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DTSTART;TZID=America/Edmonton:20250601T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Edmonton:20250601T123000
DTSTAMP:20260515T215228
CREATED:20250403T221015Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250523T145747Z
UID:10000453-1748772000-1748781000@northernspiritrc.ca
SUMMARY:Celebration of Ministries and 100th Anniversary service
DESCRIPTION:Join us in person at Riverbend United Church\, and online on YouTube\, as we honour past and future with prayer\, worship\, and song! YouTube link: https://www.youtube.com/live/qjPnIQkVnwo  If you’re joining us by livestream\, please bring communion elements. \nGeneral Secretary Rev Michael Blair will offer the sermon. We  will welcome people into the order of ministry in the United Church via admission from other denominations and share in communion. We celebrate together the 100th anniversary of the United Church of Canada\, born June 10\, 1925. ASL interpretation will be offered. \nAll are welcome to this service- and we mean all!  We are a Two Spirit and LGBTQIA+ affirming Regional Council. The deaf and hard of hearing community is especially welcome as we work with ASL interpretation for the first time; hearing assist is also available in-person. \nCommunion is a deeply meaningful religious and spiritual ritual for Christians\, and the United Church believes that the communion table is Christ’s\, not ours. It is therefore open to everyone of all beliefs and religious\, spiritual\, and ceremonial paths. At communion\, we eat a small amount of bread and drink a little grape juice (the United Church does not use wine for communion). There will be a gluten-free option.  If you are worshipping online\, please bring communion elements that have meaning to you. \n 
URL:https://northernspiritrc.ca/event/celebration-of-ministries-and-100th-anniversary-service/
LOCATION:Riverbend United Church\, 14907 45 Avenue\, Edmonton\, Alberta\, T6H 5V6\, Canada
CATEGORIES:100th Anniversary of the UCC,Regional event
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://northernspiritrc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Poster-slide-Celebration-of-Ministries-NSRC-2025-FINAL.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Edmonton:20250530T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Edmonton:20250530T210000
DTSTAMP:20260515T215228
CREATED:20250402T210530Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250611T194433Z
UID:10000448-1748631600-1748638800@northernspiritrc.ca
SUMMARY:From the Heart: understanding the impacts of AB's anti-transgender laws
DESCRIPTION:This event is now done\, and the video is available here. \nJoin us for personal stories of the impacts of Bills 26\, 28\, and 29 on Albertan athletes\, teachers\, parents\, children\, and church members. Learn together how we can take action in support of gender-diverse people. Please save and share the image above\, and use freely. Here’s the scheduled YouTube link. \nIn 2024 Alberta passed the legislation needed to put in place major medical and athletic restrictions on transgender people\, and restrictions on sexual health education and gender expression in the school system. The result: the most restrictive laws in Canada. The legislation is facing legal and Charter challenges\, and has met with fierce resistance from gender-diverse people and allies\, as well as strong criticism from a range of professional associations. \nBehind the headlines and debates\, what is happening for transgender people in Alberta? This isn’t only a legal and legislative matter; it has lived impacts on people’s bodies\, minds\, hearts\, and spirit. We thank our speakers\, who are joining us to speak about the impact on their lives. We invite you to come with an open mind and heart\, and hear their stories\, no matter your opinion on this legislation. Come and listen\, discuss\, and learn together. \nOur speakers\nMickey Wilson\, chair of the Northern Spirit Affirming Committee\, will be our moderator. \npaskwa mostos papamohtêw\, Emery Whiskeyjack \ntanisi paskwa mostos papamohtêw\, Emery Whiskeyjack\, nitisiyihkâson. My name is Wandering Buffalo Spirit\, Emery Whiskeyjack. Ohci niya onihcikiskwapowin\, I am from Saddle Lake Cree Nation in Treaty 6 Territory. I am a 23 year old\, 2-Spirit Transmasc multidisciplinary artist residing in amiskwaciywaskahikan. I am in a confident place of being unapologetically myself\, thanks to going through my rites of passage where I learned a powerful nehiyawewin affirmation\, “niya oma niya (I am who I am)”. I am passionate about co-libertating\, reclaiming and connecting to my land\, language\, and culture. Making art feeds my spirit and is a visual exploration of my story and others like me. I want to continue to share with the world the beauty and complexity of being a tastawiniw/ihkwew. \n  \n  \n  \n  \nLana Whiskeyjack \nLana Whiskeyjack is a nêhiyaw Indigiologist from the Saddle Lake Cree Nation\, currently serving as an associate professor in the Department of Women’s and Gender Studies. Dr. Whiskeyjack is an award-winning scholartist (scholar and artist)\, author\, and spirit-centered community-based researcher. She is acclaimed for her work in Indigenous arts-based practices and research; sexual health and wellness; and cultural and language revitalization. Contributing to ending gender and sexual violence through violence-informed and strength-based practices is her long life learning and vision. Her years in researching womanhood\, sexual health and spirit of Cree language contributes to her current research on supporting gender and sexuality diverse Indigenous kin and their families through ceremonial transitions as well as rematriation-based violence prevention work with Indigenous men and boys. \n  \nAmanda Barrett \nAmanda Barrett is a Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and Expression Consultant and High School Counsellor in Edmonton\, Alberta. Her work centres on the support of sexual and gender minority children and youth along with the fostering of good mental health for all students. Amanda’s commitment to the creation of inclusive\, safe\, and healthy work and learning environments is informed by her studies (most recently the completion of her Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology) and many volunteer experiences. Amanda (she/her) is an educator with over 20 years of experience\, dedicated to fostering growth and development in diverse learning environments. Throughout her career\, she has worked as a teacher\, librarian\, counselor\, and consultant\, using her expertise to support students\, professionals\, and organizations. Amanda is deeply committed to social justice\, with extensive volunteer work within queer and trans communities\, advocating for inclusivity and equality. Her passion for education and community engagement drives her to empower others\, creating safe\, supportive spaces for all. \n  \nAllison Hadley \nAllison Hadley is a Healthcare Worker\, Author\, Artist\, Activist and recreational athlete. Born and raised in Edmonton\, she dedicates much of her spare time helping and building the 2SLGBTQ+ community – in hopes that the roads travelled by future generations will be easier than the one she had to take. A lifelong lover of sport\, before her gender transition\, Allison competed internationally in three different sports. She is passionate about education and has already facilitated three workshops discussing the proposed harmful legislation in Alberta. Allison has also spoken at Trangender Day of Remembrance and Pride events in Alberta\, Ontario and Quebec. \nRachel Young \nRachel Young is a member of the Northern Spirit Affirming Committee. Her home community of faith is Grace United Church in Lloydminster. Rachel  volunteers on the Worship Committee\, Vacation Bible School and Christian Development. She also participates and collaborates with other committees at Grace with their growth within the Pride Community. She believes in the affirmation and celebration of all people as well as advocating for the rights and protections of others. Rachel is currently discerning her role in Diaconal Ministry and advancing her post-secondary studies at Lakeland College as a Candidate Minister. \nThis public space is part of the Northern Spirit Regional Council annual meeting\, and is offered by the Regional Council’s Affirming Committee.
URL:https://northernspiritrc.ca/event/from-the-heart-understanding-the-impacts-of-abs-anti-transgender-laws/
LOCATION:Riverbend United Church\, 14907 45 Avenue\, Edmonton\, Alberta\, T6H 5V6\, Canada
CATEGORIES:100th Anniversary of the UCC,Intercultural,LGBTQIA2S+,Regional event
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://northernspiritrc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/From-the-heart-AB-event-May-30-2025-landscape.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Edmonton:20250505T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/Edmonton:20250505T163000
DTSTAMP:20260515T215228
CREATED:20250422T174446Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250422T174446Z
UID:10000460-1746435600-1746462600@northernspiritrc.ca
SUMMARY:St. Stephen’s College Presents: Exploring a Century of Intersections\, Images\, and Ideologies in Faith and Education
DESCRIPTION:Join St. Stephen’s College\, together with the UCCan Moderator\, for a Day of Reflection on the Centennials of the Church and the College. \nMonday\, May 5\, 2025\n9:00 am – 4:30 pm\nSouthminster-Steinhauer United Church (10740 19 Avenue\, Edmonton)\n*Parking available onsite* \nLunch and refreshments will be provided. Registration Required. \nCost: Free \nEvent program: https://www.ualberta.ca/en/st-stephens/news/2025/ucc-ssc-centennial-reflection-program.pdf
URL:https://northernspiritrc.ca/event/st-stephens-college-presents-exploring-a-century-of-intersections-images-and-ideologies-in-faith-and-education/
LOCATION:Southminster-Steinhauer United Church\, 10740-19 Ave NW\, Edmonton\, AB\, T6J 6W9
CATEGORIES:100th Anniversary of the UCC,Community events
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://northernspiritrc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Exploring-a-Century-2025-2.png
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Edmonton:20250410T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Edmonton:20250410T133000
DTSTAMP:20260515T215228
CREATED:20250318T233256Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250318T235151Z
UID:10000438-1744286400-1744291800@northernspiritrc.ca
SUMMARY:Black Voices Shaping the Church
DESCRIPTION:In our Western Intercultural Ministries continuing workshop series\, we welcome you to: \nFrom the Edges to the Centre: Black Voices Shaping the Church\, Thursday April 10 11:00AM Pacific\, Noon Mountain Daylight/Central Standard\, 1:00pm Central Daylight\, 2:00pm Eastern\, 3:00pm ADT\, 3:30PM Newfoundland. (Ninety minutes.) \nPeople of African descent and other ethnocultural groups have long contributed to the life and mission of the church\, yet their voices have often been overlooked or sidelined. From the Edges to the Centre challenges us to recognize\, amplify\, and embrace Black leadership in shaping the future of the church. Here at the 100th anniversary of the United Church\, where do the vision and practice of intercultural ministry challenge the church form local to global? Join us for an interactive presentation and community conversation\, where we’re also learn about the travelling community exhibit and storytelling project\, Here From the Beginning\, from its originator\, Rev Paul Walfall. \nRev Franklyn James is a Jamaican-born Canadian theologian\, educator\, and storyteller with over a decade of ministry experience. He blends wisdom\, authenticity\, and creativity\, inspiring reflection and action. As a dynamic speaker\, author\, and poet\, he challenges both traditional and modern rhetoric while inviting deeper dialogue on faith\, identity\, and social change. His work encourages others to explore spirituality’s transformative power. He is chair of the Ethnocultural Network and a member of the Black Clergy Network and he serves as the minister at West River United Church in Cornwall\, Prince Edward Island. \nZoom details\nhttps://united-church.zoom.us/j/89626903761?pwd=LEFYAPmGeZ1fCLILqnSBWia5uUAGkJ.1 \nMeeting ID: 896 2690 3761\nPassword: 436248 \n+1 778 907 2071 Canada\n+1 438 809 7799 Canada\n+1 587 328 1099 Canada\n+1 647 374 4685 Canada\n+1 647 558 0588 Canada\n855 703 8985 Canada Toll-free
URL:https://northernspiritrc.ca/event/black-voices-shaping-the-church/
LOCATION:Zoom
CATEGORIES:100th Anniversary of the UCC,Regional event
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://northernspiritrc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/From-the-Edges-to-the-Centre-WIMN-10April2025.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Edmonton:20250405T150000
DTEND;TZID=America/Edmonton:20250405T180000
DTSTAMP:20260515T215228
CREATED:20250312T151734Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250312T151910Z
UID:10000430-1743865200-1743876000@northernspiritrc.ca
SUMMARY:Dance with Canada- A Canadian-themed dance event!
DESCRIPTION:Get ready to celebrate Canada with an unforgettable dance party! 🎉🇨🇦 \n🎶 Dance With Canada – A Canadian-themed dance event!\n📅 Saturday\, April 5th\n⏰ 3 PM – 6 PM\n📍 Kensington Community Hall\, Edmonton\, AB \n🎟️ Tickets: $15 per person | $5 support person\n🌭 Cash Concession – Hot dogs & more!\n👕 Wear your best Canada-themed outfit! \nAll proceeds support our programs. Scan the QR code in the flyer to get your tickets! Choir members can also purchase tickets at rehearsal. \nSee you on the dance floor! 💃🕺
URL:https://northernspiritrc.ca/event/dance-with-canada-a-canadian-themed-dance-event/
LOCATION:Kensington Community League Hall\, 12130 134b Ave NW\, Edmonton\, Alberta\, T5L 4Y4\, Canada
CATEGORIES:100th Anniversary of the UCC,Community events
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://northernspiritrc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Dance-with-Canada-pic.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Choral Morphosis Arts Society":MAILTO:admin@choralmorphosis.com
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Edmonton:20240919T123000
DTEND;TZID=America/Edmonton:20240919T140000
DTSTAMP:20260515T215228
CREATED:20240827T174449Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240925T200300Z
UID:10000360-1726749000-1726754400@northernspiritrc.ca
SUMMARY:We Sing Our Faith: Intercultural music in the UCC
DESCRIPTION:We Sing Our Faith: A conversation on the evolution of intercultural music in the United Church of Canada\, Thursday September 19 2024\, 11:30AM-1:30 PM Pacific\, 12:30-2:30PM MDT/ CST\, 1:30-3:30 CDT. Join us for some singing\, a look at our past music\, and a look forward to living more fully into expressing our intercultural hopes through song. As we turn 100 in less than a year\, we’ll bring an intercultural approach to exploring together what our music could become. Resource people: Rev Dr OhWang Kwon\, Rev Dr Lisa Waites\, and Dr Becca Whitla. \nFree; all welcome. Please invite others! Sponsored by the Western Intercultural Ministries Network. This is also a 100th Anniversary event.  Keep scrolling for the draft agenda and bios. \nZoom link: Meeting ID: 848 4772 4451.      1 855 703 8985 Canada Toll-free \nhttps://united-church.zoom.us/j/84847724451?pwd=TGLbW01HvlR4xk7bWDfWuKDO3fmpTB.1 \nDraft Schedule\nOpening\, Land Acknowledgement\, introductions and session overview \nOpening Worship: Rev. OhWang Kwon \nThe Hymnology of the United Church of Canada\, within singing and samples. \nCelebrating intercultural Music: Whose voices are missing? Cultural misappropriation concerns.| \nPanel: Expectations for the future for intercultural music in our denomination. Loss of cultural dominance by mainstream congregation. Letting go to introduce music from other cultures in a welcoming way. \nQuestions \nClosing Worship and Reflection – Kathy Yamashita \n About our presenters\nRev Dr OhWang Kwon is the minister of Stettler\, Erskine and Big Valley United Churches in Alberta.  He received his Ph.D. in religion from Claremont Graduate University. Kwon is interested in looking for the relevance of theology to the United Church’s Vision for Becoming an Intercultural Church from a Korean theologian’s perspective. He co-authored the books Jesus and the Marginalized: Jesus Christ for Koreans in The United Church of Canada\, and Hope\, Peace\, Unrest: The Holy Spirit in the Korean Community in The United Church of Canada with Dr. Donald Schweitzer. \nDr Becca Whitla is the professor of practical ministry and the Dr. Lydia E. Gruchy Chair in Pastoral Theology at St. Andrew’s College in Saskatoon\, Saskatchewan where she teaches worship and liturgy\, preaching\, religious education\, and practical theology. Her book Liberation\, (De)Coloniality\, and Liturgical Practices: Flipping the Song Bird was released in December\, 2020 (Palgrave McMillan). From her White Euro-Canadian settler perspective\, she examines ways to decolonize liturgical practices\, especially community singing. She worked in Toronto for many years as a music director in both Anglican and United Churches (Church of the Holy Trinity\, and Trinity St Paul’s United Church). She also co-directed Echo\, a 70 voice women’s choir\, and worked in the trade union movement developing leadership through choral singing. \nRev. Dr. Lisa Waites is an ordained minister with the United Church of Canada. She is a woman of faith with a deep passion for theology\, music\, liturgy\, and ministry. She currently leads worship services as a pulpit supply minister\, workshop facilitator\, guest speaker\, and musical worship leader for United Church congregations and ecumenical partners. \nShe’s lived out her vocational calling since the 1990’s among several congregations in Ontario and Alberta\, including almost a decade of ecumenical campus ministry and military chaplaincy. Lisa earned her doctorate in Christian Worship Studies in 2016\, and she is now delighted to be teaching worship arts with student ministers and experienced clergy alike as a Sessional Instructor at the Vancouver School of Theology in B.C. and\, as of 2024\, also at Huron University College in Ontario. \nLisa makes her home in Calgary with her husband Jeff\, and their three young adult children\, Josh\, Hannah\, and Simon. Lisa founded her company\, Servant Song Music & Ministry in 1998. She has written and published hundreds of contemporary Christian hymns and service music pieces\, providing new worship resources for children\, families\, congregations\, and church choirs. Her compositions point people to God and they facilitate fresh expressions of liturgical worship. Lisa contributed ten of her contemporary hymns and prayers to the recent resource “A Liturgy for All Bodies\,” which was published by Cyclical Press last spring; this book is available for purchase on Amazon\, or directly from the author. \n  \n  \n 
URL:https://northernspiritrc.ca/event/we-sing-our-faith-intercultural-music-in-the-ucc/
LOCATION:Zoom
CATEGORIES:100th Anniversary of the UCC,Regional event
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://northernspiritrc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/WeSingOurFaithInterculturalWorkshop-19Sept24-600by400.png
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Edmonton:20240529T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/Edmonton:20240529T200000
DTSTAMP:20260515T215228
CREATED:20240507T235738Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240507T235738Z
UID:10000342-1717007400-1717012800@northernspiritrc.ca
SUMMARY:The United Church at 100: Centennial planning workshop
DESCRIPTION:Wednesday 29 May 2024\,  6:30PM MDT\nThe United Church turns 100 in June 2025! Join our Regional archivists\, Leanne Templeton and Erin Acland\, and other resource people\, and we’ll look at resources for creatively commemorating this anniversary in your context. We’ll talk about local\, Regional\, and national ideas together- both the celebrations\, and the anniversary opportunity to look at where we’ve been as a church\, and where the future might take us. Come with your ideas and questions\, and be ready to bring some ideas back to your community and ministry! Have a look at the new Centennial website\, too\, and sign up for the newsletter.\nZoom info: \nhttps://united-church.zoom.us/j/86218269850?pwd=lCZejc0bMvaHbGpPNjVK6zabthRDaw.1 \nMeeting ID: 862 1826 9850         Password: 507752          1 855 703 8985 Canada Toll-free
URL:https://northernspiritrc.ca/event/the-united-church-at-100-centennial-planning-workshop/
LOCATION:Zoom
CATEGORIES:100th Anniversary of the UCC,Regional event
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://northernspiritrc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/EN_Centennial_logo_w_dates.png
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