The Manual 2024
News
STEWARDSHIP: The Rev. Brenna Baker our Stewardship Support Staff writes in this blog post: “What if?” is a phrase you use not with fear, but with curiosity. https://united-church.ca/blogs/round-table/what-if
Greetings, It has come to our attention that material considered a hate crime in Canada is reaching some of our congregations this week. We are saddened to note that this is coming during a time when we are preparing to celebrate the arrival of the Christ in our midst. The hate mail received this week has included a letter with disturbing messages and a USB key. It has come from the United States and may have a Customs declaration that it is a “gift.” If you receive mail that you suspect to be...
Today I sent an email to staff titled, "Behold I bring you good news of great joy." I acknowledged that my news did not rival that announced by the angel choir but it was good news. It is also good news for our regional councils that Rev. Mark Laird has offered himself as our next Executive Minister. Mark has been engaged with our regional councils from the first meeting of the Transition Teams, so knows what has guided our leaders as they sought to be church in a new way. The goal was...
SCAM ALERT: Some congregations have recently received a scam email demanding payment by December 31st under threat of the loss of a particular service or coverage like insurance. Please check any such demand directly with your provider before ever transferring funds to urgent types of emails or phone calls such as the above scam (do not reply to the sent email - telephone or create a new email to verify the validity of any requests). Be safe online! [Photo: Markus Spiske...
CHRISTMAS GREETINGS: The Regional Council Staff Team thank YOU for all you are, what you do and share across the Horseshoe Falls Region and wishes you and yours a very blessed Merry Christmas and peace-filled Happy New Year 2024. Please note the Regional Council Office closure Dec 22nd thru to Jan 1st back to work on January 2nd.
Hello Siblings in Christ! The headlines and news stories lately are discouraging … bombings and genocide before our very eyes in the Gaza, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, housing crisis, homelessness and more. There are angry political debates, caustic commentary, mounting suicide rates, food insecurity around the world; it all leaves us wondering: how did humanity ever plunge to this? How did we ever sink so low? Is there any reason for hope? But everyday we use that one small,...
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Published On: December 7, 2023 The General Council Executive approved the appointment of the Rev. Mark Laird as Regional Council Executive Minister, Western Ontario Waterways, Horseshoe Falls, and Antler River regional councils, at its meeting November 17‒18, 2023. Mark will begin his new appointment March 1, 2024. The approval followed the recommendation of the General Secretary and the search team. The selection panel to recruit the new Executive Minister included the presidents of the three...
Important Changes Regarding Payment of Pastoral Charge Supervisors In The United Church of Canada, Pastoral Charge Supervisors (PCS) play a vital role in ensuring that communities of faith without a called/appointed minister can continue to make decisions and pass the motions needed to carry out their ministry. Pastoral Charge Supervisors are also required when the minister is a Candidate or an Applicant for Admission to The United Church of Canada. Not only do the PCS attend meetings of the...
Prepare to Vote: Remit Q&A Session (Online) with Thérèse Samuel and John Egger Wednesday January 17, 2024 7:00-8:30 PM For Pastoral Charges ADVANCE REGISTRATION REQUIRED: Click here to register. Please prepare and submit your questions in advance: PREPARE for the Q&A Session: We ask that all participants have previously participated in an education workshop or...
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Photo by Jason Leung via Unsplash Come and join our team! We are hiring an Executive Minister : Antler River Watershed/Horseshoe Falls/Western Ontario Regional Councils Click here for more details
From the Desk of the Regional Council Presidents September, 2023 Dear ARW, HF and WOW Regional Councils, We hope this message finds you well and having enjoyed a relaxing and restorative summer. It is with mixed emotions that we announce the resignation of our Executive Minister, Cheryl-Ann Stadelbauer-Sampa. Cheryl-Ann is currently on a three- month sabbatical, but she will be leaving us in January to begin a two-year contract offered to her by General Secretary Michael Blair. There she will...
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Horseshoe Falls Fall Regional Council Meeting:
It is Time! As it says in Ecclesiastes, “For everything there is a season and a time for every purpose under heaven.” As we begin to move from summer into fall, congregations often begin to review finances, look at recruiting volunteers for various tasks and scheduling events and fundraisers. This is a busy and exciting time, but it may also raise questions such as “Is it still possible to do things the way we have always done it?” Across our regional council we are hearing concerns about...
Support/Reflection/Prayer Gathering Make connection with others who are experiencing climate grief and/or struggling to discern way forward ….while using theological reflection and spiritual practice to ground and support this ‘Hard and Holy work’. Dates/Times and Locations Join us, as explore climate grief, acknowledging experiences, making connections with others, and as companions journeying forward. We will include theological reflection and spiritual practice to ground and support this...
