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, January 31, 2024
E-ssentials: Honour Black History Month
Get Ready for Black History Month
February is Black History (or African Heritage) Month. Officially recognized in Canada since 1996, this is a time to honour the contributions and struggles of people of African descent.
This week we are starting things off with the latest Black History Month blog from the Rev. Franklyn James. Stay tuned for more Black History Month blogs dropping each week in February!
[Image credit: The United Church of Canada/ Photo courtesy of Franklyn James]
International Court of Justice Rules on South Africa’s Genocide Application
The United Church of Canada joins partners in Palestine and Israel, and the global community, in expressing appreciation for the ruling of the International Court of Justice last week. The ruling indicated key provisional measures that Israel must undertake “to protect against further, severe and irreparable harm to the rights of the Palestinian people under the Genocide Convention, which continue to be violated with impunity.” Read the full statement.
From February 4 to 10, we will share stories about how the United Church and Mission and Service global partners work to address inequality, hunger, climate change, and poverty, and increase well-being on a global and local scale.
The week’s activities focus on sustainable development and the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a shared plan for building a healthier global future for people and the planet by 2030.
Flourishing Keynote Presentation and Congregational Workshop
Join Moderator Carmen Lansdowne on February 8, 2024, at 6:00 ‒ 8:30 p.m. PST 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." The presentation will be in person at St. Andrew's-Wesley United Church, 1022 Nelson St., Vancouver, BC. Reserve your spot today!
Faith leaders, Lay leaders, youth and young adults 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. Find out more and register for this free event!
[Image credit: The United Church of Canada/Carmen Lansdowne and Afdhel Aziz]
Call for Nominations!
Call for nominations! Committees and task groups at the national level rely on the wisdom and God-given talents that committed individuals bring to these positions. Who will you nominate?
Nominations Committee Attention people in the Prairie and Atlantic provinces! Are you a discerning listener? Do you see the gifts in others? Are you committed to lifting up new and experienced leaders to guide the United Church? Maybe you are called to be a part of the Nominations Committee!
Structural Change Evaluation Steering Group Five years ago, the United Church began transitioning to our current structure. Two of the leaders who were a part of implementing that change are needed to join the Structural Change Evaluation Steering Group.
Your Mission and Service Stories: Lessons of Racism Learned When Young
The following is an excerpt from a blog written by Adele Halliday.
The name calling started when she was about three years old. They were racial slurs, and names, and taunts. My child, my own flesh and blood, was being ostracized for having Black skin. The people slinging the insults? Other children on the playground…
Your Mission and Service gifts support anti-racism programs and initiatives like the ones Halliday develops as the United Church’s Anti-Racism and Equity Lead to help all of us be in deeper, more equitable relationships with one another.
[Image credit: Jacob Lund]
The United Church Bookstore: Join the Lenten Study Group!
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