The Body of Christ is made of many parts, and people experience their understanding of God in many different ways. On this blog, we'll consider the beliefs and activities of congregations, denominations and different religions.
Wednesday, December 20, 2023
E-ssentials: Wishing You a Blessed Christmas
The United Church of Canada E-ssentials - December 19, 2023
And he shall be called Emmanuel—God with us. Wishing you peace and joy this Christmas.
[Text: Paraphrase of Matthew 1:23] [Image credit: Image by Hanneke Visschers from Pixabay]
Two Letters, Two Leaders: Responses to Middle East Conflict
Last week, Moderator Carmen Lansdowne and Leeann Shimoda, Chair of the National Indigenous Council, wrote to Prime Minister Trudeau to express their gratitude for Canada’s change in position regarding a ceasefire in the Middle East.
Read other joint statements by the United Church and partners. To lend your voice to the growing calls for peace and justice in the Middle East, please:
ADVOCATE by sending a letter to your MP, using our new advocacy tool.
DONATE to our Mission and Service partners who are currently responding to those impacted by the conflict in West Bank and East Jerusalem.
In Case You Missed It: Mission and Service Advent Resources
Every Christmas, the generous United Church community reaches out and makes gifts to Mission and Service. This year, we hope, will be no different. While there are dozens of causes and ministries that Mission and Service gifts support, this year’s campaign is focusing on the issue of child hunger.
We are hoping you’ll use resources on the Mission and Service in Worship page with your faith community to encourage donations to Mission and Service. For the Advent season, you will find a prayer, video, and impact report to share with your community of faith.
Your Mission and Service Stories: Nourishing Spirits through Tradition
While we recognize this season as a time of joy, for many underprivileged families it is a difficult reminder of their struggle. For Mission and Service partner London Community Chaplaincy (LCC), bringing joy and community-building fun to the social housing complexes they serve goes hand-in-hand with creating and sustaining traditions.
[Photo provided by London Community Chaplaincy]
Flourishing with Afdhel Aziz and Carmen Lansdowne
Join Moderator Carmen Lansdowne for a special Flourishing keynote presentation with Afdhel Aziz: "Unleashing the Moral Imagination to Create a Flourishing World: Recalibrate our Compass to Imagine the World as It Should Be."
Flourishing Congregational Workshop: Faith leaders are also invited to join Moderator Carmen Lansdowne for a Flourishing congregational workshop on Saturday, February 10, 2024, 9:00 a.m. — 4:30 p.m. PST, at Jubilee United Church in Burnaby, BC.
[Image credit: The United Church of Canada/Carmen Lansdowne and Afdhel Aziz]
United in Learning: Lenten Study 2024
During Lent, join us on Tuesdays from February 20 to March 26, 2024, to expand your love for God, deepen your connection to Creation, and strengthen your hope for God’s dream realized.
The new Lenten devotional Act/Fast: Spiritual Practices for a Climate in Crisis invites us to deepen our love for Creation and take action or fast for a climate in crisis. It also includes a study guide to help you dive deeper as individuals or within a group.
Advent season is upon us, and we have plenty of gift ideas for the book lovers or anyone interested in deepening their spirituality on your list, including the gift of choice with our United Church Bookstore Gift Card.
We would like to wish you and your families a very Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year. Our store will be closed beginning on December 22, 2023, and will reopen on January 2, 2024. Orders will not be fulfilled while our office is closed. Please be sure to place your orders soon to avoid disappointment!
[Image credit: Canva]
Worship Resources
See our Worship Resources for upcoming Sundays and special celebrations.
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