In October, many communities of faith or pastoral charges received communication from Brian Arthur Brown, chair of Friends of the United Church Foundation and author of two recent books that were widely distributed to communities of faith, Keys to the Kindom and The Untied Church.
The letter speaks about inviting specified communities of faith to come together and participate in events for the United Church’s 100th Anniversary, including special services raising funds for specific ministry initiatives within the church. The associated group calls itself “Friends of the (United Church) Foundation”. The package was not sent by the United Church Foundation itself.
The communication circulating is an invitation, not a directive or a request from any official body within the denomination. Communities of faith are free to engage the invitation or develop their own ways of commemorating this milestone in the history of our denomination. The choice is entirely yours.
Further clarity about Centennial worship services
The worship service referred to in the correspondence is not the worship for the Centennial. It is one of many such planned services, and communities of faith that appear in the lists were chosen somewhat randomly and/or for their association with the members of the Friends of the Foundation. The services Brian Arthur Brown is organizing will happen live on June 1st and be available online on June 10, ,2025. The official denominational national service will be held online and in person in St John’s NL on June 8th, 2025.
Northern Spirit will likely hold its own Region-wide centennial service online, with materials available for all communities of faith, possibly alongside the Celebration of Ministries service. More information will be sent out through the weekly newsletter as plans develop.
In the meantime, please check the information on the General Council 100th anniversary page and the Regional Council anniversary page for more information about these events and services.
And remember, the Region and the national church want to help promote your plans! Have a look at the above links, and please let the Regional office and Keeper of the Archives know if we can support you in any way. We wish you creative and faithful planning as we commemorate this milestone, honour those who came before us, and look to the future.
