Dear friends in Northern Spirit Regional Council,

Planning to support the Regional Council’s engagement with the October 19 Alberta referendum continues. Here is the link to the Region’s position; a reminder that this position does not dictate to communities of faith, but is rather a position that recommends and explains a course of action. Now a task group is supporting the Region and its members in our engagement with the referendum process and the urgent need to support people in voting.

First: An invitation to you

All communities of faith are invited to engage the process of learning and listening as we prepare for both the referendum and its ongoing effects after the vote. All are encouraged to help ensure as many people as possible vote. (Some people, including those affected directly by the referendum questions, are not eligible to vote.)

Task group

A task group to guide Northern Spirit’s response has started meeting. Members:
Mickey Wilson, Ryley, AB; Lana Whiskeyjack, Saddle Lake Cree Nation, Edmonton, AB; Paul Douglas Walfall, Edmonton, AB; George Mafuleka, Lloydminster, AB; Lorne Gushue – Yellowknife, NWT; Gail Allan, Edmonton, AB. Staff support: Julie Graham.

The task group is meeting biweekly through the summer.  They are happy to talk through any ideas and concerns you have. Please contact them through the office, as we do not post personal contact information to the website: 1-587-407-0330 or northernspirit@united-church.ca

Plans so far

  • An early September public event online exploring faith and politics;
  • Sharing public events with Chinook Winds, including September 23: Town Hall Get Out the Vote Strategy.
  • With Chinook Winds and the Greater Edmonton Alliance for the Common Good, exploring how we support and set up in-person conversations in our churches and communities. Please note that the Alliance is launching a number of these conversations in Edmonton and is very open to discussing how to include a wider range of communities, with the support of Northern Spirit. Click here for initial details.
  • A possible pipe and prayer ceremony in Edmonton to help ground us in Spirit;
  • Developing shareable visuals focusing on Jesus and the kinds of responses he calls us to as followers, and the questions his ministry raises for us in this moment.
  • Creating a place on the website to share resources and news, with attention to connecting us all to partners, and educating about the referendum questions. This includes resources for addressing misinformation and disinformation;
  • Connecting with interfaith and civil society partners;
  • The Region is in conversation with the Moderator and the General Secretary about a possible visit, though the relatively short notice of the government’s announcement may make this difficult. A message from the Moderator is also being discussed.

Your questions, concerns, and ideas are welcome. The Executive will continue to receive updates on the task group’s work. I thank the task group for all their work already done, and to come.

Rev Leigh Sinclair, convener of the Regional Council