Pacific Mountain Region

Leaders Online Gathering
2022-01-11 10:00 - 11:45, 2022-01-18 10:00 - 11:45, 2022-01-25 10:00 - 11:45 (America/Vancouver)
​Gatherings in the Season of Epiphany, 2022
Hosted by Rev Mary Nichol, First Third Ministry Staff, for 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.
Held Tuesdays, 10-11:45am PT / 11am – 12:45pm MT. Register at this link.
January 4 / January 11 / January 18 / January 25​ / February 1 / February 8 / February 15 / February 22 / March 1

Spiritual Conversations: Pastoral Ministry with Children, Youth and Families
2022-01-13 - 2022-01-15 | Vancouver School of Theology, 6015 Walter Gage Road, Vancouver, BC, Canada
A Continuing Education Certificate Course through the Vancouver School of Theology
Vancouver School of Theology and First Third Ministries Partnership ​ with ​Rev. Mary Nichol and Cathy Cryder
In ministry with children, youth, and their family we create space for spiritual conversations. Families seek support from ministers and congregational leaders on how to talk about God, death, and other existential questions such as, “Who am I?” and “What am I meant to be doing in my life?” with the children and youth in their lives.
This short course is intended to deepen our understanding of the importance of listening to children and youth. We will discuss ways to support families in their conversations regarding death, life and meaning. We will explore power, posture, and intention in supporting young people in their spiritual journey. ​This course will examine ways to partner with families and caregivers to support them in their spiritual nurture of their children.
For adult leaders, available either in-person at the Vancouver School of Theology or online via Zoom. Course outline and details available here. Register at this link.

The Gathering Place – A Time for Ministry Personnel
2022-01-18 10:00 - 11:30
The Gathering Place a time of online, Mini-Retreats for United Church Ministry Personnel. Happening this month from 10-11:30am PT/ 11am-12:30pm MT on January 18th, 2022 via Zoom, Ministry Personnel are invited into 90 mins of being in community. You can expect practices with colleagues such as check-in, pray, laugh, share sacred stories and maybe even singing a little — together.

The Gathering Place is Free and Drop-In Style.
Registration is Required for the Zoom access. Register here.
Hosted by the PMRC’s Ministry Personal Support Team, contact Karen Millard or Marc Coulombe for more information.

January 19 First Town Hall of 2022
2022-01-19 13:00 - 14:00
This town hall is a time to re-group and re-connect, such as we can with Zoom, and share a bit of what’s been happening for us in our settings – whether in leadership or a community of faith member. Where is Hope being found? What places, where weariness and discouragements rise up, need praying for especially? Executive Minister Treena Duncan and President Rev Blair Odney will host the meeting and there will be time for your questions about COVID-19 in relation to our communities of faith. All are warmly welcome — and bring your favourite mug of something warm.
Topic: PMRC Town Hall Meeting
Date: Jan 19, 2021
Time: 1pm Pacific / 2pm Mountain
Join Zoom Meeting
https://united-church.zoom.us/j/96617102734?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 966 1710 2734
Password: [REDACTED]
(Please call Alexandra at the PMRC Office for the phone-call in numbers, if you need them).

Just Conversations
2022-01-20 10:00 - 11:30
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, beginning on January 20th, 2022, from 10am Pacific / 11am Mountain.

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).

Godly Play (Children’s Church Curriculum) Core Training
2022-01-29 08:30 - 12:30, 2022-02-12 08:30 - 12:30
First Third Ministry Offering
There are lots of things that you can learn from a lecture but Godly Play is learned from the inside out. You will experience Godly Play as both leader and learner.
You will have the opportunity to analyze and tell stories from the
various genres with peers in a collegial, non-judgmental setting.
You will experience both the storyteller and doorperson roles; learn how to establish a Godly Play environment and strengthen your classroom management skills.
You will deepen your understanding of the spirituality of children.
All learning will take place in a prayerful and playful atmosphere
with creative and experienced Godly Play trainers. Participants who successfully complete this training will receive a Certificate of Accreditation from Godly Play Canada.
Held online via Zoom, over four days: January 29, February 12, March 12 & April 9th.
Details and registration available here. Registration closes January 18th.

Leaders Online Gathering - Epiphany 2022
2022-02-01 10:00 - 11:45 | Online
With First Third Ministry
Hosted by Rev Mary Nichol, First Third Ministry Staff, for 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 will join once a month.
Gatherings in the Season of Epiphany, 2022
Tuesdays, 10-11:45am PT / 11am – 12:45pm MT

February 1
February 8
February 15
February 22
March 1

Register at this link.

Camp Spirit Summer Staff Applications OPEN
2022-02-02 | Online
Applications are Now Open!

Deadline for Applications is Tuesday, February 15, 2022

Over the years, the task of hiring staff for Camp Spirit has grown tremendously. In the summer of 2012, we hired 6 full-time Program Staff and a part-time Camp Cook for 4 weeks of camp. For Camp Spirit 2022, we will be hiring 20 full-time Program Staff, 2 full-time Food Coordinators, and 1 full-time Camp Spirit Administrative Assistant. In total, we will send 5 staff teams to between 30 – 35 Communities of Faith in the Pacific Mountain Regional Council. One of the very important things we have learned about Camp Spirit is that it is so much more than a summer day camp for children.
Camp Spirit is a place where youth and young adults find meaningful employment, intentional Christian community, comprehensive leadership skills training, and valuable work experience while being paid a competitive wage.
Camp Spirit Summer Staff may travel from one to six weeks of the summer and engage with United Church Communities of Faith in both rural and urban settings. Since its inception, Camp Spirit has placed a high value on training our staff well. We have sought to offer youth and young adults excellent, progressive, inclusive, and dynamic opportunities to develop as leaders. Past training has included workshops on:

“Trauma Informed Leadership and Mindfulness Practices,” Dr. Shahar Rabi, Ph.D., a registered Clinical Counsellor and adjunct Professor of Counselling Psychology at Alder University and a published author.
“Behaviour as Communication,” with teacher and United Church member Christine Coles.
“Children and Race,” with Anthony Peterson, adjunct instructor in Ethics, Cultural Worldviews, and Biblical Studies at Trevecca Nazarene University.
Workshops on Gender Diversity, Self-Care, Godly Play Storytelling, Communication, Faith Exploration, Planning, Team Building, and “How to Lead a Wide Game,” are led by First Third Ministry personnel with over a century of cumulative experience in ministry with children and youth.

Depending on the position, Summer Staff will work for Camp Spirit 2022 from 9 to 16 weeks. The return rate of Camp Spirit Summer Staff is high. However, Camp Spirit is growing and so is the need to grow our Summer Staff. And… we don’t know who we don’t know.
So, here’s where you come in. Please spread the word!
Talk to the youth and young adults in your Communities of Faith. Check in with congregation members who have young adult children or grandchildren who are at school or looking to do something different this summer. Reach out to the members of the 2018 confirmation class. Let them know about Camp Spirit. Help us to connect with youth and young adults who feel called to inspiring, life-changing, hope-filled, fun, and faithful work.
Here’s the link: www.CampSpirit.ca/Summer-Staff

What's Next? Conversations
2022-02-02 10:30 - 11:45, 2022-02-09 10:30 - 11:45, 2022-02-16 10:30 - 11:45 | Online
Offered by Leadershift
Every Wednesday morning Randy Boyd (Rural Connect) and Mike Latta (VP of Cross Tracks Audio/Visual) host a drop-in conversation around the topic of digital ministry.
These conversations began in spring 2021 as an opportunity to talk about challenges and learnings in a ‘hybrid model’ time, and have evolved to become a community of church leaders eager to share and troubleshoot with one another.
If you are interested in attending, please email Randy (rboyd@tbaytel.net) and you’ll receive a reminder, along with the link, each week.
The format for these Conversations is primarily the questions you bring each week. If you have any question about technology and ministry, from the purely technical to the more theoretical, please come and ask your questions. All are very welcome!

Wednesdays, Beginning January 12, 2022
10:30-11:45am Pacific / 11:30am – 12:45pm Mountain

Town Hall with Rev. Dr. Carmen Landsdowne, Nominee for UCC Moderator 44
2022-02-02 13:00 - 14:00
Come meet and chat with Rev. Dr. Carmen Lansdowne in today’s Town Hall!
Rev. Dr. Carmen Lansdowne has been nominated by Pacific Mountain Regional Council to General Council 44, to stand for the role of Moderator of The United Church of Canada. We are thrilled to spend time with Carmen at this town hall, and encourage all who can to join us!
Come celebrate this nomination, and Carmen’s exceptional leadership and vision – and enjoy time in Pacific Mountain community.
Join Zoom Meeting – Online
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Meeting ID: 921 3413 1725
Password: [REDACTED]
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Moderator Nominee Profile: Rev. Dr. Carmen Lansdowne
Carmen Lansdowne is a member of the Heiltsuk First Nation, and a life-long member of The United Church of Canada (UCC). Baptized into the UCC in 1975, she waited until adulthood to make a profession of faith which came from a deep sense of personal spirituality and a calling to participate fully in the life and work of the church.
She attended the Vancouver School of Theology (VST) in the MDiv program from 2003-2007, and after successful completion of her internship Marengo Pastoral Charge (Alsask & Loverna, SK), she was ordained to further study in 2007. She completed coursework for a ThM degree at VST in 2008, then moved to Berkeley, CA where she commenced coursework for a PhD at the Graduate Theological Union. She completed the ThM in 2011 and the PhD in 2016.
In addition to her theological contributions as a writer and speaker, Carmen has served the church in a variety of roles. From 2006-2013 she served on the Executive and Central Committees of the World Council of Churches, as well as was an ex-officio corresponding member of the Executive, General Council. She continues to attend global theological and church gatherings by invitation. She has served on the Pension Board of The United Church of Canada, the Theology, Interchurch-Interfaith Committee, executive search committees for the General Council Office and the World Council of Churches, and various subcommittees of both the WCC and UCC. She served as one of six facilitators offering feedback from commissioners at General Council 43. She currently chairs the Indigenous Candidacy Board of the United Church and sits on the Keepers of the Vision of the Sandy Saulteaux Spiritual Centre. She also recently joined the Board of Directors of the Vancouver Foundation – Canada’s largest community foundation.
Carmen joined First United Church Community Ministry Society as Executive Director in February 2017. Under her leadership, she has effected an organizational turnaround resulting in increased capacity and stability. She has also shepherded to construction-phase a $65M redevelopment of First United’s property in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. The new purpose-built facility will triple First United’s programming and ministry space and add 103 nonmarket rental units of Indigenous housing (to be operated by Lu’ma Native Housing Society). Under Carmen’s leadership, First United has developed strong labour relations with its unionized staff, built a highly skilled and committed leadership team, increased revenues, and become a certified living wage employer. She worships at Lynn Valley United Church as she is able.
She continues to maintain academic interests through guest lectures and various writing projects and as a Christ Institute Fellow with the Westar Institute. Carmen guest preaches at different communities of faith several times a year, and remains committed to Indigenous way Rev. Dr. Carmen Lansdowne The United Church of Canada 2 L’Église Unie du Canada of being, parenting and partnering. She lives in North Vancouver with her partner, two children, and their dog Cocoa.

Mental Health First Aid - For Young Adults in Leadership with Youth and Peers
2022-02-05 14:00 - 18:00 | Online
Day 1/2
With First Third Ministry and Leadershift
The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic has deepened what was already a significant issue: declining mental well-being across the population. It is critical for those of us who work and volunteer with people to raise our level of awareness and capacity to be respond to those experiencing critical mental health challenges. You will be certified in the Mental Health First Aid course of the Mental Health Commission of Canada, with the bonus of taking the program with other people of faith and having space to connect this learning to our experience in Christian community. All are welcome to register.
The course leader Dr Julie Clayton is a certified MHFA teacher, a highly skilled counsellor, and holds a Master of Divinity and years of experience as a congregational pastor.
Participants will learn how to:

recognize signs that a young person may be experiencing a decline in their mental well-being or a mental health or substance use crisis
initiate conversations that encourage a young person to talk about a mental health or substance use problem
discuss professional and other supports that could help with recovery to improved mental well-being
assist in a mental health or substance use crisis situation
check in with one’s own mental well-being and take action as needed

Dates: Saturday February 5 and Saturday February 12, 2022. 2-6pm Pacific/3-7pm Mountain
Register at this link.

The Gathering Place – A Time for Ministry Personnel
2022-02-08 10:00 - 11:30 | Online
The Gathering Place a time of online, Mini-Retreats for United Church Ministry Personnel. Happening 10-11:30am PT/ 11am-12:30pm MT on the 2nd Tuesday of each month via Zoom, Ministry Personnel are invited into 90 mins of being in community. You can expect practices with colleagues such as check-in, pray, laugh, share sacred stories and maybe even singing a little — together.

The Gathering Place is Free and Drop-In Style.
Registration is Required for the Zoom access. Register here.
Hosted by the PMRC’s Ministry Personal Support Team, contact Karen Millard or Marc Coulombe for more information.

Leaders Online Gathering - Epiphany 2022
2022-02-08 10:00 - 11:45 | Online
​Gatherings in the Season of Epiphany, 2022
Hosted by Rev Mary Nichol, First Third Ministry Staff, for 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.
Held Tuesdays, 10-11:45am PT / 11am – 12:45pm MT. Register at this link.
February 8 / February 15 / February 22 / March 1

Mental Health First Aid: For Young Adults in Leadership with Youth and Peers
2022-02-12 14:00 - 18:00 | Online
Day 2/2
With First Third Ministry and Leadershift
The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic has deepened what was already a significant issue: declining mental well-being across the population. It is critical for those of us who work and volunteer with people to raise our level of awareness and capacity to be respond to those experiencing critical mental health challenges. You will be certified in the Mental Health First Aid course of the Mental Health Commission of Canada, with the bonus of taking the program with other people of faith and having space to connect this learning to our experience in Christian community. All are welcome to register.
The course leader Dr Julie Clayton is a certified MHFA teacher, a highly skilled counsellor, and holds a Master of Divinity and years of experience as a congregational pastor.
Participants will learn how to:

recognize signs that a young person may be experiencing a decline in their mental well-being or a mental health or substance use crisis
initiate conversations that encourage a young person to talk about a mental health or substance use problem
discuss professional and other supports that could help with recovery to improved mental well-being
assist in a mental health or substance use crisis situation
check in with one’s own mental well-being and take action as needed

Dates: Saturday February 5 and Saturday February 12, 2022. 2-6pm Pacific/3-7pm Mountain
Register at this link.

Leaders Online Gathering - Epiphany 2022
2022-02-15 10:00 - 11:45 | Online
​Gatherings in the Season of Epiphany, 2022
Hosted by Rev Mary Nichol, First Third Ministry Staff, for 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.
Held Tuesdays, 10-11:45am PT / 11am – 12:45pm MT. Register at this link.
February 15 / February 22 / March 1

Town Hall with Vicki Nelson: We Ride at Dawn
2022-02-16 13:00 - 14:30 | Online
Today, join Treena Duncan, Blair Odney and our Stewardship Animator, Vicki Nelson!

We Ride At Dawn: How to Journey with your congregation to grow generosity, deepen gratitude and build community.
It is 2022 and there are apps, tips, tools and tricks for nearly everything. Stewardship, however, is about building relationships. About practicing our faith as a community (even when we aren’t physically together). It is about how we see ourselves, and how we experience and share the life-shaping value of our communities of faith.
Is our congregation made up of consumers or disciples? Do we share ourselves with our community of faith with a grateful heart or a grudge? Do we feel good about inviting people to be generous or uncomfortable talking about money? Perhaps we are all these things at different times…
Stewardship is a journey. Spend some time with friends all along the path. Vicki Nelson, the Stewardship Animator for Western Canada, will help get our compasses all pointed in the same direction as we gain skills and confidence in talking about faithful generosity. Plus, she may even share some tips and tricks…it is 2022 after all.
PMRC Town Hall Meeting

Feb 16, 2022
1pm Pacific / 2pm Mountain

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81814268694?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 818 1426 8694
Passcode: [REDACTED]

One tap mobile
+12042727920,,81814268694#,,,,*[REDACTED]# Canada
+14388097799,,81814268694#,,,,*[REDACTED]# Canada
Dial by your location
+1 204 272 7920 Canada
+1 438 809 7799 Canada
+1 587 328 1099 Canada
+1 647 374 4685 Canada
+1 647 558 0588 Canada
+1 778 907 2071 Canada
Meeting ID: 818 1426 8694
Passcode: [REDACTED]

Book Study - Adventures in Faith and Family
2022-02-17 09:30 - 10:30, 2022-02-24 09:30 - 10:30 | Online
Adventures in Faith and Family – Book Study
First Third is excited to offer a book study for leaders of Rev. Susan Lukey’s new book, Adventures in Faith and Family. This book offers practical, faithful and spirit-filled wisdom for families. We will explore topics of raising children in our faith, family spiritual practices, grief and faith for the future. This book study series will be online. The author will join the end of each session with a Q& A and will join the last session.

Dates: Thursdays – February 17, February 24, March 3, March 10, March 17, March 24.
Time: 9:30am-10:30am PST / 10:30am-11:30am MTN
Age: 18+
Online, via Zoom. We’ll email the link a few days before the event starts. Be sure to check your email!
This is a free event.

Details & registration here

Just Conversations
2022-02-17 10:00 - 11:00 | Online

Young Adult Supper Social - Old Spaghetti Factory
2022-02-20 19:00 - 20:30
What is on your heart and mind? How is your spirit? What was the last thing you watched on a screen that left you thinking about things in a different way? What do you yearn for? This is time for young adults and a leader or two to gather, eat a great meal and share conversation about what is important to you. a Gathering of Young Adults, 18 years+, in the Lower Mainland
It is a free event. We buy dinner, you buy your drink.

The Young Adults Supper Social is time for young adults and a leader or two to gather IN PERSON, eat a great meal and share conversation about what is important.

DATE: Sunday, February 20th – 7PM to 8:30PM
AGES: +18 years
LOCATION: The Old Spaghetti Factory – New Westminster. 50 – 8th Street. New Westminster, V3M 3N8
LEADERSHIP: Pamela Evans
COST: It is a free event

The event needs PROOF OF VACCINATION. Register at this link.

Office Closed for Family Day
2022-02-21

Leaders Online Gathering - Epiphany 2022
2022-02-22 10:00 - 11:45 | Online
​Gatherings in the Season of Epiphany, 2022
Hosted by Rev Mary Nichol, First Third Ministry Staff, for 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.
Held Tuesdays, 10-11:45am PT / 11am – 12:45pm MT. Register at this link.
February 22 / March 1

From Decision-Making to Discernment
2022-02-23 09:30 - 10:30 | Online
A Year-Long Program for Church Boards and Ministry Personnel
With Susan Beaumont
Most congregations rely on rational decision making to guide their leadership choices. Liminal seasons invite us to shift out of rational decision-making mode and into a more discerning mindset. Discernment is an attentiveness to God that, over time, develops into a shared sense of God’s intention for us and our community now. This year long program will equip you and your board for deepened group discernment practices.
PARTICIPANTS IN THIS PROGRAM WILL:

Enter a three-way conversation engaging God, the soul of the leader, and the soul of the institution.
Challenge the default position of most congregations to resort immediately to group decision making.
Deepen their skills as group discernment facilitators.
Learn how to structure a group discernment process and where to locate discernment activity in the life of a congregation.
Develop a toolbox of practices for opening to God and listening to one another.

Click here for full details and to register.

Indigenous Pink Shirt Day 2022 - Traditional Teachings of Community Wellbeing
2022-02-23 18:00 - 20:00 | Online
On Feb 23 we observe Indigenous Pink Shirt Day. This is an opportunity to talk about community wellness, lateral violence and healing as we examine the impacts of bullying and violence within and against our communities.
Co-Sponsored by the Urban Indigenous Circle, Chinook Winds Region and Pacific Mountain Region.

Feb 23, 2022
6pm Pacific / 7pm Mountain
Held online via Zoom

Register at this link, and Zoom sign-in details will come after registration.

Finding Our Way to Easter
2022-03-01 09:00 - 10:30 | Online
With Leadershift
A gift of contemplative worship for congregational leaders of all kinds.

Beloved:
You have been pouring out
in the faithful work of encouraging, guiding, supporting the community of faith.
You’ve been learning, inventing, advocating,
listening, talking, talking,
talking to make a path in and through the pandemic, the fires, the floods, the aloneness, the togetherness, the cold, the heat…the everything.
And now it is the cusp of Lent,
again, and yet
again a new set of circumstances.

come as you are, exactly as you are,
to Song and to Prayer
designed to nourish us
as we find our way to
the great Mystery of Easter.

9am Pacific / 10am Mountain
Each Tuesday morning of Lent
March 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, April 5, 12 2022

Details & registration at this link
