Pacific Mountain Region

Planning for First Third - A Way Forward
2021-11-10 17:30 - 18:30 (America/Vancouver)
Offered by First Third Ministry
This cohort series for First Third Ministry will be facilitated by two of our First Third Ministry Regional Staff, Rev. Mary Nichol and Chris Mah Poy. The theme is “Planning for First Third – A Way Forward”. The goal is for the small group to hear and learn from each other, and support one another in their own context. The topic of re-opening is relevant and a part of the conversation but will vary depending on the provincial health guidelines and communities of faith decisions. We will journey together in groups of five.

Four Sessions: Wednesdays October 13, 20, November 3 and 10 (no gathering on October 27)
5:30pm-6:30pm PT / 6:30pm-7:30pm MT
Meeting Online, via Zoom
Free. Space is limited to 10 participants.

This event is an Online Event. The Zoom Link will be emailed to the address provided on your registration.
Participants are requested to commit to attending all 4 sessions.
Questions? Email Mary or Chris. We hope that you can join us.
REGISTER HERE

Remembrance Day
2021-11-11

Young Adult Supper Social
2021-11-14 18:00 - 20:30
SUPPER SOCIAL
This is time for Lower Mainland young adults and a leader or two to gather IN PERSON with Regional Staff Pamela Evans, eat a great meal, and share conversation about what is important. All are warmly welcome! Vaccine passport required. Register here.
In-person in New Westminster (exact location will be shared after registration). Sunday, November 14 from 6-8:30pm.
Can’t make it? This event is also happening on Sunday, December 12, from 6-8:30pm.

Love and Justice and Beyond - Discussion
2021-11-16 12:00 - 13:00 | Online
From the Justice Ministry
This online gathering is open to anyone in PMRC who participated in the national Love and Justice Gathering (November 3-7, 2021), wants to know more about it, and/or is interested in connecting with others about the justice work happening in the Pacific Mountain Region and beyond. All are welcome!
This is the first in a series of online region-wide conversations to support and encourage each other in deep spirituality, bold discipleship and daring justice.
Register at this link, and then check your inbox for a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting
Hosted by: Pacific Mountain Regional Council Network, Jane Dawson, Minister of Justice

Deepening Pastoral Practice Amidst Continuing Pandemic Realities with Dr Julie Clayton
2021-11-17 10:00 - 12:00, 2021-11-24 10:00 - 12:00
This four-week workshop equips participants with a framework to assess and evaluate where they currently find themselves in pastoral practice – and determine what is needed to address the ongoing traumatic waves that impact pandemic-ridden congregations.
Specific attention will be given to understanding the complex nature of family systems and how they impact an individual, a family unit, and the larger congregational community.
Participants will leave these sessions empowered to respond with deepening holistic healing strategies that are trauma-informed and trauma-oriented.
Facilitated by Dr Julie Clayton. Hosted by LeaderShift Director, Allison Rennie

November 17 Town Hall - Discussion with Alan Hall Regarding Changes to the Employee Benefit Program
2021-11-17 13:00 - 14:00
Alan Hall is the United Church’s Executive Officer for Ministry and Employment and will be our guest speaker at a Joint Town Hall with Pacific Mountain and Chinook Winds Regional Councils.
Join Treena Duncan and Alan Hall for a respectful discussion and time of learning about the December 2021 changes to the Group Benefits Plans, for United Church of Canada employees. After months of consultation and consideration, the Optional Group Benefits is being ended, and the CORE plan has been redesigned. All United Church employees who work 14 or more hours qualify for the benefit program. Alan will give background on the changes and answer questions. You’ll also find Benefits information here.
Join PM and CW Regional Councils Town Hall meeting
Date: Nov 17, 2021
Time: 1pm Pacific / 2pm Mountain
Join Zoom Meeting
https://united-church.zoom.us/j/98658844109?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 986 5884 4109
Password: [REDACTED]

Town Hall With Guest Janice MacLean ~ Hope Matters
2021-11-24 13:00 - 14:00
Today’s town hall is a special gathering for Advent, and we’ll be joined by Janice MacLean of PrayerBench.ca (in addition to some brief COVID-19 updates). Janice will be introducing her Advent-themed resource called “Hope Matters ~ an Advent Retreat”. This is a resource that you can use to create in-person or online reflection times with, for your community of faith.

Read more from Janice, about Hope Matters, on the Chinook Winds website.
Add your email here to receive the Hope Matters download

November 24 Town Hall
1pm Pacific / 2pm Mountain
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://united-church.zoom.us/j/98231867711?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 982 3186 7711
Password: [REDACTED]
Find your local number: https://united-church.zoom.us/u/addG5s2evk

Deepening Pastoral Practice Amidst Continuing Pandemic Realities with Dr Julie Clayton
2021-11-30 10:00 - 12:00 | Online

Office Closed for Regional Staff Retreat
2021-12-01, 2021-12-02

Young Adult Supper Social
2021-12-12 18:00 - 20:30
SUPPER SOCIAL
This is time for Lower Mainland young adults and a leader or two to gather IN PERSON with Regional Staff Pamela Evans, eat a great meal, and share conversation about what is important. All are warmly welcome! Vaccine passport required. Register here.
In-person in New Westminster (exact location will be shared after registration). Sunday, December 12, from 6-8:30pm.

The Gathering Place - A Time for Ministry Personnel
2021-12-14 10:00 - 11:30
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.

Office Closed for Holidays
2021-12-24 - 2022-01-03

Leaders Online Gathering
2022-01-04 10:00 - 11:45, 2022-01-11 10:00 - 11:45, 2022-01-18 10:00 - 11:45, 2022-01-25 10:00 - 11:45
​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

Youth Forum Application Deadline - for General Council 44
2022-01-10
Youth Forum for General Council 44 will be online in 2022. What you might not know, and what First Third Ministry Network is excited to announce is that Youth Forum Delegates will get a unique opportunity to do a paid internship as part of their participation in Youth Forum.
Hold the phone; what’s General Council and what’s Youth Forum? I’m glad you asked! General Council is the triennial (every three years) national business meeting of The United Church of Canada (UCC). In our system of governance, The United Church of Canada consists of formal gatherings called “courts” where decisions are made via a democratic process. General Council is the national equivalent to our Regional Gatherings; the national “court” where representatives of the UCC from across the country gather to discuss and advocate for issues like Reconciliation, Affirming Ministry, Climate Justice and more; where visions for new and innovative ministry are presented and where proposals are examined and adopted by the national church.
Youth Forum is a part of the General Council where United Church youth from across the country get to gather in leadership and worship to advocate for the needs of youth in the church and promote youth leadership in all aspects of church life.
Click here for more information!

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
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 | 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
https://united-church.zoom.us/j/92134131725?pwd=[REDACTED]
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
