E-ssentials: A Trauma Expert on Christmas Surprises, Call For Nominations, Gifts With Vision, and more.

Prepare to Be Surprised! In this special blog post for Advent Unwrapped, trauma expert Diane Strickland writes about the challenge—and wonder—of surprises in the Christmas season. She writes, "As much as we may want the season’s traditions to be a normalizing tool in pandemic times, sometimes they do the opposite." Read the full blog post. [Art: Joyce Cosby/The United Church of Canada]   Call for Nominations General Council 44 Equity Support Team  Up to six people who are not Commissioners are needed to serve as the Equity Support Team for General Council in 2022 and for its subsequent annual meetings. The Equity Support Team assists the General Council as it strives to be a space of equitable participation and decision-making. Express your interest or nominate someone by January 10, 2022. Pastoral Relationships Equity Research Project: Reference Group Up to six people are needed to help shape this new project, which will identify current patterns of inequity experienced by ministry personnel across all regions of The United Church of Canada, and to make recommendations for change. Express your interest or nominate someone by January 10, 2022.   Gifts with Vision 2021 The new Gifts with Vision season is in full swing! With a huge variety of gifts for Canadian and overseas partners, it's easier than ever to make an impact this Christmas, and beyond. Shop today—no wrapping required!   Generosity Makes Hearts Sing with Joy Music has the power to change our world and when we harness it, we do too. That’s why Embracing the Spirit grants supported through your Mission & Service gifts and Seeds of Hope grants administered by the United Church Foundation fund music projects that build community and tend to the soul across our United Church. [Photo credit: Jennifer Webb from Pixabay]   United Church Bookstore: Grab Your 2022 Church Calendar before It's Gone!   The 2022 Canadian Church Calendar is almost sold out! Shop now and get yours in time for the new year. Featuring beautiful photos of United Churches across the country, the calendar will help you keep track of liturgical seasons and colours, significant United Church days, and lectionary dates.   Worship Resources  See our Worship Resources for upcoming Sundays and special celebrations. December 10 - UN Human Rights Day December 12 - Third Sunday of Advent 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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