E-ssentials: National Indigenous Spiritual Gathering Highlights, Climate Motivator News, and more!

Highlights from the National Indigenous Spiritual Gathering The 2023 National Indigenous Spiritual Gathering, with the theme “Our Strong Voices,” opened on July 28 and concluded on July 30. Read all the highlights, including a youth gathering, a keynote address from Moderator Carmen Lansdowne, the naming of National Indigenous Council members, remit voting, celebrations, and more! [Image: Sara Stratton] Youth Climate Motivators Meet at Camp Pringle The United Church youth climate motivators and coordinators gathered in person last week at Camp Pringle in British Columbia. The young leaders enjoyed their time with Moderator Carmen Lansdowne while shedding some light on the important climate projects and advocacy campaigns they've been developing within their communities of faith.  These youth are certainly motivated! Tackling environmental and energy audits, transportation improvements, extreme weather response for homeless people, preserving the greenbelt, sharing education and resources to reduce greenhouse gases, creating pollinator gardens, raising funds for targeted improvements within their congregations like heat pumps and insulation, and so much more!  Follow them on Instagram, and Facebook, and stay tuned for more news updates on their important work!  For more information on resources, actions, and opportunities to learn and promote climate justice, subscribe to the Concerned for Climate Justice newsletter.  (Please note that in order to view the content on Instagram and Facebook, you must have an account.)  [Image credit: courtesy of the Climate Motivators] Coming Soon: A New Set of Nomination Calls A new set of nomination calls is coming soon! The call officially drops next week for nominations on vacancies on the General Council Executive, the Audit Committee, a new task group that will be reviewing compensation in the United Church, and a working group to craft an apology to Two Spirit and LGBTQIA+ people and communities. We seek to be a deep, bold, and daring church. Who will you nominate? Watch for more information next week!  [Image credit: The United Church of Canada] Your Generosity Settles Families When Almaz Fesshaye and her two young children arrived in Canada in 1991, they did not know what to expect. None of them knew the language or culture but hoped and prayed that Canada would be a safer place than Eritrea, a war-torn country in Eastern Africa. Your gifts to Mission and Service help support life-changing programming and staffing to support families seeking safety. [Photo credit: Provided by Almaz Fesshaye] The United Church Bookstore: Plan Ahead This Summer with Gathering Worship

Summer is the perfect time for worship planning, and with Gathering Worship, it just got easier to plan your services with over 40 years of inspiring worship resources to help you build a service. Gathering Worship gives you exclusive online access to the current issue of Gathering magazine, as well as worship resources and tools from the growing backlist catalogue—quality material, updated regularly, to inspire and simplify your weekly worship planning. Watch the video to see how GatheringWorship.ca can help you get ahead, and start your subscription today! [Video credit: GatheringWorship.ca] Seeds of Hope Granting Cycle Is Now Open! The United Church of Canada Foundation's fall 2023 Seeds of Hope granting cycle is now open! The Joint Grants Committee welcomes grant applications for new, unique projects, which include: ​​​​​​​ Provide innovative seniors’ ministries. Celebrate and encourage children and youth. Address environmental and social justice issues. Look at new ways to provide ministry and support during transition periods. Facilitate experiencing faith and spirituality. Apply for a Seeds of Hope grant for your project, and complete and submit your application by October 15, 2023.  [Image credit:Canva/Jessica Smith] Worship Resources  See our Worship Resources for upcoming Sundays and special celebrations. Eleventh after Pentecost – August 13, 2023 Twelfth after Pentecost – August 20, 2023 Thirteenth after Pentecost – August 27, 2023 Fourteenth after Pentecost – September 3, 2023 World Week for Peace in Palestine and Israel – September 17, 2023 UN International Day of Peace – September 21, 2023  For more inspiring worship ideas and resources subscribe to GatheringWorship.ca 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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