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, May 27, 2025
E-ssentials: Moderator's Pride 2025 Message, Centennial Collective Listening Event, and more!
Moderator's Pride 2025 Message Welcomes Everyone with A Place at the Table
Leading into Pride Month, Moderator Carmen Lansdowne shares a powerful message of welcome and affirmation, emphasizing that there's truly a place at the tablefor everyone within The United Church of Canada. As we prepare to celebrate the diversity and resilience of the 2S and LGBTQIA+ community throughout June, Moderator Lansdowne honours the humanity, value, and right to love of 2S and LGBTQIA+ people, while acknowledging the severe global realities and attacks now being faced. This message connects with our "A Place at the Table" campaign, reflecting the deep sense of belonging found within the church.
The United Church of Canada stands in solidarity, committed to justice, radical love, and creating a world where absolutely everyone is embraced and celebrated.
The Countdown Is on for the National Centennial Special Worship Service!
The countdown is on for the national Centennial special worship service! On Sunday, June 8, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. NT, the in-person service will be held at Gower Street United Church, 99 Queens Road, St. John's, Newfoundland. We are pumped!
We’ll have people on the ground bringing you highlights from the weekend’s events—through photos, video, and social media. Watch our Facebook page and other social media channels for exclusive behind the scenes footage on Saturday, June 7 and Sunday, June 8.
The service itself will be livestreamed on our YouTube Channel.
[Image credit: The United Church of Canada]
Centennial Collective Listening Event
As part of the Centennial, you are invited to take part in a special collective listening event scheduled for Tuesday, June 10, 2025. This initiative encourages simply listening without judgment to foster genuine community connection.
Ministers are invited to set up "welcome tables" outside their churches on June 10, offering a dedicated space for intentional listening.
While you can participate anytime that day, a synchronized moment of collective listening across Canada is encouraged at 3:30 pm NT, 3:00 pm AT, 2:00 pm ET, 1:00 pm CT, 12:00 pm MT, and 11:00 am PT.
The United Church Bookstore: Exciting Updates about Then Let Us Sing!
As we approach the 100th Anniversary of The United Church of Canada on June 10, 2025, there's much to celebrate—and much to share! We're excited to bring you Then Let Us Sing!, the United Church’s inspiring new hymnal featuring 165 new songs from diverse voices around the world.
The Full Music Choir and Accompanist editions are now available to purchase at UCRDstore.ca. An online platform, accessible through ONE LICENSE, will also begin rolling out over the next few months, eventually offering vocal and congregational scores for the entire collection. Learn more about the digital platform at ThenLetUsSing.ca.
To celebrate the Centennial, a special Then Let Us Sing! Centennial Celebration Package is now available. This package features four pieces you can use in your community until June 10, 2025. You can find this package and many other Centennial worship resources on The United Church of Canada website.
[Image credit: The United Church of Canada]
Mission and Service Stories: Advocating for Sexual and Gender Minorities in Other Countries
While we haven’t always done what is right, The United Church of Canada now recognizes that all love―including 2S or LGBTQIA+ relationships―is holy and blessed by God. But those rights do not exist in many parts of the world today.
Your gifts for Mission and Service help shelter refugees as they escape repressive governments. As of May 2024, 64 jurisdictions criminalize private, consensual, same-sex sexual activity, and 12 countries have jurisdictions in which the death penalty is imposed or at least a possibility for private, consensual, same-sex sexual activity.
[Image still credit: The United Church of Canada]
Join Us for a New Webinar Series on Migrant Justice!
Are you passionate about supporting migrant justice issues concerning better living conditions and adapting to life in Canada? The United Church of Canada Migrant Justice Network invites you to join the free webinars on June 17 (1:00 pm ET) and June 24 (7:00 pm ET). Learn more and register!
[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