Northern Spirit Regional Council

PRIDE 2021
2021-06-01 - 2021-06-30 | Alberta
Join in on the Pride month celebrations!
Many Pride societies are offering online or distanced events in communities large and small. Support from your community of faith makes a difference, especially since so many Christian communities remain non-affirming. Are there creative ways you can offer that support? Your church signage, rainbows on your church property, letters of support to local and social media, fundraising, offering a drive by dessert, and much more: all are good ways to be public, intentional, and explicit about support for Two Spirit and LGBTQIA+ people. Let your creativity go wild!
June 6 is Pride Sunday in the United Church, and June shares a whole month of Pride alongside Indigenous History Month. Below you’ll find some resources to help!
Pride Worship Services, Events and Resources:
Pride Social Media Post
Pride Information Poster
Pride Resources (Services, Hymns, Pamphlets, Videos, Etc.)
Pride 2021 Events List
Happy Pride to you all!

Affirming Leaders Day 2021
2021-05-22 10:00 - 16:30 (America/Edmonton) | Alberta
Join from anywhere in the world for Affirming Leaders Day! A faith-based development & connection day for allied and LGBTQ2S+ folks! Featuring Civil Rights Activist Rev. James Lawson, Queer Singer/Songwriter Semler, and Pop Culture Critic/Scholar/Author Anthony Oliveira!
Peace and Protest: Creating Change with Love and Intention
We explore the ways that our faith calls us to bring justice, love, peace, and hope into the world. This year we reflect on the ways in which our communities have been strained and constrained by the pandemic and the increasing polarization of an “us vs. them” mentality. How do we resist the urge to “other” others, while still standing our ground and working for justice?
Tickets are $15-$30 (Provides access to ALL of the sessions)
Get 25% off using the promo code: NORTHERNSPIRIT
Get your tickets HERE

International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia & Biphobia
2021-05-17 14:00 - 15:30 | Alberta
You are invited to join Affirming Reflections for an International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia & Biphobia Livestream Event. This event will feature songs, stories and reflections from Two-spirit & LGBTQIA+ folks and their experiences around homophobia, transphobia & biphobia. We will hear about how inclusion and acceptance within society and within the Church helps to end homophobia, transphobia, & biphobia, how folks have overcome these challenges, and what allies can do to help support the Two-spirit & LGBTQ+ communities. For more information about the event, please visit this link: https://fb.me/e/4o29DstFv

A Conversation with and about LGBTQ2S+
2021-05-16 13:00 - 15:00 | Alberta
This is an online event presented by the Sexual and Gender Acceptance group of Wetaskiwin in partnership with First United Church, Wetaskiwin. There will be video, discussion, presentation that explores language, experience and how to be more respectful in our mutual conversations.

Regional Council meeting 2021
2021-05-06 19:00 - 21:00, 2021-05-04 19:00 - 21:00 | Alberta
Theme: LOVING OUR NEIGHBOUR AND OURSELVES
The 3rd Annual Meeting of Northern Spirit Regional Council will be held online via Zoom, Tuesday, May 4 and Thursday, May 6. 2021.
The sessions will be from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm (MDT).
The registration information and form will be sent to Communities of Faith, Ministry Personnel and Lay Representatives. Communities of Faith: please submit to the Regional Council Office the names and contact information for your Lay Representatives, so that no one is missed.

A major item on the Agenda will be the election of Commissioners to the 44th General Council, meeting online in July, 2022. Nominations are now being sought for Commissioners from the Northern Spirit Regional Council.
To read the General Council Commissioner Position Description, please click here.
Nominations will be received using the Expression of Interest and Nominations Form found here.

Affirming Reflections: Queer Art
2021-04-19 12:00 - 13:30 | Alberta
Are you an artist or love seeing different ways people can be creative? Are you interested in learning more about local queer art and artists? Then, join in on Monday, April 19, at 12:00 noon (MDT) to learn about creativity, queer art, and getting to know local artist Max Elwood! This interview, hosted by Affirming Ministries, will be online with Facebook Live. For more information about Max Elwood, or the event, please visit this link: https://fb.me/e/2dBmnzhPp.

National action: Light the Flame for a Guaranteed Livable Income
2021-04-08 12:00 - 17:00 | Alberta
Light the Flame for a Guaranteed Livable Income on April 8, 2021
Confirmed vigils, with all COVID 19 protocols in effect:
Chris Warkentin’s office – 10625 W Side Rd, Grande Prairie at 12:30
What is this all about?
In this video, Moderator Richard Bott invites us to join the call for a Guaranteed Livable Income and contact our Prime Minister and Minister of Finance. April 8 is a chance to make visible this call and Light the Flame for a Guaranteed Livable Income. Plan to light a candle and post publicly on social media (#UCCanlivableincome) in solidarity with small outdoor vigils being held on Parliament Hill, and at some MP constituency offices.
Take a look at the GLI page for more information and worship resources. And sign up here to receive updates. The Cross Canada GLI network of United Church leaders is eager to connect with you, including people here in Prairie to Pine.
Here’s a summary of available resources:
Take Action page
News Release page
Google Drive with additional resources

Regional Affirming gathering
2021-03-02 18:30 - 20:00 | Zoom
Calling all ministries and people who are LGBTQIA+ and Two Spirit-affirming, or 2SLGBTQIA yourselves. We know COVID is making Affirming work harder, even as it also makes life harder for trans, non- binary, queer, Two Spirit and questioning people- especially youth and elders.
So you’re invited to an Affirming get-together for Northern Spirit, Tuesday March 2, 6:30-8:30PM Mountain.
Come out to this check in and reminder of resources that are out there to help your ministry. Give and receive some good energy and support. You don’t need to be officially Affirming to come. Affirming ministries, those in the process, those considering the process, and all Two Spirit and LGBTQIA+ people and allies are welcome.
Email Shylo Rosborough affirming.ministries@rwuc.org or Julie Graham jgraham@united-church.ca to RSVP and for the Zoom link.

Lenten Book Study – “Learning to Walk in the Dark”
2021-02-18 19:00 - 20:30 | Zoom
Join me on five Thursday evenings in Lent, starting on February 18 at 7 pm, for a Zoom gathering to discuss a 2014 book by one of my favorite preachers and thinkers, Barbara Brown Taylor. Learning to Walk in the Dark is available as an e-book for $12. Taylor wrote it to help us maintain a healthy spiritual life in those times when we don’t have all the answers. She argues that we need to move away from “solar spirituality” and ease our way into appreciating “lunar spirituality” since, like the moon, our experience of the light waxes and wanes.
To gain a sense of Taylor as a writer, I recommend an article of hers published by The Christian Century last July – “Finding God outside the church walls.”
If you are interested in participating or would like more information, please drop me a line – iankellogg@hotmail.com

Perspectives on K-12 Education for Reconciliation Panel Discussion
2021-02-17 19:00 - 21:00 | Zoom
Remembering the Children Society presents a panel discussion on the inclusion of Indian Residential Schools history in the new Alberta curriculum.
Please join us to listen to qualified and knowledgeable education partners discuss their perspective on why the Alberta government needs to “Make age-appropriate curriculum on residential schools, Treaties, and Aboriginal peoples’ historical and contemporary contributions to Canada a mandatory education requirement for Kindergarten to Grade Twelve students.”
Our goal is that the participants will gain increased knowledge and understanding of this issue and be prepared to share their feedback when Alberta Education Ministry allows for public input in Stage 5 of the development of the new curriculum later in 2021.
February 17th, 2021, 7:00 – 9:00 pm SAVE THE DATE!
Virtual meeting – Zoom Link available by registering for the event
Registration information will be available shortly; please check https://www.facebook.com/reconciliation4all/
Panel members
Melissa Purcell
Charlene Bearhead
Wilson Bearhead
Fourth panel member TBA
Moderator: Morris Flewwelling

Online Auction to Support Ottewell United Church
2021-02-15 10:00 - 2021-02-28 10:00 | Alberta
Greetings fellow bidders! We invite you to browse our auction catalogue and bid on a variety of items including sports and recreation items, family passes, services, antiques, handcrafts, tech, fitness and more!

Online Auction to Support Ottewell United Church
2021-02-15 - 2021-02-28 | Ottewell United Church, 6611-93A Ave, Edmonton, AB, Canada
An online auction featuring many items and services in support of Ottewell United Church

Intercultural Conversations
2021-02-02 12:00 - 14:00 | Zoom
Bring your favourite hot drink and join us for conversation on practical ideas for being an intercultural church, Tuesday February 2, at noon Mountain time. Hosted by the Western Intercultural Ministries Network. All welcome! Facebook event: https://fb.me/e/J8uf46JZ
Please contact jgraham@united-church.ca for the link, or sign up for our occasional intercultural updates here: https://form.jotform.com/200548035291248

Leaning into the Future without Fear conference
2020-11-16 - 2020-11-19 | Alberta
This event was rescheduled from its original date in March, 2020. Registration for the new event will open shortly.
November 17-19, 2020, Leadership Event in Calgary, for Ministry Personnel and Lay People. The Chinook Winds Region’s Ministry Support Working Group, in conjunction with the Pacific Mountain Region’s LeaderShift, are pleased to present this Leadership Event. Matt Miofsky is Lead Pastor of The Gathering United Methodist Church in Saint Louis, Missouri. He has also co-authored 8 Virtues of Rapidly Growing Churches with Jason Byassee.

Stand with Me: Palestinian Children and Military Detention - A workshop
2020-10-24 14:00 - 15:30 | Alberta
Stand with Me: Palestinian Children and Military Detention – A workshop
Palestinian families live in constant awareness that Israeli soldiers could invade their house at any hour of the day or night and take a child away – often for arbitrary reasons and for an unknown length of time. According to Defense for Children International Palestine(a United Church partner in mission). Israel is the only country in the world that systematically prosecutes children in military courts.
Join us for this 90 minute workshop to learn what the day to day reality is and an action you could take today to stand up for Palestinian children and their families. The workshop is hosted by PalNet Pacific, CFOS and CJPME:Okanagan. PalNet Pacific is one of the networks of the Pacific Mountain Region and a regional group of UNJPPI (United Network for a Just Peace in Palestine and Israel)
Learn more and register at Eventbrite: https://palestinianchildrenandmilitarydetention.eventbrite.ca

2nd Annual Northern Spirit Regional Council Meeting
2020-10-21 19:30 - 21:30, 2020-10-14 19:30 - 21:30 | Alberta
The Second Annual Northern Spirit Regional Council Meeting will be held online in October.
Ministry Personnel, Lay Representatives from Communities of Faith, Youth, and Guests from all over the Northern Spirit region will be called to gather together virtually for worship, decision-making, celebration, and setting future directions for the Regional Council on:
Wednesday, October 14, 7:30 to 9:30 pm (MDT), for connection, listening and discussing the business before the Regional Council; and
Wednesday, October 21, 7:30 to 9:30 (MDT) pm, for decision-making.
Prior to the meetings, there will be opportunities for learning about Remit 1, and other important proposals or reports.
As plans unfold, information will be added to the Regional Council Meeting web page.

New Wine: Western Intercultural Gathering
2020-10-09 10:00 - 13:00, 2020-10-02 10:00 - 13:00, 2020-09-25 10:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
New Wine: Western Intercultural Gathering online this fall with Eric Law and Tony Snow
We can’t gather in Calgary as planned, but we can come together online, even bigger than before! Join us for part 2 of last year’s cross-Canada gathering of people committed to the United Church’s intercultural vision. Rev. Dr. Eric Law and Tony Snow will be our lead resource people.
When: Fridays on September 25, October 2, and October 9, 2020.
Cost: FREE. Thank you to the Regional Councils who support our network through their budgets, and to the people of the United Church of Canada, who support this ministry through your Mission and Service givings.
Full information: https://bit.ly/2CqFRjt
Sessions are free but registration is still required; please click here.
Click here for our Facebook event.

The sessions will begin at 9:00 AM Pacific; 10:00AM in AB; 11:00AM in MB and NW Ontario; noon in ON and QC; 1:00PM in the Maritimes and 1:30 in NL.
These will be three hour sessions, with presentations and small group discussion. Tools for talking with your ministry or others between sessions will be offered.
Our lead resource people
Rev. Dr. Eric H. F. Law is the founder and executive director of the Kaleidoscope Institute, which provides resources to equip church leaders to create diverse and sustainable communities. He has been a consultant and trainer for over 25 years, working with the Roman Catholic, Episcopal, United Methodist, Presbyterian, American Baptist, United Church of Christ and Lutheran churches in the United States, Canada, Asia, Australia and Europe. He is the author of over 10 books including Finding Intimacy in a World of Fear, Holy Currencies, Drawing on Holy Currencies, The Wolf Shall Dwell with the Lamb (also available in Spanish), and Inclusion: Making Room for Grace.
He is an Episcopal priest, a composer of church music, a photographer and a playwright. He writes a weekly blog called The Sustainist: Spirituality for Sustainable Communities in a Networked World. http://ehflaw.typepad.come/blog/
Tony Snow is a member of Treaty #7 from the Stoney Nakoda First Nation in Morley. He is a direct descendent of Treaty signers from his Nation, and his father, the late Rev. Dr. Chief John Snow Sr., was the first ordained Indigenous minister in the United Church in Alberta. Tony Snow is an Indigenous theologian, scholar, and writer, with expertise in Indigenous governance, management, and consultation. He was raised with both Christian and Indigenous traditional teachings and is currently studying ministry in both. Tony is the Indigenous Lead for the Chinook Winds Region of the United Church and the Indigenous Lead for Hillhurst United Church in Calgary.

Zambia Online Conference: Mending the World
2020-09-17 09:00 - 12:00, 2020-09-16 09:00 - 12:00 | Alberta
Please join this opportunity to hear from United Church partners in Zambia.
The conference will be held over two sessions, September 16 & 17, 2020, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon (MDT), 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. (PDT).
To join, use this link: https://united-church.zoom.us/j/7425682258. Meeting ID: 742 568 2258. Or dial by location: (Please use local numbers when feasible to save costs for the church) +1 587 328 1099 (Canada-Alberta). 1 855 703 8985 (Canada Toll-Free).

God is in This Place: Knowing God Through our Senses
2020-07-06 - 2020-07-10 | Alberta
An online seven-day set of faith-based activities, stories and songs for children, families and grandparents to do throughout the summer. There are five days each focused on one of the senses plus a night time and and a rainy day. Children are invited to pick some activities, stories and songs each day and reflect on what their experience teaches them about God.
From July 6-10 families can check in with Rondy Kyle and Denise Davis-Taylor, live on zoom.
For links to each day go to the St Paul’s United Church Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/St-Pauls-United-Church-Edmonton-181774785249257

Ministry Personnel COVID check in
2020-06-30 13:30 - 15:00, 2020-06-23 13:30 - 15:00 | Alberta
Every Tuesday, 1:30 pm MDT (AB, SK and NWT); 12:30 pm PDT (BC).
Ministry Personnel currently serving Pastoral Charges and other ministry sites are encouraged to attend.
This will be a weekly check-in, scheduled until June 30, 2020.
The Meeting ID and link have been sent to all active Ministry Personnel.
Please contact the Regional Office if you have not received the email.
All regional COVID updates are here: https://northernspiritrc.ca/covid-19coronavirusnews/
All national church updates are here: https://www.united-church.ca/covid-19

Sundays in June: Foundations of the Indigenous Church in the United Church
2020-06-28 14:00 - 16:00, 2020-06-21 14:00 - 16:00 | Zoom
Every Sunday in June at 2:00 PM in AB and SK: come explore the foundations of the Indigenous Church in the United Church of Canada. These sessions are open to everyone to come and learn. For additional information or to register, please contact: right.relations@hillhurstunited.com
Sessions:
June 7 – Foundations: Indigenous Women’s Spirituality with Rev. Bernice Saulteaux
June 14 – Formation: Indigeneity in Christian Formation with the Very Reverend Stan McKay
June 21 – Indigenous People’s Day/Mission: The Indigenous Church, Mission and Call with Rev. John Snow Jr.
June 28 – Vision: The Caretakers Report and the Future Indigenous Church with Adrian Jacobs, Keeper of the Circle, Sandy Saulteaux Spiritual Centre.
Many thanks to these elders and knowledge keepers, and to the Right Relations Circle at Hillhurst United Church in Calgary, for offering us the space to learn together.

Breaking the Gender Binary One Word at a Time
2020-06-24 18:00 - 19:30 | Zoom
Conversations about gender diversity and the power of language, 6:00PM in AB and SK, 7:00PM in MB and NW ON.
What is gender inclusive language and how does it have the power to embrace or exclude non-binary, Two Spirit, trans, agender, and gender queer people? Join us for a practical discussion about evolving language and personal perspectives on its importance. All welcome.
The Zoom link is here. Need to phone in? 1-855 703 8985 (Canada Toll-free) and enter meeting ID
940 3191 7505
Password: [REDACTED]
This gathering is especially recommended for Regional Council delegates who will be voting on Remit 1 this fall. In the fall of 2020, delegates to the regional annual meeting will be voting on a remit to make a small but important change to the Basis of Union. Current wording about eligibility for ministry uses “men and women”, and the wording would be changed to “all people”, to reflect a diversity of gender identities. (Further background is here.)

Western Intercultural chai and coffee check in
2020-06-23 12:30 - 14:00 | Zoom
Join the Western Intercultural Network with your tea, chai, coffee (or water) in hand. We’ll talk about how we’re all doing, and discuss the racism COVID is bringing to light as well as strategies for confronting it. We’ll also share updates on our fall gathering, now moving online for September and October.
Time: Jun 23, 2020 11:30 AM Pacific; 12:30 PM in AB, NWT, and SK; 1:30PM in MB and NW Ontario
https://united-church.zoom.us/j/97973729801
