Mission & Service Pilgrim Journal

The United Church of Canada | L’Église Unie du Canada

Welcome The Pilgrim Journal is for your reflection, offering you a way to continue deepening your connection with Mission & Service. Each station or section has a prayer, story of a Mission & Service– supported ministry, and place for your own reflections. Some questions you might consider in your pondering: • I wonder which Bible story this section makes me think of? • I wonder how I can make a more meaningful connection with Mission & Service? • I wonder how I can share my reflections with others?

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Faith Formation Station Prayer Facing east From the East, the direction of the rising sun, we receive peace, light, wisdom, and knowledge. This is the place of new beginnings in life. O Creator, we are grateful for these gifts. Facing south From the South comes warmth, guidance, and the fullness of life. This is the place of the rains, purifying the waters to sustain all living things. O Creator, we are grateful for these gifts. Facing west From the West comes the sunset, reminding us to find balance in our work and rest. This is where we are reminded of our dreams and visions. O Creator, we are grateful for these gifts. Facing north From the North comes the cold and mighty wind, the white snows, and the teachings of the elders, giving us strength and endurance. O Creator, we are grateful for these gifts. Facing upward From the heavens we receive darkness and light, the air of our breath, and the messages of the winged ones to look far to the future. O Creator, we are grateful for these gifts. Facing the centre From the centre of all comes love. We acknowledge that this is our home and it is where we belong. May we walk in good paths, rejoicing in the blessings we have in abundance, renewing the face of our mother the earth. Amen —From North End Stella Community Ministry Dreamweaver service

Story In northern Ontario, the Welcome Friend Association runs Rainbow Camp, a one-week camp for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer questioning, and allied (LGBTQA) youth. According to Director Deb Woodman, “At its roots, Welcome Friend Association’s goal is to educate and promote awareness in society regarding gender, sexual identities, and expressions.” Mission & Service Pilgram Journal - Spiritual Practices Experience • 3

Questions • I wonder which Bible story this section makes me think of? • I wonder how I can make a more meaningful connection with Mission & Service? • I wonder how I can share my reflections with others?

Conference Leadership Station Prayer O God, you call us to be pilgrims on the journey. We are thankful for the many pilgrims we encounter on the way. When we stumble, support us. When we lose our way, guide us back to the road of love and hope. Amen

Story At Maritime Conference, it was an honour to witness such thoughtful preparation from those making the motions and those raising questions and concerns. It was an honour to witness such respectful and sincere conversations. It was an honour to witness the way the youth and young adults were determined to have their voices heard, and how eager the court was to listen. It was an honour to witness the court’s desire to expand and ensure that youth and young adult voices would be heard in the future. It was an honour to witness how the Affirming process opened up new conversations about what inclusion really means. It was an honour to experience the joy of the court when the work was done and the singing began.

Questions • I wonder which Bible story this section makes me think of? • I wonder how I can make a more meaningful connection with Mission & Service? • I wonder how I can share my reflections with others? 4 • Mission & Service Pilgram Journal - Spiritual Practices Experience

Global Mission & Service Station Prayer Help us to think and talk about the world and our place in it, O God. Help us to find hope when the way is hopeless, to find peace in times of violence and oppression, to find love with the lost and least. Help us, O God, to help others, help us to know the way to walk with others, supporting one another on the way. Help us to mend the world. Amen

Story By end of 2015, thanks to support from United Church Women, Mission & Service partner Morogoro Women’s Training Centre will have provided maternal health worker training to over 500 women working as traditional birth attendants across Tanzania. Collaborating with the Tanzanian Ministry of Health, this program is part of a national objective to reduce maternal and infant deaths in Tanzania.

Questions • I wonder which Bible story this section makes me think of? • I wonder how I can make a more meaningful connection with Mission & Service? • I wonder how I can share my reflections with others?

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Canadian Community and Justice Ministries Station Prayer (from the WCC Pilgrimage of Justice and Peace document) We are the body of Christ: hands called to carry the burden, voices to speak in the silence, feet to walk the road to reconciliation, hearts to mend the world.

Story Pelham Park is one of the resource centres of the Davenport Perth Community Ministry. Located in a housing project in the west end of Toronto, Davenport Perth has been providing a safe place for all ages to gather for over 25 years and provides support and advocacy in the areas of health, arts, community development, and education at a variety of locations.

Questions • I wonder which Bible story this section makes me think of? • I wonder how I can make a more meaningful connection with Mission & Service? • I wonder how I can share my reflections with others?

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Theological Education and Ministry Support Station Prayer (Luke 1:78–79, NRSV) By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace. Amen

Story Atlantic School of Theology offers a fertile ground for academic learning as well as space for creative spiritual experience and expression. Its summer distance program allows students of any age to combine intensive summer courses at the school with year-round online study while working in locally supervised ministry practice. The program offers a chance to experience and live out newfound wisdom and discoveries, equipping students with the skills to become creative, equipped ministers!

Questions • I wonder which Bible story this section makes me think of? • I wonder how I can make a more meaningful connection with Mission & Service? • I wonder how I can share my reflections with others?

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Support to Local Ministries Station Prayer (adapted from a prayer used by the Iona Community) Bless to me, O God, the earth beneath my feet. Bless to me, O God, the path whereon I go. Bless to me, O God, the people whom I meet. Today and every day. Amen

Story Retired minister Grafton Antone speaks passionately about the ministry of the church and the community that surrounds it. The welcome table prominently displays copies of the Gifts with Vision catalogue and Minutes for Mission booklets, showing the giving heart of the Oneida congregation who are able to offer ministry through receiving a Mission Support Grant.

Questions • I wonder which Bible story this section makes me think of? • I wonder how I can make a more meaningful connection with Mission & Service?

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• I wonder how I can share my reflections with others?

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