E-ssentials: Asian LGBTQI+ Pride Month Videos, A Webinar from LifeWorks, The Vision Fund, and more

Asian LGBTQI+ Pride Month Videos For Pride Month, the United Church has produced three videos lifting up Asian LGBTQI+ voices from across the church. The playlist is available on our YouTube channel. We encourage you to share these videos with your networks or in online worship.   Structural Discrimination and How it Works: A Webinar from LifeWorks Juneteenth (June 19), which was recently made a federal holiday in the United States, commemorates the end of slavery for the African American community. While this celebration is important, it isn’t enough. Creating a more equitable society will require much work from all of us as individuals and organizations.   If you’re not sure where to begin, LifeWorks (formerly Morneau Shepell) is inviting you to a free webinar, "Structural Discrimination and How it Works" on Wednesday, June 23, at 11:00 a.m. ET. In the session, we will explore the various ways in which we are all complicit, either intentionally or unintentionally, in reproducing the barriers, prejudices, and systemic norms that we have all inherited and been conditioned by within North America. Register here to reserve your spot. If you can’t make the live session, you can still register and a recording will be sent to you as soon as it’s available.   To learn more about Juneteenth, read this article from Vox (published in June 2020).   The Vision Fund   For decades, the Vision Fund has offered grants in support of youth and young adult ministry to members, ministries, and partners of The United Church of Canada. The next deadline for the Vision Fund is July 15, and two types of applications are being accepted: 1. Innovative, creative, and new youth and young adult ministries are eligible for a grant of up to $5,000. If congregations or groups undertake additional fundraising, they can apply for an additional matching grant of up to $3,000. What new dreams are you and the youth of your community dreaming? Let the Vision Fund assist with that dream. 2. Support is also available for continuing education events with a focus on First Third Ministry (children, youth, young adults, camp, campus ministry, family ministry). Volunteers and congregational designated ministers (CDMs) can receive up to $500 per person per year; designated lay ministers (DLMs) and ordered ministers can receive up to $300 per person, per year. The Vision Fund will assist youth and young adults in opportunities for growth and learning as well as assisting in the education and growth of the leaders of your children, youth, and young adults. For more information, check out the webpage or e-mail visionfund@united-church.ca.   Your Generosity Matters: Where Food and Community Grow Over 200 families—many of whom live in poverty—grow their own nutritious food through Mission & Service partner Fred Victor’s extensive gardens. But the food itself isn’t the only benefit of the gardening program. Learn more about how your gifts support gardens that not only feed people but also bring them together—and then share the story with someone you know. [Photo credit: Melanie Gordon Photography]   United Church Bookstore: Fresh Sale Titles   Have you browsed the United Church Bookstore's summer sale yet? The team is working hard to add new titles every week, like John Bishop's Dangerous Church, Tom Sherwood's Listening to the Echo, Staci Eldredge's Defiant Joy, and Molly Phinney Baskette's Standing Naked Before God. Shop today—there are limited quantities and they won't be restocked!   Worship Resources  See our Worship Resources for upcoming Sundays and special celebrations. June 27 - Fifth After Pentecost June 27 - Canadian Multiculturalism Day July 1 - Canada Day Facebook Twitter Website Email Instagram YouTube LinkedIn Our gifts for Mission & Service bring healing, justice, and hope to life. Donate today.

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