| | | The United Church Rural Ministry Network is for all rural and small town folks - lay and ministry.
Please sign up at UCRMN.ca |
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| Items of Interest in this ENews:
Summary of “Around the World Zoom Prayer” - The Americas Rural Routes Through the Holy - June 11 - 13, 2026 Story by Rev. Dr. Joyce Sasse. Tech Corner - “A Time for Reflection - Addendum”. International Rural Churches Association - “IRCA 2026” Rural Chaplain’s Association’s Fall Learning Event Fall Rural Ministry Conference in Alberta. Article from Rev. Dr. Donna Mann (Based on Broadview article) Rural Ministry Town Halls - This Wed. May 13, 2026 @ 7:30 pm ChurchX - Free Workshops UCRMN is looking for “Awesome” Board Members Regional Meetings and UCRMN - Request to Regions
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Past eNewsletters are archived at www.UCRMN.ca
If you have a rural story you would like to share, please submit your story to editor@UCRMN.ca. We welcome articles 300 to 500 words. |
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| “Around the World Zoom Prayer” “The Americas” On Thursday April 16, 2026, UCRMN with the International Rural Church Association, hosted the “Around the World Prayer” Zoom.
We showcased the many different Rural Ministries across the Americas, took time to answer questions and then prayed for that ministry and the important work they accomplish. We started with recorded greetings (and the personal presence) from the IRCA Chair, Dr. Heather Major (UK). Then we moved to Western Canada, then to Eastern Canada, and then to the USA.
Three videos are available - one for each Region. All are available on YouTube…
Opening and Western Canada: https://youtu.be/4JVjTSymOWs
Eastern Canada: https://youtu.be/6sEtatnbHwQ
USA: https://youtu.be/PGOY3pET9OU
Also you may wish to listen to the podcast version, submitted by Martin Dawson: |
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| Rural Routes Through the Holy (RRTH)
Tales, Tables, and Tending: The slow work of God in a fast world We've been planting, and now we're tending the sprouts for our 2026 Rural Routes Through the Holy Gathering, at Central Queens, United Church, Hunter River, PEI, from June 11th to 13th. You can find more information and register now at https://ruralroutesthroughtheholy.ca/rrth-annual-event/
This year we're gathering all kinds of presenters who can help us reflect on our tales (stories), our tables, and the ways we tend to one another and to our neighbours far and wide. We'll tell our own stories and be inspired by the tales, tables and tending of our presenters. We'll set all this in the larger story of our faith, itself woven with tales, tables and tending.
We'll have conversations in small table groups and also in larger circles. We can talk or quietly listen. We can spend time letting things go deeper in our prayer space, walk the labyrinth, chat over coffee or a cup of tea. We'll begin with worship, then music and the body prayers that so many of you have welcomed will be threaded through our time. We'll conclude around the Holy Table, focused, opened, nourished to tend the slow work of God in the world.
Please help spread the word by sharing the news with a friend, by putting it in your congregation's bulletin or talking about it in a book club, a cluster, a coffee shop. You can tell a tale about when you were at RRTH, you can invite people to this table, you can tend our time together by sharing the news and growing the circle.
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June 11 - 13 in Hunter River PEI at Queens Central United Church
Registration Rev. Dr. Catherine Smith (RRTH) |
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Update from Catherine
I'll offer just a taste of our presentations. Julie Lush will be with us to do some story-telling. Those of you who were with us at Camp Abby will remember how meaningful her words were then and I'm sure this year will be the same. Judy Coffin will be offering a workshop on creativity and our life of faith. We'll have presentations on tales,tables,and tending: Community Lunches, 100 Tables, Travelling Tales, Affirming stories, Climate Care stories and possibilities from the NB Alzheimer's Society on ways churches can offer space. I'll read you the story of "the woman who loved a thousand things", a tender tale of memory loss and wholeness.
Through all this we'll weave our own stories, table conversations, and ritual for tending our life together. We'll talk about living faithfully in this fast paced world.
Our prayer space and labyrinth will be waiting for you.
If you have books you've read and want to move along, we'll have a book exchange, little free library style.
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| Our Greatest Canadian Story, Almost Forgotten Until Now written by Joyce Sasse, July 6, 2021 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. The almost forgotten reality of this come-around success story is summarized in the “Introductory Notes” journalist James Gray wrote. He starts by telling us about the stories he collected that resulted in “the conquest of the desert (conditions) in the Palliser Triangle … The greatest Canadian success story since the completion of the CPR” … Then he backs his notes up with an amazing collection of facts. All of this happening in “The 1930s”. (Click For the Rest of the Story). Contributed by Rev. Catherine Christie |
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| | Contributed by Rev. Catherine Christie
Note from Catherine – As of early this year (2026), the federal government is closing or restructuring several agricultural research facilities across the country, as a cost-cutting measure. UCRMN invites readers to write the federal government to reverse these decisions and the important work done through the research centres. Write to: AAFC (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada) Minister Honourable Heath MacDonald, aafc.minister-ministre.aac@agr.gc.ca
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| Martin Dawson (PEI) and Peter Chynoweh (AB) are retired United Church Ministers who “love” working with “Open Source Software” and used computers. They help the UCRMN Executive stay online.
The Biggest expense for most churches is updating their computers, and just as expensive, Software. In this column, Martin and Peter will give you stories, suggestions and links including YouTube, that show you how to DIY, at a fraction of the cost. All this information is stored at UCRMN.ca on the Tech Resource Page. |
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| | “A Time for Reflection - Addendum” This article is an addendum to my article in the March 2026 newsletter. As you are aware, many computers are unable to be updated to the Windows 11 operating system. For months we have been recommending that these computers not be scrapped into the e-waste pile worldwide. Yes, estimates are between 300 and 500 million computers were instantly made obsolete by Microsoft in October 2025. A person can purchase continued support for another year at the price of $30, but that only delays the inevitable. However, the result is the same.
Martin Dawson, retired minister living in Cornwall PEI
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Note from the Editor: As you read the rest of the article you will see Martin’s offer… We will download a free copy of Linux Mint onto a boot-able flash drive for you and mail it out to you if you, our subscribers, request one. Just email your request with your address. (click the link). |
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| September 15 - 18, 2026 in Oklahoma USA
The Rural Chaplains Association’s 2026 Focus Event is in Oklahoma City (at the Airport Hotel). Registration is available. Check out RCA on the “Around the World Zoom Prayer” Click here for the Brochure with registration page |
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"Pastoral Care Comes to Visit”
offering a conversation, a dozen muffins and an invitation.
I remember well the day we drove down the County Road, stopped at the bottom of a farm lane, took apart the ‘For Sale’ sign, jiggled across the wooden bridge, and approached the grassy lane leading to our newly purchased rural property.
It was exciting, and at the same time, I felt lonely. We’d been used to living in an active small Ontario town where cars, transport trucks, motorbikes, ambulances, and police cars travelled the busy main road past the manse. Now, in our first days of retirement, it was quiet, and I was already looking forward to Robbie Burn’s Day next week in this new community, when we could enter into a day’s celebration. Where would we find the church? How would I break into the routine of a local rural one? Within a week, my questions began to be answered. A senior policeman out for a walk strolled up our laneway with his dog, leaned against the rail fence, and visited with my husband. It wasn’t long before a woman drove a truck up to our driving shed, rolled down the window of her vehicle and handed us a dozen muffins—still hot, and offered a welcome. And finally, a beautiful brown horse came trotting up from the road, carrying a friendly neighbour and stopped in front of me. During our conversation, she asked if I would come to the local United rural congregation and ‘take a few Sundays.’ I accepted. These different kinds of pastoral care, conversations, muffins, and invitations gave us a strong message that God was in our midst. Rural churches are changing, not by doing what we used to do better, but by recognizing what makes us unique, building on it, welcoming the Spirit to celebrate our relationship, and inviting people to take part. It’s often not about change; it’s about God becoming a central presence in our midst. A request in the newsletter or bulletin seems cold compared to a conversation, a dozen muffins, and an invitation.
Story shared by Rev. Dr. Donna Mann - Retired in Elora |
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Donna was reading the latest Broadview and when she read these stories, it reminded her of her own story (above). You may also find these stories in Broadview reminds you of your special stories.
Broadview (formerly The United Church of Canada Observer) tells us a workable plan. “Zion United, near Mitchell’s Corners, Ontario… The small rural congregation, located about 40 km east of Toronto, is holding on to its friendly, family-oriented traditions but also reaching out to new neighbours. “There’s energy and excitement, and the congregation wants to do new things,” says Zion’s minister, Rev. Deb Foster.
“God’s out there whether we are involved or not,” says Rev. Harry Oussoren, the General Council official in charge of congregational ministries. (Outreach.org May/June 2026) https://broadview.org/united-church-rural-congregations/
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| The next Zoom meets next Wednesday (May 13) @ 7:30 pm (ET). |
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| Check out ChurchX for all kinds of Learning Events: Many are free. Some are learn at your own pace. There are plenty to choose from.
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| | UCRMN has been supporting Rural Ministry in Canada for six years. We are looking for New Board Members who have a passion for Rural Ministry. Time commitment is: Monthly planning Meeting for ENews (9 times per year). Review each ENews to ensure quality.A yearly Board Meeting to approve Financials, Budgets and to set direction.Possible leadership and/or participation in Quarterly Zoom Workshops.
If you have the skills and passion, please contact us at info@UCRMN.ca |
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| | Regional Meetings and UCRMN: |
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| UCRMN has approached all 15 Regions for a “Networking” Donation to keep UCRMN viable. What we are finding is that Regions are setting up “Funds” that Networks can apply to. If your Region is using a “Fund” that we need to apply to, please share the information. editor@ucrmn.ca We are asking $ 500 per Region. This will allow UCRMN to continue to offer rural resources, Zoom Workshops, and nine ENews per year to keep everyone informed.
We have shared with the Regions the important work we have accomplished in 2025, and provide them with a 2026 Proposed Budget. Feel free to encourage your Region to support UCRMN. Thank you! Regional Spring Meetings are ahead. We invite you to share our 2025 UCRMN Report in your Region’s Spring Workbook. Available at editor@ucrmn.ca Please invite people interested in rural ministry to check out us at UCRMN.ca. |
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| | So Long For Now!
We hope you enjoyed this Edition of ENews. Any suggestions are most welcomed.
Email editor@UCRMN.ca
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Please forward this email to your Rural Ministry Colleagues and encourage them to “sign up” from our webpage at www.UCRMN.ca
_________________________________________________Who is UCRMN?
We are a Volunteer Charitable Network that is collecting and posting Rural Ministries initiatives in the United Church - from across Canada - all in one place; www.UCRMN.ca
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If you have an interest in finding out more, or to volunteer, please email us at office@UCRMN.ca
Blessings on your ministry!
Catherine, Eric, Donna, and Yvonne |
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