The Government of Ontario announced today new measures for Toronto and Peel, including the suspension of wedding receptions. See the October 9, 2020 news release from the Premier's Office.
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On Tuesday, September 22, at 12.30 p.m. on the eve of the Throne Speech, The United Church of Canada is asking Canadians across the country to light a candle in support of a guaranteed livable annual income, often referred to as the guaranteed basic income. Find out about UCC involvement.
Recently, the Social and Ecological Justice Commission endorsed a private members motion which urges the Canadian Government to create a Guaranteed Livable Basic Income for all Canadians over the age of 18 years. A letter in support and signed by our Regional Council president, David Layton-Brown, has been sent to the Prime Minister, deputy Prime Minister and leaders of the opposition parties.
A speech given by Bri-anne Swan, Minister for Social & Ecological Justice and Network Support, on September 6th, 2020 to supporters of the Interfaith Coalition to Fight Homelessness. Please check against delivery. Thank you, Rafi, and the Interfaith Coalition to Fight Homelessness, for inviting me to be here today. I am happy to be among friends this afternoon but sad for the reason we are here together. I was sad while reading about the welcome, or rather, the lack of welcome, the...
Foraging for dandelions. Making sourdough bread and homemade cheese from scratch. Growing backyard veggie gardens. These are just some of the old timey traditions making a comeback in the coronavirus era. But Palgrave United Church’s creative brainchild, Dirt 2 Delicious Camp (or D2D for short), started reclaiming some of these vintage skills years ago—long before the pandemic made them trendy.
A message about the recall of laid-off employees in light of the end of the state of emergency as of September, 4 2020. Read it online here.
Slavery existed within Canada, and it’s important to acknowledge its legacy. This is the Oro African Methodist Episcopal Church in Oro-Medonte. It is only a few kilometres north of the Shining Waters Regional Council's main office. Opened in 1849, this place of worship is the last remnant of one of the earliest Black settlements in the country. It is a sacred space, with unmarked graves scattered across the one-acre piece of land. I grew up in this township. Throughout my school years, my...
Guest blogger: Lamar Edwards I want to tell you about a very special place, a United Church camp located just outside of Toronto called Camp Scugog that truly embodies the importance and benefits of creating a diverse and inclusive space. Camp Scugog serves kids affected by poverty. Most campers are involved with Children’s Aid Societies, shelters and school boards, and many are living in single parent households. Camp Scugog is so special because in my opinion, it has built a model of...
This newsletter, sent June 17, 2020, includes information about leader's gatherings, and website updates related to public health guidelines and resources for re-opening. Read it online here.
Here's a link to our 2020 Pride Newsletter which includes resources on how to: Create a public sign of welcome to the LGBTQ2S community Record a "Happy Pride" greeting for the virtual pride celebrations Join with United Church friends on Sunday, June 28 at 1PM for a gathering Share For the Great Diversity prayer in your own worship and social media Join in a community pride event -- add your event on our website Sing David Kai's wonderful hymn, We Are A Rainbow
A Regional Statement on Anti-Black Violence and Racism – Racism is an ongoing sin existing within our communities. It is with both lament and anger that we respond to the recent killing of George Floyd at the hands of law enforcement officers, as well as additional examples of anti-Black violence emerging across North America. The deaths of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and Regis Korchinski-Paquet further highlight the injustices encountered by Black civilians every single day. Anti-Black discrimination is not new, and it is important to name the systemic racism that exists within the Canadian context, as well as within the Church.
Currents follows the recent meeting of the Shining Waters Regional Council Executive held on Wednesday, June 3, 2020. Minutes from all commissions and committees are posted here, once they are approved. In the meantime, here is the latest decisions: The Executive passed a motion that the in-person regional meeting currently scheduled for October 16 - 18, 2020, be moved to an online meeting, and include a Celebration of Ministries service held online. Details are still to be determined....
To: Partners in Ministry in the Shining Waters Region From: Members of the Social and Ecological Justice Commission In a commission meeting on May 27th, 2020, the Social & Ecological Justice Commission was asked to consider endorsing two calls to action in response to what has been learned about the situations in Long Term Care Facilities in Ontario. Both the Interfaith Social Assistance Reform Coalition (ISARC) and the Ontario Health Coalition have written to the Premier and Cabinet...
On May 11th, 2020, a letter endorsed by 250 congregations from across Ontario was sent to Premier Doug Ford, requesting the government lift restrictions on gatherings in church buildings — despite the recommendations of health officials that in-person worship continue to be suspended. This letter does not speak to the position of The United Church of Canada, nor Shining Waters Regional Council. From the beginning of the COVID-19 Pandemic, our commitment to communities of faith has been that we...
In light of current news, we want to confirm that while some parts of Canada are reopening, in Ontario we are not at the same point (based on the recent May 14th, 2020 update from the Ford Government). Watch Premier Ford's update from May 14 on YouTube. In the case of Ontario, the United Church guidelines for re-opening are for future consideration.
When news of the coronavirus first began to spread in Canada, Chinese Canadian restaurants and businesses quickly took a devastating hit. Once crowded restaurants were nearly empty. Other Asian restaurants and businesses that were neither Chinese owned nor operated were also shunned and targeted with racist graffiti and vandalism. “Chinese”- identified and “Chinese looking” people were publicly blamed for the growing pandemic and the downturn of the global economy.
Upcoming Ministry Personnel zoom gatherings and Lay Leaders zoom gatherings and website updates.
What’s going forward, what plans have been changed, and keeping you in the loop.
Updates to our website, links to online webinars offered by United in Learning and Lay Leaders zoom gathering invite.
Letter from the Office of Vocation to ministry personnel, links to online webinars offered by United in Learning and Ministry Personnel zoom gathering invite.
Updates to our website, links to online webinars offered by United in Learning and Lay Leaders zoom gathering invite.
An Easter greeting from Shining Waters Regional Council.
Updates to our website, including significant Employment updates and letter templates, link to Lay Leaders zoom meeting recording and upcoming zoom gatherings.
Updates to our website, links to online webinars offered by United in Learning and a quick reference on SWRC staff support related to the pandemic situation.
Clarification update from Nora Sanders, General Secretary, regarding building closures and livestreaming services, as well as a link to The Moderators March 29, 2020 worship service, and other updates.
OPEN HOURS, WEBSITE UPDATES AND ZOOM FOR BEGINNERS
Our website has been updated including the following information:
OPEN HOURS, WEBSITE UPDATES AND ZOOM FOR BEGINNERS
Our website has been updated including the following information:
OPEN HOURS, WEBSITE UPDATES AND ZOOM FOR BEGINNERS
Our website has been updated including the following information:
Ministers Share Their Learnings on How to be Community During the Coronavirus Crisis
COVID-19 is quickly wreaking havoc not only on our individual lives but also on the lives of our faith communities. Many ministers are wondering how to nurture a community of faith—which people need now more than ever in these anxious times—in an online context. As digital discipleship becomes the new normal, how can ministers create a virtual worship space for people used to coming together in flesh as well as spirit?
A message for all members of Shining Waters Regional Council, and to staff for information. WE ARE NOT ALONE SHARE OUR CONFERENCE CALL PHONE LINE Shining Waters has an account for telephone conference calls. If this would be helpful for any Communities of Faith to connect or to conduct meetings during this time, you are welcome to use it. Please contact Rachael Howes for the numbers and codes, rhowes@united-church.ca or 800-268-3781, ext. 6144. OPEN HOURS Starting next week Shining Waters...
COVID-19 Gathering For Ministry Personnel Tuesday March 24, at 10.00 a.m. for an hour Last week a group of 50 ministry personnel gathered on Zoom to share questions and information in response to COVID-19 and provide each other with support and companionship in these demanding times. Lots of information and insights emerged. Copies of the notes and information can be found below. Those gathered decided it would be good to meet weekly for support and to share updates, which at this time are...
Lay leaders of communities of faith in Shining Waters Regional Council are invited to an online Zoom meeting to be held on Thursday March 19, from 7 pm to 8 pm. It will be a time for sharing information, questions, resources and responses to COVID-19. This invitation is at an optional time of gathering for lay leaders. Start Time: Thursday, Mar 19, 2020 07:00 PM Link to Join Zoom Meeting: https://united-church.zoom.us/j/427632438 Meeting ID: 427 632 438 Can't join us by computer/video? You...
An invitation for Community Ministers to have a conversation
Shining Waters is inviting you to a Zoom Gathering on Tuesday, March 17, 2020, from 10:00 am for an hour and a half maximum. It will be a time for ministry personnel to come together to support each other through: checking in sharing resources, strategies and decisions identifying questions, hopes and insights praying together Join us for a scheduled Zoom meeting Topic: Shining Waters Covid19: A Gathering for Ministry Personnel to Support Each Other Time: Mar 17, 2020 10:00 AM Link to Join...
In keeping with The United Church of Canada emergency plan the Executive recommends that each community of faith prepare a plan to suspend large gatherings, including but not limited to, worship services.
Deep, contagious, extraordinary love. That’s what two Licensed Lay Worship Leaders (LLWLs) exude when they talk about their ministry.
Canadian Shield Regional Council is seeking a Pastoral Relations Minister.
A round-up of news following the Executive meeting on January 22, 2020.
On March 14 Affirm United/ S’affirmer Ensemble will once again offer resources to help you have fun with pie and with PIE: how to offer a Public, Intentional, and Explicit welcome to people with diverse genders and sexualities.
Starting this month, Shining Waters Regional Council is pleased to add a new stream of stories to our website. Wellspring: a deep dive into Spirit
This issue of Currents follows the recent meeting of the Shining Waters Regional Council Executive held on November 26, 2019. Minutes from all commissions and committees are posted here, once they are approved. In the meantime, here’s a round-up of news. MISSION SUPPORT GRANTS Regional Councils were encouraged to honour the commitments of the former presbyteries for the first two years of the transition. •a number of outreach projects received mission support from the former presbyteries...
This issue of Currents follows the recent meeting of the Shining Waters Regional Council Executive held on November 26, 2019.
As we make our way as a regional council and experiment with new ways of working, we want to introduce this news bulletin, Currents, one component of our new communication plan which we will share more about in September. From this point forward, an issue of Currents will follow each Executive meeting to share regional news and decisions.
People across the region are invited to express their interest or nominate others who have the gifts to serve in the following leadership roles: Social Justice Commission and Nominations Committee.
The United Church will be celebrating an official Pride Sunday for the first time in 2019
An updated version of the Resource Book for the Regional Meeting and last minute details about
A service has been created to capture the experience and focus of the inaugural gathering of the Shining Waters Regional Council
Shining Waters Regional Council needs your voice! Call for nominations is now online with opportunities to serve Shining Waters.
Shining Waters Regional Council is seeking an individual to fill the role of Minister Regional Congregational Support on a full-time term basis to December 31, 2021.
Our Regional Meeting page has been updated to include information about displays, Church Hub orientation requests and the ceremonial presence of the sacred fire.
United Church of Canada News
- 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.
- It’s Centennial Time! June 7, 2025The national commemoration of The United Church of Canada’s 100th anniversary is Sunday, June 8! Tune in to watch the service in the historic Gower Street United Church in St. John’s, Newfoundland… continue reading