Embracing the Spirit: Hopeful Economics, Emberwood, GC44 nominations and more ♥

Hopeful Economics UnConference Runs Online, March 3 and 4! Hopeful economics is the idea that we live in a world of abundance from which everyone should thrive. If you’re committed to justice, embracing change, and a future filled with hope, this two-day online UnConference is for you! At an UnConference, you’re both the teacher and learner. You’ll share your experiences as a social innovator and learn from the experiences of others as you network with community leaders, spiritual entrepreneurs, and social change agents.   We’ll start each day with a short 20 minute "idea spark," to frame our topics for exploration. Panel contributors include Gurbeen Bashin, Shaun Loney, and Rebecca Sherbino. After the panel discussions, participants will shift into breakout groups to deeply explore themes and ideas that are resonating. Don’t miss this opportunity to search to for better solutions, and to ask big questions with other changemakers: Why do so many people not have access to the abundance the world has to offer? What change do we need in our communities and in our world? How can we make hopeful economics a reality for everyone? $20 CDN per person Special Offer = $100 CDN – Become a Community Innovation Hub member for a year and receive five tickets to attend the Hopeful Economics UnConference. For more information and to register, visit the Hopeful Economics website.  [Image credit: Brett Jordan on Unsplash.com] A Day in the Woods with Emberwood     Alison Brook-Stark teaches people about the power of being alone in the woods! The Emberwood project teaches people basic survival skills and helps them learn how to feel at ease with being in the forest alone for increasingly longer periods of time, and then sends them off on a 24-hour solo retreat. It’s not something that most of us do. Spending a full day in the quiet of nature can be very emotional and spiritual, helping people to find their inner voice and gain insight about their life. Completing a solo experience is also very community-building among those that have done it. Emberwood also does nature-based spiritual work with families, one-on-one work, and a group for LGBTQ youth. After the stress of the last few years, perhaps a day in the forest is what we all need! Watch the whole story here! [Image credit: Alex Holt on Unsplash.com] Nominations for General Council Executive and More Now Open!   Call for nominations! Who are the leaders, thinkers, and doers that can guide the church following General Council? Nominations are now open for members of the General Council Executive, Nominations Committee, Anti-Racism Common Table and much more. Discover all of the opportunities. Please contact Diane Bosman at dbosman@united-church.ca if you have specific people you would recommend for these top leadership roles. [Image credit: The United Church of Canada] What Does Future Church Look Like? With so much rapid change going on, what will the church look like in the future? It’s difficult to say, with communities by necessity having to move online and outside just in the space of two years. In a time where people are deeply dissatisfied with the ways in which the world in general has been relating to them (and vice versa), the church must figure out how to provide people with what they need at this time: community, guidance, grounding, and ways to find balance in life.   How will we relate to spiritual seekers as we reimagine what church could look like and what that vision encompasses?      Some communities of faith operate totally online or meet in the forest; some use space in their buildings as community hubs or to house social enterprises that both help keep them running and give back to community.   The possibilities for what an inclusive, dynamic, relevant, and thriving church of the future could look like are endless! What will we embrace and what will we leave behind? It’s up to us. Watch the whole conversation here!    [Image credit: Grant Whitty on Unsplash.com] 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! Facebook Twitter Website Email Instagram YouTube LinkedIn Donate to The United Church of Canada and help fund life changing work around the world!

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