Pacific Mountain Region

Leaders Cohort Series: A Spirituality of Race for First Third Ministry Leaders (3/3)
2022-10-14 09:30 - 11:00 (America/Vancouver)
This 3-session, online Series accompanies those who are attending VST Summer School course “A Spirituality of Race for Children and Youth (and those Who Love Them)”.
Full details on the how the Leaders Cohort Series works along side the VST Summer School course are found here: VST Course Cohort
Register for VST Summer School Course Here:
A Spirituality of Race for Children and Youth (and Those Who Love Them)
Register for Leaders Cohort Series Here:
A Spirituality of Race for First Third Ministry Leaders
See our Facebook Event Page to Invite others to the Series!
Share the Event Page: VST Course Cohort
https://www.firstthirdministry.ca/vst-course-cohort.html#/
Inquires? Please contact Mary Nichol: MNichol@united-church.ca

www.FirstThirdMinistry.ca

The Gathering Place
2022-10-12 13:00 - 14:30, 2022-09-14 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.
The Gathering Place is Free and Drop-In Style. It’s hosted by the PMRC’s Ministry Personal Support Team, contact Karen Millard or Marc Coulombe for more information.

Held the 2nd Wednesday afternoon of the month.
1-2:30pm Pacific / 2-3:30pm Mountain
Online, via Zoom

Registration is required each month to receive the Zoom link. It is not a recurring link. Register here.

Office Closed for Thanksgiving
2022-10-10
Thanksgiving is is Observed; the Pacific Mountain Office is closed.

Pacific Mountain Town Hall Gathering
2022-10-05 13:00 - 14:00
Today’s Town Hall Guest, Ben Isac!
1pm Pacific, 2pm Mountain
Wednesday October 5, 2022
Join Treena Duncan and community in welcoming Ben Isac to our regional Town Hall this afternoon! Ben worked as a youth intern with General Council this past summer and specifically focused on climate change and justice and the church.
Ben is a Grade 11 student at St. George’s School in Vancouver and a member of the Pacific Spirit United Church. His presentation will be of interest to communities of faith, as it speaks to our commitment to lessening our environmental footprint.
Following Ben’s presentation we will hear from the national church about some climate justice initiatives, and 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!
Blessings,
PacificMountain.ca

PMRC Townhall – October 5, 2022
1pm Pacific / 2pm Mountain
Meeting Link: https://united-church.zoom.us/j/92903088091?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 929 0308 8091
Password: [REDACTED]
* Please use local numbers when feasible to save costs for the church. *
+1 587 328 1099 Canada
+1 647 374 4685 Canada
+1 647 558 0588 Canada
+1 778 907 2071 Canada
+1 438 809 7799 Canada
855 703 8985 Canada Toll-free
Meeting ID: 991 4004 7519
Find your local number: https://united-church.zoom.us/u/kcpkJZISv

World Communion Sunday
2022-10-02
World Communion Sunday is celebrated on the first Sunday in October.
Worship resources and related material can be found here.

Online Panel with Interdenominational Indigenous Clergy for Truth and Reconciliation Day
2022-09-30 19:00 - 20:30
We gather a distinguished panel of ecumenical Indigenous Clergy voices from various denominations and spaces to discuss the history of residential schools, the impact of intergenerational trauma, and the ongoing role of Indigenous ministry in the church’s dialogue about reconciliation today.
Online via Zoom, everyone welcome.
Friday, September 30, 7pm Pacific / 8pm Mountain.
Register for this event here. For more information on the series of Season of Creation events, with happenings on a number of different dates between September 13 – October 4, 2022, check out our news post.

Online Worship - Truth and Reconciliation Day
2022-09-30 11:00 - 12:30
We commemorate this Truth and Reconciliation Day with a moment of silence for those who died in the Residential School genocide.
View live at this link.

Streamed online via Youtube, 11am Pacific / 12pm Mountain

Office Closed for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
2022-09-30
The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is Observed; the Pacific Mountain Office is closed.

Re-Imagining Your Role in Faith Formation
2022-09-29 09:30 - 10:30
While some communities of faith are able to dedicate staffing in specific ministry and leadership areas, our LeaderSHIFT team often hears that such resources are short when it comes to equipping generalist clergy with the skills necessary for faith formation leadership in their congregation – or that the resources available are focused solely to ministry with children, youth and families.
This course, Re-Imagining Your Role in Faith Formation, is designed for clergy who seek deeper understanding about what faith formation can be, and it’s practical applications for their own setting. Rev. Susan Lukey and Rev. Mary Nichol will address the realities of congregational ministry, and lead you in expressing clarity about and gaining competency in faith formation leadership. Both Mary and Susan are deeply rooted in The United Church of Canada, with knowledge and experience of ministry in BC and Southern Alberta.
Held online, 9:30-10:30am Pacific / 10:30-11:30am Mountain
Dates: September 29th, October 4th, 6th, 11th.
Details & registration here.

Understanding Each Other: An Introduction To The General Council Indigenous Ministries & Justice Unit
2022-09-28 10:00 - 11:30
The Indigenous Church within The United Church of Canada has gone through some momentous and historical progressions as faith communities and councils. For us all to work more faithfully toward right relationship we need to understand these changes and the approach of our denomination’s National Indigenous Ministries & Justice Unit as we support and strengthen Indigenous ministries. Let us explore and get some understanding of the current definitions and relational structures that The Indigenous Church functions with!
LeaderSHIFT welcomes Rev. Murray Pruden, National Executive Minister for Indigenous Ministries & Justice United Church of Canada to this September 28th conversation.

We will be introduced to the national Indigenous Council and Elders Council affiliation, learn current definitions and structures.
We will get some understanding of history and movement in the Indigenous Church, and learn about the national work that embodies the Indigenous Ministries & Justice Unit.
We will hear about what is continuing to be developed as the Indigenous Ministries and Justice Unit continues its relational work as an autonomous structure in the United Church body.
~ Rev. Murray Pruden

Murray will help us see the potential for the future as we live out the newly emerging Indigenous Church structure and walk together on this path self-determination and equity. All are welcome, and we hope you are able to share this morning with us!
More details about the event, and registration, at THIS LINK.

Faithful Climate Conversations: Build a Better Future
2022-09-27 10:00 - 12:00, 2022-09-19 19:00 - 21:00, 2022-09-13 19:00 - 21:00
“Faithful Climate Conversations” is a free, online, September series offered by the PMRC Justice Network, and drawing from the multi-denominational, Canada-wide “For the Love of Creation” discussion resources.
Between September 13 and 27, 2022, all are invited to participate in one, two or three of the online conversation topics in this series! Multiple gathering times are offered for each topic; choose the time that works for you, on the topic you want to engage with.

Register for Faithful Climate Conversations here!

CONNECTION AND LEARNING
Each session of each topic will be led by a team of facilitators from within our region’s Justice Network who have been working on climate issues. 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.
Click for the online registration form.
A number of different dates are available for this topic:

Tuesday, Sept 13, 7-9pm
Monday, Sept 19, 7-9pm
Tuesday, Sept 27, 10am – 12pm

More information, and details on the two other topics are available here.

Faithful Climate Conversations: Climate, Creation & You
2022-09-26 19:00 - 21:00, 2022-09-22 13:00 - 15:00, 2022-09-13 10:00 - 12:00
“Faithful Climate Conversations” is a free, online, September series offered by the PMRC Justice Network, and drawing from the multi-denominational, Canada-wide “For the Love of Creation” discussion resources.
Between September 13 and 27, 2022, all are invited to participate in one, two or three of the online conversation topics in this series! Multiple gathering times are offered for each topic; choose the time that works for you, on the topic you want to engage with.

Register for Faithful Climate Conversations here!

CONNECTION AND LEARNING
Each session of each topic will be led by a team of facilitators from within our region’s Justice Network who have been working on climate issues. 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.
Click for the online registration form.
A number of different dates are available for this topic:

Tuesday, Sept 13, 10am – 12pm
Thursday, Sept 22, 1-3pm
Monday, Sept 26, 7-9pm

More information, and details on the two other topics are available here.

Faithful Climate Conversations: From Concern to Action
2022-09-26 10:00 - 12:00, 2022-09-21 10:00 - 12:00, 2022-09-14 13:00 - 15:00, 2022-09-13 13:00 - 15:00
“Faithful Climate Conversations” is a free, online, September series offered by the PMRC Justice Network, and drawing from the multi-denominational, Canada-wide “For the Love of Creation” discussion resources.
Between September 13 and 27, 2022, all are invited to participate in one, two or three of the online conversation topics in this series! Multiple gathering times are offered for each topic; choose the time that works for you, on the topic you want to engage with.

Register for Faithful Climate Conversations here!

CONNECTION AND LEARNING
Each session of each topic will be led by a team of facilitators from within our region’s Justice Network who have been working on climate issues. 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.
Click for the online registration form.
A number of different dates are available for this topic:

Tuesday, Sept 13, 1-3pm
Wednesday, Sept 14, 1-3pm
Wednesday, Sept 21, 10am-12pm
Monday, Sept 26, 10am -12pm

More information, and details on the two other topics are available here.

A Night of Worship & Connection
2022-09-21 19:00 - 20:30 | Oakridge United Church, 305 West 41st Avenue, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
WONDERING WHAT THE STORY OF GOD IS ALL ABOUT?

A Campus Ministry & First Third event.
Come join friendly ministers and fellow university students as we gather to enter into the story of God through music (both modern and old), scripture (aka The Bible), celebration of the Lord’s table (or Eucharist or communion) and prayer (talking and listening to God).
Snacks and beverages provided.
Right next to Oakridge/41st Canada Line Station.
No matter where you are on a faith journey, you are welcome.

Wednesday, September 21, 2022
7:00 PM 8:30 PM
Oakridge United Church (map)

LEARN MORE.

From Decision-Making to Discernment
2022-09-21 09:30 - 10:30, 2022-08-24 09:30 - 11:00
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.

'Undivided Love' Book Launch - An evening with Janet Gear, in Victoria
2022-09-15 19:00 - 20:30 | Broad View United Church, 2625 Arbutus Road, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
Join Janet Gear to celebrate the release of her refreshing and empowering book, Undivided Love Navigating Landscapes of Living Faith. Hear passages read by Janet, engage in discussion, and (re)discover gifts from the Theological Banquet video series – an accessible, inspiring resource that helps us to foster language, identity, and understanding within our multi-dimensional, United Church communities!

Your Hosts in Victoria

Broad View United Church in the Cadboro Bay neighbourhood of Greater Victoria is hosting this book launch for ‘Undivided Love’. Expect a comfortable, informal setting with wheel chair access, a reading from ‘Undivided Love’, light refreshments and engaging conversation! More details are here!

All are warmly welcome to join Janet at Broad View United Church. Please share the Book Launch flyer and encourage your friends and colleagues to come along too!

'Undivided Love' Book Launch - An evening with Janet Gear, in Vancouver
2022-09-13 19:00 - 20:30 | St Andrew’s Wesley, 1022 Nelson St, Vancouver, BC, V6E 4S7, Canada
Join Janet Gear to celebrate the release of her refreshing and empowering book, Undivided Love Navigating Landscapes of Living Faith. Hear passages read by Janet, engage in discussion, and (re)discover gifts from the Theological Banquet video series – an accessible, inspiring resource that helps us to foster language, identity, and understanding within our multi-dimensional, United Church communities!
Your Hosts in Vancouver

St Andrew’s-Wesley United Church in downtown Vancouver is hosting this book launch for ‘Undivided Love’. Expect a comfortable, informal setting with wheel chair access, a reading from ‘Undivided Love’, light refreshments and engaging conversation! More details are here!

All are warmly welcome to join Janet at St. Andrew’s-Wesley (in The Chapel)! Please share the Book Launch flyer and encourage your friends and colleagues to come along too!

Town Hall
2022-09-07 13:00 - 14:00
Welcome September!
This town hall is with Executive Minister, Treena Duncan, and Pacific Mountain President, Deborah Richards! All are welcome.

Join the Town Hall here (Zoom):
https://united-church.zoom.us/j/92903088091?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 929 0308 8091
Password: [REDACTED]
One tap mobile
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+14388097799,,92903088091# Canada
Dial by your location
* Please use local numbers when feasible to save costs for the church. *
+1 778 907 2071 Canada
+1 438 809 7799 Canada
+1 587 328 1099 Canada
+1 647 374 4685 Canada
+1 647 558 0588 Canada
855 703 8985 Canada Toll-free
Meeting ID: 929 0308 8091
Find your local number: https://united-church.zoom.us/u/aAsNT79cR

Office Closed for Labour Day
2022-09-05

Camp Spirit - Week 7
2022-08-22
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! Our first week of camp starts on July 11, and our last week of camp starts on August 22. 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. Some of our camps end at 12pm on the last day of camp. Full details about times and dates are here.
Today, Our Last Week of Camp Spirit Begins in These Communities:

​Burnaby – Jubilee United Church
Castlegar – Castlegar United Church
Port Hardy – St. Columba’s Anglican-United Church
Vancouver – St. Andrews Wesley United Church
Victoria​ – 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 $150
Five-day camps that end at 12pm on the last day of camp are $135
Four-day camps are $120

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 - Week 6
2022-08-15
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! Our first week of camp starts on July 11, and our last week of camp starts on August 22. 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. Some of our camps end at 12pm on the last day of camp. Full details about times and dates are here.
Today, Camp Spirit Begins in These Communities:

Abbotsford – Trinity/Gladwin Heights United Church
Burnaby – Jubilee United SUSSEX location (right by Metrotown!)
Courtenay – St. George’s United Church
North Vancouver – Highlands 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 $150
Five-day camps that end at 12pm on the last day of camp are $135
Four-day camps are $120

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!
