News and Blogs
Quick links to sections on this page:
Currents | Wellspring | Blogs | UCC News Feed | Staff
Currents
‘Currents’ is the latest news from Shining Waters Regional Council. A regular newsletter updating our region with information on what the various commissions, committees and SWRC Executive are working on.
Daring Justice – Upcoming Events in November 2024
Welcome to "Daring Justice," your essential newsletter dedicated to the vibrant heart of social and ecological justice, alongside the rich tapestry of intercultural diversity. Check out more about some of these upcoming events... Read More...
Currents – The Latest News for October 2024
The latest news from Shining Waters Regional Council
Currents – The June 2024 Regional Meeting Edition
The latest news from Shining Waters Regional Council
Wellspring
‘Wellspring’ is a regular blog about inspiring stories from around the region, written by Susie Henderson and other occasional contributors.
Worship Outside the Walls
By Susie Henderson Wild Churches are restoring and reimagining relationships between faith and the natural world Taddle Creek Wild Church, Metropolitan United Church Every way you look at it, the present-day front yard of Metropolitan United Church, which corners on...
Dorothy’s Place: a story of friendship and hope
Friends become family at Dorothy's Place By Susie Henderson based on an interview with Rev. Carmen Llanos Dorothy's Place is a ministry of Birchcliff Bluffs United Church serving 2SLGBTQ+ seniors in east end Toronto and Scarborough. Based on the success of Toby's...
The Trees of the Field will Clap Their Hands: Sanctuary in the Pines at Northlea United Church
We have been out of our buildings for some time now, much longer than we first expected. Many of us are growing into the experience of meeting virtually with online opportunities for worship. Northlea United Church, in Toronto’s north Leaside neighbourhood is meeting online and they are experimenting with meeting their community in a previously unexplored place – their own front yard.
Blogs
A Sower Went Out to Sow
‘A Sower Went Out to Sow’ is a blog discussing what we are learning about digital ministry in the region. Written by Susie Henderson and the occasional contributor.
Sowing Seeds, sorry birds I misjudged you –introducing our new digital media and ministry blog
In this blog in the coming year, we will set out on a journey to learn from others on this path of sowing seeds of digital media and ministry.
Clergy Peer Learning Groups Blog
‘Clergy Peer Learning Groups’ is a blog discussing the merit and benefits of starting a clergy peer learning group. Written by SWRC Pastoral Relations Minister, Rev. Todd McDonald.
Feel the Rhythm of the Clergy Peer Learning Group
I really like watching good musicians play live, especially bass guitarists. When I played bass trombone in a swing band, the rhythm section held the band together. The drummer and the bass kept the groove alive and kept all of us players together. When I see a really cool bassist slap out a funk rhythm, I am filled with joy. Rhythms are the stuff of life, stuff we dance to, provides stability for all the joy going on over top of it. Soloists are able to swoop and rob time only because of the steady rhythm of the rhythm section that holds everything together.
There is a rhythm to the life of any group too, including a Clergy Peer Learning Group’s life…
Reach Out and See
Shining Waters is inviting all ministers to consider forming a Clergy Peer Learning Group. A group can meet in person or it can meet by Zoom. A group can include ministers from other denominations. The common denominator for a peer learning group is 7-8 committed colleagues who want to explore new learning in Deep Spirituality or Bold Discipleship or Daring Justice.
But your group is not just about new learning. It is also about support.
I had a conversation with the Rev. Orville James last week. He told me about…
More help to build your Clergy Peer Learning Group!
Hello friends!
Shining Waters has started a Clergy Peer Learning Group program with the hopes that ministers can gather together and support each other through this strange, random and wonderful time to be in ministry. What can we learn about leadership, together? In what ways can we have each other’s back in a safe place to reflect on ministry with a learning focus connected to Deep Spirituality, Bold Discipleship, Daring Justice? Whether by Zoom and in person, it is critical to…
UCC News Feed
A compilation of the latest news from The United Church of Canada.
United Church of Canada
- General Council to Present Apology to 2S and LGBTQIA+ Communities on August 8 June 19, 2025A special worship service to offer a living apology to 2S and LGBTQIA+ communities to be held at 9 am MT on Friday, August 8 at Knox United Church, Calgary, Alberta. Service will be livestreamed.
- 45th General Council of The United Church of Canada opens this Sunday June 18, 2025General Council 45’s theme of Visions and Dreams calls diverse voices to play a role in forging a future for the church
- New Mohawk Bible takes the United Church into the next 100 years June 17, 2025“Ohiatonhseratokénti” becomes the new Union Bible, replacing the original from 1925, which every Moderator has signed. The new Bible was dedicated during the special Centennial worship service at… continue reading
- 40 Days of Engagement on Anti-Racism Returns in Fall 2025 June 12, 202540 Days of Engagement on Anti-Racism—the United Church’s popular education and action program—returns in October 2025.
- “Love Each Other” theme of Centennial gathering at EY Centre, Ottawa June 10, 2025Churches from across the Eastern Ontario Outaouais region will gather at the EY Centre in Ottawa on Sunday, June 15 for a bilingual event commemorating the United Church of Canada’s Centennial.
- 100 Years, 100 Tables: National Initiative Launches at Metropolitan United June 9, 2025100 Tables invites communities of faith across the country to transform picnic tables into spaces of welcome and connection, in service to the needs of their neighbourhood.
Staff Support
DONNA RUTZ
Communications and Administrative Support
Direct Phone: 647-557-3393
Email: drutz@united-church.ca
Serves in: Shining Waters and Canadian Shield Regional Councils
Location: Teleworks from her home
Role: Donna provides administrative support to Shining Waters and Canadian Shield Regional Councils.
Contact Donna about: General Inquiries; Community Events; Communication Oversite; Covenanting Services; General Inquiries; Records Management; Regional Events; Social Media; Updating Contact/Subscription Information; Website.
SUSAN WHITEHEAD
Executive Assistant and Administrative Support
Direct Phone: 249-489-2001
Email: swhitehead@united-church.ca
Serves in: Canadian Shield Regional Council and Shining Waters Regional Council
Location: Works from the North Bay Main Office.
Role: Susan is the Executive Assistant to Peter Hartmans and gives administrative support for the Canadian Shield and Shining Waters Regional Councils.