Pacific Mountain Region

Confronting Whiteness, with Anna Colina White
2020-11-20 09:30 - 12:30 (America/Vancouver)
Whether you are new to this journey or have been unpacking your White privilege for decades, this workshop will help you develop personal skills for confronting systemic racism.
Learn more about how we as white people can show up for each other and racialized people in our lives.
We will gain skills to support us in moving the dial on our allyship/accomplice work for justice as communities of faith.
You’ll have the chance to talk to other White folks about topics ranging from “How do I deal with my racist uncle?” to “What’s White culture?” to “Wait, I’m a Settler?!”
The course comes out of decades of anti-racism work led by people of colour, and a persistent ask for White folks to engage in our own work of confronting whiteness individually, interpersonally, and organizationally.

Developing Online Small Group Leadership Skills, with Rev. Rhian Walker
2020-11-22 13:30 - 16:00
Small groups are places of depth and connection in our communities of faith. But now that we aren’t meeting face to face, how do we build relationships and intimacy for learning when we are staring at screens? In this short workshop, we will explore how to create engaging small groups for an online format. Material covered will include how to create a format that builds relationships, exercises and techniques to try, how to manage pacing, and how to make Zoom work for you (instead of against you).

Let Go: Leaning into the Future without Fear with Matt Miofsky
2020-11-24 09:30 - 11:00
Three-week seminar, starting November 10

Postmodern Prophets: 4 Windows on our World with Amir Hussain
2020-12-05 13:30 - 15:00
Prophets tell us what is up ahead, bring bold ideas, and stay connected to the Divine so they speak from the heart. In this 4 part series, Postmodern Prophets: 4 Windows on our World, some of our best post-modern prophets share what is on their hearts and minds to inspire, challenge and intrigue us. Preachers, teachers, and rabble rousers welcome!
Amir Hussain, a Canadian Muslim, is Chair and Professor of Theological Studies at Loyola Marymount University, the Jesuit university in Los Angeles. He teaches courses on religion, with a focus on contemporary Muslim societies in North America. Amir has a long involvement with the United Church of Canada. He is an adherent member of Trinity – St. Paul’s in Toronto, and most recently taught an online course this summer at the Naramata Centre.
Click here for more information.

Faith Leaders For Such a Time as This, with Rev. Bev Brazier and Rev. Andy O'Neill
2021-01-12 10:00 - 11:30
While this time is disorienting, challenging and requires rapid adaptation for all church leaders, it doesn’t stop the essential practice of faith: to pay attention to the life and faith of our community, to the challenges and opportunities of these circumstances, and to the wisdom of our tradition.
What is being unveiled for us in these times? For good, or for ill, what are we beginning to catch glimpses of about ourselves, and about God.
Led by Rev. Bev Brazier and Rev. Andy O’Neill, gather with colleagues for 4 weeks to explore the spiritual questions that arise during a crisis, the theologies that are guiding us, and how we respond to the needs of our communities right now.

The Gathering Place
2021-01-12 10:00 - 11:30
This is a 3-month pilot project of the Ministry Personnel Support Team (formerly Spiritual Care Network), welcoming United Church ministry personnel together for community and collegial support. Registration for the Zoom access is here (click).

LIFE HACKS: Making Online Worship Work - Little Tech Things than make a Big Difference, with Frank Zieginson
2021-01-18 13:30 - 15:00, 2021-02-15 13:30 - 15:00
Now that we have all scrambled to put our worship online, we might be wondering “How do I make this look and sound better? How do I do this when I don’t have a George Lucas-level budget?” Frank helped manage that exact challenge at Lynn Valley United. Frank will walk through some tips, tricks and techniques to shoot worship with a laptop or a camera, how to design backdrops, and some simple editing tricks to make things look polished.

Faith Leaders For Such a Time as This, with Rev. Bev Brazier and Rev. Andy O'Neill
2021-01-19 10:00 - 11:30, 2021-02-02 10:00 - 11:30
Four week course, starting January 12

LIFE HACKS: Creating Video Outreach - Simple Production Tech and Tips, with Rev Greg Powell
2021-01-19 10:00 - 11:30, 2021-02-16 10:00 - 11:30
Pandemic restrictions forced many congregations to learn video production overnight. For many of us, it’s all still a mystery! In this basic intro course, Rev. Greg Powell touches on most aspects of video production, including the importance of good content, what equipment you’ll need, some basics in lighting and sound, and several other considerations. You’ll come away from this course with the confidence to start your own project and some clear ideas of where to focus your learning next.

LIFE HACKS: Developing Online Small Group Leadership Skills, with Rev Rhian Walke
2021-01-20 13:30 - 16:00

Townhall Meeting with Treena Duncan and Rev. Blair Odney
2021-01-20 14:30 - 16:00
Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

Jan 20 Townhall: Welcome the New Year
Join Treena and Blair as we greet the New Year in our first Townhall meeting in 2021.
Information for the Zoom meeting is below.

Topic: PMR Townhall meeting
Time: Jan 20, 2021 02:30 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Click here for the recording of the Zoom Meeting

LIFE HACKS: Fostering Engaging Worship - Tools and Testimony, with Rev Karen Verveda and Kathy Davies
2021-01-21 10:00 - 11:30, 2021-02-19 10:00 - 11:30
How do you make the most of a live platform to engage people in a worship experience? We will explore this intention from planning to presiding online, including discussing the use of multi-media, creative arts and multi-sensory experiences to invite congregational participation and engagement. We will look at ways to promote connection and involvement over the long haul. This workshop will be most beneficial to those using a live interactive online platform such as Zoom.

Faith Leaders For Such a Time as This, with Rev. Bev Brazier and Rev. Andy O'Neill
2021-01-26 10:00 - 11:30
Four week course, starting January 21

Townhall with Guest Susan Nienaber
2021-02-03 13:00 - 14:30
Townhall Gathering with Susan Nienaber
Feb 3, 20211pm PT/ 2pm MT
Click Here to view the recording of the Zoom Meeting
Susan Nienaber (MDiv., LMFT) is an ordained clergyperson and District Superintendent in the Minnesota Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church, as well as a licensed marriage and family therapist, consultant, mediator. Susan is a former Alban consultant and has offered leadership to a number of different workshops in the region – and on Wednesday she’s is going to talk on congregational conflict in the context of the pandemic.

Postmodern Prophets: 4 Windows on our World, with Michael Blair
2021-02-06 13:30 - 15:00
Michael’s window on our world is framed by his experience in a variety of ministry positions in a variety of Christian denominations. From his new role as the General Secretary of the General Council, Michael will engage us in seeing our own denomination with clear eyes, unshuttered by our denominational history. Join Michael to engage with him on the work of becoming the denomination God calls to be and become.

The Gathering Place
2021-02-09 10:00 - 11:30, 2021-03-09 10:00 - 11:30
This is a 3-month pilot project of the Ministry Personnel Support Team (formerly Spiritual Care Network), welcoming United Church ministry personnel together for community and collegial support.
The Gathering Place will happen on Zoom
Tuesdays 10-11:30am PT / 11am-12:30pm MT

Jan 12
Feb 9
Mar 9

Join us online at 10am on the 2nd Tuesday of the month for ninety minutes of being in community. Check-in, pray, laugh, share sacred stories and maybe even sing a little – together. The Gathering Place is FREE and open to all Ministry Personnel in the Pacific Mountain Region, and hosted by the PMRC’s Ministry Personal Support Team!
For more information contact Marc Coulombe: mcoulombe@united-church.ca
Register to get the Zoom access here (click).

Townhall with special guests: Affirming Process Committee members and Pam Rocker
2021-02-17 13:00 - 14:30
Click here to view the recording of the Zoom Meeting.
The Pacific Mountain Regional Council Affirming Working Group invites you into a renewed exploration of what it means to be an Affirming person of faith and what being Affirming can look like in a faith community. We’ll dive into some of the learnings around inclusive theology, hear personal stories, and be invited to take tangible action. The Affirming Working Group will also share upcoming events as part of the process to discern becoming an Affirming Regional Council. The Working Group is a team of dedicated volunteers, both lay and clergy, and Consultant, Pam Rocker. A reminder that our members are: Rev. Bob Fillier, Rev. Laura Hermakin, Sandy Hwang, Tammy Lindahl, Franklin James, and Hyuk Cho. We welcome continued feedback and questions as we passionately work to make this journey as thorough and meaningful as possible! Zoom details below.

LIFE HACKS: Developing Online Small Group Leadership Skills, with Rev Rhian Walker
2021-02-17 13:00 - 16:30

Queer Virtue Lenten Series
2021-02-22 18:30 - 20:00
Based on the book “Queer Virtue” by the Rev. Elizabeth Edman, this series is designed to help us think about Jesus’ demand that we challenge – or ‘queer’ – thinking that pits us against one another. The ultimate question is: how can we live our faith and be the church more effectively?
The LGBTQ2S+ community persistently looks to the margins to see who isn’t yet included and decide what we’re going to do about it. This “path” bears remarkable similarity to the path that Christians are called to walk.” Thus, queer experience is a lens that can help Christians better understand and navigate an authentic Christian path.
You’re invited to utilize the customized five-week study to lead the series for your congregation or small group, or you can register as an individual for the Region-led sessions:
5-week series: Monday nights 6:30-8pm PST, 7:30pm-9pm MST

Feb 22 – Identity/Pride
March 1 – Risk/Coming Out
March 8 – Touch
March 15 – Adoption/Authenticity
March 22 – Scandal/Hospitality

Queer Virtue Lenten Series
2021-03-01 18:30 - 20:00, 2021-03-08 18:30 - 20:00, 2021-03-15 18:30 - 20:00
5-week series, beginning February 22

Townhall Meeting with Chris Corrigan
2021-03-03 13:00 - 14:30
Click here to view the recording of the Zoom Meeting.
I’m very excited to invite you to attend our upcoming March 3 Townhall with Chris Corrigan. In Chris’ time with us, we will explore the Two-Loop Model, which is a tool for looking at the complexity of change, in the context of the church. When Susan Nienaber joined us as guest at a recent town hall, she challenged us all to use this time as a gift, in which we can be focusing on our mission and purpose. Using the Two-Loop Model, we will explore the impact of the pandemic — and consider ways in which we can use this time to dive deeply into our mission and to move forward with a greater clarity about what we are being called to do and be as a church. Some of you will be familiar with Chris and his work, and I encourage you to join us as part of this engaging conversation with our community of United Church people and leaders.
During this townhall, Chris will be using a virtual whiteboard called Miro. We invite you to explore it here: https://miro.com/app/board/o9J_lUj3bEA=/ Please don’t worry if you can’t access Miro during the Townhall (thinking of those who phone in or with limited internet capabilities). Our time together will still be rich! If you are joining us by phone, limited internet, or like to make notes on paper during a presentation, please print the image of the Two Loops Model (below), as we will be referring to it during our gathering.
For many this time has felt like a fallow time. Let’s explore together how we can transform this time into a fertile opportunity to imagine a future filled with possibility!

How to Lead When You Don't Know Where You're Going, with Susan Beaumont
2021-03-05 10:30 - 12:30
How do you lead an organization stuck between an ending and a new beginning—when the old way of doing things no longer works but a way forward is not yet clear? Such in-between times are called liminal seasons—threshold times when the continuity of tradition disintegrates and uncertainty about the future fuels doubt and chaos. In a liminal season it simply is not helpful to pretend we understand what needs to happen next. But leaders can still lead. Liminal seasons call for a different kind of leadership presence, one that connects the soul of leaders with the soul of the institution.

Friday Mornings March 5, 12, 19, 26

10:30am-12:30pm PT/ 11:30am-1:30pm MT

How to Lead When You Don't Know Where You're Going, with Susan Beaumont
2021-03-12 10:30 - 12:30
4-week workshop, starting March 5
