April 21, 2020
Tragedy in Nova Scotia: United Church Responds
The United Church of Canada, like the rest of the country, is mourning the lives lost during the shooting in Nova Scotia this past weekend. Yesterday, the church asked people across the country to light a candle in the evening to remember the victims and families of those killed. It is comforting to see how many churches and individuals responded to the call.
The Moderator has written a prayer for the people of Portapique, NS, and recorded messages of solidarity in both French and English. In a personal reflection, the Rev. Ruth Noble, the United Church’s Mission & Service Engagement Co-ordinator in Toronto, writes about her friend at Berwick Camp, Lisa McCully, one of the victims.
In response to the tragic shootings, an online prayer vigil is being planned with the Moderator and other church leaders for Wednesday, April 22, at 2:00 p.m. Atlantic time (1:00 p.m. Eastern time; 10:00 a.m. Pacific time). Watch for details on the United Church’s Facebook page.
Stories from our Mission & Service Partners: Keeping Morale Up during Recovery
Overnight, the normal flow of life has changed at the Jellinek Society’s Recovery House in Edmonton, a Mission & Service‒supported 17-bed residence for men in the early stages of the addiction recovery process. Ed Fox, Jellinek Society’s Executive Director, is more concerned about those struggling with addiction living outside the residence than those living under its roof; you can read the full story here. Keep up with the many other stories from our Mission & Service partners as they navigate the realities of COVID-19 on the church's COVID-19 webpage.
[Photo: Ed Fox stands outside the Jellinek Society’s Recovery House in Edmonton, AB. Credit: Jellinek Society]
Webinars This Week
Congregational finances continue to be a major concern during the COVID-19 pandemic. We have set aside a time each week for a webinar session to share the latest news and updates affecting congregational finances. Join Erik Mathieson and Clyde Harris each Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. EDT / 4:00 p.m. PDT for up-to-the-minute information on wise ways to manage the financial impact the pandemic is having on our congregations.
The next Congregational Finances webinar is tomorrow, Wednesday, April 22 at 7:00 p.m. EDT / 4:00 p.m. PDT. Find out more at United in Learning.
The tragedy in Nova Scotia and the ongoing pandemic bring deep distress and tough faith questions. Church leaders may feel they're scrambling to respond to deep spiritual questions from parishioners and others. How do we make sense of evil? Where is God in crisis? What can we hope for? How shall we lament? Join theologians John Young and Catherine MacLean, authors of Preaching the Big Questions, to share in the theologies and responses that are helping them best come to terms with the spiritual issues of our day. Bring your questions! Find out more.
All of these webinars are available on United in Learning in the recordings section.
GCE Temporarily Amends Pastoral Relations Policy
On April 15, the Executive of the General Council temporarily amended pastoral relations policies in The Manual to allow the governing body, rather than a congregational meeting, to make certain pastoral relations decisions. Read the full news piece.
[Photo credit: NeONBRAND on Unsplash]
Sabeel Wave of Prayer
Sabeel Ecumenical Liberation Theology Center, a United Church Mission & Service partner in Palestine, is hosting an online Wave of Prayer highlighting a different organization working to raise awareness about specific issues in Israel-Palestine. This week focuses on another Mission & Service partner, the Department of Service to Palestinian Refugees.
[Photo credit: James Lee on Unsplash]
United Church Bookstore: Free E-book!
The United Church Bookstore has a brand new spring offer! Until May 15, you can download a free copy of Returning to the Healing Oasis: Guided Meditations for Mind, Body, and Spirit! We could all use a little more help staying grounded these days, and we hope that this offering will do just that.
And remember - until April 30, you can get 50% off our entire collection of e-books! Visit the website to shop the collection, and use promo code EBOOK at checkout.
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