Dear siblings in Christ,
As the summer months begin to warm our part of the world, I give thanks to God that we are not alone. We are in and a part of God’s great Creation and family and we do not need to journey alone. At this time in the province of Alberta, many questions are arising. Some are being formalized into referendum questions and others are being decided on without any consultation with those impacted the most directly.
I ask that Communities of Faith outside Alberta but within Northern Spirit Regional Council raise in prayer our communities undergoing the stress of polarization and conflicts arising from the coming Alberta referendum and its questions.
I pray that Communities of Faith here in Alberta, and your neighbours, can find ways to get together in the coming months to share information about the consequences of each referendum question, and that we can provide quiet and calm spaces for one another to process all that is arising. We are gathering resources and will get them to you soon.
Position adopted by the Executive
The Northern Spirit Regional Council Executive is calling us to uphold our Treaty responsibilities and our belief in loving all neighbours, not just some. On June 10 the Executive decided that we believe a vote for the common good means voting no on questions 1 through 9, so that all Albertans can partake equitably in the public resources and responsibilities of our common life.
The Executive of the Regional Council cannot decide what communities of faith and other local ministries do, nor speak for them. However, it can make recommendations based on United Church policies, history, and beliefs, and speak to these.
Through the summer, we will post to our website, social media, and newsletter a range of resources to support your work in engaging both the referendum questions and the continued legislation targeting specific communities in Alberta. We also encourage you, and will support you in, addressing the anxiety and divisions that are being raised by the referendum questions and process. We invite you to find partners, host conversations, open up space for prayer, and do what fits best for your context to address the current context.
To begin this process, our siblings in Chinook Winds invite us to an online conversation on June 24, 2026 at 2:00 pm MDT. Chris Mah Poy, Chinook Winds First Third and Justice Networks Coordinator, will share information and best practices on how you can engage in a prophetic, pastoral and non-partisan response with your communities of faith and wider networks during the referendum campaign. Please join us for this vital conversation. Register for this to receive the Zoom link: Chinook Winds Regional Town Hall.
I write to you in peace and hope, during these times, seeking God in prayer and in relationships and I hope you too can find sources of peace and hope in your faith lives.
Rev Leigh Sinclair, chairperson, on behalf of the Northern Spirit Executive.
