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

The Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in Jerusalem have released an Easter letter that speaks especially to the people of Gaza. Read More

One year after their arrest on politically motivated charges, five prominent Salvadoran water defenders are scheduled to stand trial starting on April 3. Read More

Moderator the Right Rev. Dr. Carmen Lansdowne engages global partners in Zambia and Kenya about their capacity to both flourish and cultivate flourishing in the communities they serve. Read More

During Earth Week, April 21‒28, let’s show up For the Love of Creation. Read More

Letter expresses gratitude for restored funding to UNRWA, but urges an immediate and permanent ceasefire. Read More