Support the People Impacted by the Conflict in Palestine and Israel

Department of Service to Palestine Refugees office in Gaza

You can support the people impacted by the conflict in Palestine and Israel through your donations and advocacy.

Mission and Service partners are currently responding to those who are impacted by the conflict in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Partners are prepared to expand their activity into Gaza when a humanitarian corridor is opened, allowing for safe access to provide relief. Currently, there is an urgent need for food as well as non-food items such as medicines, psychosocial support, and shelter.

We are working with Mission and Service partners ACT Alliance, Department of Service to Palestinian Refugees (DSPR), and the Humanitarian Coalition (as a member of the Canadian Foodgrains Bank) to provide tangible support for the people of the Middle East.

Your help is urgently needed.

You can also write a letter calling for a ceasefire, the opening of a humanitarian aid corridor, and protection of civilians and email it directly to Foreign Affairs Minister The Hon. Mélanie Joly and your local MP using our letter-writing template.

The United Church of Canada has signed on to a number of statements from our partners and other organizations calling for a ceasefire to the conflict.

Find out more about how you can act today, and pray for peace with justice for the people of Palestine and Israel.

[Image credit: Al Jedeh /DSPR]

General Council 44: Church Adopts Social Justice Principles and Addresses Designated Lay Ministry

The annual recall meeting of the 44th General Council met virtually on October 21, 2023. It included greetings from the Partner Council and recognition of John Egger as the last long-term overseas ministry personnel.

Small group discussions in breakout rooms provided opportunities to discuss the proposals before the General Council, specifically the Principles-based justice framework and the Leadership in the 2020s proposal related to Designated Lay Ministers. Read more at GeneralCouncil44.ca.

[Image credit: Alpha Stock Images (under Creative Commons license)]

Tonight's 40 Days Live Event

Raising Anti-Racist Children with Heather Beamish and Mary Nichol

Join us tonight, Tuesday, October 24, at 7:00 p.m. EDT, for the next 40 Days live event! Presenters Heather Beamish and Mary Nichol explore and reflect on Raising Anti-Racist Children. This conversation is for parents, teachers, and leaders of children to engage in age-appropriate ways to talk about anti-racism with children, ages 5‒12. They'll reflect on: What do children know about racism? And how might adults raise anti-racist children?

The conversation will also feature I Am a Changemaker, the United Church’s brand-new anti-racism curriculum for leaders of children. Come to learn about this new curriculum, and consider diverse ways of raising anti-racist children. Register through CHURCHx.

[Image credit: The United Church of Canada]

40 Days of Engagement on Anti-Racism: Week at a Glance!

Continue the journey towards becoming an anti-racist church with this 40-day time of learning, reflection, and action. There are so many ways to take part during the 40 days—explore the daily written reflections, check out the featured anti-racism books, join one of the study groups, and register for the live events.

[Image credit: The United Church of Canada and the presenters]

EDGE Learning Opportunities

Leading adaptively with Clara King Cohort 10 November 2023

There’s still room in November’s “Leading Adaptively” cohort! Join this three-session Zoom course starting November 2, 6:00-8:00 p.m. EDT. Discover ways to lead adaptively with skills you already have, encounter the core theory of Adaptive Leadership in a vibrant new way, and come away with usable practices to reinvigorate your leadership journey.

Course Leader Clara King’s dynamic, hope-filled facilitation style will refresh, empower, and energize you for the journey ahead! Visit CHURCHx for more details and to register. If you need a bursary to cover the $125 course fee, or if you’ve received an Embracing the Spirit grant, please email Sarah Levis.

[Image credit: The United Church of Canada and Clara King]

Mission and Service Stories: Empowering Women of the Past, Present, and Future

In India, women’s access to theological education has historically been limited in comparison to men. When the Rev. B. Silpa Rani started her first degree, she spent two years as the only woman in a class of 16. Now she is actively encouraging women to pursue theological education and engage in leadership roles.

[Photo credit: Courtesy of the Rev. B. Silpa Rani]

United Church Bookstore: Our Weekly Features

Featured this week at the United Church Bookstore

Our weekly round-up has some great titles and products featured!

Get your 2024 Canadian Church Calendar before they are gone! Order in bulk to save! Orders of 50 or more calendars can apply the MYCHURCHCAL discount code at checkout to receive 20% off the calendars. Resell to your congregants to raise funds for your community of faith!

Purchase your copy of Undivided Love by Janet Gear, and save 15% with discount code UCFOUNDATION. Plus, take a deep dive into Undivided Love by joining the live discussion from The United Church of Canada Foundation and Janet Gear on October 30.

This week's 40 Days of Engagement on Anti-Racism featured title is: How to Raise an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi. Check out the entire anti-racism collection at the United Church Bookstore website!

[Image credit: The United Church of Canada]