Reflections from the EDGE  The Rev. Bronwyn Corlett
[Photo credit: courtesy of the Rev. Bronwyn Corlett]
“God is up to something. Are you in?”
This is EDGE’s slightly cheeky tagline—cheeky because it seems so simple, yet it asks a complicated question. Many of us, if asked to identify our spiritual relationship status might answer “It’s complicated.” Not because we aren’t faithful, but because so many things impact our willingness and ability to follow the Holy Spirit.
I know from working at EDGE, working with communities of faith and working with new ministry initiatives, that God is definitely up to something. But it doesn’t always look like “church.” Sometimes new initiatives and partnerships and ministries don’t lead to more “bums in pews” on Sunday mornings. Sometimes life-giving work doesn’t lead directly to more money in the bank. Unexpected things happen all the time: roofs leak, staff changes over, and people move away or even pass away.
But other unexpected things happen, too: we reach out to a neighbour we think needs our help and find that they are actually able to help us. We invite conversation and find we are not alone. We ask someone about their needs and are surprised to find them well-aligned with our values, our goals, and what we can provide.
The EDGE team has developed resources to help congregations in these challenging times. We have Signposts (processes to engage congregations in visioning and future direction discussions) available on CHURCHx. We have cohorts that are exploring curiosity and what it might look like to “do church” differently (Curiosity Cohort in November has a rural ministry focus). We have a Leading Adaptively course to support the many leaders out there who are struggling to lead in unprecedented times. We also resource several grants provided through Embracing the Spirit that allow us to work with communities of faith as they explore and experiment with new initiatives.
Most communities of faith have undergone huge changes in the last few decades, and especially in the last two and a half years. Most of us are trying to find our footings again in our personal lives, work lives, and spiritual lives. This can feel overwhelming and daunting, especially as the communities that we relied in years before or even during the COVID pandemic, have rearranged themselves. I have buried several good friends in the past two years, and I feel their absence in a whole new way now that I am able to attend in-person gatherings and they are not there.
At EDGE and in social innovation circles, I often hear: “Fall in love with the problem.” Some days, this feels almost flippant. How can we love this moment of church decline and uncertainty? How can we embrace this devastation and actually celebrate and make new plans when we’re exhausted and discouraged? How can we possibly find a way forward?
God is up to something. Are you in? The Church is called to be the body of Christ in the world. That is a complicated invitation, and one that shouldn’t be taken too lightly. Who are we called to be in this world? What is God asking of us in this moment?—The Rev. Bronwyn Corlett,
Acting Executive Director EDGE [Image credit: Fathromi Ramdlon on Pixabay] |
|
Dreamwork Canada Workshop–Exploring Dreams Through Six Simple Questions  Have you ever wondered what your dreams are telling you? Join Dreamwork Canada and Reverend Greg Little on October 25, at 6:30 p.m. EDT for an exploration of how God speaks to us through dreams.
This two hour Zoom session will introduce participants to the process for using the “six magic questions” approach to exploring dreams. Participants will have opportunities to work with each other to apply the method to dreams in a small group setting.
This approach can unlock the meaning of dream images and the meaning of their dreams.
Dreamwork Canada workshops teach people to explore their dreams from different approaches within a Christian context using the concepts of Carl Jung.
Dreamwork Canada will offer a second dream workshop on February 21, 2023, 6:30-8:30 p.m. EST. Alexandra Caverly-Lowerly, M.Div, Th.M, provides participants with an opportunity to explore, using gentle body movement and active imagination, ways to engage with the images, voices, and physically-felt experiences that arrive in dreams, and to learn more about how, individually and together, we participate in God’s Dream for an Earth Community living in wholeness and right relationship.
Participants will meet in small groups to discuss one or more dreams and leave with ideas for ongoing practice.
Price: $30 per person, per workshop. $5 discount per workshop if participant registers for both ($50 total)
Register for workshops. [Image credit: Courtesy of EDGE/Rob Dalgleish] |
|
Curiosity Cohort: Rural Focus Now Open for Registration on CHURCHx  Curiosity Cohort: Rural Focus is now open for registration on CHURCHx! This five week synchronous opportunity will allow you to get curious about your own community of faith and connect with other leaders in rural settings. We'll engage with stories and ideas from across the country about different ways that rural congregations are bringing new energy into their communities. Throughout the five week process, you’ll also have access to videos, journaling questions, “homework” prompts, and other materials to support your journey. This is supplemental to weekly facilitated sessions.
Curiosity Cohort is for all of us who are wanting to find that piece of ourselves and use it to help guide our work. All you need is a pen, journal and an open mind and heart. You'll explore curiosity's:
Theoretical Foundation
What is curiosity? Why do we need it? What are the barriers to being curious?
Experiential Learning and Integration
Where do we see curiosity around us? What are other people doing that inspires curiosity? What is similar in other stories of curiosity to my own story of curiosity?
Practical Application
What practical skills help build curiosity? How can I bring curiosity back to my community of faith? How will I start to practice curiosity in my own life?
Curiosity Cohort
Rural Focus isn't about giving you the answers—it is about helping you develop the skills, tools, and practices to use curiosity to better understand the unique needs, values, and gifts in your community. It's a starting point from which you can answer the question: What are we being called to next?
Whether you are considering replacing your pews with chairs or starting a social enterprise, curiosity is for you and your community.
Start Date: October 18, 2022, 12:00–1:00 p.m. EST. Five weekly sessions.
Pricing: Suggested donation of $20 per person or $100 per community of faith (Five or more people).
Please register for the Curiosity Cohorts in it's new home on CHURCHx. Register using the option for congregations if you want to use the group rate!
Please email Sarah at slevis@united-church.ca if any of the following applies:- You require a scholarship.
- Your community of faith has received an Embracing the Spirit grant.
[Image credit: CHURCHx] |
|
40 Days of Engagement on Anti-Racism Has Begun!  The United Church of Canada’s continuing commitment to becoming an anti-racist denomination includes providing education materials about why it’s important to be anti-racist, and how communities of faith and the individuals in them can be anti-racist every day.
40 Days of Engagement on Anti-Racism is a learning experience offered online, where each day for 40 days participants receive content offering opportunities for learning, reflection, and action on anti-racism. This year, the online content is supplemented by free live events happening every Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. EST. On October 11, the live events launched with “An Evening with Desmond Cole.” Six events remain:- Anti-Racism for White People–October 18. Leaders: Jordan Cantwell and Danniel Hague.
- The Unconscious Biases of Anti-Asian Racism–October 25. Leader: Henry Shui.
- Reflecting on Ancestors and Being Métis–November 1. Featuring Penny and Brian Nelson.
- Anti-Racist Authors of Faith–November 8. Featuring Alf Dumont, Andrew Kinoti Lairenge, and OhWang Kwan.
- Exploring Mixed and Multiracial Identities–November 15. Leaders: Catherine Inglis and Danielle Rolfe.
- Then Let us Sing!–November 22.
To sign up for the 40 Days of Engagement on Anti-Racism mailings visit the program web page. Sign up for the live events on the CHURCHx platform. [Image credit: The United Church of Canada] |
|
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. |
|
| Sign up for the Embracing the Spirit newsletter! |
|
|
| Donate to The United Church of Canada and help fund life changing work around the world! |
|
|
|
No comments:
Post a Comment