Information vital to Pacific Mountain Regional Council membership including important reminders and announcements, staffing & ministry news, governance and nominations updates, executive leadership messages.
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Pacific Mountain Regional Council News Posts
Announcing Indigenous Minister, John Snow Jr
We are thrilled that John Snow Jr is joining the PMRC team as Indigenous Minister! John expresses a strong commitment to education and reconciliation, with deep lifelong connections to the church. John served on the Chinook Winds Regional Council Executive, was on the National Indigenous Council, and has been serving in ministry in Sampson Pastoral Charge. John begins in his work with the PMRC on August 1st, 2020.
Meet Rev Blair Odney, President
This week President Rev Blair Odney joins Treena Duncan at the PMRC Townhall. The mantel of President was passed from Rev Jay Olson to Blair at the Saturday June 27th in the Celebration of Ministry Service (link to view the recording of the worship service is here). Treena will moderate the Townhall and Blair will lead worship and engage in conversation about the work of the Executive in the coming year. Please join in welcoming Blair at this special Townhall, if you can!
Expectations, Discernment and Guidelines from the PMRC Executive Minister, in reopening United Church communities of faith buildings and ministries
As the information from the BC Ministry of Health and WorksafeBC continue to evolve regarding guidelines and best practices during COVID-19, the PMRC leadership will provide updates. Click to read the latest updated July 2020.
Congratulations and Blessings!
Warm thanks to all who joined the Pacific Mountain Regional Council’s Ordinands and Commissionands on their very special day of celebrating their call to ministry, and in welcoming Rev Blair Odney as he begins his term as the regional council’s President! we saw more than 180 tune in on Saturday June 27th, virtually attending alongside those gathered, safely!, in person at Highlands United Church.
Led by the Spirit to the waters of new life, we are one.
Re-Opening Information for Thrift Shops in the PMRC
This document offers information from Regional Ministers, to support PMRC-located Thrift Shops as they consider why and how they might re-open. Updated July 2020
Townhall with Guest Murray Pruden ~ PMRC outgoing Indigenous Minister
This week Indigenous Minister Murray Pruden joins us, as the PMRC Townhall guest. Murray will be speaking to Indigenous Heritage Month, with insight, resources and conversation. As you know from previous newsletters, Murray is moving to our denomination’s national church office this July. We are thrilled for Murray and the wider church who will come to experience his leadership in Indigenous Ministries, and we will really miss him here in our Regional Council. Please join this special townhall, if you can! Zoom link details below.
Celebration of Ministry Service
You are warmly invited to join with the wider Pacific Mountain Regional Council community of faithful friends and members, as the Ordinands and Commissionands are received into Ministry! Saturday, June 27th
Our Commitment to Anti-Black Racism and Anti-Racism
The work of becoming an anti-racist church is hard work and it is work that belongs to us all. It will require trust, prayer, faith, courage and deep commitment. It will take time to do well. Your Executive is committed to turning its words into meaningful action for such a time as this. We offer this statement of recommitting this Regional Council to the work of becoming an anti-racist Church.
United Against Racism – An Online Worship Service
We have participated in demonstrations. Letters have been written and statements have been made. Now it is time to worship together as people of faith.
The Black Clergy Network of The United Church of Canada invites the whole church to join virtually for a time of worship, prayer, and reflection to face the issues of anti-Black racism across our country and in our church. In worship we will lament, we will hope, and we will be reminded of the need to act against racism.
Recording of Town Hall Meeting with Adrian Dix
If you missed the Town Hall meeting on June 10 with BC Health Minister Adrian Dix, you can view the recording at the link below. Click here for the Meeting Recording.
Pastoral Letter from President Jay Olson
BLACK LIVES MATTER! YES, BLACK LIVES MATTER! Everyone who is “awake” knows that anti-black racism is real not just in the USA but all around the world. Anti-black racism is real in Canada and in the Church, in our Church. People of faith including us in the Pacific Mountain Regional Council sit in the garden of crisis and terror and we must no longer fall back asleep immobilized while the Christ calls us to stay awake and be alert to what is happening and what needs to happen.
“Church Leaders Acknowledge Racism in Their Midst”
We as church leaders, acknowledge the pain, frustrations and anger of our Black communities, and recognize that systemic anti-Black racism is prevalent in our context in Canada as well; in the streets of our communities, in the justice and policing systems, and in our congregations and parishes. It is important for church members in our largely white churches to look at how we continue to perpetuate anti-Black racism, either inadvertently or intentionally.