E-ssentials: A Prayer for Monterey Park, A Call for the Release of Water Defenders, and more!

A Prayer for Monterey Park Our hearts are broken by the horrific events that took place in Monterey Park, California. In this time of sadness, we offer this prayer: We pray with the people of Monterey Park and Alhambra, California, who are mourning after the mass shooting that took place during Lunar New Year festivities; those who are afraid, broken-hearted, and crushed in spirit by racism, hate, and violence; the people of Half Moon Bay and Tulare County, California, who are mourning recent mass killings in their small towns; those who have been impacted forever because of a mass shooting; and those whose pain and trauma reopens with each shooting reported, knowing that you, in your passion, acknowledge the brokenness of our world, assured that you weep with us. For the full prayer visit our website. [Image: Flowers are placed at the entrance to Star Dance Studio in Monterey Park, Calif., Monday, January, 23, 2023. credit: © Canadian Press | The Associated Press/Jae C. Hong]

United Church Calls for Release of Water Defenders On January 11, five people, including staff of the Association for Economic and Social Development (ADES) and leaders of the community of Santa Marta El Salvador, were arrested by the country’s Attorney General’s Office and National Civil Police. Those arrested were the Executive Director Teodoro Antonio Pacheco and Legal Advisor Saúl Agustín Rivas Ortega of ADES and community leaders in Santa Marta: Miguel Ángel Gámez, Alejandro Laínez García, and Pedro Antonio Rivas Laínez. The United Church of Canada joins with 250 organizations from 29 countries to call on the Salvadoran government to drop the charges against leading Water Defenders arrested on January 11 and advocate for their release. Read the full news story. [Image credit: ADES Santa Marta Facebook] An Exciting New Chapter for EDGE An exciting new chapter for EDGE has begun! As the United Church embraces a new Call and Vision and makes Growth a key priority, the denominational office will integrate the expertise, energy, and ethos of its semi-autonomous innovation arm—EDGE: A Network for Ministry Development. As a result of an audit of EDGE, which included examining how it connects to the new Strategic Plan, the work and staff of EDGE will be integrated into the core work of the General Council Office in 2023. Read the full news story. [Image credit: The United Church of Canada] United in Learning: Pension Information Seminar The United Church of Canada provides a Defined Benefit Pension Plan for all employees who work more than 14 hours a week. On Thursday, February 16, 2023, at 1:00 p.m. EST, join us for this 90-minute program to learn about how the plan works, what it costs, what it provides, and how to apply for your pension when you’re ready. Register today! Stay up-to-date with all the latest United in Learning webinars, workshops, and special events (including a new Lenten study!) by visiting CHURCHx. [Image credit: The United Church of Canada] Your Generosity Matters: Learning Racism at a Young Age For January, we asked five staff members to select a Mission & Service story that is meaningful to them and tell us a bit about why: "I have worked with children for over a decade. One of the important things we try to include is respect for other people—and that includes another person’s abilities, race, culture, and religion." —Amanda Tam, General Council Donations [Photo credit: kali9/iStock] The United Church Bookstore: Get Ready for Lent! Ash Wednesday is less than one month away. For those of you making plans for the Lenten season, both the print and the e-book versions of our 2023 United Church Lenten devotional, Good Courage: Daily Reflections on Hope, are available! We also have some big news! Our new Lenten study is officially open for registration. Hosted by the Rev. Stephen Fetter, explore how each devotion invites us into deeper spirituality and more daring discipleship. The six-week series kicks off on February 28, 2023. Plus, enjoy a coupon for 20% off Good Courage: Daily Reflections on Hope when you sign up!  [Image credit: The United Church of Canada] The Annual Declaration Is Now Open! We’d like to advise ministry personnel that the 2023 Annual Declaration is now open until May 19, 2023. It’s free and only takes a few minutes. Log into ChurchHub.ca to make your Annual Declaration about whether you’ve had criminal charges in the last year or not. If you make your Annual Declaration each year, you do not need to get a new police records check! (Remember that Chrome or Edge are the preferred browsers for ChurchHub; Safari is not optimal.) Need help accessing ChurchHub? Please contact ministry@united-church.ca [Image credit: The United Church of Canada] Worship Resources  See our Worship Resources for upcoming Sundays and special celebrations. Fourth after Epiphany - January 29, 2023 Fifth after Epiphany - February 5, 2023 Black History Month 1- February 5, 2023 Sixth after Epiphany - February 12, 2023 Black History Month 2 - February 12, 2023 Black History Month 3 - February 19, 2023 Transfiguration Sunday - February 19, 2023 Ash Wednesday - February 22, 2023 Black History Month 4 - February 26, 2023 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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