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, September 15, 2026
E-ssentials: Indigenous and Racialized Young Scholars Program, Dismantling Systemic Racism, and more!
Program for Youth and Young Adults Mixes Identity, Culture, and Spirituality
[Image credit: Emo Yango]
The United Church of Canada’s Indigenous and Racialized Young Scholars program creates space for Indigenous and Racialized youth to explore their identities, cultures, and spirituality while developing as scholars, leaders, and changemakers.
This year, six young scholars participated in the program, and 17 youth gathered for a youth-led retreat at Sandy-Saulteaux Spiritual Centre. Their research and experiences offer important perspectives for the wider church.
Learn more about the 2026 Indigenous and Racialized Young Scholars, their research, and upcoming opportunities for communities of faith to hear from them in the latest news story.
What Now? Action Plans to Dismantle Systemic Racism
[Image credit: The United Church of Canada]
“What Now? Action Plans to Dismantle Systemic Racism” is The United Church of Canada’s anti-racism course that builds on the introductory course and provides practical space for planning action. It begins on September 21 and runs through October 23. The five-module course takes place over five weeks.
The course introduces “appreciative inquiry” as a tool for planning action and includes a full synchronous module where participants can learn from one another about what they are doing to dismantle systemic racism in their communities and across the United Church.
Until We Meet Again: Highlights from Collective 2026
[Video still credit: The United Church of Canada]
More than 500 youth, young adults, leaders, volunteers, and global partners gathered at Brock University this August for Collective 2026: (Em)brace for Impact, a national youth gathering hosted by The United Church of Canada and The Presbyterian Church in Canada.
Over four days, participants explored faith, belonging, justice, and what it means to create positive change. Through worship, workshops, global connections, music, and moments of joy, a community rooted in hope and mutual encouragement took shape.
As participants returned home, they carried new friendships, inspiration, and a renewed sense of how they can put faith into action in their own communities.
As a church, we acknowledge the harms caused by the Residential School system and its ongoing impacts on First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities. We remain committed to walking the path of truth, justice, healing, and right relations through continued learning and meaningful action.
EVERY CHILD MATTERS is a trademark owned by the Orange Shirt Society and is used under license. Shirts are sold at cost, reflecting garment and printing production expenses.
You can help support The United Church of Canada's reconciliation work by donating to the Healing Fund, which funds Indigenous healing initiatives around the country. Show your support.
Next week, Grassy Narrows youth, leaders, and community members will travel 1,700 kilometres to Toronto—and they are calling on thousands of people to join them in demanding mercury justice.
Wednesday, September 23, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. Grange Park, Toronto Family-friendly. Rain or shine.
United Church communities of faith are invited to join theRiver Run and amplify the community’s message. Bring your friends, family, coworkers, union, faith community, or organization. RSVP to march with Grassy Narrows.
Volunteers are also needed to help make the River Run possible. No experience is required. If you’re able to volunteer, sign up now.
Buses are being organized from Hamilton, St. Catharines, Kingston, Guelph, Kitchener–Waterloo, London, Peterborough, and Barrie/Orillia. Visit FreeGrassy.net for details, or email solidarity@freegrassy.net to help organize a bus.
Together, lay people and ministers support ministry personnel throughout their ministry journeys. If you value the importance of faithful, well-equipped, effective ministry personnel, consider expressing interest in one of the below roles:
Are you someone who can assist people to discern whether they are called to ordered ministry?Candidacy Boards across the church are seeking lay people and ministry personnel who will broaden the perspectives present on the board.
Do you have strong discernment skills or experience in dispute resolution? Can you engage in fair, thoughtful processes that support ministry personnel and uphold the integrity of our church. Express interest in the Response Committee or Remedial Committee.
Express your interest, or nominate someone else for these or other current opportunities to serve.
What happens when people from different economic backgrounds gather around the same table? In the Crossing Class Lines: 12-Week Bridging Team program in Peterborough, sharing a home-cooked meal each week became an important part of building trust, community, and connection.
For participants—more than half of whom were living in poverty—the meals offered nourishment, dignity, and a space to share and learn from one another. Around the table, conversations about poverty, privilege, and economic difference became opportunities to build relationships and see one another’s humanity.
This work also forms the foundation of Bridging Poverty & Privilege, a new self-study course offered through CHURCHx. Developed by Bedford House and shaped by the lived experience of people who have navigated poverty, the course invites participants to explore how social class shapes our relationships and how we can build communities rooted in dignity, mutuality, and belonging.
Our gifts through Mission and Service make this work possible. Let’s give generously so people can continue learning and growing.
For more inspiring worship ideas and resources, subscribe to GatheringWorship.ca.
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