Northern Spirit Regional Council

Valentine's Tea and Vendor Market
2024-02-10 11:00 - 16:00 (America/Edmonton) | Spirit of Hope United Church, 7909 82 Ave NW, Edmonton, AB, Canada
Enjoy browsing the great products from local vendors. Stay for tea and goodies with your friends. Everyone is welcome! No admission cost.

Indigenous Church Remit: open learning time part 2
2024-01-30 18:30 - 20:00 | Zoom
Indigenous Church Remit learning time, Tuesday January 30, 7:30 PM Central, 6:30PM Mountain, we will again have an open learning conversation on the remit on creating an autonomous Indigenous organization within the United Church. This time we are honoured to work with Gloria Cook, Fisher River Cree Nation and member of the National Indigenous Council; Rev Murray Pruden, Saddle Lake Cree Nation and Executive Minister, Indigenous Ministries and Justice; Rev. Shannon McCarthy, Regional Council Executive Minister. Please click here to register. Be sure to check your email spam folder if you do not get the automated reply from Zoom in your inbox.
All welcome, from any Regional Council you live in, whether your pastoral charge has voted or not! If you’d like to share this invitation please do so. We strongly encourage everyone to read the latest letter from the General Secretary and to watch two short videos first: Perspectives on the Remit from the National Indigenous Gathering, and a new video on questions addressed by members of the non-Indigenous church.

An Evening with Ivan Coyote
2024-01-21 18:00 - 21:30 | Southminster-Steinhauer United Church, 10740-19 Ave NW, Edmonton, AB, T6J 6W9
SSUC Celebrates Their 25th Affirming Anniversary with Ivan Coyote
January 21st, starting at 6:00 pm
Come celebrate our milestone affirming anniversary with a very special guest: Canadian writer, storyteller and musician Ivan Coyote! The evening will include a chance to peruse displays and learn about 2SLGBTQIA+ organizations and projects in the Edmonton area, enjoy some music from local 2SLGBTQIA+ artists, and the highlight of the evening – a presentation by Ivan Coyote with time for questions and answers.
Tickets are available through Eventbrite: click here!.
*Guests 13 and older are welcome to attend.

Worship Planning Together Retreats
2024-01-18 09:00 - 16:00 | St. David’s United Church, Leduc, 4614 - 48 St., Leduc, Alberta, T9E 5X7, Canada
Save the date: January 18 & May 16, 2024
Come and do your worship planning in good company. United Church worship leaders, including DLMs and ordered ministry, lay worship leaders, and worship committees, are invited to St. David’s United Church in Leduc, Alberta, for facilitated experiences, individual reflection, and planning time.
Hosted by St. David’s United Church in Leduc, Alberta.
Facilitated by Rev. Leigh Sinclair, with support from the Ministry Personnel Support Committee.
Thursday, January 18, 2024, 9 am – 4 pm: Come and do your worship planning for Lent 2024 in good company.
Thursday, May 16, 2024, 9 am – 4 pm: Come and do your worship planning for Creation 2024 in good company.

What: A day away from normal church life to worship, connect and plan ahead to the coming liturgical season. All participants will leave with at least some of the worship plans for their community of faith. A rotation of times focused on your local and particular planning, worship experiences to explore the season’s Scriptures and hymns, as well as idea generation in small groups.
Who: United Church worship leaders – in groups of 1 to 3 from your Community of Faith, DLMs and ordered ministry, lay worship leaders, worship committees
Where: St. David’s United in Leduc.
Cost is $35 per participant per day to attend in person, as well as your own mileage (and accommodation if overnighting as part of travel). $25 per participant per day to attend via Zoom.
**If distance or weather makes travel impossible please join the Zoom group for $25 per participant per day to attend via Zoom.

FAQ:
How much time will I get to spend on planning the particulars of worship for my community of faith?
At least 2 hours divided into three sections throughout the day.
What lectionary will be used for our planning?
Revised Common Lectionary Year B
What if I can only come to one event?
No worries, they are “stand alone” so register for one or both.
***
Registration for the January event is now open: click here!

Regional prep for Affirming PIE Day
2024-01-09 18:00 - 19:30 | Zoom, Canada
Time for dessert! Regional prep for Affirming PIE Day, Jan 9, 2024, 7:00 PM Central, 6:00 PM Mountain.
All Affirming, curious, and supportive ministries and people are invited to join Living Skies and Northern Spirit Regional Councils in the first of a series of get togethers to check in for the new year, and to plan for March 14, Affirming PIE Day.
Come with your questions, ideas, and recipes. Come with the good work you’ve been doing, and your hopes and concerns for for 2024.
Meeting info (share by email but do not post on social media, please):
https://united-church.zoom.us/j/85941945044?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 859 4194 5044 Password: [REDACTED]
Phone: 855 703 8985 Canada toll-free

Affirming PIE Day prep
2024-01-09 18:00 - 19:30 | Zoom
The Affirming movements in our three Regional Councils are hosting open houses online to talk about our local plans for celebrating Affirming PIE Day: Public, Intentional, and Explicit support for 2SLGBTQIA+ people and allies. It’s also a great excuse to share in whatever desserts are a sign of celebration in your culture and area. PIE Day takes place Thursday March 14.
Come with your plans, hopes, and questions! All welcome. Please share the information by email, but do not post it on social media.
Living Skies will host a conversation on Tuesday 9 January at 6:00PM MST. Here is the Zoom info:
https://united-church.zoom.us/j/85941945044?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 859 4194 5044
Password: [REDACTED]
Phone: 855 703 8985 Canada Toll-free
Note that Prairie to Pine Regional Council’s Equity and Diversity Committee welcomes you to their open house PIE baking prep too: Click here for info about this January 31 event.

Covenanting Service - St. Paul's United Edmonton
2024-01-07 14:00 - 16:00 | AB
A covenanting service for
Reverend Anna Constantin – Senior Minister
and
Reverend Candace McNeill – Minister of Faith Formation
and the Congregation of St. Paul’s United Church, Edmonton, will take place on, Sunday, January 07, 2024, at 2:00pm, at St. Paul’s United Church (11526 – 76 Avenue NW, Edmonton, AB T6G 0K7). A reception will follow the service. Everyone who can attend will be most welcome. For those unable to attend, greetings can be sent to the Church address, or through the church website. (https://stpaulsunited.org/contact-us/)

Prepare for the New Year by Walking the Labyrinth
2023-12-27 10:00 - 2023-12-29 14:00 | Mill Woods United Church, 15 Grand Meadow Cres, Edmonton, AB, T6L 1A1, Canada
The Labyrinth at Mill Woods United Church will be open from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, Decemeber 27, 28 and 29. People are invited to quietly meditate and reflect as they walk the path of the Labyrinth. All are welcome.

The Christmas Cat
2023-12-24 17:00 - 18:00 | St Albert United Church, 20 Green Grove Drive, St Albert, AB, T8N 5H6, Canada
A pj service for young families and the young at heart
Pajamas and slippers encouraged.
Milk and cookies to follow service

Blue Christmas Service
2023-12-20 19:00 - 20:00 | St Albert United Church, 20 Green Grove Drive, St Albert, AB, T8N 5H6, Canada
Some of us have mixed emotions during the holidays, and some struggle in the dark days around the longest night. If you have had a difficult year (in any way), if you are conflicted or hurting, and/or you would like to remember loved ones as we light candles, please join us in the sanctuary.

BLUE CHRISTMAS SERVICE OF HEALING
2023-12-17 19:00 - 20:00 | Robertson-Wesley United Church, 10209 123 st, Edmonton, Alberta, T5N 1N3, Canada
December 17 at 7:00 pm. Christmas is a holy time that is not always happy. It brings up so many memories that heighten our feelings of grief or sadness, pain or loneliness. This is a service of quiet reflection, remembrance and peace. We hope that this service will bring a sense of peace in this sacred season with quiet music, scripture, silence and candle light. Everyone is welcome.

Christmas Cantata and Advent Supper - Stony Plain United Church
2023-12-17 17:00 - 20:00 | Stony Plain United Church, 5012 - 51 Ave, Stony Plain, AB, T7Z 1C2, Canada
Join us for “Joy!”, our Advent Supper, Caroling and Christmas Cantata presented by the Stony Plain United Church. Coffee and treats afterward….

Wild Church YEG
2023-12-17 13:00 - 14:30 | Emily Murphy Park, Picnic Site #3
As the year’s longest night approaches, join Robertson-Wesley’s Wild Church worship on December 17 at 1:00 pm to partake in a “Testimony to the Light at the Winter Solstice”. We will meet at the Emily Murphy Park Fire Circle at Picnic Site #3. To keep warm, there will be a fire pit and hot drinks provided (bring a mug). Remember to dress for the weather, and bring along friends of any age (or species)! For questions or transportation support, get in touch by email (wildchurch@rwuc.org), website (wildchurchyeg.org), or Instagram (@wildchurchyeg). Cancelled below -15°C with windchill.

Deep Winter Song XVII
2023-12-15 19:00 - 21:00 | Centre for Spiritual Living, 7621 101 Ave NW, Edmonton, Alberta, T6A 0J6, Canada
“This magical event… I look forward to it every year! If you would love to sit in sacred reflections the stillness of the season and celebrate the upcoming Solstice & the return of the light… this will be a night that will fill you up from the inside out.”
Event Details:
Date: Friday December 15 2023
Time: Doors at 6:30pm
The show begins at 7pm (MST)
Location: Centre For Spiritual Living 7621 – 101 Ave. Edmonton AB Canada.
Create your personal Eventbrite account to properly purchase your tickets and to enter the in person event. Make note of your password!
Deep Winter Song is an “acoustic” musical presentation exploring and celebrating the Mystery of the Winter Solstice Christmas and this wondrous dark season of winter. The night will include traditional and modern songs of winter inspiring stories & poetry angelic voices inspiring words compelling movement performances delightful and mystical moods laser starlight beautiful winter projections a time of Sacred Sound Journey and a Solstice Fire Ritual.
Complimentary Hot Seasonal Drinks and Tasty Treats will complete the evening.
Context: There is a subtle aspect of the dark winter season and the Solstice/Christmas/Holiday season which lends itself to reflection on darkness the stilling and hibernating of the natural world and celebration steeped in a sense of mystery and magic. At this time of year and in this event we engage uplift contemplate and deepen the energy of gifting holding each other more in our thoughts coming together in generosity and anticipation of magical unfoldings. As we move beyond the grip and rush of consumerism it is a time to slow down and let the deep yet playful part of ourselves emerge and to open the Heart’s imagination to everyday miracles. It is from this context that we offer inspiration and grounding presenting an uplifting evening of warmth music poetry and story which serves to enrich a sense of the sacred of wholesome celebration light-heartedness enjoyment and depth of Heart within this busy and sometimes challenging month of December. We sincerely hope that you will come and share with us in the music and depth of this season.
Performers include local musicians sound artists singer-songwriters performers and storytellers.
Featuring:
Storyweaver: Nathalie Jackson
Musicians: rEvolve (Gord Oaks ~ Chris Giffen ~ Josh McHan), Carrie Day
~ and special guests ~
Tickets are available at Eventbrite “Deep Winter Song 2023”
(https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/756454053437?aff=oddtdtcreator)
$30 per adult in advance ($35 at door)
$75 per Family of 4 ($80 at door)
$15 Youth 7-17 years old
Children 6 & under are Free
Please visit our Facebook event page for comments and to invite your friends to “Deep Winter Song XVII”
We Sincerely hope you will join us to share in the music and depth of this season.

Energy efficiency and grants for faith buildings webinar
2023-12-15 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
Faithful Footprints carbon reduction for faith buildings webinar, December 15th at 1:00pm CST, noon MST. Join other Prairies and North people to learn more about strategies to reduce the carbon footprint of your faith spaces, and how to access the Faithful Footprints grant program to support energy efficiency upgrades and investment in renewables. Free! Register today at: https://forms.gle/WsPbu6tEvuzx89JP8

Kirk Centre's Canvas and Cocktails presents: Matching Mittens
2023-12-14 18:30 - 20:30 | Kirk United Church Community Centre, 13535 122 Ave NW, Edmonton, Alberta, T5L 2V7, Canada
Join us for our first Canvas & Cocktails evening:
Doors open at 6 pm – Please arrive at this time to settle in and get to know your fellow artists
Class is from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm
Cost is $25 per person – to be paid upon registration by etransfer to kirkuccentre@gmail.com.
18 year + (please know that we will be planning a family event soon)
Mulled Wine and Apple Cider will be available at this event at $2 per glass, all proceeds will go to Mouse’s GoFundMe fundraiser.
This event we will be painting “Matching Mittens”.
This Matching Mitten event we are asking that everyone bring a pair of new or very gently used mittens or gloves to be donated to Kirk’s Little Free Closet. They will be paired with donated toques and scarfs and available to those who are unable to afford these crucial items in the winter months.

Highlands Blue Christmas Service
2023-12-13 19:00 - 20:00 | Highlands United Church, 11305 64 St NW, Edmonton, Alberta, T5W 4H6, Canada
Highlands United Church (11305 64 Street) is having a special Blue Christmas Service, on Wednesday, December 13 at 7pm. This service is open to everyone who would like to attend, and is designed for those who are not feeling the joyful Christmas spirit: those who are grieving, battling depression, stress, illness, or for any other reason. You are welcomed into our fold.

A Service of Lessons & Carols
2023-12-10 16:00 - 17:00 | Robertson-Wesley United Church, 10209 123 st, Edmonton, Alberta, T5N 1N3, Canada
December 10 at 4:00 pm. This gentle candlelight service is a classic, with a series of scripture readings that take us through the story of God’s promise, the longing and waiting, and the fulfilment of the promise in the birth of Christ. In person and online.

Christmas Concert - Morning Star
2023-12-08 19:00 - 20:00 | Spirit West United Church, 7003 199 St NW, Edmonton, Alberta, T5T 3A8, Canada
The choir of Spirit West United presents Morning Star, a message of hope. We will be joined by a harp, flute, piano and percussion.

CCS Friday on Engaging Youth in Climate Justice
2023-12-08 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom, Canada
This summer, 15 youth from across the church participated in the United Church of Canada’s first ever Climate Motivators program. Each student was sponsored by, and in partnership with, a local community of faith where they worked together on local climate justice or environmental needs.
The motivators connected online and in-person to learn how to be leaders, worship, be in nature, act for change, and influence church policy.
Our special guest will be Amy Crawford, team leader for Faith Formation and Mission with the General Council of the United Church of Canada. Amy has just returned from a short sabbatical where she was reviewing and evaluating what happened to the youth and the people they interacted with. She will share some of her insights about getting youth involved in educating about climate change.
CCS Fridays are free. Please register to receive a zoom link, here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZclduiqqTMqHdzVZnAl2bcp5TI2oUuC5d7z#/registration
CCS Fridays are online conversations to help us respond faithfully to emerging issues in local contexts. These workshops are open to anyone who might be interested. There will be a presentation that will be recorded for future viewing, plus opportunities to engage with the ideas in small groups.

JOURNEY THROUGH THE LABYRINTH
2023-12-06 18:30 - 20:00 | Robertson-Wesley United Church, 10209 123 st, Edmonton, Alberta, T5N 1N3, Canada
How will you prepare for Christmas this year? Come for a reflective walk during Advent. The Labyrinth will be open in Memorial Hall Wednesdays December 6 and 20 from 6:30-8:00 pm.

Songs Of Solidarity An Evening Of Singing & Reflection
2023-12-05 19:00 - 20:30 | Robertson-Wesley United Church, 10209 123 st, Edmonton, Alberta, T5N 1N3, Canada
The world has felt so heavy lately and while it is important to feel those feelings, it is also important to move them through our spirits and out of the body. One way to do that is in community, through singing. Join us for a quiet night of lifting our voices with songs of freedom, love, peace, unity, and more. This will be a casual gathering with easy-to-join songs, reflections, and meditation. Please bring a contained candle, a pillow for sitting, and your water bottle. If you have a Keffiya please wear it. If you play an acoustic instrument, feel free to bring it along. All are welcome to join. This event is free however we will be taking an offering to pass on to Palestinian aid. December 5th, 7:00-8:30 pm. Robertson-Wesley 10209 123 street (west facing doors).

Christmas Tea, Bake Sale, and Silent Auction
2023-12-02 14:00 - 16:00 | Trinity United Church, 8810 Meadowlark Rd NW, Edmonton, Alberta, T5R 5W6, Canada
Trinity United is having a Christmas Tea, Bake Sale, and Silent Auction on Saturday, December 2, 2023 from 2-4pm.
We will be selling Christmas baking and other delicious treats and will have gift baskets to bid on in support of our fundraiser. We are located at 8810 Meadowlark Rd NW, Edmonton. Please call 780-489-0860 for more information.

Christmas Craft Market- Mill Woods United Church
2023-12-02 10:00 - 16:00 | Mill Woods United Church, 15 Grand Meadow Cres, Edmonton, AB, T6L 1A1, Canada
The Christmas Craft Market has been happening for over two decades. We have a variety of vendors selling items from handmade products to commercial vendors (more than 50) such as Norwex and Epicure on both floors of our church. There is usually a hot lunch with soup put together by our Heavenly Hospitality group for purchase at the downstairs concession on the date of the sale. Entry to our sale is by donation. This fundraiser supports the life and work of our Mill Woods United church (15 Grand Meadow Crescent) in the community of Mill Woods.

2nd Annual Community Nativity Festival
2023-12-01 16:00 - 2023-12-02 16:30 | AB
Friday, December 1st – 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm and Saturday, December 2nd – 10:30 am – 4:30 pm
at Vegreville United Church, 5126 – 48th Avenue, Vegreville, Alberta
Food and cash donations to the Vegreville Food Bank will be gratefully accepted.
– A family fun event.
– Discover the reason for the season.
– See an astonishing display of more than 200 creches and nativities from around the world!
– Seasonal refreshments for a cash donation to the Food Bank.
– Community Carol singing on Friday at 6:00 pm and Saturday at 3:00 pm
– Co-sponsored by: St. Mary the Virgin Anglican Church and Vegreville United Church

Strathearn Christmas Tea & Market
2023-11-25 13:00 - 16:00 | Strathearn United Church, 8510 95 Avenue NW, Edmonton, Alberta, T6C 1Y7
$5 Tea, Bake Sale, Christmas gift baskets and items, antiques and Next-to-New Shop, books and puzzles, 9 Vendor tables (includes, wood carvings, wreaths, tatting, quilted and other hand-crafted items, jewelry, handmade purses and totes, and much more!), Purdys Chocolates.

Christmas Sale and Santa's Gift Shop
2023-11-25 10:00 - 15:00 | Spirit of Hope United Church, 7909 82 Ave NW, Edmonton, AB, Canada
Bring your whole family to purchase crafts and gifts from a wide variety of local vendors, pick up some yummy seasonal baking; enjoy lunch (beef-on-a-bun, pie and ice cream) and check out the new and gently used treasures in Santas Gift Shop. We’ll even wrap your presents and help your kids select and wrap ‘secret’ presents for you. Take photos with Santa between 1-2 pm. And you might even win what you spend in the 50-50 draw.

New and gently used gifts for all ages and budgets.
• Beef-on-a-bun, pie & ice cream
• Christmas baking
• Local vendors
• Santa’s gift shop
• Photos with Santa (1-2 pm)
• Gift wrapping
• 50-50 draw

Regional Council learning time on the Remit
2023-11-23 18:30 - 20:00 | Zoom
Regional Council learning time on the Remit, November 23 at 6:30 Mountain and 7:30 Central, on Zoom.
Please join Northern Spirit, Living Skies, and Prairie to Pine Regional Councils online for a learning time on the Remit on an autonomous Indigenous organization within the United Church. We are grateful that elders and knowledge keepers Charlene and Russel Burns will be joining Executive Minister Shannon McCarthy for the conversation. All welcome; content will be designed for pastoral charge council or board members, pastoral charge supervisors, and ministry personnel.
Please register here; this will send you the link automatically.

Grace United Church Christmas Bazaar
2023-11-18 10:00 - 14:00 | Grace United Church, 6215 104 Ave, Edmonton, AB, Canada
New and “New to You” gifts, Crafts, Christmas items, Kids’ shopping opportunity!
Baking, Preserves, Food products
Santa will arrive at 11:00
Lunch ($10.00 adults, $5.00 children under 12)

A Rocha Alberta? A conversation
2023-11-17 19:00 - 21:00 | King’s University, 9125-50 St., Edmonton, Alberta, T6B 2H3, Canada
Interested in caring for creation? Want to find out more about ways we can do this work together here in Alberta and in our local communities? On Friday, November 17th at 7 pm, join us in the Atrium at The King’s University (9125 50 St NW) for a conversation initiated by guest Luke Wilson, CEO of A Rocha Canada. Luke will share a brief presentation about what A Rocha Canada is doing in other communities across Canada, from BC to MB and ON. Refreshments provided. Then let’s discuss: could we have an A Rocha AB? We have the basic components. Do we want to put them together? Come out and share your thoughts, dreams, interests. Do you want to be involved?
