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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.
December 2, 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.

  • Our thoughts and prayers are with those participating in a conversation sponsored by the Canadian Council of Churches, the Canadian Interfaith Conversation and the Canadian Multifaith Federation with the Rt. Honourable Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada on The Contribution of Faith Communities in a Pandemic on Thursday, December 3, 2020 Noon- 1:00 p.m. CT. Our prayers are with all those who are serving the public as elected officials attempting to make decisions for the well-being of all during these pandemic times.
 
  • Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with all impacted by COVID 19.
 
(You are encouraged to find ways to demonstrate care for one another especially front line workers, teachers and those in health care services, public service workers, politicians, those living alone and the vulnerable among us.) 
Please see recent information on the Prairie to Pine website under COVID 19:
COVID-19 | Prairie to Pine Regional Council (prairietopinerc.ca)

Continue to check the Public Health Orders which change frequently for details at:
https://www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/restartmb/prs/orders/index.html

A letter dated November 30, 2020 as received from Dr. Brent Roussin, Manitoba Chief Provincial Public Health Officer urging those in roles as community leaders to continue to help address the very serious situation through compliance to public health orders currently in place. The letter was provided in several languages and the English version is provided here.

If you have questions about how the current public health orders in Manitoba address a specific local circumstance, please seek clarification through the government contact for faith-based communities: Marsha Street at Marsha.Street@gov.mb.ca          

It will help you get a timely response if you place the following in the subject line: Time sensitive question from faith-based community. Several Communities of Faith have received responses to questions already.

Manitoba Bridge Grant updates


Further clarification on the Manitoba Bridge Grants received this week include  the following comments in an email on November 27, 2020 which indicated: Church organizations are able to complete the online application by entering their charity number in the Charity Number Field rather than using the Business Number field.

Responses to a number of inquiries can be found in the Common questions and answers section on the website including some activities that are permitted while a site is “closed”.

Deadline for applications is currently posted as December 15, 2020.

Communication


The Prairie to Pine Weekly News is our primary means of dispensing information during these times. For those who are not currently receiving, to get registered to receive the Weekly News please email Cherry Abad with your request (cabad@united-church.ca)
 
Some information is also available through the Prairie to Pine Regional Council website:  www.prairietopinerc.ca

Community of Faith Events Calendar


Reminder: our Community of Faith events calendar is open 24/7 for online events! As long as the public is invited, you can post it. From workshops to worship, go for it. Here’s the handy form:
https://prairietopinerc.ca/community-events-form/

Congregational Annual Meetings 

 Change in requirement


On November 26, 2020, the Sub-Executive of General Council approved changes to the Manual (2019), effective immediately including suspending the requirement for an Annual Congregational Meeting. These remain in place until 30 June 2021, subject to earlier cancellation or further extension by decision of the Executive or Sub-Executive of the General Council. For details please see the Prairie to Pine website
https://prairietopinerc.ca/important-notice-congregational-annual-meetings-in-2021/

Advent 2020  New

During the season of Advent many Communities of Faith have special traditions or services that are held. This year will be a different Advent for many. There are resources available on the General Council website for Advent and Christmas Season through:
https://www.united-church.ca/leadership/worship-resources

A group of churches in south Winnipeg (United Church in Meadowood, Spirit Path, Fort Garry United Church, Churchill Park United Church, St. Mary’s Road United Church  and Trinity United Church ) are producing a  series of online daily devotional that you can access through:
https://ucim.org/enceinte-advent-devotions/

Thanks to them for sharing this resource with the Regional Council.
IN the clergy ZOOM gathering this week some participants made reference to some resources they are using during this Advent season, among them the following:  
  • “Imagining a New World “Written by Terri Hord Owens, the leader of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Imagining a New World offers an inspiring pause during the day to reflect more prayerfully on what the season of Advent inspires in you and your community. Book available as an ebook.
As noted on the Prairie to Pine website, the Moderator of the United Church of Canada, the Rt. Reverend Richard Bott is offering a Blue Christmas Service on December 09, 2020.

There are a number of communities of faith throughout the Regional Council who are also offering Blue Christmas services. If your Community of Faith is doing so and you are open to having other share the experience please send the details along to Cherry Abad (Cabad@united-church.ca) so that we can put them in the Weekly News and/or on the website.

United Church support for petition:  New
upholding human rights in the Philippines


The United Church of Canada and the United Church of Christ in the Philippines have a long and rich history of partnership, shared ministry, and justice advocacy. Filipino communities and organizations in our church and across Canada have long been involved in human rights advocacy, and now the International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines is asking for the United Church’s support.

Rev Noël Suministrado serves in Prairie to Pine under a Mutual Recognition of Ministry Personnel of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP) and invites the people of Prairie to Pine to learn about and share a petition calling on Canada to do its part in supporting basic human rights in the Philippines, where the Canadian mining sector continues to have a strong presence and often meets with local opposition that sparks a violent response. Please click here to see background, and click here to sign this Parliamentary petition. The deadline is 31 December 2020.

Regional Ash Wednesday Event  New


You are invited to a Regional Ash Wednesday event on February 17, 2021.

The Committee on Community of Faith Support is beginning to plan for a virtual Ash Wednesday event that will combine worship, ritual, and celebration of recently approved covenants of mutual commitment, accountability and support between Prairie to Pine Regional Council and another 15? 20? 25? Communities of Faith.  This online event might even include some time for fellowship – checking in and touching base.

We invite your participation in planning, preparing, and leading this Ash Wednesday event, as well as your virtual attendance. We need music leaders, liturgy writers and leaders, people who might  present scripture in creative and enlivening ways, people with technical skills to help make possibilities a reality, people who create meaningful rituals, speakers (preachers) who inspire and challenges . . . Might you be one of those people? Do you know someone we should ask?

If anything in the above has sparked a bit of interest or an idea, even just some curiosity, we’d like to hear from you soon.  Just drop us note, even if all it is says is “Maybe I would,” and we will be in touch with you. Please put ash in the subject line of an email to Heather Lea (hthrlea@gmail.com) or Pat Bird (its.patricia.hjlp@gmail.com). Our committee will meet on January 4th to begin the next steps towards this Regional Ash Wednesday event. But don’t delay your reply until then!!

New phone numbers and extensions
for some staff


Executive Minister Shannon McCarthy, Program Assistant Jamie McKay and Young Adults and Youth Minister Twila MacNair have new phone numbers: 
Jamie: 1-800-268-3781 ext 2040  
Shannon: 1-800-268-3781 ext 2028
Twila: 204-781-8124

Archives Holiday Schedule

 
Please be advised that the Archives will be closed from Dec 9 to Jan 4th.

Ministry Personnel Support Gathering


The Committee on Ministry Personnel Support of the Prairie to Pine Regional Council recently sent out an email about a program offering the listening ear of some experienced retired/retained colleagues, the MP2MP Connectors. Every two weeks on Tuesday afternoon at 3:00 p.m., Ministry Personnel are offered the opportunity to check in with one another through a ZOOM connection. The next one is December 15th, 2020 with the link for the connection available on the P2P website under the events calendar or in the Weekly News.

Support for Ministry Personnel

 
These are stressful times when ministry personnel are attempting to fulfill the tasks associated with their role and calling and find safe and creative ways to keep congregations connected and spiritually nurtured. For many the time it takes to draw upon the gifts and skills of others to carry out some tasks and the learning curve around new technologies to enable meetings, study groups, worship and virtual coffee times to happen is significant. Ministry Personnel are encouraged amid all that is being required of them, to tend to self care and seek out the support of others if and when it might be helpful. The Employee and Family Assistance Plan of the United church of Canada offers several supports accessible online or by calling: 1-800-387-4765

With further details under:  www.uccan-benefitscentre.ca

2020 Assessments: Final Reminder!


Finance administrator Heather Dootoff has some reminders about assessments (because we all know how much fun we have with year end finances.) It’s been a tough year, and for those of you how have already paid your assessments in full: please know that we appreciate that you done so in these very challenging circumstances. Your assessment makes a huge range of ministry in our church possible

Reminder to submit any
anti racism resource receipts


Speaking of year end: This is the last call on the Regional Council offer to pay for anti-racism resources for use as study or in your community of faith. Finance administrator Heather Dootoff asks you to send the receipts to her by email if possible by December 11: hdootoff@united-church.ca  
What’s this about? Click here to learn more.

Insurance Matters

 
Further to information shared in past editions of the Weekly News related to Officers and Directors Insurance, an email from Erik Mathiesen, Chief Financial Officer of the United Church of Canada on November 19, 2020 points us to
Information available as FAQs at
https://www.united-church.ca/leadership/church-administration/local-administration/group-insurance/ucc-protect
The extra work for local property and liability insurance arises because our insurer wanting to have a current application on file as opposed to just renewing automatically. All insurers getting stricter.

ADP Update


ADP has begun the process of updating the pastoral charge business platform.  The notice  was sent to all the  treasurers who use this service.  Undoubtedly pastoral charges will need to be aware of these changes. If questions arise about this change, they should be directed to Angelica Benalcazar. (ABenalcazar@united-church.ca) See details of notice to treasurers through this link.

About Annual Meetings of
Communities of Faith / Pastoral Charges
for 2020 before December 30, 2020


The Executive Minister, Shannon McCarthy reminds all congregations that they need to have an electronic Annual meeting in whatever way works best for them. Given the restrictions in gathering sizes presently in the province of Manitoba this meeting could be held by Conference Call or zoom. Meetings need to tend the minimum list that is in the Manual, this is required by CRA. The agenda can be very short and just do the things listed in section B.5.2 the Manual (page 61). For details on how to notify people of meetings being held through these means please see the attached directions : https://prairietopinerc.ca/calling-a-congregational-meeting-during-covid-19/
Read more

Canada Revenue Charity Returns 2020
due by December 31, 2020


Earlier in 2020 the Canada Revenue Agency extended the deadline for submission of the 2019 Charity Returns with a form T3010. Just a reminder that those 2019 Charity Returns ARE due in by December 31, 2020. The failure to file these returns can result in your Charity Status being revoked and among other things an inability then for your Community of Faith to issue charity receipts for any donations. The governing body of your Community of Faith should check with your Treasurer that this important piece of work has been completed.

Mission and Service Fund Donations 2020

 
Mission and Service Fund. Some communities of faith forward donations received locally to the national church at intervals during the year and others traditionally hold them until the end of the year. This year to manage cash flow many congregations opted to do the latter. A reminded that any donations received for Mission and Service Fund are considered designated givings and must be forwarded to the national church preferably by the end of the calendar year or as soon as possible thereafter. Monies in the Mission and Service Fund are used for mission and ministry of the United Church in Canada and around the world. For more information about ministries supported through that fund please see https://www.united-church.ca/stories/mission-service-changing-times

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:
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.
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Fort Garry United Church Safe Reopening Plan
 
This reopening plan is the result of a small ad hoc committee, struck by the Leadership Team, whose efforts were extraordinary at tailoring a plan to suit the specific needs of Fort Garry United Church. Our response to COVID-19 was quick and we switched to worshiping using Zoom on March 29, 2020 right at the beginning of the pandemic. Out of concern for the safety of our congregation, we have not returned to in person worship services, even when over the summer our cases in Manitoba dropped to nearly zero. Using the results of a congregation wide survey to garner ideas, as well as our Provincial Health Authorities, and United Church of Canada recommendations, this Safe Reopening Plan was developed. We will be ready when it is safe to return to in person worship. 

Reminder: be careful with photo copyright!
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. Click here for some further information, resources, and ideas for copyright-free or fair use photos.
Our world seems smaller and more confined since COVID began. May these stories help widen it, and help us see where our prayers and actions from home can support those we may never meet in person, but with whom we are part of the Body of Christ.

Indigenous Ministries videos for Advent  New


Murray Pruden, executive minister, offers us an invitation to brief weekly reflections as we journey together for Advent. Find them on Indigenous Ministries’ Facebook page. Here’s the Advent 1 reflection.

Prayer Request: Tigray Region, Ethiopia  New


The United Church of Canada joins Mission & Service partners the All Africa Conference of Churches (AACC) and the World Council of Churches (WCC) in prayers and appeals for an end to growing tensions and violence in the Tigray Region of Ethiopia. The United Church of Canada is contributing through the ACT Alliance Africa Regional response to the needs of people affected by the conflict. We pray for a peaceful resolution of this conflict so that all people in Ethiopia can live in peace with justice. God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

National church apologizes
for adoption practices


The United Church of Canada has issued an apology  for its role in separating mothers and their babies in maternity homes it operated from the end of World War II to 1980. “Women told us that they felt, pressured, coerced, or forced to give up their babies and the church recognizes it participated in the culture of shame that surrounded unmarried mothers at that time,” says the Rev. Daniel Hayward, chairperson of the church’s Theology and Inter-Church Inter-Faith Committee that recommended the apology. Please read the full story here

Mission and Service emergency appeal
for natural disasters


Please make a donation today to the United Church’s Emergency Response Fund to support our Mission & Service partners’ critical and lifesaving work. Your gifts will support partner response to the 2020-2021 hurricane and typhoon season as they provide food, safe drinking water, and shelter and help restore livelihoods for the thousands of people effected by Hurricane Iota in Central America, and Typhoon Goni in the Philippines. 

Gifts with Vision catalogue
open for your Christmas gifts


The United Church’s Gifts with Vision offers us alternative gifts that empower communities and don't add more "things" to a world awash with them. Consider this for Christmas or birthdays this year. Have a look at the many inspiring options here.

Facebook group to support your
live streaming learning curve


If you live stream your service, or are thinking of moving things online, and you want a place to share ideas, check out this Facebook group! https://www.facebook.com/groups/676613006560597/

New Resource for Musicians and Ministry
and Personnel Committees


There is a resource now available online, which is specifically written for M&P Committees and church musicians. It was a collaborative piece of work between Adam Hanley of the Ministry and Employment Unit, Alydia Smith who resources the Worship Desk at GCO and some reps from Music United.  For those of you with a longer history in this work, you might want to know that it's a revision of a long out-of-print resource from 2004.   

Prairie to Pine Church in the Wild in December  New
at a time that is convenient for you and your family


While it is not safe to gather in groups, even outside, many of us can still go out for a solitary or family walk. So, we invite you, wherever you are, to worship in the wild and to celebrate Jesus among us with a walk to “Behold that Star” one clear night that’s good for star watching in December.  A liturgy that you can take with you on your phone will be posted next week, linked to this message. 
 
BONUS – A Virtual Sky Tour
To prepare for your Church in the Wild walk, Brenden Petracek, a local Winnipeg astronomer, is offering a virtual Sky Tour on December 11 at 7:00 pm on Zoom.  The registration information will be available with this message next week.
 
January 9 (tentatively) is the date for the next Church in the Wild gathering, should that be possible.

Church in the Wild is an outdoor worship and learning experience in the tradition of wild church. For more information contact Karen Tjaden (204) 745 6477, Lori Stewart (204) 832 5310, or Noelle Bowles (204) 770-9837, or Caryn Douglas (204) 487-2076.

Goodwill To ALL:  New
A Conversation on Anti-Racism in the Church

Dec 3, 10, 17, and 20th at 7:30PM in AB, 8:30PM in SK and MB
 
All welcome to a Thursday evening Advent series focused on full inclusion, with a focus on anti-racism! Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/141591450631129/
Register here for free, and see the overall program: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYpfu2rqTgjH9CoU9l4iOy9Aybd078eY6qj

Advent's Lament: updated
A Blue Christmas worship gathering

December 9, 5:30pm Mountain, 6:30pm Central
 
As we mark one year of changed life because of Covid-19, we would like to offer a denominational-wide service of Lament for Advent. Click here for full details

Advent and Christmas


Advent begins on Sunday, November 29, 2020!  Some links to resources have been provided in previous editions of the Weekly News.

In recent conversations with clergy and lay leadership there were some requests for coaching or assistance on some matters related to technology. Heather Sandilands, Ministry Personnel from Cornerstone Pastoral Charge reached out to the person doing the Video Editing for their Christmas Eve virtual worship (each household who is asked to sing, read or light a candle, and/or "Passing the Light" during Silent Night will record themselves on devices and send to the VE).

Her name is Terry Lee-Alphonso and is open to helping with questions on tech ("not to do it, mind you").  Best option is to find her through Facebook or Messenger. Her profile pic is a Sienna or grey-white head-and-shoulders photo.

Advent and Christmas Preparations


When the lay leaders from various Communities of Faith met via ZOOM last Tuesday and the Ministry Personnel met yesterday, there were some discussions about how to do Advent and Christmas in these pandemic times. There was discussion about various resources available online through the United Church website in Advent Unwrapped including a 2020 Advent Calendar, instructions for making an Advent wreath, various liturgies including a couple involving multiple hymns or carols that can be used for services at home or for those either worshiping in person or sharing worship with their communities through email, mailings, live streaming or YouTube taping. The link for these resources is: 

https://www.united-church.ca/search/all?search_api_fulltext=Advent+Unwrapped
 
Continue reading

Oak Table Dignity Washroom New

1JustCity's calling on your church to help us launch our new campaign for Oak Table's Dignity Washroom - NoPlaceToPoop! 
 
We’ve all experienced the panic that follows the discovery of an empty toilet paper roll – or the embarrassment of asking someone in the next stall to pass you a few squares of paper. Many of us are privileged to consider this our biggest fear when needing to use washroom.
 
Read more

Placemats for Sale  New

Over 200 placemats for sale! $10 each.

The Trinity Sew and Sews are pleased and proud to support 1JustCity!

Call (204) 269-0631 to place your order. or visit trinityunitedwinnipeg.com to shop.

Job posting: Office Administrator New


Westworth United Church is seeking a full-time office administrator to start in January 2021. The office administrator is a key member of Westworth’s staff and is responsible for coordinating the activities of the church office and the entire church building. Please click here for more information.

Virtual Choir (congregation) performance


Marissa Smirl would like to put together a virtual choir (congregation) performance of Silent Night that would be available to be used by all congregations that wished. If you would like to sing in this congregation, please fill out this form (https://forms.gle/2DQmhaKDugBh6kbL7), and instructions will be emailed to you. All video submissions must be received by December 8th, 2020.

Job posting: Office Administrator


Westminster United Church is seeking an Office Administrator whose responsibilities encompass a range of administrative and communication skills. He/she offers the first greeting to all who enter the building or who contact the Church; provides administrative support to the Minister, other staff, board members, and congregants; as well as coordinates the utilization of the Church’s space while promoting its rental potential. This part time position to start January 4th requires attendance at the office 5 hours/day Monday through Friday except on statutory holidays. Job description is available here or for more detail visit website https://Westminsteruc.org/ or search Westminster Church on Facebook.com.

2020 Advent Devotion

A group of United Church ministers from the south end of Winnipeg are collaborating to offer a series of reflections, “enceinte: united church advent devotions during a pandemic”.
Enceinte (/änˈsant/) is an ancient word with two meanings: pregnant, and a protected enclosure .  As we journey toward the birth of Jesus during these covid times, the devotions offer a fold in your day to reflect and restore.
Continue reading

Advent Unwrapped 2020 resources!


Get ready for Christ(mas)! Advent—a holy, four-week countdown to Jesus’ birthday—begins on Sunday, November 29! Get ready to make room for Christ and the radical, countercultural messages that Christ brings. Throughout the season, videos, prayers, family resources, and reflections on this page will introduce and explore the Christmas story. For more worship resources visit our Advent and Christmas worship pages. Follow our Advent Unwrapped Facebook page for regular updates on all kinds of resources.

Prairie to Pine Covenant


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

Greenshield Announcement


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. 

Clusters and Networks update
(and reminder of $$!)


We know more online meetings may be the last thing on your mind. But just in case: If you are considering starting a new Network or Cluster, or if you’ve already been gathering, please take a moment to make sure that the Regional Council knows you’re meeting.

If your Cluster or Network is open to new members (and we hope it is) please make sure you’re listed. Please contact your Regional office (at the bottom of this newsletter) or Julie Graham (jgraham@united-church.ca) to make sure we have contact information and a short description. And remember: there is money in the Regional budget to support your work. Maybe you want to offer to pay for event registrations or resources. Maybe you want to submit receipts for a get together lunch over Zoom to support a sense of community. Questions about this? Contact the office.

Open Out Podcast


Open Out podcasts are currently in the Commencing series - looking at the lived experiences of churches that are opening outwards
 
#2. "Decluttering concepts" - navigating through the worlds/words of intercultural competency, cultural intelligence, cultural humility, etc.https://www.buzzsprout.com/917410/5868304
 
#3. "Space, place & displacement" How the concept of placemaking can anchor and enrich our intercultural explorations
https://www.buzzsprout.com/917410/6068287
 
#4. "Storytelling, deep listening & disengaging expectations" Group decision-making is never easy - but with a culturally diverse group sometimes it seems almost impossible! Why?  We explore the challenge of making decisions together as a diverse community with Erik Law of the Kaleidoscope Institute.  Also Adrian Jacobs of the Sandy Saulteaux Spiritual Centre shares a Haudenausonee teaching.
https://www.buzzsprout.com/917410/6370405

Music for Life

Please see the poster for a Zoom webinar hosted by Music for Life.

CLICK HERE for information about this group.

Send an email to uimd@rupertsland.ca to REGISTER and get a Zoom link to the webinar.

Naramata Centre


Cozy up to Winter with an Online Program
 
Rest, reflect, and create through Naramata Centre's virtual programs. Meet with others around the country and join in on live sessions intended to nurture your spirit. Browse through some of the upcoming online classes for December and January and register now to secure your spot!
See All Online Programs

St. Andrew's College
Winter Online Courses


Feeling cooped up? A little bit of cabin fever? Is your mind feeling numb and blank? Forget COVID 19 … you may be experiencing theology deficit syndrome! St. Andrew’s College has just what the doctor ordered: a panoply of winter courses.

Please click here for more information and how to register.

United in Learning webinars for November


Lots of webinars are on offer, from preaching to racial justice, retirement resources to the continued series for church treasurers and other leadership who are navigating COVID finances. Click here for the latest.

1JustCity Community Ministry
St. Matthew's Maryland

Do you want to help West End families enjoy a special Christmas this year?

Can You help us make sure COVID-19 doesn't Cancel Christmas? Our annual Christmas Store will be a new challenge this year, no doubt! But we are committed to keeping Christmas from being cancelled this year for West End families.

Please click the poster to find out how you can help.

'Just Christmas'


For the past 12 years, the United Church congregations of Northeast Winnipeg have held a ‘Just Christmas’ event, featuring vendors who promoted and fund-raised for non-profit local and global justice projects. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we have regretfully cancelled this year’s event.
 
For those wishing to support some of those projects this year, here is information provided by four vendors:
List of vendors

Prairie to Pine Reaching Children,
Youth and Families


As a follow-up to a Zoom sharing session, a Facebook group by the above name was formed. We feel there’s a need to share ideas and resources across communities of faith, as we figure out how to reach children, youth and families while unable to meet in-person, or while following physical distancing measures.  Please click here to be directed to that Facebook Group. Then join to add your own questions or post ideas and/or links to resources.

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.

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. 

Our newsletter comes out every Wednesday!

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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
1-800-268-3781 ext. 2028

Jamie Mckay

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


JMckay@united-church.ca
1-800-268-3781 ext. 2040

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
204-781-8124
 

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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