You still have time to apply for an Embracing the Spirit Innovation Grant of up to $5000!

What are your dreams for your community of faith? Reach out to us at embracingthespirit@united-church.ca; we will book a one-on-one conversation with you about your community of faith, your ideas, and help you get your grant application started.

The next application deadline is July 15! We look forward to hearing about your innovative ideas.

[Image credit: Geralt from Pixabay.com]

 

Korean Rainbow United is a network of The United Church of Canada for Korean queer people and allies. Members of the network work along with affirming Christian alliances in Korea, as well as with the “Rainbow Jesus” activist movement to end the discrimination and hate caused by homophobia/heterosexism. EDGE’s Zoë Chaytors recently spoke with Yoonjoo Shin, a member of Korean Rainbow United living in Tisdale, Saskatchewan.

Yoonjoo talks with Zoë about the work of Korean Rainbow United, which includes: 

• A yearly prayer vigil each April in remembrance of Yukoodang, a Korean gay poet and activist who committed suicide in 2003 at age 18. During the pandemic, Rainbow Korean United virtual contributions to the vigils have included recorded English translations of Yukoodang’s poetry, and a recording of a song that Yoonjoo Shin wrote using one of his poems, sung by their virtual choir.
• Translating The United Church of Canada’s LGBTQ inclusion materials and queer theological materials into Korean.
• Participating in regular online worship with Korean Rainbow United members in North American churches, and filming the services so that other members can view them. Videos are provided with subtitles available in Korean and English.

Yoonjoo identifies the videomaking as an especially important part of Korean Rainbow United’s ministry. She believes that their videos provide a Biblically based perspective on how queer people can be part of their communities of faith that young people will especially find accessible and relevant. Yoonjoo’s young daughter appears in one of the videos, pointing to what she hopes will be an ongoing trend of young people wanting to help create them.

“Representation matters,” she tells Zoë.

Yoonjoo also believes that allies have a vital role. "I think to stand up as an ally is as important as standing up as a queer person themselves. We all are part of this big community in this society…we need more allies.”

Yoonjoo’s smile through the interview tells us that while Korean Rainbow United is about solidarity and activism, it’s also about spreading the joy that comes from feeling that you’re in a space where you’re truly welcome and where your contributions are valued. May all of us experience that joy and strive to pass it on to others!

Watch Zoë Chaytors’ full EDGEy Conversation with Yoonjoo Shin and visit the Korean Rainbow United website to learn more.

[Image credit: Prawny on Pixabay.com]

 

From July 6 to August 3, Ontario non-profit organizations can apply to the Ontario Trillium Foundation for a Capital Grant to help address community needs by improving infrastructure.

Improving infrastructure could include:

• Improving access to community spaces, facilities, programs, activities. and services
• Facilitating community members’ full participation in community life of the community
• Build and improving community spaces
• Improving program/service efficacy and efficiency
• Finding ways to make better use of technology

Organizations can apply for $10,000 to $150,000 to fund projects for a one-year period. The flexible nature of the Capital grants lets organizations request funding for multiple capital improvements within one facility, or for the same capital improvements at multiple facilities.

Visit the Ontario Trillium Fund’s Capital Grant Website for more information on eligibility criteria, application information, and frequently asked questions.

[Photo credit: Open Clipart Vectors on Pixabay.com]

Graduates of EDGE’s Curiosity Cohort looking for another opportunity for discussion and learning are invited to a Curiosity Community of Practice event on Thursday, July 7, from 3:30 p.m. to  5:00 p.m. EDT. Join us for the first of our monthly curious community of practice events, where we will explore some deeper pieces of curiosity as a spiritual practice.

This month we’ll talk about curiosity and grief. How do we manage the grief–our own and others–that can be part of curiosity, growth, and change? 

Prerequisite: Completion of EDGE’s Curiosity Cohort. The next Curiosity Cohort will take place in September 2022.

Please register in advance for this event.

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the event. Please email Zoë at zchaytors@united-church.ca for more information.