s lives save for funerals or other non-worship events. Exhausted and overwhelmed can also be more detailed when serving in a rural parish, where one feels lonely yet with many smiles in the streets. For many, the reverend or pastor is known by almost everyone in town, yet very few will bother to attend worship when it is advertised. The pastor, in most cases, feels overwhelmed and exhausted. There is need for sitting down and listening to other people’s stories. The model of storytelling is different from reading it for yourself, in that it produces the practicality and possibility of doing things differently regardless of the constraints."
The next storytelling time will explore the question, 'What is the Church called to be Today?' with EDGE and UCC General Secretary Nora Sanders over a Zoom call at 1pm (EDT) on Monday July 15. Join the Zoom meeting.
[Photo by Reuben Juarez on Unsplash]
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