Tuesday, September 24, 2024

E-ssentials: You're Invited to a Cross Country Check-In!

You're Invited to a Cross-Country Check-In!

 
Michael Blair, General Secretary of The United Church of Canada

The annual General Council meeting is scheduled for October 19, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET. We invite you to join an informal, thoughtful national meeting on October 22 at 6:00 p.m. ET with the General Secretary, the Rev. Michael Blair, and guests from the General Council Executive—LIVE ONLINE. They want to hear from the church across the country so they can prepare for the November General Council Executive meetings and beyond.

This personal invitation from General Secretary, the Rev. Michael Blair is for you, for staff, and for congregations. It is an opportunity to engage with the decisions and dialogue from the annual meeting—right after it happens.

Everyone is welcome. Registration in now open on CHURCHx.

Bold Discipleship: Reflections from the United Church in Saskatchewan follows at 7:00 p.m. There will be English-Korean interpretation. Register on CHURCHx.

[Image credit: The United Church of Canada]

40 Days and Then Let Us Sing!

 
What WIll We Sing When We Need to Sing a New Song?
 

Join the Then Let Us Sing! committee on Tuesday, November 26, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. ET for a thought-provoking discussion on the future of music in The United Church of Canada. As we celebrate our 100th year, we'll explore:

  • How music can reflect our commitment to anti-oppression.
  • Hymns that inspire deeper spirituality, bold discipleship, and daring justice.
  • The evolution of our songbook: New hymns to embrace and those we might consider retiring.

Register now and explore more 40 Days of Engagement on Anti-Racism Live Events.

Plus, just in time for International Week of the Deaf, a long-awaited series of American Sign Language resource videos have been released as a preview to Then Let Us Sing! (TLUS). Visit The United Church of Canada YouTube channel to view them all!

[Image credit: The United Church of Canada]


September 30 is Orange Shirt Day/National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
 
Orange feather
 
Orange Shirt Day/National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is Monday September 30—that means we also mark it in church on September 29. Make sure you take time on Sunday and Monday to remember and honour Indigenous children who were taken from their communities and families to residential institutions.
 
Check out our Orange Shirt Day page for worship resources and encourage everyone to wear orange for a community picture. Share your photos on Facebook and Twitter (include the hashtags #OrangeShirtDay, #EveryChildMatters, and #UCCan). Wear your shirt again on Monday and continue to share photos on social media.

[Image credit: The United Church of Canada]

The United Church Bookstore: Indigenous Justice Resources

 
Book collection featured for Orange Shirt Day and Truth and Reconciliation regarding Indigenous Justice  

Empower yourself and others in the journey towards Truth and Reconciliation by exploring the rich selection of literature offered by the United Church Bookstore. The Indigenous Justice collection features a range of books delving into topics like residential schools, reconciliation, and environmental racism. Browse the full Indigenous Justice collection and find the resources that will spark your understanding and fuel your commitment to healing.

[Image credit: Wipf and Stock Publishers, Canadian Bible Society, and Fernwood Publishing]

Mission and Service: Help Far North Canadians Afford to Eat This Thanksgiving 

 
Red Seedless Grapes priced at $20.19 a Kilogram


In Canada’s Far North, rising food costs are making it harder for families to eat. With ice roads becoming increasingly unreliable, groceries must be flown in, causing an even steeper rise in price.

This Thanksgiving, Mission and Service is raising money to fight food insecurity and hunger across Canada and around the world. Partners like Food for the North provide grocery cards to families in need, making a big difference.

Your donations today mean fewer hungry families tomorrow. Give a gift today and help our neighbours in the Far North afford food this winter.

Leaders looking for Thanksgiving Mission and Service worship service, sermon, and prayer resources can download these resources from our website.

[Image credit: Cheryl Jourdain/The United Church of Canada]


Advent Unwrapped Returns This November

 
Advent Unwrapped Logo

It’s the season of pumpkin spice, which means that the season of candy canes and peppermint can’t be too far behind! 

As always, the Advent Unwrapped Team wants you to know that we love that you are with us, we respect that it is hard to share “glad tidings of good news” when we are weary, and to remind you that we will be dropping off care packages featuring worship, prayers, and activity ideas straight to your inbox throughout the season of Advent. This year, some music and worship resources will include content from th Disability and Accessibility Network! Sign up for the Advent Unwrapped newsletter today to ensure you don't miss a single day of inspiration. 
 
We hope that this year’s Advent Unwrapped offerings will be nourishing (while of course providing some comfort, challenge, and joy).

[Image credit: © Dreamstime.com]

Worship Resources 


See our Worship Resources for upcoming Sundays and special celebrations.

Creation Time 4 - September 29, 2024
World Communion Sunday - October 6, 2024
Creation Time 5 - October 6, 2024
Creation Time 6 - October 13, 2024
Thanksgiving Sunday - October 13, 2024
International Day for the Eradication of Poverty - October 17,2024
Twenty-second after Pentecost - October 20, 2024
World Food Sunday - October 20, 2024

For more inspiring worship ideas and resources subscribe to GatheringWorship.ca
Important Note: The images included in this newsletter are protected by copyright. While we encourage you to share the newsletter itself, please don't copy or use the images independently. Thanks for your understanding!
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