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.
Thursday, October 17, 2024
E-ssentials: Save the Date for the Centennial Worship Service on June 8, 2025!
Mark Your Calendars: Centennial Worship Service on June 8, 2025
Join us on June 8, 2025 at Gower St. United Church in St. John’s, NL, for a historic day marking the 100th anniversary of The United Church of Canada. The Centennial Worship service will be livestreamed, allowing people from across Canada to participate in real time.
Consider hosting a watch party at your church to connect with fellow congregants and celebrate this milestone together.
A special worship service is also being prepared for communities of faith to mark this historic occasion. Stay tuned for more information by visiting our Centennial webpage and subscribing to the Centennial newsletter.
[Photo credit: Gower St. United Church, St. John's, NL]
General Council Annual Meeting: October 19, 11:00 to 4:00 p.m. ET
On October 19, 2024, the General Council will hold its annual meeting online using the CHURCHx platform. Bringing current Commissioners together virtually from across the church, the main elements of the meeting will be:
Approval of the Audited Financial Statements for 2023;
Approval of Assessment Funding Rates of 2025;
Enacting the Remit to Establish an Autonomous National Indigenous Organization within the United Church;
Considering a proposal that affirms the application of justice principles to the conflict in Israel and Palestine in such a way that enables the adoption of Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) strategies and joining in the consensus of the international human rights communities in recognizing and rejecting Israel’s apartheid system.
Material regarding these agenda items and others are available on the Commons: Governance/General Council/44th General Council (2022)/2024-10 Annual Meeting. We encourage the church to pray for the General Council as it engages in discernment on behalf of the church.
The meeting will be constituted at 11:00 a.m. ET after some preliminary orientation. You can follow on the livestream on YouTube excluding the period for Table Groups, and the break in the meeting, scheduled from 2:00 and 2:30 p.m. ET. The meeting will conclude at 4:00 p.m. ET. The full agenda of the meeting is available on the Commons. Additional detail will be available at GeneralCouncil44.ca, including a summary following the meeting.
[Image credit: The United Church of Canada]
In Case You Missed It! You're Invited to a Cross Country Check-in!
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 the General Secretary 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 is 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.
Emancipate Yourself: Deborah Richards notes that Emancipation Day honours the emancipation of Black peoples who were enslaved. Years later, are Black people really free?
When Hope Meets Indifference: Albertine Chokoté Naoué wonders: what can each of us do to deconstruct thoughts and behaviours that are harmful?
[Image credit: The United Church of Canada, Deborah Richards, and Albertine Chokoté Naoué]
The United Church Bookstore: 2025 Canadian Church Calendars Have Arrived!
The 2025 Canadian Church Bilingual Calendar is here! It's a must-have for any United Church member or history enthusiast! Featuring stunning visuals of United Churches from coast to coast, this calendar showcases the beauty and diversity of our faith community. Stay organized with essential information like church seasons, liturgical colours, significant United Church Days, and lectionary dates.
These calendars are expected to sell out fast, so get your copy at the United Church bookstore today!
Looking for a unique fundraising opportunity for your community of faith? Receive 20% off on bulk orders of 50 or more calendars by using the code MYCHURCHCAL at checkout. This code is valid until November 15, 2024.
[Image credit: William L. Duncan, Melville United Church, Kincardine, Scotch Colony, NB]
It Is Never Too Late to Be Thankful
Thanksgiving has come and gone, and if you are lucky enough to have spent it with family and friends, in a comfortable home and with abundant food, you are truly blessed. So many of us are fortunate to have all of these gifts in our lives.
But while we are being thankful for our blessings, please remember those who are not so fortunate. Those who are without a home, those who are hungry, those who are lonely.
This Thanksgiving we asked you to give a gift to help. We thank all those who have already done so. Your gifts will make a tremendous difference and allow Mission and Service to support those who need it.
If you have not had a chance to give a gift yet, we would ask you to prayerfully consider it now. Your gift this Thanksgiving will feed the hungry, provide shelter to those who need it, and bring hope to those without any. Please make that decision now.
[Image credit: Bridges to Hope]
Nomination Calls: General Council 45 Equity Support Team
Are you excited about thinking about equity in relation to participation and decision-making? Do you have ideas on how to engage questions of equity at General Council in 2025? Are you passionate about the United Church's many equity commitments and eager for them to continue to be lived out at meetings? If this sounds like you or someone you know, the Equity Support Team might be a great fit!
The General Council 45 Equity Support Team assists the General Council and its leadership teams in fulfilling the church's equity commitments before and during the in-person/hybrid meeting. The team is open to people of all identities and backgrounds.
The deadline to apply is Thursday, October 24. Learn more about this group and many others 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!
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