Statement on the Closure of Roxham Road
The United Church of Canada affirms that the right to seek asylum is a human right protected under international law.
Today, April 4, National Refugee Rights Day, Montreal City Mission, Canadian Council of Refugees and others will hold vigils across the country to protest the abrupt closing of Roxham Road, which has left refugees stranded; we mourn the loss of refugee rights.
In 2022, nearly 40,000 asylum seekers crossed into Canada using Roxham Road. They are not nameless. They are not faceless. They have names, hopes, dreams. They have loved ones they’ve left behind. They are fellow humans who seek safety because they are unsafe. They seek freedom because they are persecuted elsewhere.
The United Church of Canada urges the government to fulfill its legal obligations to uphold refugees’ right to protection. Read the full statement.[Image credit: © THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz]
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Grants to Align with Call and Vision
During 2023, The United Church of Canada is conducting a review of all its grants and granting functions to ensure alignment with the church's Strategic Plan and to support the organization in achieving its goals.
In 2021, the United Church adopted a denomination-wide Call and Vision. During 2022, the strategic objectives were formalized, and the General Council Office developed an operational plan. The implementation of the Strategic Plan is now underway, and processes are being developed to align resources accordingly.
Find out more, and what this means for United Church grants in 2023 and beyond.[Image credit: © SolStock | iStockphoto.com]
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Annual Declaration Reminder |
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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]
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Your Generosity Matters: Your Generosity Shows Love of Creation |
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Earth Day is celebrated in communities around the world on April 22 each year. Join the United Church and other members of the For the Love of Creation climate justice initiative for a “Together for the Love of Creation” Earth Week from April 16-22.
[Image credit: fstop123/istockphoto.com]
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The United Church Bookstore: Bulletins and Supplies for All Occasions |
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We've restocked on our most popular bulletin covers for worship! We know spring can be a busy season with upcoming baptisms, confirmations, and planning programs for children and youth, so check out all the supplies we offer and get organized for the months ahead!
Plus, don't forget we offer free shipping on orders over $100—be sure to use the promotional code: FREESHIPPING to save on your next large order!
[Image credit: The United Church of Canada]
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Faithful Footprints: Sign up to Host a Retrofit Tour!
 Don't miss out on the opportunity to share the climate action being done within your congregation utilizing The United Church of Canada’s Faithful Footprints program! For Earth Week please consider hosting a Faithful Footprints Retrofit Tour of your building to celebrate and showcase your building’s completed energy and decarbonization retrofit projects!
This is an opportunity to inspire others by sharing your experience, lessons learned, as well as the carbon, energy, operational costs, and impact your community has experienced.
Retrofit Tours must be hosted between April 16 and 23, 2023, and can be held in conjunction with other Earth Week events taking place throughout the week. Sign up to host a tour!
[Image credit: Faithful Footprints]
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Call for Nominations: Opportunities to Serve
Call for nominations! The Board of Vocation is seeking new members for a variety of the committees that support faithful, well-equipped, effective ministry personnel for the United Church. Learn more about each of the current opportunities to serve. Nominations close Monday, April 17.
[Image credit: The United Church of Canada]
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Our gifts for Mission & Service bring healing, justice, and hope to life. Donate today. |
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