Intercultural Ministry

Patch work quit drawing in yellow, red, blue, with Western Intercultural Ministry Network in a black oval/ fish in the middle. Becoming an Intercultural Church in Western Canada/ Turtle Island

The Western Intercultural Network: Who are we? We are people and communities in the United Church of Canada committed to a fully inclusive and intercultural church, from northwestern Ontario to the Pacific, and north to Yellowknife. Anyone of any identity is welcome!

We  hold gatherings and online conversations that focus on the communities named below. We work in our own Regional Councils across Western Canada, and we gather as the Western Intercultural Network in person every fall. An executive from the five Western Regional Councils of the United Church offers us leadership. Please see our 2020 Mandate and Terms of Reference here.

Our vision of becoming an intercultural United Church encompasses:
Racialized people and communities, which includes ethnic churches within the United Church, racialized lay leaders and ministry personnel, and more.
Indigenous people and communities, within the United Church and beyond, of all traditions.
People with disabilities.
LGBTQIA+ and Two spirit people and communities.

We honour these identities, and the spaces where they intersect. Our ministry includes courageous (and awkward!) conversations about our diversity, and about the social privilege and history that hinder right relationships. We believe the Good News of Jesus Christ calls us into such conversations and relationship.

Interested in knowing more?

Sign up for our email list here (all information is confidential and will not be shared with anyone else. You can leave the list at any time.)

More resources

Overview of the United Church’s intercultural vision
Intercultural worship resources
Round the Table: personal intercultural reflections
Racial justice training program of the United Church (open to all); further details about the online format are here.
Deepening Understanding for Intercultural Ministry program, Canadian Council of Churches
Disabilities and inclusion
Affirm United/ S’affirmer Ensemble, the LGBTQIA2S+ and ally movement within the church

Intercultural news

Gratitude for our Sacred Obligations day

Gratitude for our Sacred Obligations day

February 27 gathering on unmarked burials: gratitude for all who participated Many thanks to the 70 plus people from across Alberta and beyond who attended Our Sacred Obligations gathering on...

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Call to action: Alberta Bills 26, 27, and 29

Call to action: Alberta Bills 26, 27, and 29

Expressing your concerns about Alberta’s Bills 26, 27, and 29 and their impacts on transgender children, youth, and loved ones.  PDF version of this resource First, here’s how to set up your letter...

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United Church News

Faith in action revealed in the figures and stories of the United Church's Strategic Plan Report, released today in two languages Read More

The United Church of Canada calls for justice, resumption of peace talks, and to re-examine Canada’s military relationship with the Philippines Read More

Prime Minister’s response to a woman from Grassy Narrows prompts calls for in-person apology, and petition for compensation for mercury poisoning in the Indigenous community. Read More

A New United Church Global Partnership in South Korea, Q&A is cultivating a queer-ally community for LGBTQIA+ Christians facing discrimination Read More

Rev. K. Virginia Coleman, former General Secretary from 1994–2002, died on April 3. She oversaw several milestones for the church, including the church’s 75th anniversary and addressing the church’s… continue reading Read More