Embracing the Spirit: Exploring the Sacred, Idea Days, and more! 🌻

What is Sacred?     God is everywhere. How often do we notice? Let's start with where it is obvious and go from there. What is a moment of awe that you have noticed? The moment that a baby is born where you are in awe of the medical system, in awe of the new person coming into the world, and inspires so much love instantaneously. The sunrise, the sunsets, and the wondrous seasons where beautiful progressions are happening daily. The determination, ability, and wonder of a child. All of the things that we often take for granted, but when we take a second look, is full of awe. When you are in a moment of awe, what does it feel like? You could feel dwarfed and a feeling like things are much bigger than you are. You can feel connected. You can feel gratitude. You can get goosebumps. You can feel present. What spaces are sacred? Places where you pray could be sacred. Places that emote awe in you. Places that are personal and have memories for you. A sports venue that holds meaning for you. Places where you watch the sunset. This can be subjective! What isn't sacred? Maybe everything is sacred when we notice and seek the sacred together. Listen to the EDGE Team discern "What is Sacred?". [Photo by Photo by Raimond Klavins on Unsplash] Innovation Grant Due Date The next innovation grant due date is July 15. If you are interested in applying, please email us to set up a consultation at embracingthespirit@united-church.ca. EDGE’s Virtual Conference Centre     This fall is going to be an amazing experiment of how the work, programs, and ideas that you are already doing can be further amplified. EDGE—in partnership with seven ecumenical partners bi-nationally—has purchased an online event platform from September 15 to November 15. Events that are hosted during this time could be on this platform. Why is this great? Similar events and like-minded people will be "in the same place" Community discussion boards across these events will spark even more conversations Direct connections and network weaving within the system will create new relationships and connections What is already scheduled? A social enterprise training program A church planting training program Design jams for over 30 communities across Canada that are partnering to address gaps or challenges in their neighbourhood (details to follow in next newsletter!) Have ideas? Want to see if this makes sense for your event? Email us at embracingthespirit@united-church.ca. [Photo by Samantha Borges on Unsplash] Idea Days     The first Idea Day was experimented with this month. The concept was to allow other innovators and ministry leaders to bounce their ideas off each other, make connections, and strengthen their Embracing the Spirit application. We know that one-on-one coaching helps flesh out the Embracing the Spirit application, but we realized that there are thousands of lost connections across the network simply because they don’t know what they don’t know. So an hour-long Zoom call brought together three applicants to share their ideas and gifts. Each person had 15 minutes to share their vision and receive feedback and considerations from the group. You could feel the energy shift with more confidence as the participants shared their ideas and feedback. All three ideas were very different, yet every participant could connect to each idea in a different way. Suddenly, we saw connections being made across the country to help nurture these initiatives. For example, one participant shared their idea of creating resources for care workers to support people through brain change (dementia, ageing, etc.) and their faith. Another participant teaches mindfulness practices to care workers who often work with dementia patients on the other side of the country. A perfect connection. Another idea centred around lay leadership. Well, another participant had just moved from a community of faith run beautifully on lay leadership. And the final idea focused on building relationships with their Indigenous communities. All three participants were able to talk through their experiences and considerations to realize that a linear timeline approach may not be appropriate. After each presentation, the participants were able to draw connections to their ideas, ministry, personal life, or work. Everything wove together, and a common theme of our concept of time bookended the entire call bringing it back in a full circle. The participants eagerly shared their contact information, and they plan to stay in touch to help support each other. With the success of the first pilot, EDGE plans to offer these Idea Days once a month. Depending on the size of the gathering, breakout rooms will be used to allow for more direct feedback and brainstorming together. August 9 is the next Idea Day! Check out our calendar. [Photo by Mark Fletcher-Brown on Unsplash] Embracing the Spirit is a learning network and innovation fund. It offers funding and support for innovation ideas hatched out of faith communities and communities in ministry. Some of the stories and best practices that are happening throughout The United Church of Canada are shared in this newsletter. If you have an idea that you want to launch, reach out and tell us about it! Proposal deadlines are quarterly, and due on the 15th of the month: January, April, July and October. Find out more.  Share Tweet Forward to a friend Sign up for the Embracing the Spirit newsletter! 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