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.

Faithful Climate Conversations
2023-03-23 19:00 - 20:30, 2023-03-30 19:00 - 20:30 (America/Vancouver)
“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.

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.

Camping Sunday
2023-04-23
Camping Sunday is traditionally celebrated on the fourth Sunday in April. The worship services and other ideas available for this Sunday are designed to increase visibility for the church’s outdoor/camping ministries, draw attention to local United Church camps, and help people recall their memories and experiences of church camping. Find a camp near you.
Worship resources and related material can be found here.

The Feast - F3
2023-04-26 11:00 - 13:00
Join First Third Ministry Leaders (those in ministry with children, youth, families and young adults) from your area for a feast of lunch, resource sharing and conversation.
Dates: April 26, September 13 and December 6
Time: 11 am – 1 pm
Places:

Scarboro United Church, 134 Scarboro Avenue, Calgary
Duncan United Church, 246 Ingram St, Duncan, BC
Pacific Mountain Regional Office, 6000 Sussex, Burnaby

Registrations for this event will open soon, stay tuned.
Please create your profile at this link. Build your account once at our new registration portal and then you can register for any of the events you are interested in!

Resurrect 2023: A Learning Party
2023-05-04 - 2023-05-06 | FirstMetropolitan United Church, 932 Balmoral Road, Victoria, BC, Canada
MAY 4 – 6, 2023 * 1PM ON THURSDAY UNTIL CLOSING FEAST ON SATURDAY

FIRST MET UNITED / THE ABBEYCHURCH * BALMORAL AND QUADRA
VICTORIA BC: ON THE TRADITIONAL AND UNCEDED TERRITORIES OF THE SONGHEES AND ESQUIMALT NATIONS; LƏK̓ʷƏŊƏN-SPEAKING PEOPLES.

You’re invited to the party!
A Learning Party is a gathering designed to highlight all the things you love about a conference – interaction, connection and collaboration with other liked minded leaders, community connectors, church planter-starters and/or spiritual entrepreneurs.
At a Learning Party you’ll make new friends, be inspired by courageous followers of Christ who are taking risks in the Kin-dom and, yes – have fun (since you know, it is a party after-all.)

Resurrect intentionally seeks to highlight those ‘on the edges of the inside of the church’ – and especially BIPOC and or 2SLGBTQ+ leaders. We’ll feature some more familiar ‘names’ as well as lots of ‘local heroes’ who are doing amazing work. Together, we’ll all share in the storytelling and inspiration in larger group and smaller sessions.
If you are a person with a hunger for a new way of being church, save the date and come on to Victoria to spend some time in praying, worshipping, singing and listening and learning with your people!

Children and Youth are part of the party!
Children (age 6 – 11) and youth (12 and up) will be an integral part of the Resurrect party. We will offer some age specific events – led by Vanessa Caruso (Little Bouquets / Emmaus) and Nik Sloat (Refugia Youth / McDougal UC) as well as integrated participation in whole community gatherings. Children and youth will be registered separately after you register. Contact registrar Jes for more info.

Details & registration here.

Mental Health Sunday
2023-05-07
Mental Health Sunday (the first Sunday in May) is part of the church’s effort to create communities of radical belonging for all people, including those living with mental health challenges.
Worship resources and related material can be found here.

Young Adult Supper Social
2023-05-11 19:00 - 21:00 | Pacific Mountain Regional Council Office, 6000 Sussex Avenue, Burnaby, BC, V5H 3C2, Canada
Come and join us at the Pacific Mountain Regional Council Office, Thursday, May 11, 2023. We will have some pizza, games and conversations. We hope to see you then!
From 6-8pm Pacific / 7-9pm Mountain

Just Conversations
2023-05-18 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.

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
