Wednesday, March 16, 2022

E-ssentials: Take Part in a Research Survey, Anti-Racism Resources, and more.

Research Survey
 

The United Church of Canada is conducting a research survey to better understand the opinions and perceptions of our community on a variety of topics, including our communications. Your feedback and insights will be critical in helping the United Church, and we would very much appreciate you taking the time to complete the survey.
 
As a thank you for your time, by completing this survey you will be entered into a draw for a $500 donation to the charity of your choice. If you are selected as the winner, The United Church of Canada will make this donation directly to the charity. If you would like to participate, please visit this link.

(If you can, please pass this request on to others in your congregation using email. We are looking for broad reach within the whole of the United Church community, but without employing social media.)
 


Eliminating Racial Discrimination

Bird's eye photo of a group of children smiling and laughing on the grass.


The United Nations has designated March 21 as the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. This day offers a particular focus on dismantling racism in all its forms, and it has been observed around the world every year since 1966.

The United Church made a commitment to becoming an anti-racist church in 2020, and the church’s anti-racism policy dates back to 2000. It is important to focus on anti-racism for a day, but anti-racism work is important on any and every day. Several resources are available, including the United Church’s brand-new anti-racism action plan, a new blog post, and worship resources on anti-racism. A news item describes 10 ways to work towards anti-racism.

[Photo: A group of children in a playground (the author’s child is not pictured). Credit: © Raxpixel / iStock]
 


Final Call for Nominations


Last call for nominations! The call for nominations for the General Council Executive and other committees of the General Council closes on March 21—find out more, and be sure to submit your nominations soon. Nominations for the Board of Vocation and its committees close on March 28.
 


Mental Health Webinar Series


Just in time for Mental Health Week (first week of May), join United in Learning for a three-part series for both clergy and lay leaders. What does it mean to be a congregation that talks frankly and without judgement about mental health? What can we learn from our Christian traditions that will help people move towards wholeness? Who in our congregations needs particular attention, and what resources are available through the church to help us offer that? And how do we minister to our own personal needs while addressing the needs of those in our care? Find out more, and register.
 


Annual Declaration: Reminder
 

Annual declarations for ministry personnel for 2022 are now open until May 15, 2022. It’s free and only takes a few minutes. Log in to churchhub.ca (Remember that Chrome or Edge are preferred browsers for ChurchHub; Safari is not optimal). If you make your annual declaration (about whether you’ve had criminal charges in the last year or not) each year, you do not need to get a new police records check!

Need help accessing ChurchHub? Please contact ministry@united-church.ca.

 



Rebuilding after Loss: Lisa's Story

Photo of Lisa and her husband Steve.
 

"What do I do with the wedding ring now? Do I still wear it? Do I not wear it? Do you change the sheets when you can still smell your partner on them?" These are questions Lisa asked after her husband Steve died. Through your Mission & Service gifts, a widows’ support group helps Lisa and others cope with loss.

[Photo credit: Lisa Byer-de Wever]
 


United Church Bookstore: It's Your Call Podcast

Graphic image of the words "It's your call" in yellow writing, above an old fashioned red telephone.
 

If you're on the hunt for something new to listen to, check out It's Your Call—the brand new podcast from folks in The United Church of Canada's Office of Vocation. In one of the most recent episodes, Karen Medland and Andrew Richardson speak with the Rev. Dr. Cheri DiNovo about how she discovered her call to ministry. DiNovo's story shows that there is no cookie-cutter path into ministry. More United Church Bookstore authors will be featured in future episodes, so keep listening!

Available from Apple, Google, and other popular platforms.
 


Worship Resources 


See our Worship Resources for upcoming Sundays and special celebrations.

March 20 - Third Sunday in Lent
March 21 - International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
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