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Prairie to Pine
Weekly News

The United Church of Canada
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.
October 7, 2020

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.

  • Sympathies and prayers are extended to the family of Kenneth Thomas ”Tom” Haggerty who died on September 30, 2020 at the age of 87. Tom was a missionary in Nepal. Upon his return to Canada he ministered in pastoral charges in Manitoba and Saskatchewan before retiring to Kelowna. A private family service will be held in Brandon, MB in the summer of 2021.The obituary can be found at: https://www.dignitymemorial.com/en-ca/obituaries/calgary-ab/kenneth-haggerty-9378313
  • Our thoughts and prayers are with the Prairie to Pine Regional Council as it holds the second session of the second Annual Meeting tonight, October 07, 2020. We hold in our prayers those who will be celebrated during the closing worship, Samuel Ross who is ready for recognition as a Designated Lay Minister, Elenor Thompson who is ready for ordination into the Order of Ministry of the United Church of Canada, the retirees (Brenda Gibson, Chuck Ross, Gordon Taylor, Ken Thomas, Cathie Waldie and Janet Walker) and all who were connected with the Regional Council or its former Conference and presbyteries whom we will remember in the In Memoriam.

Reminders: Delegates/Participants  updated

 
Information package for the 2nd night has been emailed to those who registered on Monday, October 5th. If you haven't received yours, please email Cherry Abad at cabad@united-church.ca 

Please log-in by 6:30 p.m. for the tech start/prep.

Worship and other meeting resources are now available at the Regional Council website. If you're able to download before the meeting, please do so, especially for delegates/participants joining by phone. Summary and video recording of the September 30th meeting are also available.

Final reminder: New
Background on Remit 1 and voting on it


Remit 1 proposes a simple but very important gender-inclusive change to the language describing who is eligible to be a minister. Please find here a short resource to help voting delegates and the wider church understand how the Remit works; what the proposed change is; why it makes a difference; and further resources. Please note that the wording of the Remit cannot be edited or changed in any way. Prairie to Pine Regional Council delegates will vote on the Remit on October 7.

Mission and Service  New


Please check out the new Mission and Service presentation from Jane Harding, Stewardship & Gifts Officer, serving Pacific Mountain, Chinook Winds, Northern Spirit, Prairie to Pine and Living Skies Regions.

2020 Regional Meeting Workbook Vol. 1 &
Pastoral Relations Commission Report 


The 2020 Regional Meeting Workbook and the Pastoral Relations Commission Report are now available. Please visit the Regional Council website for more information.

Vision Statement- Equity and Diversity Committee


On September 30, 2020, delegates met to discuss the  AFFIRMING MINISTRY VISION STATEMENT, which must pass by 75% in order for the Prairie to Pine Region to remain an Affirming Ministry. Thank you to those who submitted their feedback on the proposal to the Equity and Diversity Committee. The vote will be on the second night we gather (October 7th).
The Capital Region of the province of Manitoba (Winnipeg and several communities in the surrounding area moved back to the ORANGE stage effective Monday September 28, 2020 for at least four weeks or two incubation cycles. There have been questions sent to staff about how the Regional Council interprets the protocols for churches. As the Executive Minister has stated on several occasions, the responsibility and privilege to interpret the implications of the Public Health Orders for local Communities of Faith rests with the governing body of the Community of Faith. Communities of Faith who have questions should direct them to the Health Authority through www.engagemb.ca
 
Continue reading

Covenanting Celebration  New


Neepawa United-Anglican Shared Ministry Covenanting / Induction Service celebrating the pastoral relations Covenant between the Community of Faith, The Rev. Chad McCharles, Prairie to Pine Regional Council U.C.C. and Brandon Diocese Anglican Church will take place on Sunday, October 18, 2020  3:00 p.m.
 
Live on Facebook [Neepawa United-Anglican Shared Ministry]
 
In-person – limited capacity at 475 Mountain Ave. (United Church Building)
COVID restrictions: [Feeling well, wearing mask, hand sanitizer]
Reservations required (204) 476-5881  before 3:00 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16.
 
Service will be recorded & posted later on YouTube - Neepawa United Anglican Shared Ministry, on Bell Express Vu 592, MTS Channel 30, Cable 12 as well as online at www.nactv.tv.

Note: ALF Abridged is changing format once again!!
 

Due to many of our leaders for all in-person locations of ALF Abridged living in the Code Orange area, the planning team has deemed it necessary to change the format to a shorter Online event for all participants.  The website will be updated as soon as possible to reflect the changes you see below.
 
Online ALF …a new format for a new time!
 
2 hours (Oct. 24th from 2pm to 4pm)
 
A chance to connect with new and old friends through small group check-ins, some spiritual practices that we will try out together, and lots of games! 
 
Even though we don’t have to plan any food, we still need people to register ahead so we can plan to have enough facilitators for small groups, and so we can make sure you get the Zoom link to join the event. 
 
For more retreat info (that will be updated as soon as office staff has time) and registration (being updated as I write):
 
Click here and scroll down to the Retreats section

Ministry Personnel Support Gathering


The next gathering for Ministry Personnel for mutual support and conversation will be held on  October 6, 2020 at 3:00 p.m. CT. Subsequent gatherings are scheduled for October 20 and November 3 and 17th, 2020. Here is the Zoom link information or you can check the Prairie to Pine Regional Events Calendar.

The next gathering for lay leaders from all Communities of Faith or lay Pastoral Charge Supervisors will be held on October 27 at 7:00 p.m. The focus will be on discussion of Advent and Christmas planning and any emergent matters related to COVID 19 protocols.
 

The October 2020 Prayer Cycle   New
for the UN International Decade for
People of African Descent is available!


One of the ways the church is engaging with the Decade is by doing targeted work towards combatting racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related intolerances faced by people of African descent. We know that prayer has the power to transform and amplify our actions. We invite people to pray during this midway point in the Decade for the human rights and fundamental freedoms of people of African descent. A daily schedule of intercessions is here. These daily prayers are one way of engaging with the UN International Decade for People of African Descent. The prayers are related to anti-Black racism and the realities of Black peoples in Canada and around the world.

Music for Life  New

Music for Life is a Winnipeg-based volunteer project organized to support music programs for children and youth in Indigenous communities and inner-city neighbourhoods in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and northwest Ontario. For more information, please see attached poster.

Job Posting - Community Artist  New


In conjunction with Community Works Manitoba, Inc., Music for Life has a short term youth employment opportunity. Please see the job posting.

New Episode of Open Out  New


The new episode of Open Out is now out! Our second season begins by looking at the 'edge effect' - a burst of creativity experienced by many communities who are actively welcoming folk who are somehow different, in the process of intentionally opening themselves to diversity.

The 'Edge Effect' refers to the fertile zone created when two or more ecosystems meet -  unique natural environments where new life forms can develop and old forms morph. We look at the edge effect in music - the vibrancy created when different musical forms intersect. Then we explore whether diverse faith communities have experienced something similar - in conversations with two United Church ministers serving in intercultural churches: Lesley Harrison of Knox Winnipeg, and Nobuko Iwai of Grosvenor Park Saskatoon.
 
You can download it from Itunes or [likely] any podcast service you prefer. Or you can access it directly from the host: https://www.buzzsprout.com/917410/5645458-commencing-1-the-edge-effect
 
Open Out podcasts grew out of research sponsored by the United Church Foundation through its McGeachy Scholarship. The website is openout.ca. There is also an Open Out Facebook page. The podcasts are hosted by Bill Millar.

Interfaith Responses to Racism  New


You are invited to the Interfaith Responses to Racism online sessions that will run from October 19- November 23, 2020. Registration is limited. Email by October 15th.To register, please email krboschmann@gmail.com  with “registration” in subject line. Please click here for more information.

Greenshield Announcement  New


This past week a notice went out from Greenshield, the Benefits provider for the United Church of Canada to all members informing them of new requirements related to its Online Services. It requires members to log into their account and to share banking information. A few calls were received at the Prairie to Pine Regional Council Office inquiring about its legitimacy. Having connect with General Council the office, the Pastoral Relations Convener wants to assure the constituency that it is a legitimate invitation.

If you do have questions about the legitimacy of any notice that you receive requesting personal or banking information it is good to check it out with the Regional Council Office, General Council Office or the actual agency before opening the email. 

Reminder: be careful with photo copyright!   New
Here are some tips

Photos are vital to our websites, social media, worship PowerPoints and much more. They add a lot to our online ministry and in-person PowerPoints. And they’re sometimes a little too easy to take and share. So please beware, and follow good copyright practices.

Even photos shared on Regional Council or national church websites and social media may not be copyright-free, or may have paid and negotiated sharing permission that isn’t obvious. This includes photos that may appear in national newsletters and related web articles. With many of our worship services now streaming on YouTube and Facebook Live, we also need to be extra careful with photos that appear in our PowerPoints. Click here for some further information, resources, and ideas for copyright-free or fair use photos.

Prairie to Pine Covenant  New


The Regional Council Executive approved the Prairie to Pine Covenant. A copy of the document can be viewed here.

Embracing the Spirit grant  updated
deadline coming up Oct 15  


The next Innovation & Growth Grant application deadline is coming up on October 15, which means that all of your pondering about what’s next could actually be a grant application to explore what that might mean...

Thinking about a brand new idea but not sure if it's a good enough, or something worth pursuing? That’s exactly what Innovation Grants are for! You'll get between $500 and $5,000 to explore a new idea; it could be a garden, a program, something online, a new partnership, an idea that came from a community partner, or something that you have been thinking about for a while, but never found a good time to start. Learn more.

HELP REQUESTED:
Sharing resources for re-engaging during COVID 19


During recent ZOOM meetings with leaders from Communities of Faith (September 15,2020) and Ministry Personnel (September 22,2020) requests were made from some for samples of protocols developed by Communities of Faith for worship in building, celebration of baptism in person, celebration of communion in person, celebration of virtual communion on World wide Communion Sunday and plans for Sunday School or ministry with children and youth (both in person and virtual). If you are willing to share any of your resources please send them along to Cherry Abad and indicate whether you are willing to have a link posted on the Weekly News or prefer that they be available to others only upon request from Regional Council staff.

A reminder that there are links to resources of various types on both the Prairie to Pine Regional Council website and the General Council website. Another website with resources for ministry with children and families is Messy Church at Home: https://messychurch.org.uk/resources/messy-church-home-ideas

HELP  OFFERED: updated
Resources for re-engaging during COVID 19       

The United Church of Meadowood are offering their Pandemic Policy and Plan  as a sample for those who are in the process of developing one and could benefit from a sample. It has approved by their local governing body and been implemented. https://ucim.org/ucim-covid-19-safety-protocols/

For further information please contact :Sandy Katyrynuik Office Administrator at UCiM: 204-256-7002
 
----------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Westworth United Church, Winnipeg is also sharing their Reopening Plan. For the month of October, the church has returned to online worship and beginning its Online Sunday School.

Centre for Christian Studies - CCS Fridays

Join the Centre for Christian Studies for CCS Fridays—online conversations to help us all to respond faithfully to emerging issues in local contexts. 
These workshops are open to anyone who might be interested. Each session will be on a Friday from 12:00 to 1:00 CT and in the form of a Zoom workshop.  There will be a presentation that will be recorded for future viewing, plus opportunities to engage with the ideas in small groups.
Read more

Job Posting

 

Prairie Spirit United Church is seeking a Church Office Administrator who will perform a range of administrative, communication, bookkeeping and clerical skills. The Office Administrator works in a team environment with the Minister, Communications & Administration Manager/ Community & Youth Outreach Worker, Music Director and Treasurer in carrying out responsibilities of the congregation. Job description is available here or you can visit Prairie Spirit United Church's website.

Conversations that matter:

Coming Out in Faith


Religion at large has imposed artificial binaries that have fractured our sense of belonging, especially for LGBTQ2S+ people. What’s the difference between ‘fitting in’ and truly ‘belonging’? Roles of privilege and fitting into societal ‘norms’ can disconnect us from the lived experiences of folks who embody difference. In this fun and interactive session, LGBTQ2S+ activist and performer Pam Rocker will share her coming out journey and how transformed spiritual perspectives can have a vital and life giving role to play for all of us. Questions are welcome and we invite you to bring your curiosity with you.

Click here for more information and how to register.

United-In-Learning Training Schedule


United-in-Learning has posted its fall schedule for webinars, including the upcoming offerings of mandatory trainings:

Boundaries Workshops: https://united-in-learning.com/index.php/boundaries-workshops

Introductory (October 24 ,2020 or January 29,2021)

Refreshers: Social Media ( October 15, 2020 or January 22,2021) ; Finaces & Gifts( October 30, 2020 or February 03,2021) Retiring with Grace ( November 12, 2020 or January 12,2021)

Racial Justice Training : https://united-in-learning.com/index.php/rj-workshop

For White people: September 26,2020 or November 21, 2020

For Indigenous , Racialized or Bi-racial people: November 14,2020

Register online .

Livestreaming Everything?!
Resources available


Recently the United Church’s Edge network hosted a meeting on the sometimes difficult task of live streaming worship. Here’s a 50 minute video of that meeting; a summary of resources for live streaming best practices is here- you can download and share.

Archives Schedule

While the Archives will continue to be closed to the public throughout the remainder of 2020, staff will be onsite in a limited capacity to facilitate research requests through the consultation of records and the digitization of materials.

Up to an hour of research time will be devoted to each request. Archival material stored off-site, will only be accessed in extraordinary circumstances. There is a backlog of reference requests and very limited on-site time, so do expect a longer than usual response time.

CDI Loan and Grant Application


CDI (Church Development Incorporated) provides grants and loans for United Church congregations and United Church accountable entities within the boundaries of the former Winnipeg Presbytery. Please go to the Prairie to Pine website for more information and how to apply. 

Please email the completed application form and required documentation to CDI at: dsexsmith@shaw.ca
 
Application for Grants: March 31 & October 15
Application Deadlines for Loans: Accepted at any time

ONLINE EVENT: Pathways to Awareness and Understanding – actions toward right relations


This online conference and webinar series presented by St. Paul’s (Bowmanville, ON) Circle of Indigenous Friends and Advocates is open to anyone who would like to participate. The Conference takes place September 25 & 26 There are additional webinars September 23, September 30, October 7, October 14, October 21 and October 28. Please see the posters for additional information. All welcome!

Shared Recording Music (hymns/anthems/slideshows)


Many congregations have been recording music (hymns/anthems/slideshows) for use in on line worship.  Sharing our work is an effective way to be good stewards of our time and talents.  A small number of congregations have been sharing files through Drop Box and are now inviting others to do the same. (there is no cost to upload or download from drop box). There is no obligation to contribute material, but if you have music which can legally be shared (copyright is to be respected) that would be great. We are working on a simple spreadsheet which will serve as an index to the materials available.
Contact Don Schau (dfschau@mts.net) for more information. 

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!

Our newsletter comes out every Wednesday!

To make a submission of United Church related news to the Prairie to Pine Weekly Newsletter:
Deadline:

Email:
Subject line:

Include:



 
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!

To see all of our previous issues, all in one tidy place, please click below:


Address
Prairie to Pine Regional Council
1622-B St. Mary's Rd
Winnipeg MB R2M 3S7
Local Phone
204-233-8911
Toll Free
1-866-860-9662
General Inquiries
PrairietoPine@united-church.ca

Prairie to Pine Regional Council
STAFF

Shannon McCarthy

Executive Minister for
Prairie to Pine Regional Council
Living Skies Regional Council
Northern Spirit Regional Council


SMcCarthy@united-church.ca
204-421-8149

Jamie Mckay

Program Assistant for
Prairie to Pine Regional Council
Living Skies Regional Council
Northern Spirit Regional Council


JMckay@united-church.ca
204-594-8380

Judy Hare

Pastoral Relations Minister
Prairie to Pine Regional Council


JHare@united-church.ca
204-421-8151

Twila MacNair

Minister of Young Adults And Youth
Prairie to Pine Regional Council


TMacNair@united-church.ca
204-421-8148

Cherry Abad

Administrative Support
Prairie to Pine Regional Council


CAbad@united-church.ca
204-594-8381

Off-site Staff

Heather Dootoff

Financial Administrator for
Prairie to Pine Regional Council
Living Skies Regional Council
Northern Spirit Regional Council


HDootoff@united-church.ca
Phone:306-789-1622
 

Julie Graham

Regional Minister: Justice & Communication for
Prairie to Pine Regional Council
Living Skies Regional Council
Northern Spirit Regional Council


JGraham@united-church.ca
Phone: 306-244-2157
 

Erin Acland

Keeper of the Archives
Prairie to Pine Regional Council


ucarchives@uwinnipeg.ca
Phone: 204-783-0708
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