Pacific Mountain Region

Leaders Online Gathering Epiphany
2023-02-07 13:00 - 14:30, 2023-02-14 13:00 - 14:30 (America/Vancouver)
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.
Dates: Every Tuesday Afternoon – 1pm-2:15pm Pacific / 2-3:15pm Mountain
​Hosts: Rev. Mary Nichol and Chris Mah Poy, First Third Ministry Staff
Guest Speakers will join when able!
A one time first registration is required: REGISTER HERE!

The Gathering Place
2023-02-08 13:00 - 14:30
The Gathering Place a time of online, Mini-Retreats for United Church Ministry Personnel (active or retired).
Happening once a 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.

1-2:30pm Pacific / 2-3:30pm Mountain
Register here.

Faithful Climate Conversations
2023-02-08 15:30 - 17:00
“Faithful Climate Conversations” is a free, online series offered by the PMRC Justice Network, and drawing from the multi-denominational, Canada-wide “For the Love of Creation” discussion resources. It will run in two series during early 2023. This series, in three parts, is offered January 25, February 1, and February 8, all from 3:30-5pm Pacific.

Register for the January-February series here

CONNECTION AND LEARNING
This series will be facilitated by Susan Draper and Janet Gray. Come for a chance to connect with others in our region and learn ways to create safe and respectful climate change conversations in your own community of faith.
If you’re interested in hosting such conversations for your church, this series will also be a great way to get to know the ‘For the Love of Creation’ resources! Included below is the Discussion Guide for each topic, offering a preview of the kind of conversation you and others may engage with together.
You are warmly welcome, we hope you’ll join us.
Registration is here: Faithful Climate Conversations Registration Form

All sessions are online only, via Zoom.
Free! Registration is required to receive the Zoom links.
The times listed are Pacific Time; please adjust if you’re participating from another time zone.
If interested, a second series, in four parts, will be offered March 9, 16, 23, 30, from 7-8:30pm Pacific, details here.

Young Adult Supper Social
2023-02-12 18:00 - 20:00, 2023-03-12 18:00 - 20:00
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. This is time for building friendships and connections with other United Church (or curious about the United Church) Young Adults, 18 years+.

The Young Adult Supper Socials are free for participants. They are located in New Westminster (right above a Skytrain station!) and the exact location will be shared with participants after registration.
Leader: Pamela Evans (and others)

Please register at https://firstthirdministry.campbrainregistration.com
Build your account ONCE at First Third’s new registration portal and then you can register for any of the events you are interested in!

Navigating the Landscapes of Living Faith III
2023-02-14 10:30 - 12:00
a collegial conversation for Theological Banquet practitioners
with Janet Gear, and host Janice Young

Tuesdays: January 31, Feb 7, 14, 21, 2023
Online: 10:30AM – 12PM PACIFIC / 11:30AM – 1PM MOUNTAIN

Have you been leading through the lens of the Theological Banquet framework created by Rev Janet Gear? Then you know that there is an initial feast at the table of abundance as we name and celebrate theological diversity. And this is good. You also recognize the agitation of the Spirit at work in communities committed to the vitality that theological diversity brings. Where are the edges of inclusion that go beyond our denominational identity? How do we work into inclusion in a way that addresses the difficult exploration of theological clashes? What are you noticing? What do these realities and dynamics mean for your pastoral and strategic leadership? What have others learned from their experiences?
In this collegial gathering, we will prompt our conversation with topics from your own ministry context and from challenges and opportunities presented by the current moment. Janet will reflect with you on the theological landscape beneath your pastoral leadership.
This is a seminar style opportunity in which we will work with what you bring, as leaders familiar with the Theological Banquet. Participation is limited and prior experience with the Theological Banquet is required. Please register by January 15, 2023 to claim your seat at the table!
Details & registration here, space limited to 10.

Just Conversations
2023-02-16 10:00 - 11:30
CANCELLED – See you next month!
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.

February 16, 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).

Youth Council Meeting
2023-02-17 - 2023-02-19
In Oktoks, Alberta, at Oktoks United Church.

Office Closed for Family Day
2023-02-20

Navigating the Landscapes of Living Faith IV
2023-02-21 10:30 - 12:00
Cancelled for today.

Pacific Mountain Town Hall Gathering
2023-02-22 13:00 - 14:00
This week’s town hall has been cancelled.

World Day of Prayer
2023-03-04 08:00 - 17:00
Observed on the first Friday in March, World Day of Prayer is a global, ecumenical movement of Christian women joined together to observe a common day of prayer.
Worship resources and related material can be found here.

Pacific Mountain Town Hall Gathering
2023-03-08 13:00 - 14:00 | Online
The first Town Hall of Lent, with Acting Executive Minister Victoria Andrews, joined by Chinook Winds Indigenous Minister Rev. Tony Snow. Rev. Tony Snow is a member of the Stoney Nakoda First Nation. He grew up on Treaty No. 7 land at Morley, Alberta, where his father Dr. Rev. Chief John Snow Sr. attended the Morley Indian Residential School. As a Traditional Knowledge Keeper, minister and consultant, Tony has worked for decades in public engagement and government relations, bringing awareness and healing to communities of faith and Indigenous peoples, as a continuation of his father’s and grandfather’s work. Tony will be talking about the 40 Days of Reconciliation.
As always, worship, regional updates and opportunities for connection will be part of today’s Town Hall as well. We look forward to seeing you soon!
Topic: PMRC Townhall – Wed, March 8
Time: March 8, 2023 01:00 PM Pacific Time / 2:00 PM Mountain Time
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://united-church.zoom.us/j/84056169371?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 840 5616 9371
Password: [REDACTED]

Faithful Climate Conversations
2023-03-09 19:00 - 20:30, 2023-03-16 19:00 - 20:30, 2023-03-23 19:00 - 20:30, 2023-03-30 19:00 - 20:30
“Faithful Climate Conversations” is a free, online series offered by the PMRC Justice Network, and drawing from the multi-denominational, Canada-wide “For the Love of Creation” discussion resources. It will run in two series during early 2023. This series, in four parts, is offered March 9, 16, 23, & 30 all from 7-8:30pm.

Register for the March series here

CONNECTION AND LEARNING
This series of topic sessions will be facilitated by Debbie Hubbard and Peter Jones. Come for a chance to connect with others in our region and learn ways to create safe and respectful climate change conversations in your own community of faith.
If you’re interested in hosting such conversations for your church, this series will also be a great way to get to know the ‘For the Love of Creation’ resources! Included below is the Discussion Guide for each topic, offering a preview of the kind of conversation you and others may engage with together.
You are warmly welcome, we hope you’ll join us.
Registration is here: Faithful Climate Conversations Registration Form

All sessions are online only, via Zoom.
Free! Registration is required to receive the Zoom links.
The times listed are Pacific Time; please adjust if you’re participating from another time zone.

National Affirming / PIE Day
2023-03-14
PIE = Public. Intentional. Explicit. These are the standards we hold ourselves and our welcome to when we become affirming, welcoming, or inclusive communities. March 14 is a chance to serve some pie and roll out the PIE by celebrating the full inclusion of LGBTQIA+ and Two Spirit people in faith communities and beyond across Canada.
Worship resources and related material can be found here.

Where is the Money?
2023-03-15 13:00 - 14:30
Join as we gather together to talk about and discuss the process of finding appropriate grants for new ministry initiatives and writing the applications. It can be a difficult process to manage, but come join Daniel and Sarah as we help you along this process. Share your knowledge (and even some frustrations!) and hear from others about their experience in the World of Grants!
You are invited to a Zoom meeting.
When: Mar 15, 2023 1:00 PM PST/ 2:00 PM MTN
Register in advance for this meeting :). Registrations Open
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Just Conversations
2023-03-16 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, from 10am Pacific / 11am Mountain.

March 16, 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).

Imagine! Children's Retreat
2023-03-18 - 2023-03-20 | Camp Fircom, Gambier Island, BC, Canada
What do we do at the Children’s Retreat?
on Saturday….
Children meet at designated spots in the Lower Mainland and at ferry terminals to meet their leaders and the chartered bus for their trip to Camp Fircom. Participants and leaders will arrive at around 3 pm after a quick trip on the water taxi from Horseshoe Bay to Gambier Island, greet other leaders, get settled into their cabins with their leaders, have dinner, connect, sing, play games, and meet the community for the weekend, snack and then off to bed!
​On Sunday…
Our meals are in the Dining room where we are greeted by our Camp Fircom hosts and are served amazing, yummy food. During the day we will have time for worship, singing, storytelling, workshops (like games and craft activities), a campfire evening program and much more!
On Monday…
We eat (again!), sing, worship together and say farewell to our amazing community of friends!  After lunch time, our Water Taxi and chartered bus takes us back to our designated drop off place, ready to be picked up by our families!
How do I Register?
Registration is open HERE for children ages 8 to 12 and leaders.
Registration for participants is $240.00. This includes all transportation to and from Camp Fircom, meals and accommodation and program fees. There are bursaries available to all families, as you register, you choose what is required in order for your child(ren) to attend. You can enter the discount code as you register in our system for 25% off (CODE is 25Hope) or 50% (CODE is 50Peace) If you need 75% or 100% off to be able to come, please contact firstthirdministry@united-church.ca.

PMRC Reconciliation Circle
2023-04-03 19:00 - 20:30
PMRC Indigenous Ally Toolkit Training Session for the Lenten Series: 40 Days of Reconciliation. Join us as we share insights and concerns about reconciliation, changes within the church and emerging issues as we walk with our Indigenous neighbours towards healing.

Monday, April 3, 2023
7pm Pacific / 8pm Mountain

Register at this link.

Pacific Mountain Town Hall Meeting
2023-04-05 13:00 - 14:00
Join Michelle Slater (LeaderShift Interim Director) and others for a time of reflection, scripture, song and prayer, at the mid-point of Holy Week. Take time to get grounded and breathe together, as we near the end of our Lenten journey.
As always, worship, regional updates and opportunities for connection will be part of today’s Town Hall as well. We look forward to seeing you soon!
Topic: PMRC Townhall – Wed, April 5, 2023
Time: April 5, 2023 01:00 PM Pacific Time / 2:00 PM Mountain Time
Join Zoom Meeting
https://united-church.zoom.us/j/82487627444?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 824 8762 7444
Password: [REDACTED]

Office Closed for Good Friday and Easter Monday
2023-04-07 - 2023-04-10

Cake Pops 101
2023-04-08 15:00 - 17:00 | Pacific Mountain Regional Council Office, 6000 Sussex Avenue, Burnaby, BC, V5H 3C2, Canada
Join us to learn how to make cake pops from a master! Bring a container to bring some home.

Saturday, April 8, 2023
3-5pm Pacific / 4-6pm Mountain
Where: Pacific Mountain Regional Council Office, 6000 Sussex Avenue, Burnaby, BC.

Registration is open
Limited space, please Register Here

The Gathering Place
2023-04-12 13:00 - 14:30
The Gathering Place is a time of online, Mini-Retreats for United Church Ministry Personnel (active or retired).
Happening once a 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.

1-2:30pm Pacific / 2-3:30pm Mountain
Register here.

Our Watershed Moment
2023-04-19 13:00 - 14:30
A part of Earth Week 2023 — Together for the Love of Creation
Watershed discipleship is an emerging understanding in our life of faith. It invites us to connect with place in a deeper way – theologically, spiritually, physically, and morally. As a part of Earth Week 2023, you are invited to join the Pacific Mountain Region in an online learning opportunity to explore “our watershed moment” as a faithful response to the ecological crisis.

Wednesday, April 19, 2023
1:00 – 2:30 pm PT / 2:00-3:30 MT / 4:00-5:30 ET

Register at this link.

Just Conversations
2023-04-20 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, from 10am Pacific / 11am Mountain.

April 20, 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).

Earth Sunday
2023-04-22 08:00 - 17:00
Earth Day is celebrated in communities around the world on April 22 each year. Churches have chosen to mark this time by participating in community events and through liturgical celebrations.
Worship resources and related material can be found here.
