Northern Spirit Regional Council

CCS Friday - Becoming an Anti-Racist Church
2022-03-04 11:00 - 12:00 (America/Edmonton) | Zoom, Canada
Join an online conversation to explore more about what it might mean to become an anti-racist church. How does an organization continue the process of institutional change to become a more intentionally anti-racist one? Together, we’ll explore a continuum for becoming an anti-racism organization as well as the United Church’s national anti-racism action plan. The conversation will be facilitated by Adele Halliday, who is the Anti-Racism and Equity Lead staff at the United Church’s General Council Office.
An experienced anti-racism educator, workshop leader, and award-winning writer, Adele has been involved in anti-racism work with churches in Canada and beyond for many years. She is currently staff resource to the United Church’s Anti-Racism Common Table. She holds a Master of Education as well as a Master of Theological Studies, and is currently studying towards a Doctor of Education. Adele lives in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
CCS Fridays:
Online conversations to help us all to respond faithfully to emerging issues in local contexts. These workshops are open to anyone who might be interested. Each session will be on a Friday from 12:00 to 1:00 Central (Winnipeg time) and in the form of a Zoom workshop. There will be a presentation that will be recorded for future viewing, plus opportunities to engage with the ideas in small groups.
Sessions are free but you must register.
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEkcuihqzspHtTmzSydBr3p3D-HMsqeODZi

Photography - The Art of Sacred Seeing
2022-02-05 14:00 - 15:00 | Zoom
WayPoint Centre for Spiritual Growth is an initiative of the Leadershift Church Planting Project (Pacific Mountain Region) and is an emerging ministry of Eagle Ridge United Church, Coquitlam, BC.
This presentation is on using photography as a way to enhance and to share our gifts of sacred seeing. All of the natural world provides a glimpse of the sacredness that transcends all, but that also permeates all. When we learn to see, rather than just look, the sacred story emerges.
Photography with any kind of camera, from the simplest cell phone to more complex photographic equipment, can capture the sacred story by allowing us to focus on the sparks of grace that reside in the mundane. When we learn how to employ sacred seeing, our photography becomes the art of sacred seeing.
Facilitator: Mary Beth Wallace
Mary Beth Wallace is a resident of Toronto and a member of Islington United Church and of Saint Georges-on-the-Hill Anglican Church. She is an avid amateur photographer who believes that when we encounter nature with our whole being we catch a glimpse of the sacred. As we develop our sacred seeing skills, we can capture these glimpses as a sacred story to be cherished and shared through photography.
Cost: $25
Registration closes Tuesday, February 2. Zoom link will be sent out once registration closes.

Transgender Day of Remembrance Vigil Service
2021-11-20 14:00 - 15:00
You are invited to join Affirming Ministries for the Transgender Day of Remembrance Vigil Service on November 20th from 2:00-3:00PM. Join us in-person at Robertson-Wesley United Church or watch online through the Facebook Event Page.
Transgender Day of Remembrance was founded in 1999 and has been observed annually on November 20 as a day to raise public awareness of hate crimes against transgender people. It publicly mourns and honours the lives of those lost and gives our allies a chance to step forward with us and stand in vigil, memorializing those of us who’ve died by transphobic violence.
This service will feature candle lighting, viewing of names, songs and prayers. This event does not fall under the Restrictions Exemption Program. Proof of Vaccination is not required to attend. Confidential sign in for close contacts, masks and social distancing are required.
For more information about the event, please visit this link: https://fb.me/e/1Y6H4QBTV

Centre for Christian Studies Friday: Unanswered Questions about 9/11
2021-11-05 11:00 - 12:00 | Zoom
The next CCS Friday will be an online discussion of Ray McGinnis’ recent book, Unanswered Questions about 9/11 (with a study guide for churches). Join in as Ray, guest, author, and CCS grad, shares what he learned about the families of those killed in the terrorist attack on the World Trade Centre on Sept. 11, 2001, and their attempts to get answers from their government.
CCS Fridays are Online conversations once a month to help us all to respond faithfully to emerging issues in local contexts. These workshops are open to anyone who might be interested. Each session will be on a Friday from 12:00 to 1:00 CT in the form of a Zoom workshop. There will be a presentation that will be recorded for future viewing, plus opportunities to engage with the ideas in small groups.
These sessions are free, but you must register: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0scOyvqzMtHdDn9rFw92whQ4Z2NqonzKg2
The last CCS Friday of the year will be on December 10 with Natalie Wiggs-Stevenson discussing her book Transgressive Devotion: Theology as Performance Art and theological methodologies

Western Intercultural Network conversation and AGM
2021-11-02 12:30 - 14:30 | Zoom
Encountering the Intercultural Iceberg: the Clergy Collar! Speakers Rev Lee Spice, Rev Piotr (Peter) Strzelecki VDM, and resource people from the WIMN executive, followed by conversation and a short AGM for the Network.

Join the Western Intercultural Ministry Network as we explore the cultural iceberg –specifically, the clergy collar. What values, histories, stories, power dynamics lie below the surface and the water lines of our lives when we see the clergy collar? Let’s talk Intercollartural Ministry together! (Scroll down for a fuller introduction.)
All welcome- all identities and all people on the intercultural learning journey. Click here to see the mandate and terms of reference for our network.
Our network crosses many time zones. Here’s our timing: 11:30AM – 1:30PM (PDT), BC
12:30PM – 2:30PM (MDT/ CST)- AB and SK
1:30PM – 3:30PM (CDT), MB and parts of NW Ontario
2:30PM – 4:30PM (EDT) ON and QC
Zoom link here.
Meeting ID: 961 7898 5162
Password: [REDACTED]
+1 647 558 0588 Canada
+1 778 907 2071 Canada
+1 438 809 7799 Canada
+1 587 328 1099 Canada
+1 647 374 4685 Canada
855 703 8985 Canada Toll-free
Intro to our topic: In intercultural work, we often refer to the cultural iceberg. With icebergs, only the top of the iceberg is visible on top of the ocean, while under the waterline the iceberg may be vast, deep and wide. Often, the most important parts of ourselves may be hidden beneath the waterline, and encountering those can bring us into richer and more respectful relationship with each other. Sometimes, icebergs that look far away from each other on the surface can bump into each other under the water – sometimes gently, sometimes causing damage.
For our coffee and chai conversation this month, we are going to explore the cultural iceberg that we call the clergy collar. On the surface, it might seem like a small thing, a symbol of office that some clergy intentionally wear and others do not. Some church members and people in the general public are comforted by it, others are puzzled by it, others are traumatized by it. Some clergy are comfortable wearing it, and others are not. All of our responses to this visible symbol of office are informed by our values, our histories, our stories, our power in society – those often unseen things that exist beneath the water lines of our lives. Let’s get together for meaningful conversation, and explore who we are as an intercultural community, through the lens of the cultural iceberg we call the clergy collar. Here’s one suggested reading, which may reflect the views of many in the church. And we’ll explore more views together.

No Easy Jesus: Affirming theology and practice in our contexts
2021-10-27 19:00 - 21:00 | Zoom
.An evening exploring 2SLGBTQIA+ affirming theology and practices in our contexts, organized by the Northern Spirit Affirming Task Group.
This event is our annual meeting education space and all delegates are invited, along with all the people of the Regional Council. Come and learn together while we help the Regional Council in its Affirming journey.

Zoom link
Meeting ID: 981 1019 6816
Password: [REDACTED]
Dial by your location
+1 778 907 2071 Canada
+1 438 809 7799 Canada
+1 587 328 1099 Canada
+1 647 374 4685 Canada
+1 647 558 0588 Canada
855 703 8985 Canada Toll-free

PRIDE 2021
2021-06-01 - 2021-06-30
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
