Just Conversations
2023-05-18 10:00 - 11:30 (America/Vancouver)
Justice work in the church can often feel lonely and discouraging, working for change that doesn’t come easily, if it comes at all. Just Conversations is a monthly online gathering for anyone in PMRC wanting to connect with others involved with justice work around the region. It will be a chance to deepen your justice work in your faith, share stories about what is happening around the region and develop strategies for working together to support each other in “being the change.”
Just Conversations will take place on the third Thursday of every month, from 10am Pacific / 11am Mountain.

May 18, 2023
Just Conversations is free and drop-in style
Open to ministry personnel and congregation members · Registration is required for the Zoom access. Register here.
Facilitated by the PMRC’s Ministry for Justice (contact Jane Dawson (jdawson@united-church.ca) for more information).

Understanding and Communicating with GenZ
2023-05-18 13:00 - 15:00
Younger generations can sometimes cause us some anxiety as church leaders – how do we build relationships with them? Are there ways we can reach them to tell them about Jesus? If so, how?
We will share up to date research about this amazing group of young people (GenZ) and then have time for discussion and reflection on how this research (and what we all already know and experience about this generation) will affect our ministry with those in GenZ (2001-2020). We aren’t pretending that we know everything about this generation but we do know that the research that has been done and information we have gathered may inspire us in the planning and implementation of our ministry.
REGISTER HERE!

Office Closed for Victoria Day
2023-05-22

Financial Forum GM2023
2023-05-25 13:00 - 14:00
Pacific Mountain Regional Council executive members and finances staff will present the regional council’s financials in advance of General Meeting 2023, and take questions about the finances. This is an opportunity for membership to learn about the financials.
Financial Forum 2023
In advance of General Meeting 2023

Thursday May 25, 2023
1-2pm Pacific / 2-3pm Mountain
Sign Up here:https://pacificmountain.us1.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=0999ab25e10c4c23a874af7fe&id=14da490842

The Zoom link for the online meeting will be emailed out the week prior to the forum.
Thank you for registering to attend.
Click to return to GM 2023 Webpage

BETTER WITH LESS: Thriving With Part-time Clergy
2023-05-25 19:00 - 21:00 | FirstMetropolitan United Church, 932 Balmoral Road, Victoria, BC, Canada
JOIN US IN PERSON OR ONLINE FOR THIS EVENING WORKSHOP ON THURSDAY MAY 25TH, 2023 AT 7 PM AT FIRST METROPOLITAN UNITED CHURCH IN VICTORIA, B.C.

ABOUT THIS WORKSHOP

Church life in Western Canada is changing fast. Smaller congregations mean clergy increasingly serve part-time. Jeffrey MacDonald will share research and experience on how congregations are making room for ministry that is more shared, creative, impactful, and sustainable, with part-time ministry personnel. Gain practical knowledge and research-based hope for navigating the challenges of our time, and learn how congregations are stepping into a new vital future with part-time ministry personnel.
Jeffrey MacDonald is an award-winning religion reporter, church consultant, and part-time pastor of a small United Church of Christ congregation in New Hampshire.
He is the author of: Part-Time is Plenty: Thriving without Full-Time Clergy (2020) and Thieves in the Temple: The Christian Church and the Selling of the American Soul (2010).

INVESTMENT:

$25 In Person
$10 Online (zoom link will be sent to you closer to the date)
Congregational teams of 4+ = $75

First Metropolitan United Church is located
ON THE TRADITIONAL AND UNCEDED TERRITORIES OF THE SONGHEES AND ESQUIMALT NATIONS; LƏK̓ʷƏŊƏN-SPEAKING PEOPLES.

In Person Workshop Registration

Online Workshop Registration

Deadline to Submit Proposals to GM2023
2023-05-30
Proposals are the way to request action from the Regional Council on a specific issue or concern.
The deadline to submit proposals in advance of GM2023 is May 30, 2023.
Information about Proposals in The United Church of Canada can be found in The Manual, Section F.1.
Please visit this GM2023 News post for information on what Proposals are, and how to submit them.

Whova Orientation Sessions
2023-05-30 - 2023-05-31
Equipping All for Online Participation at GM2023
New to Whova? New to virtual conference experience? Would you like to develop more confidence in using the GM2023 Whova Event platform before the meeting begins?
If you answer with a big ‘YES’ or a cautious ‘I think so’, you are invited to join the Whova Orientation Sessions that LeaderSHIFT is offering!
Join Michelle Slater and learn how to do the following actions in our Whova Event: Read and use the Agenda; Join a Session; Interact with other Attendees; Post questions and comments; See who is registered — and you’ll enjoy some pre-GM time spent reconnecting with colleagues.
The Whova Orientations Sessions are for everyone whether attending the GM online or in-person. The orientation sessions are via Zoom. You do not need to pre-register! There are three offerings over three time slots, all of the same content. Come to just one, or show up again and again if you want some extra practice! We are using the same Zoom link for all dates.

Tues May 30, 10-11am PT / 11am-12noon MT
Tues May 30, 1-2pm PT / 2-3pm MT
Wed May 31, 6-7pm PT / 7-8pm MT

Join the Whova Orientation Zoom Meeting(s): https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84511922641?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 845 1192 2641
Passcode: [REDACTED]
More information
Go to this post for more information about Online Engagement at GM2023.

Click here to return to GM2023 Webpage.

Office Closure for the Pacific Mountain Annual General Meeting
2023-06-01 - 2023-06-04
Save the date! Details coming soon.

Environment Sunday
2023-06-04
Falls on the Sunday closest to June 5.
Worship resources and related material can be found here.

Pride Sunday
2023-06-04
The United Church celebrates its official Pride Sunday on the first Sunday in June. We encourage you to mark this day and celebrate the lives and ministry of LGBTQIA+ and Two Spirit people in all their diversity.
Worship resources and related material can be found here.

Union Sunday
2023-06-04
These resources are offered to help with worship on Union Sunday, usually celebrated on the Sunday before June 10.
Worship resources and related material can be found here.

Indigenous Day of Prayer
2023-06-18
Indigenous Day of Prayer, the Sunday before National Indigenous Peoples Day (June 21), is an opportunity to celebrate First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples’ values, customs, languages, and culture.
Worship resources and related material can be found here.

Last Just Conversations of the Summer!
2023-06-20 13:00 - 14:00
Just Conversations is a monthly online gathering for anyone in PMRC wanting to connect with others involved with justice work around the region. It will be a chance to deepen your justice work in your faith, share stories about what is happening around the region and develop strategies for working together to support each other in “being the change.”

June 20, 2023, at 1pm Pacific
Just Conversations is free and drop-in style
Open to ministry personnel and congregation members · Registration is required for the Zoom access. Register here.
Facilitated by the PMRC’s Ministry for Justice (contact Jane Dawson (jdawson@united-church.ca) for more information).

Leaders Online Gathering
2023-06-20 13:00 - 14:00
Hosts: Mary Nichol, Pamela Evans, Chris Mah Poy, First Third Ministry Staff
Participants: All those in leadership with Children, Youth, Families, Young Adults in a United Church setting – whether paid or volunteer in dedicated ministry with children and families, or a piece of your ministry.
Guest Speakers join occasionally 🙂
Every Tuesday AFTERNOONS: 1:00-2:15pm PT / 2:00-3:15pm MT
Dates:

June 20
June 27

Registrations: A one first time registration is required
Register here
For more information visit Leaders Online

Right Relations Circle on June 20, 2023: Intro to Indigenous Peoples’ Day
2023-06-20 19:00 - 20:30
Please join Chinook Winds Indigenous Minister Rev. Tony Snow and others for the monthly Right Relations Circle, held on Tuesday, June 20th @ 8 pm MT/ 7 pm PT. On the eve of National Indigenous Peoples Day, we look at the history and significance of this day and it’s also an opportunity to share community events we may be attending on Wednesday, June 21.
We moved the Right Relations Circle to a week earlier than the usual 4th Tuesday of the month to honour and prepare ourselves for National Indigenous Peoples Day. Each month, we gather for conversation, and connection, as we learn how to live out the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action.
We’re meeting on Zoom at 7 pm. Please register HERE If you have previously registered, you don’t need to re-register. You will receive a reminder in your inbox on the day of the Right Relations Circle.
Questions? Please email Tony Snow, Indigenous Minister, Chinook Winds Region.

Office Closure for National Indigenous Peoples' Day
2023-06-21

Indigenous Peoples Day: Sign up for A Time to Pray
2023-06-21 18:00 - 19:30
You are encouraged to seek out and participate in events happening in your community for National Indigenous Peoples’ Day on Wednesday, June 21, 2023. As the evening comes, please join us online for a time of prayer to end this significant day. Chinook Winds Indigenous Minister Rev. Tony Snow will lead us in a short time of prayer and reflection.
Register for Zoom link HERE

6pm Pacific / 7pm Mountain

Leaders Online Gathering
2023-06-27 13:00 - 14:00
Hosts: Mary Nichol, Pamela Evans, Chris Mah Poy, First Third Ministry Staff
Participants: All those in leadership with Children, Youth, Families, Young Adults in a United Church setting – whether paid or volunteer in dedicated ministry with children and families, or a piece of your ministry.
Guest Speakers join occasionally 🙂
Every Tuesday AFTERNOONS: 1:00-2:15pm PT / 2:00-3:15pm MT
Dates:

June 27

Registrations: A one first time registration is required
Register here
For more information visit Leaders Online

Family Retreat 2023
2023-06-30 - 2023-07-02 | Camp Pringle, 2520 W Shawnigan Lake Rd, Shawnigan Lake, BC, V0R 2W3, Canada
Registration is now open! Click here for more information.

Office Closed in lieu of Canada Day
2023-07-03

Camp Spirit '23 – Week 1
2023-07-10
Seven Weeks of Camp Spirit, across BC!

REGISTER HERE!
Camp Spirit celebrates your child’s journey of Wonder with two age-specific program streams offered in different cities, towns and villages across BC and the Yukon! Our first week of camp starts on July 10, and our last week of camp starts on August 21. Our camp locations are provided by host-United Churches in the town. We share their space for our week of camp. We love the connections that sharing space builds! The camp day usually starts at 9am and usually ends at 3pm, Monday – Friday. Some of our camps are only 4 days long. For more information, check out this link.
Today, Camp Spirit Begins in These Communities:

Vancouver – St. Andrew’s-Wesley United Church
​Port Moody – Inlet United Church
Valemount – Valemount Anglican-United Church
​​Port Hardy – St. Columba’s Anglican-United

Day Camps for Children 5-11 yrs! At Camp Spirit we value listening to & experiencing Sacred Stories, enjoying times of Creativity & Science, moving to Music, Sharing Meals together, and fostering Community, Friendships & Leadership!
​Leader In Training (LIT) Programs ​for People 12-14 years! (not at all sites) Camp Spirit LIT is about to making friendships, developing leadership skills, and having fun. LITs play games, explore the camp’s theme, and challenge themselves and each other in leadership skills and activities. LITs work together to decide what they are most interested in leading – following their gifts and passions. LITs work as a team to lead Camp Spirit Day Campers in some activities (with Staff supervision!).
Fees

Five-day camps are $175
Five-day camps that end at 12pm on the last day of camp are $160
Four-day camps are $140

Includes: Lunch & Snacks, Camp Spirit t-shirt, and all program and supply costs. Donations to the Camp Spirit Bursary Fund empower equal access to our programs for all campers, regardless of household finances. If you need financial assistance, request a bursary during the online-registration process, for an immediate fee discount.

REGISTER HERE!

Camp Spirit '23 – Week 2
2023-07-17
Seven Weeks of Camp Spirit, across BC!

REGISTER HERE!
Camp Spirit celebrates your child’s journey of Wonder with two age-specific program streams offered in different cities, towns and villages across BC and the Yukon! Our first week of camp starts on July 10, and our last week of camp starts on August 21. Our camp locations are provided by host-United Churches in the town. We share their space for our week of camp. We love the connections that sharing space builds! The camp day usually starts at 9am and usually ends at 3pm, Monday – Friday. Some of our camps are only 4 days long. For more information, check out this link.

Today, Camp Spirit Begins in These Communities:

North Vancouver – Lynn Valley United Church
New Westminster – Shiloh-5th Avenue United @ Sanctuary on 6th
McBride – McBride Anglican-United Church

Day Camps for Children 5-11 yrs! At Camp Spirit we value listening to & experiencing Sacred Stories, enjoying times of Creativity & Science, moving to Music, Sharing Meals together, and fostering Community, Friendships & Leadership!
​Leader In Training (LIT) Programs ​for People 12-14 years! (not at all sites) Camp Spirit LIT is about to making friendships, developing leadership skills, and having fun. LITs play games, explore the camp’s theme, and challenge themselves and each other in leadership skills and activities. LITs work together to decide what they are most interested in leading – following their gifts and passions. LITs work as a team to lead Camp Spirit Day Campers in some activities (with Staff supervision!).
Fees

Five-day camps are $175
Five-day camps that end at 12pm on the last day of camp are $160
Four-day camps are $140

Includes: Lunch & Snacks, Camp Spirit t-shirt, and all program and supply costs. Donations to the Camp Spirit Bursary Fund empower equal access to our programs for all campers, regardless of household finances. If you need financial assistance, request a bursary during the online-registration process, for an immediate fee discount.

REGISTER HERE!

Camp Spirit '23 – Week 3
2023-07-24
Seven Weeks of Camp Spirit, across BC!

REGISTER HERE!
Camp Spirit celebrates your child’s journey of Wonder with two age-specific program streams offered in different cities, towns and villages across BC and the Yukon! Our first week of camp starts on July 10, and our last week of camp starts on August 21. Our camp locations are provided by host-United Churches in the town. We share their space for our week of camp. We love the connections that sharing space builds! The camp day usually starts at 9am and usually ends at 3pm, Monday – Friday. Some of our camps are only 4 days long. For more information, check out this link.
Today, Camp Spirit Begins in These Communities:

Richmond – Gilmore Park United Church
Port Coquitlam – Trinity United Church
Duncan – Duncan United Church
Hazelton, Gitsegukla, Kispiox

Day Camps for Children 5-11 yrs! At Camp Spirit we value listening to & experiencing Sacred Stories, enjoying times of Creativity & Science, moving to Music, Sharing Meals together, and fostering Community, Friendships & Leadership!
​Leader In Training (LIT) Programs ​for People 12-14 years! (not at all sites) Camp Spirit LIT is about to making friendships, developing leadership skills, and having fun. LITs play games, explore the camp’s theme, and challenge themselves and each other in leadership skills and activities. LITs work together to decide what they are most interested in leading – following their gifts and passions. LITs work as a team to lead Camp Spirit Day Campers in some activities (with Staff supervision!).
Fees

Five-day camps are $175
Five-day camps that end at 12pm on the last day of camp are $160
Four-day camps are $140

Includes: Lunch & Snacks, Camp Spirit t-shirt, and all program and supply costs. Donations to the Camp Spirit Bursary Fund empower equal access to our programs for all campers, regardless of household finances. If you need financial assistance, request a bursary during the online-registration process, for an immediate fee discount.

REGISTER HERE!

Camp Spirit '23 – Week 4
2023-07-31
Seven Weeks of Camp Spirit, across BC!

REGISTER HERE!
Camp Spirit celebrates your child’s journey of Wonder with two age-specific program streams offered in different cities, towns and villages across BC and the Yukon! Our first week of camp starts on July 10, and our last week of camp starts on August 21. Our camp locations are provided by host-United Churches in the town. We share their space for our week of camp. We love the connections that sharing space builds! The camp day usually starts at 9am and usually ends at 3pm, Monday – Friday. Some of our camps are only 4 days long. For more information, check out this link.
Today, Camp Spirit Begins in These Communities:

Maple Ridge – Golden Ears United Church
Burnaby – Jubilee United Church (Rumble)
Oak Bay – Oak Bay United Church

Day Camps for Children 5-11 yrs! At Camp Spirit we value listening to & experiencing Sacred Stories, enjoying times of Creativity & Science, moving to Music, Sharing Meals together, and fostering Community, Friendships & Leadership!
​Leader In Training (LIT) Programs ​for People 12-14 years! (not at all sites) Camp Spirit LIT is about to making friendships, developing leadership skills, and having fun. LITs play games, explore the camp’s theme, and challenge themselves and each other in leadership skills and activities. LITs work together to decide what they are most interested in leading – following their gifts and passions. LITs work as a team to lead Camp Spirit Day Campers in some activities (with Staff supervision!).
Fees

Five-day camps are $175
Five-day camps that end at 12pm on the last day of camp are $160
Four-day camps are $140

Includes: Lunch & Snacks, Camp Spirit t-shirt, and all program and supply costs. Donations to the Camp Spirit Bursary Fund empower equal access to our programs for all campers, regardless of household finances. If you need financial assistance, request a bursary during the online-registration process, for an immediate fee discount.

REGISTER HERE!

Office Closure for BC Day
2023-08-07

Camp Spirit '23 – Week 5
2023-08-08
Seven Weeks of Camp Spirit, across BC!

REGISTER HERE!
Camp Spirit celebrates your child’s journey of Wonder with two age-specific program streams offered in different cities, towns and villages across BC and the Yukon! Our first week of camp starts on July 10, and our last week of camp starts on August 21. Our camp locations are provided by host-United Churches in the town. We share their space for our week of camp. We love the connections that sharing space builds! The camp day usually starts at 9am and usually ends at 3pm, Monday – Friday. Some of our camps are only 4 days long. For more information, check out this link.
Today, Camp Spirit Begins in These Communities:

Abbotsford – Gladwin United Church, with Trinity Memorial United Church
Langley – United Churches of Langley
Mill Bay – Sylvan United Church
White Rock – Peninsula United Church

All locations 4 days!
Day Camps for Children 5-11 yrs! At Camp Spirit we value listening to & experiencing Sacred Stories, enjoying times of Creativity & Science, moving to Music, Sharing Meals together, and fostering Community, Friendships & Leadership!
​Leader In Training (LIT) Programs ​for People 12-14 years! (not at all sites) Camp Spirit LIT is about to making friendships, developing leadership skills, and having fun. LITs play games, explore the camp’s theme, and challenge themselves and each other in leadership skills and activities. LITs work together to decide what they are most interested in leading – following their gifts and passions. LITs work as a team to lead Camp Spirit Day Campers in some activities (with Staff supervision!).
Fees

Five-day camps are $175
Five-day camps that end at 12pm on the last day of camp are $160
Four-day camps are $140

Includes: Lunch & Snacks, Camp Spirit t-shirt, and all program and supply costs. Donations to the Camp Spirit Bursary Fund empower equal access to our programs for all campers, regardless of household finances. If you need financial assistance, request a bursary during the online-registration process, for an immediate fee discount.

REGISTER HERE!

Camp Spirit '23 – Week 6
2023-08-14
Seven Weeks of Camp Spirit, across BC!

REGISTER HERE!
Camp Spirit celebrates your child’s journey of Wonder with two age-specific program streams offered in different cities, towns and villages across BC and the Yukon! Our first week of camp starts on July 10, and our last week of camp starts on August 21. Our camp locations are provided by host-United Churches in the town. We share their space for our week of camp. We love the connections that sharing space builds! The camp day usually starts at 9am and usually ends at 3pm, Monday – Friday. Some of our camps are only 4 days long. For more information, check out this link.
Today, Camp Spirit Begins in These Communities:

Whitehorse – Whitehorse United Church
Nelson – Nelson United Church
Cumberland – Weird Church
Prince George – Trinity United Church [August 15-18]

Day Camps for Children 5-11 yrs! At Camp Spirit we value listening to & experiencing Sacred Stories, enjoying times of Creativity & Science, moving to Music, Sharing Meals together, and fostering Community, Friendships & Leadership!
​Leader In Training (LIT) Programs ​for People 12-14 years! (not at all sites) Camp Spirit LIT is about to making friendships, developing leadership skills, and having fun. LITs play games, explore the camp’s theme, and challenge themselves and each other in leadership skills and activities. LITs work together to decide what they are most interested in leading – following their gifts and passions. LITs work as a team to lead Camp Spirit Day Campers in some activities (with Staff supervision!).
Fees

Five-day camps are $175
Five-day camps that end at 12pm on the last day of camp are $160
Four-day camps are $140

Includes: Lunch & Snacks, Camp Spirit t-shirt, and all program and supply costs. Donations to the Camp Spirit Bursary Fund empower equal access to our programs for all campers, regardless of household finances. If you need financial assistance, request a bursary during the online-registration process, for an immediate fee discount.

REGISTER HERE!

Camp Spirit '23 – Week 7
2023-08-21
Seven Weeks of Camp Spirit, across BC!

REGISTER HERE!
Camp Spirit celebrates your child’s journey of Wonder with two age-specific program streams offered in different cities, towns and villages across BC and the Yukon! Our first week of camp starts on July 10, and our last week of camp starts on August 21. Our camp locations are provided by host-United Churches in the town. We share their space for our week of camp. We love the connections that sharing space builds! The camp day usually starts at 9am and usually ends at 3pm, Monday – Friday. Some of our camps are only 4 days long. For more information, check out this link.
Today, Camp Spirit Begins in These Communities:

Vancouver – Marpole United Church, with Pacific Spirit United Church
Castlegar – Castlegar United Church
Courtenay – St. George’s United Church
Salmon Arm – First United Community [August 22-25]

Day Camps for Children 5-11 yrs! At Camp Spirit we value listening to & experiencing Sacred Stories, enjoying times of Creativity & Science, moving to Music, Sharing Meals together, and fostering Community, Friendships & Leadership!
​Leader In Training (LIT) Programs ​for People 12-14 years! (not at all sites) Camp Spirit LIT is about to making friendships, developing leadership skills, and having fun. LITs play games, explore the camp’s theme, and challenge themselves and each other in leadership skills and activities. LITs work together to decide what they are most interested in leading – following their gifts and passions. LITs work as a team to lead Camp Spirit Day Campers in some activities (with Staff supervision!).
Fees

Five-day camps are $175
Five-day camps that end at 12pm on the last day of camp are $160
Four-day camps are $140

Includes: Lunch & Snacks, Camp Spirit t-shirt, and all program and supply costs. Donations to the Camp Spirit Bursary Fund empower equal access to our programs for all campers, regardless of household finances. If you need financial assistance, request a bursary during the online-registration process, for an immediate fee discount.

REGISTER HERE!

World Day of Prayer for Creation
2023-09-01
Friends in the Pacific Mountain Region,
You may be interested in this important news from For The Love of Creation:
“A moment of online prayer and reflection to mark the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, which marks the beginning of the Season of Creation, a period of ecumenical observance that runs from September 1 to the feast of St. Francis of Assisi on October 4.
Please join us for a brief worship service focused on prayer for climate justice and the care of creation. This worship will be announced in English, with prayers in multiple languages.”
Find more information here!
Additionally,
For the Love of Creation is seeking Multifaith Climate Strike Prayer Animators for September 15th’s Global Climate Strike. We have the posting on our Jobs & Opportunities page,
https://pacificmountain.ca/multifaith-climate-strike-prayer-animators-for-the-love-of-creation/
and you can find out more from the source:

ForTheLoveOfCreation.ca/event/global-climate-strike/
ForTheLoveOfCreation.ca/multifaith-climate-strike-prayer-animators/

For the Love of Creation is a national initiative that brings together faith bodies and faith-based organizations in Canada under a unified banner to mobilize education, reflection, action and advocacy for climate justice.

Office Closure for Labour Day
2023-09-04
