Hi Rural Folks Across Canada!
This is our 15th monthly eNews, which shares more information of rural ministry initiatives across Canada, mostly in the United Church of Canada.

Welcome to our new subscribers.

Past eNewsletters are archived at www.UCRMN.ca

Have a rural story you would like to share? You are welcome to submit your story to Connor at editor@UCRMN.ca. Please try to keep articles 300 to 500 words.

You may notice that articles in this edition of the ENews are a little shorter than usual. That's on purpose! In an effort to keep things shorter and to the point, we will now be sharing snippets of articles and stories in our newsletter but hosting the full versions on our website at ucrmn.ca. Please let us know what you think of the change by emailing info@ucrmn.ca.

REPORT: UCRMN Zoom Check in – February 24, 2022

Our Greatest Canadian Story,
Almost Forgotten Until Now

This article is made up of the review notes by Joyce Sasse on the book, Men Against the Desert by James H. Gray, published in 1968 by Western Producer Prairie Books.

The disastrous conditions of the 1930s and the incredible work that saved the Prairies is a history-making story that has brought fame and prosperity to Canada.  But it has been almost forgotten … until now!

In this Summer of 2021, when the reality of Western Canada’s drought and excessive heat is couched alongside the angst of Covid19, James Gray’s book “Men Against the Desert” makes for a heartening read.  It shows how it is possible for desperate people to succeed against impossible odds because they dedicated themselves to work together, which is a good reminder, as I present this to the UCRMN newsletter in Feb. 2022, as we see divisions in the country as people seek for ‘freedom’.

CiRCLe M Book Study

IRCA Global Prayer

Importance of Story

Is a story important? Why is a story significant? Whose story is central?

My dad was a great storyteller. He could tell a story about any of his cattle, why they liked pulped turnips before their oats. Why did they enter the milking area in the same order every night? I can remember climbing onto his knee after supper and begging for a story.

I’ve heard many adults speak about how central their bedtime story was after being tucked into bed. And of course, if someone read a fiction story about aliens and clouds that talked, they would say, “Is that real? Is that true?”

Jesus told lots of stories. We call them parables. Every time he wanted to clarify a point, he would talk about sand or salt and light.

It is often said that a minister who tells a story or two in their sermon catches the congregation’s attention. So, is it any surprise that members of a congregation would also enjoy hearing stories about their church or church property? Stories stay in your memory because they touch the heart. Stories link us emotionally to something we understand.

Proposal GS128: Ministry Leadership to Meet the Needs of the Chruch in the 2020's

To be presented to General Council 44 (GC44) delegates this summer

Is GS128 too little and too late?  It proposes changes to the Designated Lay Minister (DLM) stream, the possible opening up of the lay ministries of Licensed Lay Worship Leaders (LLWL) and Congregational Designated Minister (CDM), and further support for collaborative (cluster) ministries and the use of technology to link congregations for worship services. This requires appropriate oversight from Regional Appointed Community of Faith Supervisors (RACFS).

Many of our Regions all across Canada are experiencing high numbers of Communities of Faith without appointed or called Ministers. These pulpits are filled by LLWLs, CDMs and retired supply (United Church and from many other denominations). To facilitate these pulpit supplies, each Community of Faith requires a RACFS. In some Regions, one RACFS is appointed to many Communities of Faith (word is 6 or 7). This seems to be far more Communities of Faith than is reasonable.

GS 128 proposes action on 4 areas:

1. The Statement of Ministry (2012).
2. Indigenous Ministries.

The last two Proposals are “For Action” at GC44:

• Better Supporting Rural and Smaller Communities of Faith.
• Designated Lay Ministry.

Items c & d are the two proposals we feel we have something to offer as Rural Church ministers and lay folk. We know the situation first hand. We love and care for our small rural communities. We DO have something to add to this conversation.

Although we cannot change the Proposal, we CAN inform our Regional General Council delegates (RGCd) about Rural Ministry, rural communities and the situations we are so well aware of. Have a conversation with your RGCd to share your experiences with your Communities of Faith and their struggles. Many of us are finding that this will not only impact Rural, but also many small city and town Communities of Faith as well.

The United Church Rural Ministry Network is very interested in your experiences – share with us at info@ucrmn.ca

    Want to do your own Online Workshop?

               
** You supply the topic and the leadership
** UCRMN will supply the logistics, such as; advertising in our monthly ENews, Registration, Zoom platform and all the administration needed for a successful workshop.
 
    Email Connor at office@UCRMN.ca to talk about possibilities.


        Why a cost for the workshops?

UCRMN has been granted $5,000 from United Church of Canada Foundation to set up the Network. One of the goals is to make UCRMN self sufficient. The token costs will help with accountability. We are not expecting the $10 cost to cover actual expenses.

We are open to any ideas how we can make UCRMN self sufficient: Please Email info@UCRMN.ca with suggestions.