Tuesday, December 9, 2025

E-ssentials: 10th Anniversary Full-Communion Service, Remembering Former Moderator Robert F. Smith, and more

A Decade of Partnership: 10th Anniversary Full-Communion Service

[Image credit: The United Church of Christ and The United Church of Canada]
 

This Saturday, December 13, 2025, from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. ET, join us online to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the Full-Communion Agreement between The United Church of Canada and The United Church of Christ. Let's gather to affirm our commitment to one another and celebrate our shared ministry.

Featured leaders include the General Secretary of The United Church of Canada, Rev. Michael Blair; the General Minister and President of the United Church of Christ, Rev. Karen Georgia Thompson, and the General Secretary-elect of the World Communion of Reformed Churches, Rev. Philip Vinod Peacock.

Register for the online worship service on Zoom.

If you can't join via Zoom, the service will be livestreamed on our YouTube channel. If you miss the live broadcast, a full recording will be available on our same channel afterwards.

Read the full news story
Register for the 10th Anniversary of the Full Communion Worship Service

The Very Rev. Robert F. Smith, Moderator from 1984–1986, Passes Away

The Very Rev. Dr Robert F. Smith speaking at the 30th Anniversary of the apology.
[Photo: The Very Rev. Dr. Robert F. Smith, speaking at the 30th Anniversary of the Apology. Credit: The United Church of Canada]
 

The United Church of Canada gives thanks for the life and ministry of The Very Rev. Dr. Robert F. Smith, who died yesterday in Sechelt, B.C., after a few years of hospital and family care. A memorial service will be held in Sechelt in the coming weeks. More information will follow.

Rev. Smith served as Moderator of the United Church from 1984-1986, and is perhaps best known for delivering the first official Apology from the church to Indigenous Peoples at the 1986 General Council. He served in ministry in the U.S. (1965-68), Ontario from 1968 to 1982, and in Vancouver (Shaughnessy Heights, 1982-93 and First United, 1993-1998).

His impact on The United Church of Canada as Moderator changed the church; he led through deep dialogue, wrestling with fundamental questions and convictions. He was a tremendously valued minister, friend, preacher, and church leader. Read the full tribute and news story about The Very Rev. Dr. Robert F. Smith.

Read the full news story

New Blog! Advent and Urgency

[Image credit: Photo by Min An/Pexels]
 

Rev. Tori Mullin, Growth Animator for Eastern Ontario and Quebec, reflects on how vast the universe is and how urgency calls us to love:

Reflecting under the stars, Tori Mullin shares how a mentor's radical compassion during a time of personal grief led them back to a thoughtful faith. This experience underscores the urgency needed in the church: a pressing call to love others the way Jesus loved.

The United Church is at a critical moment. If we hope for a future presence, they argue we MUST risk changing our priorities, choosing accessibility and neighbours over comfort and familiarity. The decline is painful, but it is an invitation to engage in the courageous, vulnerable work of self-reflection and transformation for God’s dream.

Read the full reflection in the Round the Table blogs.

Read the blog

Spread The Spark of Generosity This Advent Season

[Image credit: Lightstock.com]
 
This Advent, your gifts are especially importantWe are called as a church to help those who are vulnerable. Children and families across Canada and around the world who are hungry or who are refugees. Those who are living through wars in Ukraine, Palestine and elsewhere. Those who are struggling due to climate change or natural disasters.
Make a Gift Today!

The Moderator's New Year's Address!

[Image credit: Dreamstime]
 
Mark your calendar! On January 6th, 2026, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. ET, join The Right Rev. Dr. Kimberly Heath, Moderator, for a transformative New Year’s address.

The theme is Epiphany.

Executive Minister Jennifer Henry and the Growth team, including Rev. Cameron Fraser (Director of Growth and Ministry Development), and Emo Yango (Growth Coordinator), will offer insights into Toward 2035 and introduce new Communities of Faith. 

This event will be as bilingual in French and English as we can make it. Live interpretation to be confirmed. 
Register Today!

Worship Resources

See our Worship Resources for upcoming Sundays and special celebrations.

UN Human Rights Day - December 10, 2025
Third Sunday of Advent - December 14, 2025
Fourth Sunday of Advent - December 21, 2025
Christmas - December 25, 2025
First after Christmas - December 28, 2025
New Year's Day - January 1, 2026
Celebrate Epiphany - January 4, 2026

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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