Intercultural Ministry

Patch work quit drawing in yellow, red, blue, with Western Intercultural Ministry Network in a black oval/ fish in the middle. Becoming an Intercultural Church in Western Canada/ Turtle Island

The Western Intercultural Network: Who are we? We are people and communities in the United Church of Canada committed to a fully inclusive and intercultural church, from northwestern Ontario to the Pacific, and north to Yellowknife. Anyone of any identity is welcome!

We  hold gatherings and online conversations that focus on the communities named below. We work in our own Regional Councils across Western Canada, and we gather as the Western Intercultural Network in person every fall. An executive from the five Western Regional Councils of the United Church offers us leadership. Please see our 2020 Mandate and Terms of Reference here.

Our vision of becoming an intercultural United Church encompasses:
Racialized people and communities, which includes ethnic churches within the United Church, racialized lay leaders and ministry personnel, and more.
Indigenous people and communities, within the United Church and beyond, of all traditions.
People with disabilities.
LGBTQIA+ and Two spirit people and communities.

We honour these identities, and the spaces where they intersect. Our ministry includes courageous (and awkward!) conversations about our diversity, and about the social privilege and history that hinder right relationships. We believe the Good News of Jesus Christ calls us into such conversations and relationship.

Interested in knowing more?

Sign up for our email list here (all information is confidential and will not be shared with anyone else. You can leave the list at any time.)

More resources

Overview of the United Church’s intercultural vision
Intercultural worship resources
Round the Table: personal intercultural reflections
Racial justice training program of the United Church (open to all); further details about the online format are here.
Deepening Understanding for Intercultural Ministry program, Canadian Council of Churches
Disabilities and inclusion
Affirm United/ S’affirmer Ensemble, the LGBTQIA2S+ and ally movement within the church

Intercultural news

PIE Day 2022 resources

PIE Day 2022 resources

Why PIE? PIE = Public. Intentional. Explicit. Those are the standards we hold ourselves to when we seek to live into being Affirming people and communities by, for, and with Two Spirit and LGBTQIA+...

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Anti Racism Common Table – Open Letter

Anti Racism Common Table – Open Letter

Anti Racism Common Table letter on Hate Symbols at Recent Protests The recent protests and border blockades have made for a very tense few weeks. This open letter from the General Council’s Anti...

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Korean Peace Appeal

Korean Peace Appeal

The Korean War began in 1950. While open clashes ceased in 1953 with the signing of an armistice, a peace treaty has not yet been established and the war is not over. For more than 70 years, the...

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United Church News

On March 24-26, The United Church of Canada invites participation from across the country in Lenten actions calling for a guaranteed livable income to be established by the federal government. Read More

Thanks to the generosity of United Church of Canada donors, we have been able to raise over $182,000 to provide support to our partners who are supporting the people of northern Syria and Türkiye. Read More

The 44th General Council has authorized a remit on removing structural barriers so that the Indigenous Church can determine its place and structure within the United Church. Read More

Ideas for marking the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. Read More

Moderator Carmen Lansdowne’s PIE Day message invites everyone to commit to taking another faithful step to embody the expansive love of God for Two Spirit or LGBTQIA+ people. Read More