All Posts – Page 8 – Pacific Mountain Region

Our May 2020 General Meeting of the Pacific Mountain Regional Council is postponed until the Fall; the Celebration of Ministry will still be held in the late Spring, much like the years when a general meeting is not scheduled. Updates to the General Meeting 2020 information, along with details of how and when certain pieces of work and celebration will be held, will be added to the 2020 General Meeting page on our website. Please check back there for updates, and be sure to be accurately subscribed to the PMRC newsletter list: PMRC Newsletter Sign Up

Postponed: 2020 General Meeting Read More »

Apr 2 2020

Written Worship for Palm Sunday April 5, 2020 ~ BC Native Ministries and PMRC

All Posts, COVID-19, Indigenous Ministry, News Feed

As we come to these last weeks to Easter Sunday we look forward to new ways of reflection and worship and prayer. I have created a written form of worship for you to utilize at your convenience for this coming Palm Sunday April 5, 2020. This is for you to use, share and celebrate and reflect with as we come closer to Easter Sunday. Next week I will create and send you more reflection for Good Friday and Easter Sunday. And please send to those that need the support during our time of isolation and solitude. Create hope in each other’s lives. And may God bless you, your family, community and livelihood during this season of Lent and Easter.

Written Worship for Palm Sunday April 5, 2020 ~ BC Native Ministries and PMRC Read More »

Apr 1 2020

From the April 1st Online Townhall Conference – power point resource

All Posts, COVID-19

Dear friends, Treena and Jay, Executive Minister and President of the Pacific Mountain Regional Council, hosted an online Townhall Conference earlier today, with guest Erik Mathiesen. Erik is the Chief Finances Officer for The United Church of Canada. This is the Power Point slide show used in the meeting: Congregational Finances during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

From the April 1st Online Townhall Conference – power point resource Read More »

Mar 30 2020

Pastoral Letter to the Pacific Mountain Regional Council

All Posts, News Feed, President's Blog

Who would have imagined even a few months ago that we would be in this situation? No in-person meetings or gatherings, no hugging, restaurants closed, self-isolation, mad dashes for groceries, line-ups at the drug store, hospitals awaiting an onslaught of sick people and our physical separation from loved ones. And who would have imagined the extraordinary expressions of generosity and creativity!? Windows covered with the breathtaking artworks of children, neighbours leaving gifts of groceries and notes at their neighbours’ doors and they may not even know their neighbours well! Phone calls just to check in, thousands of people at the same time everyday standing on city balconies clapping in gratitude for our first responders and medical personnel. Communities of Faith kindly reaching across boundaries to support one another with resources. Oh yes, and meeting after meeting after meeting via video-conference …

Pastoral Letter to the Pacific Mountain Regional Council Read More »

Mar 30 2020

Generosity in Unprecedented Times

All Posts, COVID-19, News Feed

This letter comes from the Philanthropy Unit of The United Church of Canada – shared to us in the Pacific Mountain Regional Council by Jane Harding. As communities of faith, we find ourselves unable to gather in person due to the Covid-19 pandemic. These days, when we aren’t able to meet physically, are challenging but also heartening as our church has come together to help each other offer new ways of worshiping and reaching out to those in need. Our ministry continues; especially online. So in these unprecedented times, to help make giving accessible and easy – here are some practical, recommended, tools you can use to invite an ongoing commitment to God through the continued support of important ministries in your community of faith and the ministry we do together, through Mission & Service:

Generosity in Unprecedented Times Read More »

Mar 30 2020

National Prayer for Canada in the Wake of COVID-19

All Posts, News Feed

This beautiful message came to the PMRC leadership, forwarded to us by leadership in the Jewish, Anglican and Indigenous communities that we have relationship with. We give so many thanks for the unifying power of compassion and grace that are holding us right now, and hope that you’ll make time for prayer, together – across Canada, tomorrow March 31st at 12:00 PDT/ (3:00PM EDT). The letter of invitation is below, and the prayer follows.

National Prayer for Canada in the Wake of COVID-19 Read More »

Mar 27 2020

Finances in Communities of Faith During COVID-19 – Some Step-by- Step Process Tips

All Posts, COVID-19, News Feed

In the midst of the COVID-19 odyssey on which we have all embarked, Pacific Mountain Regional Council wants to work with your community of faith to keep ministry vital and active. We want to continue to be there for one another, to remain connected to our participants and our communities. We want to minimize loss and distress to our congregational staff and ensure that ministry can unfold without placing our congregational finances under undue strain.

In order to help out, Chinook Winds Regional Council leaders (and have given us permission to share with PMRC) have put together the following step-by-step approach to think through your situation.

Finances in Communities of Faith During COVID-19 – Some Step-by- Step Process Tips Read More »

Mar 23 2020

A Pastoral Letter to the Members of the Pacific Mountain Region

All Posts, News Feed, President's Blog

As we learn to live with the circumstances created by COVID-19, the Regional Executive and Staff are searching for ways to relieve the profound stresses on Communities of Faith and leaders. I am awed by you all and how you are exercising meaningful and safe ways of staying connected through online and printed worship resources as well as phone calls to those who feel loved and cared for in hearing a kind voice. Someone said to me today, “I’m loving the phone calls! People are being so kind.” The Regional Executive members join me in being deeply grateful to our Regional Executive Minister and all our staff for their work in continuing to support and care for us all especially in these trying days. The Executive met by video conference on Friday to discuss issues raised at the first online Townhall video conference, emergency financial support for Communities of Faith, and the 2020 General Meeting. The results are as follows:

A Pastoral Letter to the Members of the Pacific Mountain Region Read More »

Mar 20 2020

Resources for Faithfully supporting children, youth and families in your congregations at this time

All Posts, COVID-19, News Feed

The Pacific Mountain Regional Council’s First Third Ministry Team is responding to the needs of clergy, youth group leaders, Sunday school leaders, and youth and families that are emerging during this time of building closures and physcial distancing in our efforts to flatten the curve of COVID-19. Our staff have created a public landing page of resources for those working with our younger Siblings in Christ here: pmrfirstthirdresources.ca Amen!

Resources for Faithfully supporting children, youth and families in your congregations at this time Read More »

Mar 18 2020

March 18 Update from Treena Duncan, Executive Minister

All Posts, News Feed

This is a strange time for all of us, but we are lucky to be part of loving, cautious and connected community. As I write this, I see signs flowers breaking through and lovely sunshine and somehow these signs of new life are a bit at odds with our life experience at this moment in time. However, we are an Easter people and we know that a different reality awaits us, and I am grateful that for all of you as we encounter this Lenten experience. Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi’s words are a great summary of our call to be church during this time: “Clean hands, clear heads and open hearts!”

March 18 Update from Treena Duncan, Executive Minister Read More »