Antler River Watershed Fall Regional Council Meeting
2023-10-27 - 2023-10-28 | Online via Zoom

UCW EVENT: Climate Motivators: Our United Church at Work
2023-11-04 12:45 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | In-person & Online via Zoom
Nov 4 Poster for Calvary United St. Jacobs with NEW link

HF UCW Event - Human Trafficking
2023-11-18 13:00 (America/New_York) | Online via Zoom
Human Trafficking in our cities and rural communities
HF UCW Human Trafficking
UCW HF Human Trafficking Event Nov 18th, 2023

HF Retired Clergy Online Gathering
2024-02-13 10:00 - 11:30 (America/New_York) | Online via Zoom
On behalf of Horseshoe Falls Regional Council, the Human Resources Commission has been seeking to redress a lack of connection between the regional council and retirees since the dissolution of presbyteries. This has included creating a contact list of retirees in our region and finding a connection point in the structure. Happily, the Human Resources Commission has included relating to retirees as part of its mandate and our Minister for Pastoral Support, the Rev. Kevin Steeper, will also serve as a resource in this effort.Our next step is to host a regional council wide online gathering:

to connect with one another,
to explore how we all might best relate to one another;
to listen to the ideas you may have for gatherings in smaller groupings and how the region might best support you.

There will be an opportunity for you to gather in geographic groupings to self-organize.From an earlier email to many of you, we received a suggestion that we might invite a national staff person to join us at a gathering once a year to hear about the wider church and to answer questions you may have. General Secretary, the Rev. Dr. Michael Blair, has graciously agreed to be with us for part of our meeting to do just that.Save the Date!Join us on February 13, 2024 from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. online. Watch for the meeting link to come after the new year.We recognize that not everyone has online access. If you know of a colleague who would appreciate being present, perhaps you could invite them to join you.

Good News: How to Share the Impact of your Ministry
2024-02-20 19:00 (America/New_York) | Online via Zoom
Good News: How to Share the Impact of your Ministry

Learn how to inspire current and potential donors with the story of your ministry, project or outreach initiative
Hear how to tell your story when reporting to grant organizations or applying for a grant
Inspire other communities of faith as we share the good news of God at work in our regions

Session will include examples of inspiring stories from right here in our regions as well as time for discussion and Q&A.
Register here: https://united-church.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMpfuyhqTgsEtJu7zpRbldzViJPzpRPXqvz#/registration
The session will be recorded and posted to region websites.

ARW Clergy Luncheon
2024-02-28 12:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York)
Register Now

In an effort to continue to build our relationships with one another you are invited to gather with colleagues in ministry from across the Regional Council for a time of fellowship and conversation. Come as we gather around the table to share and break bread together. Watch for more details to come!
Luncheon speakers include Cheryl-Ann Stadelbauer-Sampa – “Leadership in a time of transition” and Greg Smith-Young – Regional Growth Animator
The Rev. Kevin Steeper

Minister, Pastoral Support

Contact: Kevin Steeper KSteeper@united-church.ca

Music Ministry Gathering
2024-03-04 18:45 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Online via Zoom

Horseshoe Falls Clergy Luncheon
2024-03-06 12:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York)
Register Now!

Horseshoe Falls Clergy Luncheon
When: March 6, 2024

Time: 12-2 pm
Where: Emmanuel United Church

871 Upper Ottawa St., Hamilton

Guest speaker: The Rev. Greg Smith-Young
(Growth Animator for the tri-regional area)

Advance Care and Planning Workshop - End of Life Conversations
2024-03-25 16:00 - 17:30 (America/New_York) | Online via Zoom
Mon. March 25th from 4:00pm-5:30pm – 1st Advance Care Planning (end-of-life conversations) Workshop
Mon. April 8th 2024 from 4:00pm-5:30pm – 1st Grief & Bereavement Workshop
Mon. April 22nd 2024 from 4:00pm-5:30pm – 2nd (follow-up) Advance Care Planning Workshop
Mon. May 6th 2024 from 4:00pm-5:30pm – 2nd (follow-up) Grief & Bereavement Workshop
In conversation with Compassionate Ottawa

For more details contact Kathy Douglas, Minister Faith Formation KDouglas@United-Church.ca
Registration now open:
https://united-church.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYtcO2spjIvG90XLU8UKGjp0xjR5BUO0IvQ

Grief and Bereavement Workshop
2024-04-08 16:00 - 17:30 (America/New_York) | Online via Zoom
Mon. April 8th 2024 from 4:00pm-5:30pm – 1st Grief & Bereavement Workshop
Mon. May 6th 2024 from 4:00pm-5:30pm – 2nd (follow-up) Grief & Bereavement Workshop
In conversation with Compassionate Ottawa

For more details contact Kathy Douglas, Minister Faith Formation KDouglas@United-Church.ca
Registration now open:
https://united-church.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYof-GppjguGdwdT2xn0g3AZD4oovY_xBmY

WOW UCW AGM 2024
2024-04-20 09:30 - 15:00 (America/New_York)
Annual General Meeting of the UCW of Western Ontario Region on Saturday, April 20 in Hanover.
Time: 9:30am – 3:00pm
Where: Grace United Church 310 – 12th Street, Hanover, ON
This will be an in-person and virtual meeting. We are hoping to have representation from every local UCW in our region for this important meeting. We will review the past year, and consider our future. If you attend virtually, please note that you will have to click on one link for the morning session and on. The second one for the afternoon session. Only members attending in-person will be able to vote during the business meeting in the morning.
To ensure that there is sufficient food for all, we ask you to pre-register for lunch at noon either by email to: ucw.wow@gmail.com or by telephone by Tuesday, April 2. You can pay when you register.
We will send out the Annual Report by email within two weeks of the meeting. Please read it carefully before you come to the meeting if you can. We look forward to seeing you all.
Sincerely,
ANNE REUBER
President of UCW of Western Ontario Region

Follow-Up - Advance Care and Planning Workshop - End of Life Conversations
2024-04-22 16:00 - 17:30 (America/New_York) | Online via Zoom

Duty of Care 101
2024-04-23 10:30 - 11:30, 2024-04-24 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Online via Zoom

ARW UCW Annual Gathering 2024
2024-04-27 08:45 - 14:00 (America/New_York)
United Church Women Annual Gathering
Saturday, April 27, 8:45 am to 2:00 pm

WHERE THERE IS FAITH, THERE’S HOPE
Come for the singing, the devotion, guest speakers and entertainment.Guest Speaker: Rev. Jen PrinceChaplain: Rev. Larry SchneiderDunwich United Church, 179 Nancy Street, DuttonLinks & Contacts: Download the Registration Form or the Poster.

HF UCW Annual General Meeting
2024-04-27 09:30 (America/New_York) | Grace United Church, 2111 Walkers Line, Burlington, Ontario, L7M 0Z2, Canada
HORSESHOE FALLS UCW ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
SATURDAY, APRIL 27, 2024
GRACE UNITED CHURCH
2111 Walkers Line, Burlington
“Out of the Kitchen” and into….
Worship: – Led by the Rev. Richard Bott
Guest Presenter: – the Rev. Brenna Baker
Community of Faith Support Staff for Horseshoe Falls, Western
Ontario Waterways and Antler River Watershed “TELLING THE STORY IN A NEW WAY”

Send cheques made out to Hamilton Conference UCW for payment to: Amy Hill
12 Neuchatel Place, Mississauga, ON L5N 6A7 DEADLINE: April 17, 2024
NAME(s):______________________________________ # of Tickets_______
CHURCH:_______________________________________________________
9:30 – registration 10:00 – Welcome
Cost – $20 Please bring your own brown bag lunch and a small contribution for
The Loaves and Fishes table to share at breaktime – eg. apple, cookie

Follow-Up - Grief and Bereavement Workshop
2024-05-06 16:00 - 17:30 (America/New_York) | Online via Zoom

Save the Dates: Spring 2024 Tri Regional Council Meeting
2024-05-24 - 2024-05-26
Spring 2024 Tri-Regional Council Meeting
REGISTER for the Tri-Regional Council Meeting
Time will be designated for each individual Regional Council to meet separately. Each Regional Council will be electing their GC45 Commissioners, President Elect and slate of Executive/Commission members.
Friday May 24: 2 PM start & Friday evening The Right Rev. Dr. Carmen Lansdowne will speak
Saturday, May 25: All day. Includes Celebration of Ministries Service in the afternoon
Sunday, May 26: 9 AM to Noon: Includes Honouring of Retirees, Jubilands, In Memoriam, Community of Faith Life Cycle Changes

You can do hard things
2024-05-24 10:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York)
You can do hard things:
How to Preach on Stewardship and Talk about Money

A workshop for ministry personnel and those who lead worship in their communities of faith.10am-12pm on Friday, May 24 at Port Elgin United Church Stewardship, like prayer, worship, or loving service, is a critical aspect of our lives of faith. The Bible is chock full of passages about how money and wealth harm people and communities, and how generosity liberates us from those corrupting influences. As preachers, we have an amazing opportunity to tell people that they belong to God, not their bank accounts, and because of that, they can make a difference by sharing their gifts. Yet so many of us avoid talking about money. The truth is, whether or not we discuss it, the people in our congregations are thinking about money all the time. How do I decide how much should I give? What should I spend it on? How do I raise generous kids and grand-kids? Whether they have a little or a lot, money takes up a lot of spiritual and emotional space. So how can we deepen faith and generosity as spiritual leaders?

In this workshop, participants will:

Process all the fears and worries around preaching on money (no, you’re not just preaching for your salary!)
Learn techniques for stewardship preaching that will encourage and inspire
Look at some of Jesus’ messages on money and talk about the good news that could be used in a sermon.
Be introduced to resources that can give you more confidence when talking about money and ministry

For more information, please contact your Stewardship Support Staff, Brenna Baker, at bbaker@united-church.ca

Port Elgin United Church840 Bruce St, Port Elgin, ON N0H 2C2
Google Map

Registration Link:

https://regionalcouncil789.formstack.com/forms/you_can_do_hard_things

The Day of Fellowship - Horseshoe Falls
2024-06-08 10:00 - 14:30 (America/New_York)
Register Now

Save the Date:
The Day of Fellowship will launch us into the year long Centenary Celebration of the United Church with Greetings from General Secretary, The Rev. Michael Blair.
Renewal and Transformation … A Season of Hope
The day will begin with Gathering at 10:00am
Morning service 10:30am – 12:00 noon
Lunch Break 12:00 noon – 1:00pm
Afternoon Session from 1-2:30pm (cultural expressions from around the region).

Watch this video:

Music Ministry - Celebrating Pride Month
2024-06-24 19:00 (America/Toronto) | Online via Zoom

Rendez-Vous 2024 - Audacious Hope
2024-07-03 - 2024-07-06
Youth, Young Adults, and Those Who Lead Them:

Save the Date!

Audacious Hope
July 3-6, 2024, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON

Brought to you by the Rendez-vous team of The United Church of Canada and the LIFT team of the Presbyterian Church in Canada.

More information soon!

#UCCan #AudaciousHope2024

Curriculum Round Table
2024-08-21 10:00 - 11:15, 2024-09-04 19:00 - 20:15 (America/Toronto) | Online via Zoom
“We Are Not Alone” in Children and Youth Ministry.
What are your plans for children’s ministry this fall? Are you wondering about curriculum options? Do you want to connect, share, and learn from others in the field? Then don’t miss our Curriculum Round Table webinar!
To register or for more information, contact:
Kdouglas@united-church.ca Kathy Douglas (she/her): Faith Formation Minister, ARW, HF, WOW Regional Councils
Shull@united-church.ca Sharon Hull (she/her) Minister for Spiritual Nurture, Respectful Relationships and Justice with All Ages, East Central Ontario Regional Council
Sredden@united-church.ca Shawn Redden (she/her): Justice and Faith Formation Minister, Canadian Shield & Shining Waters Regional Councils

Ask An Expert
2024-09-18 19:00 - 20:00 (America/Toronto) | Online via Zoom
We’re trying something new. We’re introducing an Ask An Expert series in partnership with the General Council Office. You ask the questions, and we’ll provide the expertise.
Who are the experts? Well, it depends on the topic and staff availability.
Maybe you want to know more about the insurance partnership between the GCO and Communities of Faith. Or what you do when the local newspaper calls (or when you want to get a good story out). Or what the new government relations officer does. Or what the cost-of-living-adjustment is.
It’s kind of like a Pick-Your-Own-Adventure book. Here’s how it works:
1. You send us your questions here: https://forms.office.com/r/q7UM9spU9z
2. We find the expert who can answer them.
3. We all tune in on Wednesday September 18th, 7-8 p.m. by Zoom here: https://united-church.zoom.us/j/89972136949
4. As many questions will be answered as can be within the allotted time. Unanswered questions will carry over to the next session, or we’ll answer them on our Regional Council Facebook group.
5. Tough questions are okay. We’ll do our best to answer them, and if we can’t on the spot, we’ll follow up with the right information.
So, pick your adventure. Will it be insurance? Or grants? Climate justice? Governance? Media relations? Government relations? Global partnerships? Or something else?
You pick. Ask your question here: https://forms.office.com/r/q7UM9spU9z. Join us on Wednesday September 18th at 7 p.m. to get an answer in real time. Don’t have a question right now? Listeners welcome!
This session will be facilitated by: Michelle Owens

HF Regional Council Fall Meeting (online)
2024-10-04 - 2024-10-05 | Online via Zoom
Fall 2024 Meetings

HFRC Fall Meeting (online): October 4-5, 2024
Celebration of Ministries: To be confirmed

ARW Regional Council Fall Meeting (online)
2024-10-25 - 2024-10-26 | Online via Zoom
Fall 2024 Meeting

ARWRC Fall Meeting (online): October 25-26, 2024
Celebration of Ministries: To be confirmed

WOW Regional Council Fall Meeting (online)
2024-11-16 - 2024-11-17 | Online via Zoom
Fall 2024 Meeting

WOWRC Fall Meeting (online): November 16-17, 2024
Celebration of Ministries: To be confirmed

HF UCW Gathering
2025-01-18 14:00 (America/New_York)
Topic: Horseshoe Falls Fall zoom event
Time: January 18th, 2025 02:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://united-church.zoom.us/j/83472886564

Preaching with an Ecological Lens
2025-02-04 19:00 - 20:30 (America/Toronto) | Online via Zoom
Ministry Personnel and LLWLs,
Are you looking for ways to address the climate crisis from the pulpit?
Join us online Tuesday Feb 4th, 2025 7:00-8:30PM
Preaching with an Ecological Lens
A workshop offered by the Rev. Dr. HyeRan Kim Cragg,
Principal and Professor of Preaching at Emmanuel College.

The Rev. Dr. HyeRan Kim-Cragg is the 14th Principal and Professor of Preaching at Emmanuel College. She is the first racialized person holding both roles. Kim-Cragg received the Distinguished Alumni Award in 2020, the highest honor granted to Emmanuel Alumni. She has been actively involved in the preaching life of the United Church of Canada, a denomination that has been aspiring to become an intercultural and anti-racist church for the last 25 years. As a leading postcolonial scholar, she has written or contributed to over 15 books including her monographs Interdependence: A Postcolonial Feminist Practical Theology (2018) Postcolonial Preaching: Creating a Ripple Effect (2021), both are claimed as original contributions in homiletics and practical theology. Her most recent book is Moments in Time: Sermons from the United Church of Canada 1910-2020 (UCPH, 2024). Currently, she is preparing a manuscript for preaching addressing the climate crisis and ecological justice with a tentative title, A Homiletic of the EARTH. She is grateful to share some of her current research in this workshop.
Workshop: Preaching with an Ecological Lens
In this workshop Rev. Dr. HyeRan Kim-Cragg will share her insights into challenges faced by those of us who wish to address the climate crisis from the pulpit. She proposes five homiletical strategies that may help preachers and congregations face these challenges and tackle this crisis. The five strategies can be remembered using the acronym of E.A.R.T.H. which stand for the Elements of Life, Animals in the Bible, Rhythm of Life, Tree of Life, and Hesed (God’s unconditional love). Once briefly reviewing these five, Kim-Cragg will note the Elements of Life as Water, Fire, Air, and Soil that are prevalent in the Bible and well used as theological metaphors. She will focus on air, Ruah in Hebrew. With the deepened appreciation of this sacred element of life, Kim-Cragg will offer how to proclaim the Gospel for the sake of the Planet Earth.
There is no registration fee. The costs of this workshop are fully covered by Antler River Watershed, Horseshoe Falls and Western Ontario Waterways Regional Councils.
For more information contact Thérèse Samuel (Minister, Right Relations and Social Justice) tsamuel@united-church.ca
Click to register for “Preaching with an Ecological Lens” online workshop.
The costs of this workshop are fully covered by Antler River Watershed, Horseshoe Falls and Western Ontario Waterways Regional Councils.
