Hello again friends,
As we near the Annual General Meeting, the time when the largest number of people in our region gather at once, one aspect of our region that I can confirm from my travel is the importance of being together. I have consistently heard from Communities of Faith that the reason they exist is to be community, for each other and in the world. As I have been called on to preach or share reflections, I keep coming back to our creed, specifically the opening line “we are not alone.” Through my travels, I keep experiencing it; every community is discerning and practicing what it means to live as if we are not alone, and our region as a collective is doing that as well.
Like my last update, I have only laid out where I have been and some of whom have been with me. If I were to tell you everything I have learned, this would be a much larger update than it already is. What I will say very briefly is that everywhere I have been, people have ensured that I not only see the church, but also the community and world that surround it. I have learned the names of the melting glaciers, I have seen or learned about the Indigenous nations whose land I have travelled through, I have been told about the immigration patterns and which industries and government policies have affected the demographics, I have heard about how the medical system is or is not addressing community needs… and so much more. People have cared enough to ensure that I get to know this region, and I am indebted to their generosity.
I last wrote to you on March 12th when I was in the middle of travel through the Kootenay’s and staying at Naramata Centre.
From Naramata, I traveled to Grand Forks UC. Then, I visited the building of Roseland UC, followed by Trail UC and their food bank ministry. This day ended with a tour of the Fruitvale Thrift store which is a legacy of Fruitvale UC. The next day, I joined a UCW fundraiser tea party at Nelson UC. On Sunday, I preached at Castlegar UC on governance as a form of accompaniment. That evening we travelled to New Denver, where I experienced a “Wide Spot” event, an initiative of New Denver UC and minister, Therese DeScamp. I was grateful to have Robin Pengally, an executive member, accompany me and help plan this portion of my travel.
Then, when I was briefly back in the lower mainland, I visited Deer Lake UC and was interviewed by minister and executive member Jospeh Kyser on March 22nd. The following week, I visited Pacific Spirit UC for Palm Sunday and shared a reflection on my travels. On April 12,th I preached at Canadian Memorial UC, where I reflected on the opening line of the creed.
On April 16t,h I flew into Prince George for the Festival of Faith North, which was such an incredible Leadershift event and gathering of community. I spent April 17th with the Indigenous Leadership and discussed increased partnership between the executives. The event concluded with worship and a Strawberry Shortcake sale at Trinity UC in Prince George.
After worship, the next leg of my travel began with Regional Minister, Teri Meyers driving me to Smithers. Monday morning, I spent with the people of Smithers UC, then a tour of the building they are selling, and the Anglican building they are sharing. I then moved to Hazelton, where I was touring around for three days with Rev. Dr Peter and Lynn Newberry. I spent time with the congregation of Mountain View UC in Hazelton/Gitanmaax and learned so much from Peter about the history of the UCC through the Hospitals. I travelled to Anapayaxw to Kispiox to visit Doreen Angus and to see the Pierce Memorial UC building. Then we went to Gitsegukla where I saw the community of Gitsegukla UC and had a dedicated conversation with their treasurer and Chief Ray Jones. The day after visiting with them, I saw the Gyets Gitxsan Residential Totem Pole in-person for the first time.
After this, I was off to Terrace where I met Teri again, who brought me through Kitsumkalum Tsimshian territory in the Nass Valley, then to Kitimat. I spent the morning with the folks of Haisla UC, then with First United UC, Kitimat. The next day, I went up to First United UC, Prince Rupert, followed by a trip to Terrace where I spent Camping Sunday at Knox UC, where I participated as a wolf in their Sunday School skit of the Good Shepherd story. I was accompanied by executive member Sarah Kirwin, who does music and lots of other work at Knox.
I returned home from Terrace on April 27th, and I was on a Hullo Ferry to Nanaimo on April 30th. That afternoon, I was hosted by Knox UC in Parksville for a conversation with folks from Knox, and from Grace UC in Coombs and St. Stephen’s UC in Qualicum Beach. On Friday, minister Ed Lewis brought me to Alberni Valley UC, where I spent time with their reconciliation group, then church council. That evening, I was picked up by executive member Johannes Van Kessel-Crozier. On Saturday, there was another open conversation hosted at Weird Church at the building of what was Cumberland UC. Folks came from Weird Church, St. Georges UC in Courtenay, Campbell River UC, and Comox UC. On Sunday, we took another ferry to Denman Island UC where I shared a reflection. We stayed for a community lunch, then ferried back to go to Weird Church where I shared a reflection for their afternoon service. Huge thank you to Regional Minister, Maggie Enright and Johannes for helping organize this travel.
I am now back home and will not be travelling too much before the AGM because my graduation from UBC is on the 21st 😊 But, I do have Sunday visits scheduled. I am also hoping to continue this travel after the AGM. I have loose plans to travel the Caroiboo-area post AGM, to be in Whitehorse early July, to do more of Vancouver Island in June, to be at the Kootenay Festival in September, and maybe also the Diaconal national gathering in September.
Thank you to everyone who has made all of this possible.
See you soon,
Thea Sheridan-Jonah
Executive Council President Elect
Pacific Mountain Region