1. Living Skies Regional Council News:
Pastoral Relations help
As you are likely aware, the new pastoral relations system requires a Regional Council Liaison to work with communities of faith who are exploring their future ministry needs. The role is primarily one of accompaniment and guidance, with lots of support in terms of written materials and collegiality. If this is something you feel called to offer, please contact Tracy Murton, Pastoral Relations Minister – tmurton@united-church.ca.
Plans, plans, plans
In June, staff offered to review building re-opening plans to add a second set of eyes to the process. The offer remains open as communities of faith continue to assess risk and discern the most appropriate strategy for their context. We have also received a request for copies of rental agreements for daycares. We would be happy to put any of the plans we receive on the website so that others might learn from them. Please send them along to tmurton@united-church.ca. If you are looking for resources in developing your plans, you can check the resources on the website here. If you are sending in your plan, please be sure to add the date to your document so folks know how recent it is.
In addition to the written resources, Diane Strickland has developed a two-part series to aid in the conversation about building re-opening. These are excellent videos that could be viewed by a small group involved in the decision-making. Making Faithful Decisions on Re-entry – Part 1, Part 2.
Ministry & Personnel Committee 101
If you have a new ministry and personnel committee, or would just like a refresher of the roles and responsibilities for this most important task, please feel free to join Tracy Murton, Pastoral Relations Minister, for one of the following Zoom workshops: Wednesday, September 23, 7:00-8:30pm, OR Saturday, September 26, 10:00-11:30pm. Email Bev Diebert to register bdiebert@united-church.ca. After registration, you will receive the Zoom link and the background materials.
Ministry Personnel gathering
The fall is beginning quickly and with it the need for support. Join your colleagues in ministry on Tuesday, September 1, 1:00pm for this optional conversation to share your self-care practices from the summer, your hopes for the fall, and provide a chance to connect. Zoom Meeting: https://united-church.zoom.us/j/94637623120 * Please use local numbers when feasible to save costs for the church. * 1-647-374-4685; Toll-free 1- 855-703-8985; Meeting ID: 946 3762 3120
Community of Faith conversation
As questions about buildings and finances continue to emerge, Regional Council Staff want to invite you to a Zoom Q&A, Wednesday, September 9, 6:30pm. https://united-church.zoom.us/j/93569054266 * Please use local numbers when feasible to save costs for the church. * 1-647-374-4685; Toll-free 1- 855-703-8985; Meeting ID: 935 6905 4266. If you have specific questions, please feel free to send them ahead of time so that we might prepare the answer! tmurton@united-church.ca
Insurance and money – fun COVID times
The national office has created a list of Frequently Asked Questions related to COVID and insurance issues. You can find the list here. There was also a webinar a few weeks ago with some helpful information regarding the need for Communities of Faith to have a registered charity number and deadlines for some of the funding resources. You can watch the recording of the webinar or view the slides at United-in-Learning. There is also a list of helpful email addresses for folks who could answer your broader questions: Congregational Finances During the Pandemic.
Reminder: funds available for your anti-racism learning
Your Regional Council is offering the beginnings of a recommended reading and viewing self-education resource list. The Regional Council is offering up to $30 for resources of your choice, whether from this list or beyond. Please see the link above for details. Consider taking the time to reflect on a book or movie that points us towards and challenges us to live into the commitment to being anti-racist churches, whether individually or in a group. If you are interested in organizing a group discussion, the Regional Council will help you promote and try to make its Zoom account available.
Pastoral Charge Information
Admin Support Staff, Bev Diebert is still working to contact all the Communities of Faith to update the Regional Council’s contact information. Church mail, Email and phone numbers will be confirmed for the directory, as well as Regional Council lay delegates. Permission will be requested / confirmed from them to include contact information in the password-protected directory.
Names of LLWLs and Sacrament Elders, as well as emails for Board Chair, Treasurer and M&P Committee chairs connected to each Pastoral Charge will also be sought. This information will be collected for the purpose of updating our records, but will not be included in the directory. If you have any questions, please contact Bev Diebert (bdiebert@united-church.ca ), Tracy Murton (tmurton@united-church.ca ) or Julie Graham (jgraham@united-church.ca )
2. Wider Church Information:
National Time Sensitive Webinars - August 12
If you missed the August 12 update from our Chief Financial Officer Erik Mathiesen, you can find it recorded on the United in Learning website – https://www.united-in-learning.com/ under Webinars> Recordings> COVID-19. This webinar reviewed the details of the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy program as it applies to churches, and walked through the steps churches need to follow to apply for it.
United in Learning will continue to offer its regular programming as well. Click here for info.
National opportunities to serve the church
The national church has several important openings for lay and order of ministry people in our Regional Council. Please see the link below for a summary and please share! Opportunities include: Healing Programs Working Group (1‒3 vacancies); Justice and Reconciliation Fund Committee (2 vacancies); More details are here.
Mission and Service Appeal for Beirut
Help Mission & Service partners respond to the tragic explosion in Beirut. The United Church is grateful to all those who continue to support emergency response efforts for the people affected by the Beirut explosions. Please continue to give as the rebuilding efforts are ongoing and the needs are great. Please click here for more information.
Admission Courses for The United Theological College (Montreal)
Registration is now open for UTC’s 2020/2021 UCC Admission courses. Course schedules and registration information are posted on the following website: https://utc.ca/courses-for-the-admission-to-the-order-of-ministry-for-the-united-church-of-canada/. Anyone interested in registering for these courses should contact Caroline Leamon, Administrative Coordinator, directly by email at admin@utc.ca.
UTC to Sell Building in Bold Action to Advance its Mission
Following a period of uncertainty, discernment, and careful deliberation, the Board of Governors of the United Theological College at their August 13 meeting decided, with regret, to sell UTC’s building at McGill University. For more information about this announcement, please see the announcement on their website: https://utc.ca/utc-to-sell-building-in-bold-action-to-advance-its-mission/
A PAR You Tube video - Here is a cute youtube video done by Rev Jim Tenford and his partner Jennifer about PAR. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2M6lou1zlQ&feature=youtu.be
Research Project
Cynthia O'Connell, an MDiv student at the Atlantic School of Theology is looking for participants for her research project. If you identify as Queer and Christian and describe your sexual orientation, identity, and/or gender identity as a choice, then she invites you to consider participating in her study. Participants will be interviewed individually for approximately 30minutes. Participation is completely voluntary and confidential. For more info or to participate, please contact: Cynthia.lee.oconnell@gmail.com or call 647-270-3649.
3. Upcoming Learning Opportunities - this week, summer and fall:
Zimbabwe Online Conference – September 3, 2020 at 8:00am EST
Church in Partnership Zimbabwe Conference presents ‘Mending the World”. Speakers: Maria Tendai Dendere, Director Humanitarian and Development Services ZCC, Rev. Dr. Kenneth Mtata, General Secretary ZCC, Rev. Dr. Levee Kadenge, Director ITRT, Rev. Marco Cable, Africa Executive Global Ministries, and Rev. Ephraim Ngadziore, President UCCZ. Host and moderator: Rev. Dr. Japhet Ndhlovu; Co-host: Josefina Forcadilla; Technical support: Joshua Fernandes
Join Zoom Meeting at https://united-church.zoom.us/j/91823245599?pwd=REFMeUJpeUhHUVBCYXVKaHBoVGtsZz09 Meeting ID: 918 2324 5599 Password: 833491
One tap mobile: +15873281099,,91823245599# Canada or +16473744685,,91823245599# Canada
New Wine: Western Intercultural Gathering online this fall with Eric Law and Tony Snow
Fridays, September 25th, October 2nd & 9th, 2020.
Join us for a cross-Canada gathering of people living out the United Church’s intercultural vision. Rev. Dr. Eric Law and Tony Snow will be our lead resource people.
Cost: FREE. (Thank you for your support through Mission and Service!) These will be three-hour sessions, with presentations, reflection, song, and small group discussion. Tools for engaging with your ministry between sessions will be offered, and so will afternoon/ evening informal conversation groups.
Full information: https://bit.ly/2CqFRjt Sessions are free but registration is still required; please click here to register.
If you would like more information, please contact the Western Intercultural Ministry Network Executive through staff support Julie Graham, jgraham@united-church.ca
Expressing Wonder Conference -
You are invited to participate in the fall on-line conference, Seeing the World with Eyes Wide Open. October 2-4, 2020. Sponsored by Southminster-Steinhauer United Church – Spiritual Seekers United in Community, Edmonton and Saskatoon.
Cost is $75 per viewing device. For all the information, the conference schedule and registration form, follow the link https://ssucedmonton.com/expressing-wonder-2020
Theme Presenters: Ali Akbar, CEO for the Saskatoon Open Door Society. A refugee and immigrant himself, he is passionate about social justice and overcoming social inequity. Ernie Louttit, a member of the Saskatoon Police, is a Missanabie Cree. Award winning author, he blows the lid off of taboo topics around policing and racism. Mitch Babin will share his art. On hand will be Nancy Steeves and Christopher New as well as Gretta Vosper and Scott Kearns with their spiritual message and music leadership.
4. Reminders:
Put your community event on our website
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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