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.
Tuesday, October 8, 2024
E-ssentials: Action and Prayers for Peace, The Moderator's Thanksgiving Message, and more!
Prayers and Action for Palestine and Israel
Yesterday marked one year since the horrific escalation of violence in Israel, Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem. Over the last several days, we have also witnessed escalation of violence in the region with attacks on Lebanon and from Iran to Israel. As a church, we know the power of gathering in community in prayer and in action, and so we continue to pray and act for just peace in the region.
The United Church of Canada partners in Palestine and Israel remain steadfast in their commitment to justice, and persistent in calling the church to act. As a church, we hear these calls as reflections of the gospel imperatives for costly solidarity and speaking truth to power.
We call the church to prayer and action. We pray for all those who are grieving the deaths of loved ones, for those who wait for the release of captives, and for those who are injured in body and in heart.
In her Thanksgiving message, Moderator Carmen Lansdowne reminds us that we have good reason to give thanks—and to share the gifts in our lives with those who are in need. May God bless you and those around you this Thanksgiving.
[Video still credit: The United Church of Canada]
The United Church Bookstore: Commemorate a Century of Preaching!
An in-person event will take place at the Emmanuel College Chapel and will also be streamed online, with the Rev. John Young as a featured speaker. Copies of the book will be available for sale in person.
Moments in Time: Sermons from The United Church of Canada, 1910–2020 features 28 sermons from United Church preachers, providing a unique, accessible, and informative volume for the church’s Centennial year.
Mission and Service: Provide Food Security for Elders This Fall
For many Canadian seniors living on fixed incomes, rising grocery prices mean that Thanksgiving dinners—and everyday meals—are becoming more difficult to afford. This Thanksgiving, Mission and Service is raising funds to support our partners like Food Security for Elders, which provides grocery cards to Indigenous Elders in the Morley First Nation and in the Lethbridge, AB, area. Your gift ensures they have access to healthy food options. Your gift today will help a senior to eat well this fall.
[Image credit: Bridges to Hope]
40 Days of Engagement on Anti-Racism Begins Next Week!
The 40-day journey is starting soon! An amazing array of inspiring speakers are ready to share their insights and thought-provoking analyses via Zoom. Here's a look at the October listings:
Tues. Oct. 15: TheUnitedNationsandtheFutureofPeopleofAfricanDescent with Michael McEachrane.
Tues. Oct. 22: Bold Discipleship: Reflections from the United Church in Saskatchewan with Lynn Caldwell, SunDo Hyun, Bernon Lee, and Becca Whitla. There will be English-Korean interpretation.
Tues. Oct. 29: Race Talks from Gen Zs with a panel of youth from Indigenous and racialized backgrounds: Eli Dunlap, Inzwirashe Munikwa, and Mackayla Taylor.
All of these live events and more happen on Tuesdays at 7:00 p.m. ET. Register on CHURCHx.
Nomination Calls: Faith and Life Sciences Reference Group
Are you fascinated by the latest developments in life sciences and biotechnology? Can you engage in ethical or theological reflection on matters such as AI, bio-enhancement technologies, and gene editing? The United Church is seeking a curious, discerning, critical thinker to join the Faith and Life Sciences Reference Group of the Canadian Council of Churches. Learn more about this group and many more on the Opportunities webpage.
[Image credit:The United Church of Canada]
Worship Resources
See our Worship Resources for upcoming Sundays and special celebrations.
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!
No comments:
Post a Comment