Welcome friend, Â
People often ask me why I am a young person who is part of the United Church of Canada. I usually tell this longish story about how the church is one of the places my leadership has most of the time been respected, supported and mentored. It was the first place I ever worked on crafting policy (in my local church’s affirming committee); it is why I understand what good governance can look like; the people are why I know the only way we can do anything meaningful is through relationship. But most importantly, the United Church strives to be a place of belonging. A place where you are affirmed in all of your being, not in spite of our faith or theology but because of it.  Â
I love that we are a people who struggle. Our church was founded just over 100 years ago because people came together wanting to work in a new structure. The structure that emerged from this struggle, was conciliar (made up of councils) to allow for more ground-up decision making. This region came into existence in 2019 because this church once again tried a new thing. We are a people who use our shared faith, our example in Christ, our commitment to justice, and our theology to struggle. Struggle, as in make a great effort, in other words, not stop trying. It is what has allowed us to change and grow, to apologize and genuinely work through action to reconcile. It is this very nature that fuels my hope in this body. In this body of humble, hard-working, diverse, caring, compassionate, risk-taking, hurting and tired people. Â
I am but one person, one person who cares so immensely about the work that is made possible when we come together as a collective. A collective of people whose hearts have broken open enough to care about the worlds beyond ourselves. I am proud to be doing this perpetually new thing with you. Â
I hope to meet you. See you soon. Â
In solidarity, Â
Thea Sheridan-Jonah
Executive Council President
Pacific Mountain Region