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, March 6, 2024
E-ssentials: The Moderator's PIE Day Message, Submit Your Vote on Remit 1, and more!
March 14 Is National Affirming/PIE Day!
March 14, National Affirming/PIE Day is a time for Public, Intentional and Explicit inclusion of 2SLGBTQIA+ people. But what does this mean? It means showing up in solidarity, challenging hate, and reaching out beyond your community of faith. Check out the new National Affirming/PIE Day video on The United Church of Canada's YouTube Channel and share widely!
You can find even more PIE Day resources on The United Church of Canada website.
[Image credit: The United Church of Canada]
Last Call for Your Vote! Time's Running Out – March 31 Deadline!
Does your pastoral charge have more questions about Remit 1? There is a great deal of background information available on the website for General Council 44. If you have more questions, please be in touch with your regional council. It is important that all pastoral charges submit their votes by March 31!
[Image credit: The United Church of Canada]
United in Learning: Bearing Faithful Witness
Join members of faculty from our United Church theological schools and guests to explore Bearing Faithful Witness, a United Church resource that addresses anti-Judaism in worship, liturgy, Christian education, and scriptural interpretation. Next session is tomorrow, March 6, 2024. Register today on CHURCHx.
[Image credit: The United Church of Canada]
Mission and Service Easter Resources
With Easter drawing nearer, we have prepared a number of new Mission and Service resources for leaders to use to share the Easter Appeal with communities of faith. This Easter we are focusing on education, learning, and helping others.
The resources—from the story to the video, the Impact Report, and even the prayer—are focused on reminding your community of faith of the value of education, of being true disciples and followers of Christ.
You can find these resources on the United Church website on the Mission and Service Worship page. By sharing them you will be helping us to help so many others, both in Canada and around the world. Thank you in advance for your support.
Your Mission and Service Stories: Public, Intentional, Explicit Inclusion
March 14 is PIE Day. In church circles it has nothing to do with math. PIE is short for “public, intentional, and explicit.” These are the standards we hold ourselves to when we seek to be affirming, welcoming, and inclusive.
[Image credit: Affirm United]
Flourishing with André Picard and Moderator Carmen Lansdowne
From Struggling to Thriving: How to Revitalize Canada’s Medicare System: Join Moderator Carmen Lansdowne and respected health journalist André Picard. As a keynote event in the Moderator’s Flourishing initiative, Picard will reflect on which changes would transform medicare from a “sickness care” system to a “health care” system. Open to everyone. April 11, 6:30 p.m., Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21, 1055 Marginal Rd., Halifax, NS. Registration and tickets available on Eventbrite. Early Bird 2 for 1 pricing. $50 until March 22!
Flourishing Workshop: Is Your Church Flourishing? Moderator Carmen Lansdowne and Cameron Fraser, Director of Growth for The United Church of Canada, will conduct a free workshop for congregations with a view to dreaming great ideas into reality. Spend the day reflecting and engaging in energizing activities towards dream-oriented actions for our churches and communities. Open to everyone. April 13, 9:30-4:00 p.m., Bedford United Church, 1200 Bedford Hwy, Bedford, NS. Free registration.
These events are in-person only and will not be livestreamed. See the United Church website for other locations the Moderator will be holding events in 2024.
[Image credit: Courtesy of André Picard and Carmen Lansdowne]
Countering Antisemitism in Worship
The Lenten season is a particular time when some interpretations of Christian scriptures can be anti-Jewish or even antisemitic. The United Church's Countering Antisemitism Working Group—which was mandated at the 44th General Council in 2022 to focus on antisemitism in Christian theology and worship—has created resources for Lent.
In addition, faculty from several theological schools have been gathering online on CHURCHx to explore Bearing Faithful Witness, a United Church resource that addresses anti-Judaism in worship, liturgy, Christian education, and scriptural interpretation. It is still possible to sign up for the final two sessions on March 6 and 11, and recordings of previous sessions are also available.
[Image credit: Jametlene Reskp/Unsplash]
Worship Resources
See our Worship Resources for upcoming Sundays and special celebrations.
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