Church in Mission NEWS Quarterly News from the Church in Mission Unit/Unité L’Église en Mission

FALL 2017

General Council Office, The United Church of Canada/ L’Église Unie du Canada The Church in Mission Unit provides support and leadership to The United Church of Canada to participate in God’s mission of justice, peace and transformation in the world through its various ministries and partners in their contextual response to God’s invitation of partnership.

Greetings from Michael Blair Emerging Work:     

Engagement with the WCC Disability Ministries Follow-up on Trans & Gender Diversity Recommendations IRIDESCE: The Living Apology Racial Justice Training

New Resources:    

Advent Peace Box Advent Unwrapped Intercultural Ministries News Reimagining Evangelism

EDGE Network:     

Community Hub Launch Embracing the Spirit Online Conversations Social Innovation Challenge Thinking Strategically - Real Estate Assets

Take Action: 

Israeli Detention: No Way to Treat a Child

Global Partners & Networks:        

Companions in Mission Global Learning Community Global Partners & Go Project Global Partners & UCW Learner in Mission People in Partnership Jim Hodgson on Venezuela Reports from Japhet Ndhlovu

Campaigns/Appeals/Statements/ Letters:     

Caribbean Hurricanes National Call for Ambitious Climate Framework Implementation Response to Federal Poverty Reduction Consultation Thursdays in Black UCC Endorsement of Canada Without Poverty Report to UN

United in Learning Webinars: 

Report on Events:      

An Awkward Conversation on Race Clima Con Ecumenical Strategic Forum on Diakonia and Sustainable Devel’t UCW 55th Anniversary Celebration Racialized Ministry Personnel National Gatherings Rendez-vous 2017

Upcoming Events:     

National Restorative Justice Symposium, Nov. 19-21 DUIM Alumni and Friends Gathering, Nov. 23-25 Canadian Council for Refugees Fall Consultation, Nov. 30 – Dec. 2 Youth Forum at GC43 Winter Retreat, Feb. 16-19, 2018 Ecumenical Campus Chaplains National Gathering, May 2018

Racial Justice Online Workshops Strengthening Youth Ministry Series

GREETINGS from Michael Blair, Executive Minister Recently as part of a devotional exercise we were invited to think of this autumn period of not only a time of shedding leaves, but also scattering seeds. It was a powerful image, with an invitation to consider what in our personal life we were shedding and what we were seeding. Since the experience, I have been using that framework to think about our work here in the General Council Office, and in particular the Church in Mission Unit. The new office space (see page 2) has created both an opportunity to shed (paper, space, silo-ing and stuff) and seed (collaboration, embracing new technology and innovation). It will take some time to get there but we will get there. It is certainly a new way of working and being together not as individual units but as a whole. We wait in anticipation to see, with the passing of the remits, how the church itself will shed and scatter seed. We are grateful for this potential new opportunity to dream new ways of being the church together and engaging with God in God’s mission in the work. In the places where you serve, this time in the church will be both a time of shedding and scattering seeds. Blessings! 1

A Glimpse of the New Office Space

Stained glass wall (above) separates new Reception area (left) from Chapel (under construction)

Above: Church in Mission, Finance, and IT staff cubicles

Above: View of the new café (not quite completed)

Above: Communications, Aboriginal Ministries Circle, Office of the Moderator and General Secretary cubicles

Above: OMGS and Ministry & Employment cubicles

Above: Ministry & Employment cubicles Right: General Secretary and Moderator cubicles in foreground

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EMERGING WORK Engagement with the World Council of Churches As a long-time members of the World Council of Churches (WCC), The United Church of Canada has been actively engaged in global ecumenical and justice work for many years. Recent emergent work has been focused on gender justice, racial justice, and a Pilgrimage of Justice and Peace. Gender justice: Next year, 2018, will mark the 30th anniversary of the launch of the Ecumenical Decade of Churches in Solidarity with Women. Launched by the WCC, this Decade ran from 1988-1998. Globally, it engaged in questions of gender justice, and had a particular focus on women’s participation in churches. Staff are beginning conversations about how we might honour this anniversary. Some initial questions for consideration: what have been some gains for women, and gender justice as a whole, since 1988 in The United Church of Canada? What have been some challenges or obstacles? What are some key questions about gender justice today that we as a United Church continue to wrestle with? Is there some way that we could mark 2018 as a significant date within the United Church? More information about how to mark this 30th anniversary will be upcoming. Contact:

Beth Baskin

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Racial justice: The WCC organized a Hearing on Racism, Discrimination, Afrophobia and Xenophobia in September 2017. The meeting was an opportunity to learn about racial discrimination, xenophobia and afrophobia that Black people are experiencing in the North America, and to acknowledge and reaffirm the role of faith communities as agents of transformative justice in the face of racial injustice. The World Council of Churches notes that racial justice is a vital aspect of the WCC’s global Pilgrimage of Justice and Peace (PJP), and this meeting was in the context of the PJP and the UN International Decade for People of African Descent. Participants at the WCC meeting also visited the United Nations Human Rights Council to hear the report—and related recommendations—of the UN Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent, and the working group’s recent visit to Canada. One staff recently had an opportunity to speak and respond to the report from UN working group at the Human Rights Council. As follow up to this event, the United Church offered a submission to the United Nations Universal Periodic Review on Canada; the report is based on the United Church’s anti-racism policy and intercultural commitments, and notes current concerns as well as names recommendations for the Canadian government. Further follow up with the WCC and the UN, and advocacy on racial justice, will continue. Contact:

Adele Halliday ext. 2756

Alydia Smith ext. 4052

Michael Blair ext. 4136

Pilgrimage of Justice and Peace: The Pilgrimage of Justice and Peace (PJP) is an initiative of the World Council of Churches, and it invites churches and people of goodwill “to work together in a common quest, renewing the true vocation of the church through collaborative engagement with the most important issues of justice and peace, healing a world filled with conflict, injustice and pain.” Each year of the United Church’s PJP has a particular focus on a specific region—and as part of the pilgrimage, people are invited to pray, study, engage in biblical and theological reflection, have courageous conversations, take action, offer a pledge of commitment, and have a public liturgy. Resources are available to support each of these stages! People of the United Church will be welcome to start anywhere on the process, do to this as an individual or as a group, and can do the Pilgrimage of Justice and Peace from their own local communities. For 2017, the focus has been on the African continent; for 2018, the focus will be on Latin America and the Caribbean. Contact:

Adele Halliday

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Disability Ministries The United Church of Canada has signed on to The Forward Movement, which is a campaign which aims to serve as a platform for conversations about accessibility and disability rights. It aims to have The International Symbol of Access changed to the Dynamic Symbol of Access. The United Church has endorsed this campaign; individuals and groups can also join the ongoing efforts to make society more open and accessible. As with many efforts of change, some people love the idea of a new sign, while others dislike it. The Forward Movement answers questions here. Contact:

Adele Halliday

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Follow-Up on Trans & Gender Diversity Recommendations Conversation on how to follow-up on recommendations made by the Trans/Gender Diversity Task Group from 2011 has begun. While a number of these recommendations have already been addressed, there are some which require further follow-up. For example, staff are working on how we might better support trans and gender diverse people moving through the candidacy pathways. Contact:

Jordan Sullivan

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IRIDESCE: The Living Apology Project A national project of story-sharing with all people affected by the church’s 1988 decision IRIDESCE: The Living Apology Project is an invitation for storysharing to all people affected by the United Church’s 1988 decision—when the church declared that all people, regardless of sexual orientation, are welcome as full members and all members are eligible to be considered for ministry. The project is inviting stories from before, during and after the 1988 decision. How welcoming has our welcome been? These stories will help the church to discern if, and how, it might live into a possible apology to the church’s LGBTQ and Two-Spirit people. The whole-church is invited to participate! That means folks associated with the United Church in any way, no matter how they identify—as straight, lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, Two-Spirit and more. Learn more  Get involved at iridesce.ca  Join the conversation on the Facebook group  Email the Project Coordinator at [email protected] and invite Iridesce to your ministry. Contact:

Jordan Sullivan

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Racial Justice Training The current online racial justice training – which is open to all people, not only ministry personnel – will be going through an in-depth evaluation and re-design in the months ahead. The current format is still getting good reviews and is continually updated and refreshed; however, the program design and delivery will still be evaluated. A second part that follows the online training is also being designed, which will offer additional content and to allow participants to go even deeper than the current educational program. Contact:

Adele Halliday

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NEW RESOURCES Advent Peace Box: Bring Advent to life in your United Church community! Support peace in Palestine and Israel, and involve all generations in becoming a justice-seeking church. Our popular Advent Peace Box, a practical tool for worship and study, is back for 2017 along with intergenerational worship, sermon, and workshop resources. The Peace Box’s accompanying online resources can be used for one or all four Sundays in Advent in worship, at a meeting, at a coffee time, or any other time that works for you. If you're a repeat user, consult the appendix "I have used this all before" for ideas on keeping it fresh. Contact:

Beth Baskin

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Advent Unwrapped Advent Unwrapped is back for another exciting season! This popular website will help you unwrap the reason for the season through blog posts, prayers and fun intergenerational advent devotions for both church and home use. Discover new perspectives through the story unwrapped section, and explore interactive program ideas for families and faith communities. Share worship and celebration ideas, and unwrap the themes of Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love. Contact:

Alydia Smith

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Intercultural Ministries News Are you interested in keeping up with news about intercultural ministries? Sign up for the Intercultural Ministries News to keep up-to-date! This free e-newsletter comes out near the beginning of each month. Explore more about intercultural ministries on the church’s website. Contact:

Caroline Watson

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Reimagining Evangelism The United Church was part of an ecumenical group, called Evangelism Connections, and United Church staff worked in collaboration to produce a new study guide about evangelism. The study guide will invite participants to ask and explore questions, stretch their understandings of evangelism, confront their fears and skepticism, and consider what might be an authentic expression of evangelism for them. It is intended not only for church leaders but all Christians and communities of faith interested in engaging in a deeper exploration of what it means to share the Gospel and our faith. “Evangelism” can be a scary word. For some people, the term conjures up negative images of people forcing their faith onto resistant people. The Reimagining Evangelism study guide is written in the recognition that this kind of evangelism is not usually welcome in our communities of faith today. The study guide also recognizes, however, that evangelism is much more than that. Evangelization is part of our Christian call, and it means something different to many Christians today than it did yesterday. The study guide can be downloaded from the website for Evangelism Connections. Contact:

Adele Halliday

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EDGE – A Network for Ministry Development EDGE: A Network for Ministry Development operates in the periphery of the Church in Mission unit.

Community Hub Launch The Hub launched 6 months ago at St Andrew's in Markham with 18 "hubsters." These spiritual entrepreneurs are bringing new life to the church and creating impact in the community. Every other Tuesday they gather to learn from a local business guru or they support each other through peer to peer coaching. They are also supported by e-learning, The Social Mentor Network, and all of the amenities of the church. They were even given a lockbox with 24/7 access to the church! On October 2nd they showcased the "hubsters" during coffee hour after church. The Ontario government was there to give the Hub kudos. Contact:

Carla Leon

Embracing the Spirit Even in the summer months, Embracing the Spirit continued to gain steam with 35 new initiatives being approved. Overall, there has been 148 grant applications submitted, with 84.5 percent of them approved. People across the church are becoming more aware of the potential of Embracing the Spirit. Every Conference Executive Secretary is sent quarterly reports, there are regular blog posts on Round the Table, and the newsletter already has more than 1,000 subscribers with a 50 to 60 percent open rate. Embracing the Spirit also includes a Social Mentor Network, bringing together seasoned professionals who work closely with social innovators to develop, implement and evaluate ideas that will make a difference in the world. There are more than 400 people in the network, with almost 200 initiatives being supported. Contact:

Carla Leon

Online Conversations Join online conversations about our learnings and stories - tell your story, and learn about amazing work that is happening across the country. Each online conversation will have some panelists who will tell their story and where they are headed. Then all participants will be broken out into small online groups to tell their own story, connect with each other, and share learnings.  Building Big- Real Estate Assets and New  New Wine in New Wine Skins: Emerging Expressions of Church, Nov 1 Spiritual Practices, Nov 15  Healthy in Body, Mind & Spirit, Nov 7  Churches As Community Hubs: Removing the Walls, Nov 22  Going With The Flow: Co-Creating With Youth, Nov 8  Something New, Something Old: Technology & A Lively Church, Nov 28  Incarceration & Social Enterprise, Nov 14 Social Innovation Challenge With a growing network of over 500 social innovators and collaborators across the country and now expanding into the United States, Social Innovation Challenge is connected to what’s new and emerging in the social innovation space. Come and see what’s emerging for yourself!  Calgary – October 2017  Windsor – Nov 30 – Dec 1  Fredericton - tbd Contact:

Carla Leon

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Thinking Strategically about Real Estate Assets Edge has received a final report on a property inventory done with the intent to support informed, transparent and supported real estate decisions for faith communities across the United Church. The report focuses on three major components; the review of current approach to real estate decision making, to conduct high-level assessment of the national portfolio, and to propose a strategic mechanism that will support faith communities in this future work. We heard from many faith communities that they require immediate assistance, expertise and resources regarding real estate deliberations/decision-making. In response we created an Interim Property Resource Group to support faith communities with trusted and proven real estate development expertise. This group draws on best in-class real estate and community relationship professionals to respond to the individual needs of UCC faith communities. We are looking for UCC faith community partners with whom we can explore options and possibilities together, proactively and collaborate (by end of November, but work will be ongoing). EDGE hopes to make the report public in the coming weeks. Contact:

Kristopher Tavella

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TAKE ACTION Israeli Detention – No Way to Treat a Child Each year the Israeli military arrests and prosecutes around 700 Palestinian children. Help us end this join us in calling on the federal government to take steps to hold Israeli authorities accountable to their obligations under international law. Contacts:

Christie Neufeldt ext. 4078

Patti Talbot ext. 4018

GLOBAL PARTNERS Companion in Mission From February through August 2017, Melissa Carter served as Companion in Mission, teaching at Rodolfo Rodriguez Alvarado School (known as Los Quinchos) in Managua, Nicaragua. Los Quinchos is a place of hope for the children of a densely populated neighbourhood, providing regular curriculum teaching, and offering counselling, sex education, first-aid and crime awareness training, Bible study, and vacation retreats. Read Melissa’s blog. Connections with this global partner and others can be made through People in Partnership. Contact:

People in Partnership

Global Learning Community In August 2017, People in Partnership hosted a global learning community in Kingston Ontario. Young Adults from the Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea, Emmanuel Baptist Church in El Salvador, Maritime and Toronto Conferences and Riverbend Presbytery of the United Church of Canada gathered leading up to RendezVous 2017. This time deepened connections between existing partners and provided the Young Adults space to further their intercultural awareness and understanding. Connections to global partner and Canadian communities of faith can be made through People in Partnership. Contact:

People in Partnership

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Global Partners & Go Project From June to August 2017, 2 Young Adult global partners worked with the GO Project, a national mission for youth across Canada. Paola Marquez with the Colombian Methodist Church, and Laarni Robles with the United Church of Christ in the Philippines were leaders in the GO Project, allowing participants to explore their faith and mission across Canada. Paola and Laarni’s time in Canada culminated at RendezVous 2017 in Montreal, Quebec. Connections to these global partners and others can be made through People in Partnership. Contact:

People in Partnership

Global Partners & United Church Women In July 2017, Jesca Mkuchu, Director, and Neema Mlula, nurse midwife, with the Morogoro Women’s Training Centre in Tanzania attended the 55th Anniversary celebration of the United Church Women in Vancouver, British Columbia. Jesca and Neema spoke about the traditional birth attendant training and the broader work of the Morogoro Women’s Training Centre that helps women acquire knowledge and skills that lead to greater participation in the life of family, church and community. Connections with this global partner and others can be made through People in Partnership. Contact:

People in Partnership

Learner in Mission Hugo Oquendo: From September to December 2017, Hugo Oquendo, a pastor with the Colombian Methodist Church, is a Learner in Mission with the United Church of Canada, attending Academic English studies full time at the University of Toronto. Hugo hopes to do a doctorate in Brazil upon completion of the English program. He is also a poet and theologian, university professor and student of the Masters program in Literature at the Technological University of Pereira, Colombia. Rev. Dr. Lukas Soko: From September to December 2017, Rev. Dr. Lukas Soko is a Learner in Mission, as the Anne Duncan Gray Visiting Scholar at Emmanuel College, Victoria University at the University of Toronto. Rev. Dr. Soko is an ordained minister of the Reformed Church in Zambia, and a lecturer at Justo Mwale University in Lusaka. His time here includes mutual learning opportunities in ecumenical settings, and for research, recently in new emerging Christian expressions in Africa underpinned by the prosperity gospel and their influence on people’s life and faith. Connections with these global partner and others can be made through People in Partnership. Contact:

People in Partnership

People in Partnership People in Partnership builds connections with United Church of Canada communities of faith and global partners around the world. Whether you feel called as an individual or a group, to encounter a global partner in a Canadian or global context, for 1 week or 3+ years, People in Partnership can accompany you from discernment through debriefing. People in Partnership enables United Church people and global partners to accompany one another in God’s mission. See the current opportunities. Contact:

People in Partnership

Jim Hodgson on Venezuela Jim Hodgson, the United Church’s Latin America program coordinator, argues: “Venezuela still has a long-odds shot at transforming democracy in a way that allows space for the majority of the 8

population to continue reinventing Latin American politics and economics. Venezuelans should be given that opportunity, free from foreign intervention.” Jim was interviewed on CTV (October 13) on The Impact of Venezuela’s Surging Inflation Rate, and his article A Pink Tide Turns Red was published in the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternative’s national magazine The Monitor (pp. 50-53). Contact:

Jim Hodgson

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Reports from Japhat Ndhlovu’s Travels to India and Zambia  The Diocese of Durgapur: The Diocese of Durgapur of the Church of North India is involved in rescuing people from human trafficking. They are trafficked for sexual exploitation, forced labor or service, slavery, or for the harvest of human organs. Some adults who are rescued Japhet with some of the children at the safe house. eventually get back to their villages and communities after receiving counselling and reintegration skills. Most of the children who are rescued cannot remember their original villages or home towns while others face stigma by family members or they are rejected by families who fear a ‘curse’ if they take back their children. Other children have lost both parents to human trafficking and have become permanent residents in the safe house.  Church of North India Synod: Though a very tough and sensitive subject in very traditional India, the past Moderator (The Most Rev Dr. P.K. Samantaroy) called on the Church to have an open door ministry for transgender people and people with diverse sexual identities. The Moderator asked, “How can we be more inclusive of those who are still living painfully at the fringes of society? One place to start is to build wider awareness on this issue and break the culture of taboo and silence that surrounds us.” The Church of North India 16th Ordinary Synod (October, New Delhi) elected new leaders: the new Moderator The Most Revd. Dr. Prem Chand Singh, Deputy Moderator The Rt. Revd. Dr. Probal Kanto Dutta, and the General Secretary Mr. Alwan Masih.  The Church of South India celebrated its 70 anniversary: Four different church traditions were brought together in the Church of South India in 1947, Anglican (Episcopal), Congregational, Presbyterian and Methodist. All were established in India through the work of churches in Europe, America and Australia. September 27, 2017, was therefore a great day to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the witness of this Church in India. I was privileged to attend the celebrations held in Chennai – at St George’s Cathedral on behalf of the United Church of Canada.  They call her a witch: They call her a witch, insult her, beat her, they don’t invite her for wedding ceremonies or other social functions. If she is lucky she is confined to a small room otherwise, more often than not, she is thrown out of her home. The male relatives of the late husband make sexual advances towards her. Sometimes the village people kill her. The levels of stigma for single, widowed, separated, divorced women is extremely high. Physical and Japhet with some of the single strong women. mental violence against single women is not uncommon – society thinks she is helpless as she has no man to defend her. The organization Ekal Nari Shakti Sangathan - the strong women who are alone - is making a difference. See also http://www.astha.ngo/peoples-organisations.  Zambia Council of Churches: Our partner the Council of Churches in Zambia appoints a new General Secretary – Rev Fr Emmanuel Yona Chikoya taking over from Rev Dr Suzanne Matale who had been in the position for ten years. Rev Fr Chkoya, an Anglican Priest, once served the Council of Churches as the University of Zambia Ecumenical Chaplain. The CCZ continues to work on 9

mining justice. Recently the British Court of Appeal upheld a High Court ruling allowing the legal case on behalf of 1,826 poor Zambian villagers against UK mining giant Vedanta Resources Plc and its Zambian subsidiary, Konkola Copper Mines. The villagers allege they have suffered serious personal injury, damage to their property and livelihood as a result of numerous and ongoing toxic effluent discharges from the copper mining operations in their area of residence. Contact:

Japhet Ndhlovu

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CAMPAIGNS / APPEALS / STATEMENTS / LETTERS Caribbean Hurricanes This fall, a series of hurricanes struck several countries and territories in the Caribbean, and two major earthquakes have shaken Mexico. The United Church of Canada is supporting efforts of global partners to assist people affected by these events. Our membership in the global ACT Alliance provides more ways to help those affected communities. Find out how you can donate. National Call for Ambitious Climate Framework Implementation The United Church of Canada joined with a diverse group of national organizations to issue an open letter to the Canadian government championing the swift and uncompromising implementation of the Pan-Canadian Framework on Climate Change and Clean Growth. The Framework, released in December 2016, is the first document of its kind that brings the federal government, most provincial and territorial governments, and all major sectors of our economy together on a shared path of climate action. Response to Federal Poverty Reduction Consultation The United Church of Canada’s formal response to the federal government’s Poverty Reduction Consultation Online Survey for Organizations, was drafted by a small working group consisting of staff from three of our community and social justice ministries. General Council Office staff - Beth Baskin (Social Analysis & Engagement), Jordan Sullivan (Ministry Partnership Animator), and Honarine Scott (Healing Programs), also contributed to the final approved response. Copies of the church’s response are available by request. Contact:

Jordan Sullivan

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Thursdays in Black and Gender-Based Violence The people of The United Church of Canada are encouraged to wear black every Thursday to be in solidarity with all people who bear the scars of violence and demand an end to gender-based violence. Through the simple gesture of collectively wearing black, participants create an international public witness for a global movement urging an end to rape and violence. There are many ways to participate in Thursdays in Black; for example, one can plan a worship service on gender-based violence, consider, as a faith community or small group, exploring rape, violence, and gender justice more deeply. If wearing black on Thursday, you are encouraged to take a group photo and post it to your faith community’s social media accounts. Use the hashtags #jeudisenoir, #thursdaysinblack, #UCCan, #WCC. If your faith community is not active on social media, e-mail your photo to [email protected] to be posted on the church’s national social media accounts. Contact:

Beth Baskin

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UCC Endorsement of Canada Without Poverty’s Report to UN The United Church of Canada endorsed Canada Without Poverty’s written report to the UN Human Rights Council for the Universal Periodic Review of Canada. In the report CWP touched upon many issues related to poverty in Canada, highlights include: the need for a national anti-poverty plan with a rights-based framework, woefully inadequate welfare rates across the country and the need for a national housing strategy with a rights-based framework. Contact:

Jordan Sullivan

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WEBINARS United in Learning Webinars United-in-Learning offers a variety of distance education opportunities for church leaders. Whether you're clergy or lay, there are ways to connect you with like-minded people across the country to help make your church more vibrant, exciting, and alive. Check out the Recorded Webinars and some upcoming webinars including:  Racial Justice Online Workshop, November 13 & 15 - this workshop includes plenary conversations and small group sessions. It is open to all United Church people—commended to anyone serving in a leadership capacity within the church, and mandated for active ministry personnel.  Strengthening Youth Ministry Webinar Series – Join experienced youth and young adult ministry leaders from across the church for a special series that will provide youth ministry leaders with a wealth of practical tips and tools to reach the young people in your midst.  Youth & Mental Health, November 14  The Importance of Play & Games in Youth Ministry, January 9  Faith and Sexuality, February 13  Gender Inclusion, March 13  God Talk, April 10

REPORTS FROM EVENTS An Awkward Conversation on Race The Alberta and Northwest Conference of the United Church worked in collaboration with the General Council Office to hold a two-day symposium in October, entitled “An Awkward Conversation in the Church” which focused on contemporary issues of race, racism and discrimination. The event was hosted by the Conference Intercultural Ministry Committee. Nearly 100 people attended the gathering, and explored questions of racism, White privilege, and systemic exclusion. Several attendees recommended that these kinds of conversations should be replicated in other Conferences in the church. A written report from the gathering will be available. Read Reflections on Racism and Awkward Conversations, by Rev. Alwin Maben, Rev. Monica Rosborough and Rev. Jun-Hyok Chon. Contact:

Adele Halliday

ext. 2756

Clima Con Finding the deep sources of personal energy, cutting edge knowledge and strategies to engage the public and mobilize the political will to make the policy changes that will move us to a renewable energy future is no easy feat in the face of the threat of climate change. But Clima Con, organized by United Church partner Climate Action Network and billed as Canada's largest convergence of climate 11

heroes seeks to do just that by providing a space for people from every corner of the climate movement in Canada to come together, learn, share stories, build relationships, and have fun. Attending for the 2nd year, I dug deep into the wells of what motivates me to work for climate justice, connected with and learnt from others working in the movement, and was inspired to continue to tackle the challenges that lie ahead Contact:

Christie Neufeldt

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Ecumenical Strategic Forum on Diakonia and Sustainable Development In early October Jim Hodgson, the United Church’s Latin America program coordinator was in Geneva for gathering entitled the “Ecumenical Strategic Forum on Diakonia and Sustainable Development. In his blog, Jim offers a three-part report on Unwrapping Development: I. The global ecumenical movement and sustainable development II. Unwrapping ecumenical diakonia: What are we talking about here? III. Partnership, passion, religion and development UCW 55th Anniversary Celebration Many thanks to BC Conference United Church Women for hosting a beautiful time of Celebrating Spirit! For fifty-five years United Church Women have engaged in witness, study, fellowship and service. For five days in July they celebrated this anniversary at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver. Highlights included a report from Neema Mlula and Jesca Mkuchu from the Morogoro Women's Training Centre in Tanzania. Gifts totalling $260,000 were given to the training centre by United Church Women to celebrate the 50th anniversary of UCW. Neema and Jesca reported on the education and support that has been provided for Traditional Birth Attendants through this generosity. Global partners from the Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea (PROK) and the United Church of Christ were also there to mark the achievements of United Church Women. Read a full account of the celebration here. Contact:

Amy Crawford

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Racialized Ministry Personnel National Gatherings Black Clergy Gathering: Black Clergy from across the church meet in Edmonton prior to the Awkward Conversation on Race event in Edmonton earlier this October. Clergy had the opportunity to worship, support and learn together. The group took a field trip to Amber Valley, the most northern historical Black Settlement in Canada, to acknowledge and celebrate these Black Pioneers (see video Secret Alberta: The Former Life of Amber Valley). The gathering was greatly enriched by the presence and leadership of Anthony Reddie, a Practical Black theologian from the United Kingdom, who offered deep theological reflection throughout the three day event. Contact: Basil Coward Mission and Migration in Montreal: From October 16 to 18, thirty clergy and lay Korean/Canadians attended the third “An Intercultural Adventure” at Montreal Korean United Church. Monday evening featured storytelling migrating to Canada. Tuesday morning United Church mission goals from union to the present were studied. Connecting migration experiences with the mission of Korean/Canadians within an intercultural United Church was explored on Tuesday afternoon. The evening had a panel discussion on interculturalism in the United Church. Wednesday had an evaluation of the event and planning for the future. They agreed that it was a great event and with enthusiasm that the seminar materials will be published both in English and Korean. All expressed a desire to continue this gathering which will be at Vancouver Korean United Church studying “Christology and Evangelism” in October, 2019. Contact: HyeRan Kim-Cragg 12

Rendez-vous 2017 Be the Church/Soyons l'eglise was the theme for Rendezvous 2017, which took place at Concordia University in Montreal, August 16-19. Over 500 young people and their leaders gathered for an inspiring time of worship, learning, socializing, service, and celebration. The theme was emphasized daily with encouragement to Be Together/Soyons Ensemble, Be Unconventional/ Soyons non Conventionnels, Be Determined/Soyons Déterminés, Be Proud/Soyons Fiers. Plenary speakers The Rt. Rev. Jordan Cantwell, Paola Credit: Selfie by Georgia Barratt-Lamey Marquez (global partner), and Aidan Legault, as well as worship leaders Simon LeSieur, Rick Gunn, Karen-Georgia Thompson (United Church of Christ) and theological reflector Rodger Nishioka stirred and motivated us. If you missed it or want to remember it, there are several videos available on the United Church of Canada YouTube channel. Contact:

Amy Crawford

ext. 4186

UPCOMING EVENTS in order of date National Restorative Justice Symposium: Global Innovation - Local (R)Evolution November 19-21 ~ Ottawa Hosted by church partner The Church Council on Justice and Corrections (and the Collaborative Justice Program) this national gathering focuses on the innovative and transformative potential of restorative justice. (this event is full) DUIM Alumni and Friends Gathering November 23-25 ~ Toronto Join former alumni of the Deepening Understanding for Intercultural Ministry programme at the Toronto School of Theology for a three day gathering to build skills, share resources, develop tools, and build communities of support for intercultural ministry. Canadian Council for Refugees Fall Consultation November 30 – December 2, 2017 The Canadian Council for Refugees will hold its fall consultation in Niagara Falls, ON. The theme is “Human Rights have no borders.” There are several workshops to choose from including: irregular crossings from USA, global compact on refugees, combating racism and Islamophobia, barriers to citizenship, and forgotten refugee crises, just to name a few. Youth Forum at GC43 Winter Retreat February 16-19, 2018 ~ Paris, ON Registration for GC43 Winter Retreat is now open! Conferences are invited to send five youth between the ages of 15-18 to the Winter Retreat at Five Oaks Retreat Centre in Paris, ON, February 1619, 2018. The youth will engage in community building, worship, and learning about GC43 processes and the issues coming before it. A registration fee of $200 is requested of all youth and Conferences are encouraged to support their youth leaders by paying this fee. All five youth will also attend and 13

engage in the business and celebrations of General Council in Oshawa, Ontario July 21-27. Each conference group will also select one from among them to be part of a cross-country pilgrimage. Note that registration for the Winter Retreat closes December 15. Contact:

Amy Crawford

ext. 4186

Ecumenical Campus Chaplains National Gathering May 2018 ~ exact date and location to be determined This event will be a joint ecumenical gathering of campus chaplains from the United Church of Canada, the Anglican Church of Canada, the Presbyterian Church in Canada, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, and possibly more. Care will be taken to select dates which do not conflict with Conference AGMs. Contact:

Jordan Sullivan ext. 4151

Amy Crawford ext. 4186

The Thursdays in Black photo at the General Council Office on October 26, taken in the new reception area.

Editor: Jordan Sullivan, Church in Mission Unit [email protected] 1-800-268-3781 ext. 4151 14