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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.
February 3, 2021

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.

COVID Updates for Both Manitoba and Ontario

(COVID updates in either province will be in the government links provided.)


Critical Red Restrictions - Manitoba

Effective January 23, 2021, the province of Manitoba has made some amendments to the critical red restrictions that expired on January 22, 2021.  Sections of the Public Health Orders that most directly effect faith-based communities remained the same with the exception that ten people other than the officiant, are now permitted at funerals.  These changes effect all areas of the province except Northern Manitoba and are in the orders labelled - General. Specific Orders for Northern Manitoba are available on the government website as well.

Restrictions related to faith-based communities still include the closure of church buildings with limited access and restricted use for schools, health care, child care and social services i.e. food banks. Access for taping of virtual services is permitted. Provision of special services such as weddings and baptisms with 5 people other than the officiant present are still permitted.  Drive in services are permitted. Details are in section 16 of current Public Health orders.

Read more

Manitoba Bridge Grant  Extension

 

With the extension of the red restrictions for COVID 19, “beginning on January 8, 2021, the Manitoba Government will begin issuing a second payment to eligible applicants that applied for a Bridge Grant during the period of November 16- December 31, 2020”. For more information please go to:

https://manitoba.ca/covid19/programs/bridge-grant.html

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/

Regional Ash Wednesday preparation updated
Online Gathering and Worship

Feb. 17, 2021, 7:00 p.m. (central)
(Room will open at 6:30 p.m.,
please come early if you need to check your connection)
 
Join us for liturgy, covenanting with Communities of Faith, and small group conversation. Offered by your friendly Committee on Community of Faith Support. All welcome! Invite widely. Share this event widely.

Here is the Zoom link to join the Ash Wednesday Covenanting service on Feb. 17. Connect at 6:30 to resolve any technical issues then join an informal conversation with others in breakout rooms before worship begins at 7:00 p.m. For those joining this zoom worship by phone, the responsive readings and hymn words are available here.

Please share the zoom link widely with others in your faith community but please do not make it available on publicly accessible websites, Facebook or other social media.

Prepare ashes in advance for your own use. Safely experiment to find what works for you. A candle wick or wooden match burned till the (cooled) tip crumbles between your fingers may work.100% cotton scraps burn to a good ash.  So would a previous year’s palm crosses if you have them. To help the ash adhere, use a small drop of cooking oil, or moisten your finger on a pad of oily paper towel. 

Website listing: Regional Ash Wednesday
Facebook event: https://fb.me/e/hjO7ARDP3

Ministry Personnel Support Gathering Reminder


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 on February 9, 2021. The Zoom link is available on the P2P website under the events calendar or in the Weekly News.

Please send 2020 Annual Report  New


Please send two copies of your community of faith’s 2020 Annual Report to the Committee on Community of Faith Support: one hard copy mailed to Prairie to Pine Regional Council, 1622B St. Mary’s Road, Winnipeg, MB R2M 3W7, and an electronic copy (if you’ve saved the report on a computer) to PrairietoPine@united-church.ca. These annual reports will be available for reference by the Committee on Community of Faith Support, staff, and other committees / commissions who may have need to see them. Be sure to keep a copy to be archived at some point.  The 2020 report may be of particular interest to future researchers looking at how churches did their work during Covid-19 pandemic.

2021 Bursary applications  New


We welcome Darlynne Smith as the New Chair of the Prairie to Pine Bursary Committee and thank Shirley May for her many years of service as the Past-Convener of the committee. 

The Regional Council Bursary Fund and UCW Bursary applications are now available. Please visit the Prairie to Pine Regional Council website for more information and how to apply, including the letter to the Chairperson of Official Boards of Communities of Faith and UCWs or Women's Group.

Is your website out of date? New


Do you need help freshening it up, and don’t know where to begin?

Let’s be honest – a church’s website is becoming more and more important to attracting new congregation members, donations, and hosting information on COVID-19 and how you’re responding to it.

Selkirk United Church recently paid to have their website redone, with email transfer and social media inclusion included in the work. You can see their new website here: www.selkirkunitedchurch.ca   

If this is something that you and your church are interested in, and want to start a conversation with some United Church web people, please reach out to Meghan Chorney at meghanchorney@gmail.com.

Online Education Supervisors Training  New


Registration is now open for the Certificate in Ministry Supervision (February 22nd-February 26th Intensive 2021) being offered in partnership with the Vancouver School of Theology. 
Read more

Voting by 'ballot' on Zoom or Email  New


Many people are asking about voting by secret ballot at congregational annual meetings.

Executive Minister Shannon McCarthy writes, “As far as I am aware there are no perfect options for voting that is private or ‘secret’ in electronic meetings via zoom, but here are three ways it can be done if absolutely necessary.”
More information

Important update:
Congregational annual meetings for 2021


A reminder of a notice sent late last year: The General Council Executive has suspended the requirement to hold congregational annual meetings until June, in light of the pandemic. You can still hold an online meeting as possible, but meetings are not required. Please click here for details. Further details about related matters like budgets and annual reports this will be shared later this month.

Information About Annual Meetings
and Annual Reports


The calendar now has us in 2021 and many questions have been forthcoming about Annual Reports related to 2020 and also Annual Meetings for that period. Many of our Congregations have remained closed for several weeks if not months. Committees have been less than active in many cases due to the disruption. Others have been extremely active in creating safe space and connections in your midst.

The General Council Executive back in April, 2020 made some amendments to The Manual (2019) related allowing for some matters that are deemed necessary.
See this link for details. 
https://united-church.ca/sites/default/files/gs_49_temporary_amendment_re_pastoral_relations.pdf
Read more

Zeebu 2021 "Retreat"

 
Young Adults and Youth are invited to sign up for
Zeebu 2021 “Retreat”... 
A free 2-part Online Event for grade 7 to mid 30s
Friday Feb. 12th, 7 to 9 pm  &  Saturday, Feb 13th, 9:30 am to noon 
 
Theme:  All Our Relations

The event will include:

Interactive Theme Time
Worship and Music
Games Night
Home groups divided by age
 
Don't wait too long to register.  We want to SNAIL mail you a little package of things to enjoy and use during the retreat   ...so the sooner the better, to leave time for it to arrive. The last packages will be mailed February 5th (hoping they may still get to you in time?) so be sure to register before then! 
 
To Register, click here and scroll down to Zeebu 2021

Looking for income?
Passionate about a justice topic?
Like video editing?


The UCC is looking for youth 12 to 30 years of age to create 10-15 minute videos to be used as conversation starters for Youth Groups across the United Church of Canada to engage in important conversations around mental health, environment and social justice.
For more info, click here

Questions about Zeebu or the video project...

...Click here to contact Twila

Sermon by Phone

 

As the pandemic restrictions continue and Communities of Faith continue to look for ways to meet ministry needs of people, some may find this helpful when trying to provide worship to folks who don’t have easy access to the Internet or just don’t want to deal with ZOOM or YouTube or Facebook Live. The service called “Sermon by Phone” allows you to upload your weekly service/sermon and give people access through a local phone number with no IDs, no passcodes, no internet. For more details please see this link:

Trinity United Church in Winnipeg has been using this and Elizabeth Brown (eliz.tuc@mymts.net ) would be happy to respond to questions anyone has.

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

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
Read more
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.

Black/ African Heritage Month resources
for congregations


February is Black History (or African Heritage) Month in Canada, a time to honour the contributions and struggles of peoples of African descent. How do you and your congregation plan to mark it? The United Church has many worship resources for each week, including new blog posts, prayers, and a new Black History Month service for 2021.
 

National Church: new opportunities to serve


From conflict resolution facilitators to researchers about Black experiences in the United Church: please see details here, and consider both your own call and others’ gifts.

Up to date 2021 Minutes for Mission:
where to find them!


There are lots of ways to access Minutes for Mission and all the great videos and photos that go with them. Have a look here.

1JustCity's ministry continues, COVID or not  New


A reminder to all supporters of1JustCity in Winnipeg that their offer of safe space continues through COVID, adapting to changing regulations to serve the community’s needs. Here’s an overview from CBC. Read about the latest ways to help here.

Moose Hide Campaign Day  New


The 10th annual Moose Hide Campaign Day will be held on February 11, 2021. The Moose Hide Campaign is an Indigenous-born grassroots movement of Indigenous and non-Indigenous mean and boys who are standing up against violence towards women and children. A cornerstone of the Moose Hide Campaign is the moose hide pin. Please click here to find out  how to order and information on the virtual workshops being offered.

YAAY Trivia Night Fundraiser


Thank you so much to everyone who attended the YAAY Trivia Night Fundraiser on January 16th! It was a lot of fun! There were over 50 people in attendance and through the generosity of everyone there, we were able to raise over $1,200 for a refugee family. Due to this success, we will likely host another trivia night soon, so keep an eye out for that.

Kairos Regional Online Gathering 2021

This gathering is centered on Treaties 1 and 2 Territory, ancestral land of the Dakota, Anishinaabe, Ojibway, Ojibway- Cree, Cree, Dene
and the homeland of the Metis Nation


WE ARE HOSTING A SERIES OF ONLINE ZOOM SESSIONS TO REPLACE OUR IN-PERSON ANNUAL GATHERING.  ALL ARE WELCOME!

Click here for more information

Unsettling the Word:
Biblical Experiments in Decolonization


Thursdays, February 4-25, 1:30- 3:30 PM Central. Join with Indigenous and settler resource people to challenge and change our reading of the Bible. Full details are here.

Pancakes and PIE!


Tuesday February 16 at 6:00PM, Affirm United/ S’affirmer Ensemble asks us to join them in the kitchen for a Virtual Pancake Supper on Zoom with entertainment and a friendly cook-off in two home kitchens! We’ll also get to talk about P.I.E. Day 2021 (Sunday 14 March) and what’s cooking there. Facebook event: https://fb.me/e/1ufTk8gqF

Anglican and United Church Colleges
enter Into a strategic alliance


Montreal Diocesan Theological College and the United Theological College are entering into a strategic alliance that will deepen and build on their long-standing collaboration in theological education. Following months of discussions among members of the Boards of Governors, the two colleges have begun an 18-month transition period in which they will explore and plan for the formation of a combined Anglican-United college in Montreal.
Read more

ReJUNEvation 2021

St. Andrew’s College ReJUNEvation is going virtual for 2021.  The conference will be held June 16–18, 2021.

Rev. Canon Dr. Scott Sharman will present on the theme, “Now it Springs Forth: Looking for Ecumenical Movement with Fresh Eyes.”

Please click here for more information.

United-in-Learning


The webinars offered over the next several months are now posted and open for registration on the United in Learning website. These webinars include:
  • Boundaries training (Introductory course and refresher courses in the areas of Social Media and retirement with January dates);
  • Pension Information Seminar (March 09, 2021);
  • Congregational Finances (monthly with the first one on January 27);
  • Thriving Churches Beyond COVID 19 (January 27 and February 3 & 10);
  • faith on the Move Lenten Series (beginning February 23).
For details and registration please go to:
https://united-in-learning.com/index.php/webinars/upcoming-webinars

New at United Church in Learning


Have a look at some great new opportunities here.

CCS Fridays

A chance to join the Centre for Christian Studies virtually for an hour to explore timely topics of theology, life, and faith.  It is open to laypeople and clergy.
On February 12 from 12:00 to 1:00 CST we will look at Zoom Tips for Annual Meetings. Join us for an information-sharing and discussion session on best practices for holding a church annual meeting online using a platform like Zoom. Details and registration are here

Thriving Churches
Book and Webinar About Your Church!


Thriving Churches, written by Loraine MacKenzie Shepherd and Tammy Allan about their sabbaticals to thriving United Churches in 2019, will be released Jan. 20. Please click here for more information.

Tammy & Loraine are also leading a 3-session webinar on it Jan. 27, Feb 3 & 10, as per the following link. The webinar will give opportunity to learn about what makes churches thrive and consider how these factors might relate to your church.
https://www.united-in-learning.com/index.php/webinars/370-thriving-churches-during-covid-and-beyond

Job Posting - Pianist and Choir Director


North Kildonan United Church (NKUC – 174 Pentland Street) is in search of a Pianist and Choir Director to fill a vacancy beginning Thursday, March 4, 2021. Please click here for more information and how to apply. Deadline for applications: Friday, February 12, 2021.  

News from Equity and Diversity Committee


Huge thank you to all that participated in the Regional Meeting. We just wanted to let everyone know that our vision statement was approved UNANIMOUSLY! What an amazing feeling. 
 
We have included the version voted on at the meeting. 
We still have 2 seats open on our committee, if you have a passion for social justice, want to hang out with a great bunch of people and meet once a month - this may be the committee for you! Want to attend a meeting to check us out? You are welcome to do that as well. Let us know! 
Read more

UCW Stat Form


The deadline for submission of the stat form has been extended to February 15, 2021. Please submit your completed form on or before that date.

Please click here for the thank-you letter from the national church for UCW's donations to Mission and Service. 

CDI Loan and Grants applications


Grants and Loan applications are now available. To know more about Church Development Inc. (CDI) and how to apply for the grants and loans, please click here.

Deadline to receive grants applications: March 31 and October 15
Deadline to receive loan application: Accepted anytime

Deepening Practices of Restorative Solidarity

February 12-15, 2021
 
Live on Zoom from unceded Chumash territory, in the Ventura River Watershed, California https://www.bcm-net.org/study/bki2021 The Bartimaeus Institute has lots of ecumenical Canadian connections, including resource people Harry and Germaine Lafond, of Muskeg Lake Cree Nation and the Metis Nation, respectively. Considering creating the usual Canadian delegation online this year, and deepen engagement with decolonizing discipleship.

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 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:


 

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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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