Worshiplude 2025
2025-01-31 - 2025-02-02 | Ontario
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Worshiplude 2025

Fri. Jan. 31st – Sun. Feb. 2nd Ottawa, Ontario Join us for a weekend in Ottawa for Winterlude activities, a museum experience and gather with us for Dinner and Worship Saturday night at Southminster United Church (15 Aylmer Ave, Ottawa)

$75 per participant (Registration fee) plus spending money and enough $ for 2 lunches and 1 supper extra.

Youth and youth groups will need to be accompanied by an adult. (At least one adult for every 7-9 youth)

Grades 7+

Bus will begin in Beamsville, ON and travel along the QEW to 401 and on to Ottawa. We can discuss pick up locations along the route, once we begin to get registrations.

We will be billeted at a church in Ottawa. Participants can bring sleeping needs (sleeping bags, pillows, mattresses etc)

Register Now (spots are limited):https://regionalcouncil789.formstack.com/forms/worshiplude

Lent & Easter Round Table - Children and Youth Ministry
2025-02-05 19:00 - 20:15, 2025-02-06 11:00 - 12:15 (America/New_York) | Online via Zoom
Sharing ideas and challenges

Come prepared to share your ideas and/or listen to others

Contact Kathy Douglas for ZOOM link

kdouglas@united-church.ca

Flourishing: Spend a day with the Moderator
2025-02-22 09:00 - 16:30 (America/Toronto) | Ontario
Flourishing: Antler River, Western Ontario Waterways, and Horseshoe Falls Regional Councils
Spend a day with the Moderator, engaging in reflection and energizing activities towards dream-oriented actions for our churches and communities.
Saturday, February 22, 2025, 9:00 am to 4:30 pm (local time).
9:00am -9:30am Registration and coffee/tea
9:30am – Welcome and Introductions
In person
Avondale United Church, 194 Avondale Ave., Stratford, ON N5A 6N4
All around the world – from universities to the United Nations, from corporations to community organizations – people are talking about flourishing. Rooted in belonging, flourishing means living with purpose and joy, and bringing bold collaborative solutions to our world’s challenges.
The Moderator, the Rev. Dr. Carmen Lansdowne, wants to bring that conversation to The United Church of Canada. She invites us to connect to one another in hope, with a deep conviction by a belief that, despite all the challenges of church life in this day and age, we can move from despair to transformation – from languishing to flourishing.
Is your church flourishing?
(Perhaps that’s the wrong question.)
Is your church contributing to the flourishing of your community?
How might we truly be a flourishing church in the world? How might we live in deep spirituality, bold discipleship and daring justice, linked from coast to coast to coast in ministry that transforms us and the world around us?
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER: Flourishing Workshop

Ontario Election 2025: More than Tariffs Workshop
2025-02-23 15:00 - 16:15 (America/Toronto) | Online via Zoom
Ontario Election 2025:
More than Tariffs A panel discussion
Sunday Feb 23, 3:00-4:15 PM EST on Zoom
Information to help you faithfully discern your vote and continue advocacy after the Feb 27th election.
Brief presentations by five panel members on selected topics.
Panelists will respond to questions from the audience.

Advance registration required:
https://united-church.zoom.us/meeting/register/Pfy-0rDhQt-l-V5KqspFkw
For more information contact:
Thérèse Samuel tsamuel@united-church.ca and John Egger jegger@united-church.ca

Moderator:
Rev. Éric Hébert-Daly serves as the Executive Minister to ECO and EOO Regional Councils in Eastern Ontario. He was ordained in 2020. He served for 5 years as Responsible, Ministries in French, for 9 years as the National Executive Director of the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society. Éric spent 17 years working in federal political circles and 7 years as a registered lobbyist. He also brings a hope-filled passion for the church.

Panel Members
Charles Barrett is a retired economist, who was actively involved in policy dialogue in North America, and the Asia-Pacific region in international economic relations, human resources development and capacity building. He has broad research experience and has written extensively on Canadian and international policy issues. He is a member of Riverside United Church, Ottawa and Eastern Ontario Outaouais Regional Council.

The Rev. Dr. Jessica Hetherington is an ecotheologian and ordained minister in the United Church of Canada. Working at the intersection of ecology and theology for 20 years, she inspires people of faith to transform their actions in response to the climate crisis. She currently serves as commissioner on climate justice with the World Council of Churches and the World Communion of Reformed Churches. Sign up for her weekly newsletter: Faith. Climate Crisis. Action. (https://jessicahetherington.substack.com/).

Bryan Smith is a long-term member of the Oxford Coalition for Social Justice, an organization committed to work and advocacy on a wide range of social and environmental issues locally in the County of Oxford and across the planet. It stands in for the Ontario Health Coalition and stands up for public health. Bryan is a retired teacher, and is active in providing school lunches and community dinners, and promoting local foods, the avoidance of waste, community events, and public health.

Rev. Jeffrey Dale (they/he) is the Minister at College Street United Church in downtown Toronto. Jeffrey is a harm reduction advocate and community educator, working with harm reduction advocacy groups throughout the Province of Ontario to educate communities of faith and the wider society regarding the needs of people who use drugs.

Rev. Susan Eagle is the minister at Grace United Church in Barrie. She chairs both the Ecological and Social Justice Commission for Shining Waters Regional Council, and the Steering Committee of the provincial interfaith coalition, ISARC, which does policy analysis and advocacy for income security, homelessness and employment rights. She has worked with newcomer and low-income individuals and sole-support families as a community outreach worker, and served on London City Council for 13 years.

This workshop is presented by the Social Justice Network of Ontario Regional Councils (SJNORC) with representation from Eastern Ontario Outaouais, East Central Ontario, Shining Waters, Canadian Shield, Antler River Watershed, Horseshoe Falls, Western Ontario Waterways and Prairie to Pine Regional Councils of The United Church of Canada.
Engage, Pray, Vote.

100th Centennial Round Table - Children and Youth Ministry
2025-02-24 14:00 - 15:30 (America/New_York) | Online via Zoom

Neurodiversity Round Table - Children and Youth Ministry
2025-03-18 19:00 - 20:15, 2025-03-27 11:00 - 12:15 (America/New_York) | Online via Zoom
Children’s Ministry Roundtable
Neurodiversity at Church – Drawing the Circle Wider

Join our guest, Tiffany Jull, as we discuss neurodiversity at church. As volunteers and staff, how do we tend the community of children who gather with us for programming and worship and be attentive to the neurodivergent needs of individual children?
Tiffany is a dedicated member of the United Church, starting in Nova Scotia and now at Knox United Church in Ayr. She has led Sunday School classes, Youth Groups, and Vacation Bible School. As a parent and a professional experience as a registered Psychologist, working with the Waterloo Region District School Board for over 25 years.
Choose to attend either session at the time that works best for you:

March 18th (Tuesday) at 7pm-8:15pm
OR
March 27 (Thursday) at 11am-12:15pm

These Children’s Ministry Roundtables are hosted by Regional Faith Formation staff:
Kathy Douglas (Antler River Watershed, Horseshoe Falls, Western Ontario Waterways)
Sharon Hull (East Central Ontario)
Shawn Redden (Canadian Shield, Shining Waters)

Sign up here:
Children’s Ministry Roundtable: Neurodiversity – Shining Waters

Godly Play
2025-03-29 09:30 - 12:00 (America/Toronto) | Ontario

Adopt a Body of Water
2025-04-22 10:00 - 11:15 (America/Toronto) | Online via Zoom
Children and Youth Ministry Webinar:
Adopt a Body of Water 🌊🌊🌊
Contact Kathy Douglas, Tri-Regional Council Minister of Faith Formation for the Zoom link KDouglas@united-church.ca

Kids Across the Regions 2025
2025-06-06 - 2025-06-07 | Camp Bimini, 3180 Perth Road, St. Paul’s, Ontario, N0K 1V0, Canada
Registration is now open for Kids Across the Regions:
Child participant registration HERE
Leader participant registration HERE
Question? Contact: Kathy Douglas, Minister Faith Formation KDouglas@united-church.ca

Snapshot
2025-07-29 09:00 - 10:00, 2025-08-14 15:00 - 16:00, 2025-08-20 11:00 - 12:00, 2025-08-20 19:00 - 20:00 (America/Toronto) | Online by Zoom link
Contact Kathy Douglas, Faith Formation Minister KDouglas@united-church.ca

Youth Forum 2025
2025-08-05 - 2025-08-12 | Ontario
For more information click here:
Youth Forum 2025

Volunteers Round Table - Children and Youth Ministry
2025-10-22 10:30 - 11:45 (America/New_York) | Online via Zoom
Register here: https://shiningwatersregionalcouncil.ca/communities-of-faith/youth/childrens-ministry-roundtable/
For more information contact:
Kathy Douglas Email: Kdouglas@united-church.ca
Pronouns: she/her
Faith Formation Minister,
Antler River Watershed, Horseshoe Falls, Western Ontario Waterways Regional Councils of The United Church of Canada

Kathy Douglas' Retirement Party
2026-01-16 13:30 - 15:30 (America/Toronto) | Avondale United Church, 194 Avondale Avenue, Stratford, Ontario, N5A6N4, Canada

Worshiplude 2026
2026-01-31 - 2026-02-01 | Ontario

Kids Across the Regions 2026
2026-06-05 - 2026-06-06 | Ontario
Registration links:
Kids/youth:https://regionalcouncil789.formstack.com/forms/kids_across_the_regions_2026_child
Leaders: https://regionalcouncil789.formstack.com/forms/kids_across_the_regions_2026_leader

Great Lakes Collaborative Retreat
2026-08-23 - 2026-08-25 | Five Oaks Education and Retreat Centre, 1 Bethel Road, Paris, Ontario, N3L 3E3, Canada
Register Here for The Great Lakes Collaborative Retreat

Contacts:
Kathy Douglas kathymdouglas@hotmail.com
or
Lisa Hart lhart@wcucc.org

From The Shire to Stratford - A Youth Overnight Quest!
2026-09-12 - 2026-09-13 | Avondale United Church, 194 Avondale Avenue, Stratford, Ontario, N5A6N4, Canada
From the Shire to Stratford – A Youth Overnight Quest
Dates: Saturday, September 12, 2026 (10:00 AM) – Sunday, September 13, 2026 (2:00 PM)
Location: Avondale United Church, Stratford

Step into the world of adventure, friendship, and discovery! From the Shire to Stratford is a unique overnight youth experience inspired by J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit, featuring a live theatre performance at the renowned Avon Theatre alongside a variety of engaging and memorable activities.

Event Highlights
Participants will enjoy:

A professionally staged performance of The Hobbit
Boating on the Avon River (paddleboat or canoe)
Creative stained glass activity
Group games and faith discussions
All meals provided
Exploring downtown Stratford

About The Hobbit

Follow Bilbo Baggins, a quiet hobbit who is unexpectedly drawn into a daring quest across Middle-earth. Alongside a band of dwarves, he journeys to reclaim their homeland from a fearsome dragon. Encountering trolls, goblins, and a mysterious magic ring, Bilbo discovers courage he never knew he possessed. He proves that even the smallest person can play a vital role in a great adventure.

Themes We’ll Explore

Adventure & Courage
Friendship, Fellowship & Unity
Identity & Self-Discovery
Leadership & Responsibility
Home, Belonging & Purpose
Teamwork & Cooperation
The Hero’s Journey
And much more!

*Participants may benefit from reading the book or watching the film in advance.
Registration Details Are you a Youth (Grades 7+) or accompanying Youth Leader from WOW, ARW, or HF Region? Register today!

Step 1: Submit online registration form (one for each participant – youth and adults)
Step 2: Pay fee of $35 per participant (includes all meals, boating, and activities)
Step 3: Complete the boating waiver that will be emailed at a later date
The theatre ticket is generously covered by a grant from the Western Ontario Waterways Region of the United Church of Canada.
E-transfer Instructions
Send e-transfer to avondaleuc@wightman.ca
You will be asked to enter a security question and answer. Please set up as follows:
Question- What city is this event being hosted
Answer- Stratford
Enter in message section: youth event registration for (insert participant name)
Transportation
Transportation to and from the event must be arranged by each participant’s youth group or accompanying adult.
Join us for an unforgettable journey of imagination, community, and faith-filled adventure—where every participant has a chance to discover the hero within!
