E-ssentials: Giving Thanks—and Working to Do Better, 40 Days of Engagement on Anti-Racism, and more!

Giving Thanks—and Working to Do Better This Thanksgiving, we give thanks for a church that is humble and willing to change. The United Church of Canada has committed to becoming an anti-racist church. Your gifts through Mission and Service and The United Church of Canada Foundation help us work towards this commitment.   As we give thanks, we must also reflect on what we can do better. Will you join us and make a gift today to contribute to dismantling racism in our church?  [Image credit: The United Church of Canada] 40 Days of Engagement on Anti-Racism Live Event 40 Days of Engagement on Anti-Racism begins on Tuesday, October 10, including the first live event: The Dual Function of Genealogy and Family Lore in Cases of Race Shifting, at 7:00 p.m. ET. In this presentation, Dr. Leroux will explain the growing number of false claims to Indigenous identity in Canada. This will be a bilingual event, with English-French interpretation. Sign up on CHURCHx. Follow along for all things 40 Days of Engagement of Anti-Racism! This year we are bringing you brand-new written content, a new line-up of speakers with online live events, and the NEW study group sessions! For all the latest updates sign up for the newsletter.  [Image credit: The United Church of Canada] United Church Bookstore: 40 Days of Engagement on Anti-Racism Featured Collection 40 Days of Engagement on Anti-Racism returns with brand-new content on October 10! Find all the 40 Days of Engagement on Anti-Racism featured books at the United Church Bookstore. Use the discount code FORTYDAYS to receive an offer of 20% off when you purchase two or more featured titles. The discount code can also be combined with our FREESHIPPING discount code on orders over $100! [Image credit: The United Church of Canada] Welcome to Gifts with Vision for 2023–2024! Gifts with Vision are an opportunity for you to make a difference in someone’s life—during Advent and Christmas, or at any time of year—by giving gifts from the comfort of home, with no packaging or wrapping needed. This year’s new gifts include solar power for the United Theological College in Zimbabwe, backpacks full of school supplies for children who live under the poverty line, a biofuel pilot project run by women in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and making the United Church camp experience possible for children in underserved communities in the Maritimes—along with many others. You’ll also recognize lots of returning gifts, like Operation Backpack, Return of the Buffalo, and A Kindergarten in a Refugee Camp. See all the Gifts available and find out more by visiting the Gifts with Vision website.  [Image credit: The United Church of Canada] Mission and Service Stories: Geeta's Story When Geeta’s husband died, she not only lost her life partner but also her home. Because she was no longer married, her in-laws wouldn’t allow her to stay in their multi-generational residence. That’s when she turned to Mission and Service partner Astha Sansthan’s Association of Strong Women Alone for help. [Image credit: Astha Sansthan's Association of Strong Women Alone] Audacious Hope 2024   Youth, young adults, and those who lead them—save the date! Audacious Hope July 3-6, 2024, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON Brought to you by the Rendez-vous team of The United Church of Canada and the LIFT team of The Presbyterian Church in Canada. More information coming soon! [Image credit: The United Church of Canada] EDGE: The Theory of Change with Chris Rotolo You can still sign up for the fall section of Chris Rotolo’s Theory of Change workshop!   This workshop, run in partnership with EDGE, aims to help communities of faith build foundations for innovative, grassroots ministry. The course, which typically lasts three weeks, is now eight weeks long, running from October 9 to December 3. Participants develop a completed Theory of Change, which includes a case for support, an operational plan, and an evaluation plan. Members of the EDGE Network can take the course for only $50—a great deal for communities of faith planning new ministries! Email edge@united-church.ca to see if you qualify. Learn more about the Theory of Change Workshop and watch the recent EDGEy conversation with Chris Rotolo and Sarah Levis on EDGE’s YouTube channel. [Image credit: Canva]

Worship Resources  See our Worship Resources for upcoming Sundays and special celebrations. Thanksgiving Sunday – October 8, 2023 Creation Time Five – October 8, 2023  World Food Sunday – October 15, 2023  Twentieth after Pentecost– October 15, 2023  International Day for the Eradication of Poverty – October 17, 2023  Twenty First after Pentecost – October 22, 2023  Reformation Sunday– October 29, 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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