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, March 3, 2026
E-ssentials: A Call for Peace, Kitchen Conversations, and more!
United Church Expresses Grave Concerns over Military Attacks Against Iran
[Image credit: Zaur Ibrahimov on Unsplash]
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” —Matthew 5:9
“As we awake to news of escalating war, we call for prayer for those in Iran, Israel and the region who have been affected by the attack by Israel and the US on Iran and the Iranian missiles fired on Israel,” says Rev. Cheryl-Ann Stadelbauer-Sampa, Acting General Secretary. “We pray for those in Canada and globally who are awaiting news about their families and loved ones. We call on the violence to cease”.
Holy One, we seek your mercy. For those in fear, bring safety. For those in pain, bring consolation. For those awaiting news, nurture hope. For those providing care, bring resilience. Loving God, we seek your peace that passes all understanding. May the violence cease and your deep peace come. Amen.
Now Playing—Kitchen Conversations with the Moderator Episode Three: Coptic Chickpeas with Aaron
Kitchen Conversations with the Moderator is a series exploring faith, food, and the power of inviting one another to the table, hosted by United Church of Canada Moderator Kimberly Heath.
This week, United Church Digital Content Strategist Aaron Gallegos makes a weeknight favourite, Coptic Chickpeas, that dates back to his former career as a chef in Santa Cruz, California. Aaron shares how for him, the dish—and other foods like menudo, a Mexican tripe stew—reflect “God’s Upside-Down Kingdom,” where God embraces the things that the world discards.
Stay tuned for more conversations like this each Sunday throughout Lent by subscribing to our YouTube channel, and order Bless Break Sharetoday.
Toward 2035: Envisioning the Future of the United Church
Toward 2035 is an invitation to prayer and a whole-church conversation about the future of God’s call to The United Church of Canada.
Together, we are imagining a future that is hopeful, adaptive, multigenerational, and deeply connected across the country — a church continuing the story of Jesus in bold and faithful ways.
Get Up to $20,000 for Carbon Reduction Upgrades with a Faithful Footprints Grant
[Image credit: Faithful Footprints]
Did you hear? The United Church of Canada’s Faithful Footprints Grant Program is now open and accepting Expressions of Interest for the 2026 funding cycle.
United Church communities of faith are encouraged to explore this funding opportunity and apply for up to $20,000 to support carbon reduction building upgrades at their church property.
The program has funded more than 300 energy efficiency and decarbonization retrofit projects across the country. These upgrades have helped communities lower greenhouse gas emissions, reduce operating costs, strengthen long-term sustainability, and renew their mission and ministry.
If your community is considering building improvements that reduce carbon and support climate leadership, now is the time to apply.
The United Church Bookstore: Addressing Spiritual Violence Against Indigenous People in Canada
[Image credit: The United Church of Canada]
Spiritual violence is especially challenging because of the difficulties of distinguishing one's own culture from one's faith. Addressing Spiritual Violence Against Indigenous Peoples in Canadagreatly helps us recognize this problem, and guides us toward the opposite of spiritual violence.
Supported by scripture, ecumenical church documents, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action, and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, this document offers challenging theological insights, ethical guidelines, and questions for reflection and discussion. It is a vital contribution to decolonization work in faith contexts, especially Christian ones, and should be a part of the toolbox of every Christian minister in Canada.
Are you someone who can assist people in discerning whether they are called to ministry? Candidacy Boards across the church are seeking lay people and ministry personnel who will broaden the perspectives present on the board.
Learn more about serving on a candidacy board, supporting the candidacy pathway and other current opportunities to serve.
That same steady hope is at work through Mission and Service partners around the world. When wildfires displace families, food prices soar, storms destroy infrastructure, or isolation takes hold, our partners are there — offering welcome, distributing food, rebuilding, and creating spaces for healing and belonging.
Every gift to Mission and Service fuels this faithful, practical work. Together, our generosity becomes groceries on tables, seeds in fragile soil, and training for leaders.
For more inspiring worship ideas and resources, subscribe to GatheringWorship.ca.
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