Embracing the Spirit: Kindred Works, The Scribblers Story, and more! 🌼

Kindred Works with Lauren Hodgson     Rev. Lauren Hodgson visited with EDGE’s Zoë Chaytors recently to talk about the United Property Resource Corporation (UPRC) and Kindred Works, the company created to act as UPRC’s developer and property/asset management arm. Lauren is working half-time as the Director of Church and Community Partnership for Kindred Works, and it was great to hear what this new company is up to! The United Property Resource Corporation was created in 2019, largely to assist communities of faith to create affordable housing and what Lauren calls “vibrant community spaces.” Support from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) helped UPRC get its work off to a good start with communities of faith across the country. The United Church of Canada (UCC) created Kindred Works later to specifically focus on the housing issue. Lauren sees Kindred Works as a ministry in itself, and an opportunity to: Reimagine Meet a real need within The United Church of Canada and other denominations. Kindred Works manages property for the long-term on behalf of United Church communities of faith, Regional Councils, and ecumenical partners. See how the United Church really lives out its ethos of partnership, as part of Kindred Works’ commitment to staying grounded in The United Church of Canada's theology and its vision of Jesus as a disrupter and promoter of a less divisive “third way.”  Lauren joined the UPRC team eight months ago. She is enjoying getting the word out to faith communities about what they can accomplish by working with UPRC and Kindred Works and showing how property can both be mission and fuel the mission. The Importance of a Home Lauren’s presentation on Kindred Works focuses on its belief that a secure and stable home promotes a sense of belonging, helps people connect with others, and gives them the foundation they need to succeed. Kindred Works sees itself as a community facilitator and convener. Its profits go toward ensuring that spaces it creates, over which it sees itself as a steward, are self-sustaining and good for people, society, and the environment–including that a percentage of rental spaces are designated and remain low-rental in perpetuity. “And all of this is in the hopes that we can prove that ideals can become a reality,” she tells Zoe. Planning for a Great Future Kindred Works has four core principles on which it builds it work: Measurable Benefits, Stronger Together, Always Improving, and Investing in Progress. Its goals for the future include: Building new housing for 34,000 people in the next 15 years. 5,000 affordable housing units will be in place by 2037, helping to make up 30% of the constructed housing.   Becoming a net positive company by 2030 Building a cultural and community infrastructure of 200 spaces across Canada that includes cultural event centres; inclusive social spaces; coffee bars, cafes, and places to see public art; community kitchens and catering and food programs; outdoor amenities and urban gardens; active transportation; and community hubs and co-working spaces Lauren says that the most unexpected thing to come out of her work with Kindred Works has been seeing what draws people to work with the organization–highly skilled, and not necessarily with a church background. “It’s that commitment to social impact and common good–we want to make a difference in the world, we want to be part of something that has a lasting impact.” Lauren encourages communities of faith to reach out to Kindred Works at their website if they’d like to explore what working with the organization could look like. Watch her full EDGEy conversation with Zoë Chaytors! [Image credit: AbsolutVision/Pixabay] The Scribblers Story is Live!     Producers Nygel Metcalfe and Amy and Casey Van Wensom have teamed up with youth voice actors Paige, Isaac, and Jakob, minister and adult voice actor Keith Howard, and illustrator Brian Tate to produce The Scribblers Story! This children's fantasy-adventure audio drama is a compelling example of the power of grant money in action. Its deep questions and invitation to explore using the power of imagination gets listeners to engage in biblical storytelling and makes them part of an ongoing story. The first episode, The Curious Encounter, is up now! Young Chloe wakes up feeling like the summer day is going to be different. While on her way through the woods to the clubhouse, where she later meets her friends Jasper and Mitchell, she can’t shake the feeling that something’s going to happen. Sure enough, she has a very strange encounter–and when she tells her friends about it, they’re excited to investigate! Go listen and subscribe. You can also find and follow The Scribblers Story on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Look for new episodes regularly! [Image credit: Lkowalyk/AdobeExpress] Upcoming Event: Curiosity and Human Flourishing     Graduates of EDGE’s Curiosity Cohort looking for another opportunity for discussion and learning are invited to a Curiosity Community of Practice event on Thursday, August 11, from 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. EDT. Join us for the second of our monthly curious community of practice events, where we will explore deeper pieces of curiosity as a spiritual practice. This month we’ll talk about curiosity and human flourishing! What does it mean to flourish?  How do we help ourselves and our communities come into moments of flourishing and thriving? You can use this Human Flourishing Program as a reference or starting point: Prerequisite: Completion of EDGE’s Curiosity Cohort. The next Curiosity Cohort will take place in September 2022. Please register in advance for this event. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the event. Please email Zoë Chaytors at zchaytors@united-church.ca for more information. [Image credit: Mfuente/Pixabay] Other Events     August Idea Day  Monday, August 22, from 1:00 p.m. to  2:00 p.m. EDT Idea Days are a time to connect with others, hear about great ideas and share your own. Register to participate. Curiosity Cohort, Fall Session  Begins Wednesday, September 21, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. EDT Curiosity is the mindset change that we, as people of faith, are craving to begin to reimagine what church can be outside of Sunday morning. It is the mindset shift that:  Allows us to ask questions and keep asking questions Helps us in letting go of needing “the” answers and to relinquish control Teaches us to follow the Spirit and to keep listening and discerning  Enables us to take leaps of faith and be courageous in experimenting This is for innovative leaders, curious communities of faith, and those willing to explore what might be possible. Runs Wednesdays at 6:00 p.m. EDT until October 19. Register once to attend all 5 sessions. September Idea Day  Monday, September 26, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. EDT Idea Days are a time to connect with others, hear about great ideas and share your own. Register to participate. [Image credit: 200degrees/Pixabay] 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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