| |  | March 2024 UCRMN ENews | | The United Church Rural Ministry Network is for all rural and small town folks - lay and ministry.
Please sign up at UCRMN.ca | 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. | | Upcoming “Zoom” Workshop
Thursday April 18, 2024 - 1 pm (EDT)
“Social Media for the Rural Church”Facilitated by The United Church of Canada Digital Team.
A presentation and discussion with members of The United Church of Canada Digital Team, Cara Czech, Rev. Stephen Fetter, and Aaron Gallegos.
Join us for a presentation and Q&A discussion with members of The United Church of Canada Digital Team on using social media in the context of rural ministry, discovering the most effective means of communication for your rural church, and a look at some of the best practices in social media and digital communications, including the potential and pitfalls of a variety of online platforms. This presentation offer a time of discussion on both the "how" and "why" to use digital communications in your church.
| | | Webinars of Interest
Kathy Douglas (Southwestern Ontario Tri-Region Staff) is sharing a couple upcoming webinars that you and/or your teams may want to participate in. See attached details about events. Advance Care Planning: Grief and Bereavement Workshop: In conversation with Compassionate Ottawa https://compassionateottawa.ca/, I have helped to create and offer these webinars. For more details contact Kathy Douglas, Minister Faith Formation KDouglas@United-Church.ca (After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting). | |  | 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. | | “Protecting Your Privacy… Maybe?” If you have read many of my articles on this website, you will have no doubt discerned that I have one foot in modern technology and the other foot in pre-computer age. I guess that makes me analog and digital, but certainly not a “Luddite”. Thus, I still listen to old-school radio on shortwave and high frequency amateur broadcasting (ham radio). One of the major differences between these two types of technologies is the loss of privacy that comes with the new digital devices. In analog technology, a person listening cannot be easily tracked. Personal information is not collected and stored for advertisers, governments, Internet providers, software companies, and third party data collectors. It still is true that ham radio and shortwave broadcasters can have their location tracked, but their listeners are anonymous. Indeed, shortwave broadcasters mail out QSL cards (QSL is old morse code for, ”I received your transmission”) to listeners who write to them informing them of what they listened to, on what time and frequency, just to get a handle on their listening audience. For this reason, governments still use shortwave radio for communicating with their “spies” around the world through “numbers stations”. The “spy” is just an undetected listener to the encoded message of numbers. Here is a link that might interest you, as you can actually here these number stations transmitting. (Unfortunately, you don’t have the one-time number pad to decode it) https://priyom.org/. (Click below for the rest of the story) Martin Dawson, retired minister living in Cornwall PEI
| | |  | The Dawning of a New Day of Understanding:Easter
Words from Joyce Sasse's Gleanings from a Prairie Pastor, (pub. 2021) as she reflects on Rural networks. UCRMN has arisen from the networks here described, as well as the Alex Sim Symposium (1996 to 2016 in Ontario). (This EBook can be downloaded at the CIRCLe M website www.circle-m.ca) This article was originally written for April 3, 2021. (Easter is a time when we are invited to give attention to our spiritual health, the spiritual health of those around us and our relationship with our Mother the Earth.)
When I was a youth at camp we would salute each dawn by saying “Look to this day for it is life, the very life of life. In its brief course lie all the verities and realities of our existence … the bliss of growth, the glory of action, the splendor of beauty …” Our salute was concluded with the challenge to “Look to this day, for it is life”. Such soulful sentiments are so needed at the “Dawning of Easter 2021”. After all the people of the world have been forced to live in the shadow of Covid19 for the entire year, dare we believe the news that the Spirit of God will help us find a new understanding and appreciation for life? Many of us understand the Easter Story as it has been told because we believe in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. We know, also, that though we have many different understandings about this Jesus-centred Faith, we all are referred to as being “Christian”. Many of us understand this life-giving experience is something that transpires not “once in a lifetime”, but again and again … because ours is a vital, living God! (God isn’t some kind of a fossilizing entity.) Within our world many of us gradually realize we “Christians” may not be the only ones who celebrate the “Glories of God”. Regardless the colour of our skin, the ways by which we express ourselves, the circumstances under which we live … God gives support to all who feel lost or afraid. God helps all who try to voice their anger, express their doubts or test the way they want to try to move forward. (No one is capable of judging another!) My own United Church Creed challenges us, as caring people, to aspire “to be the church, to live with respect in creation, to love and serve others, to seek justice and resist evil and the proclaim Jesus, crucified and risen, our judge and our hope.” All of us, Christian and non-Christian, are invited to share with each other the truth about how God has been with us through these darkest of times … and helps reassure us that a “New Day of Understanding” comes with the Easter Dawn. I find comfort in the closing words of our United Church Creed which says “in life, in death and in life beyond death God is with us. We are (never) alone. Thanks be to God.” Alleluia! Amen.
(Written by Joyce Sasse) - shared by Catherine Christie | |  | “Rural Routes Through the Holy” We’d like to invite you to a space of nurture for those in rural congregations and for the communities in which they live. Rural Routes is a gathering with time for both structured and informal conversations, worship, education, play, prayer, and table fellowship. We’d like to share our stories and to hear yours; what is working well and what you lament or long for, what brings you joy and who is your neighbour. We’d like to imagine together ways in which members of small, rural congregations might remain grounded in and able to share the Gospel despite sometimes challenging circumstances.
When: Thursday, June 13th at 10:00 to Saturday, June 15th at 2:00
Where: Orchard Valley United Church, New Minas, NS
Theme: Beautiful to Behold: Broken Open Church
Theme Presenter: Rev. Dr. Catherine Smith
Tasters: Thirty-minute presentations given by a variety of people on a variety of things so good we may want to go home and cook them up in our own communities. Spirit Circle, Table Church, Community Garden Partnering, and Meet Your Feet are just a few of the offerings, each given by someone who loves them well.
Workshops This year we're adding a few workshops: Collaborative Ministry (David Hewitt), Spiritual Memoir (Janice MacLean) and two on Attention to the Acadian Experience (Marvin Lee Anderson, Karen Archibald-Waugh and others).
Prayer Stations A labyrinth and a variety of prayer stations will be set up in quiet corners for moments of individual pause and reflection. Gratitude or lament, intercession, or deep stillness, here you’ll find ways of being prayer.
Maker's Market This year there will be space set up to offer your creations for sale. Books, biscuits, carving, weaving, jewelry and jam. If you don't make things with your hands you can make someone happy by your appreciation of their gift. We get to know one another through the things we make and share. The market will be open between 9:30 and 10:00 am and during mealtimes. There'll be someone there to take care of the market whenever it's open.
Registration Fee: $50 You can register here.
Accommodation: Attendees are responsible for making their own accommodation arrangements. This year we've reserved a block of rooms at the Acadian University Residence which you can. If you'd like to reserve one of these you can email karen at karen_archibaldwaugh@outlook.com There are other accommodation options which you can discover through the area's tourist information.
All meals except breakfast are provided as part of the gathering. Coffee, tea, and muffins are available at 9:30 am at the gathering each morning.
We have been able to keep registration costs low through the support received from grants and generous donors.
We're also glad that RRTH will again form part of an independent summer study with AST taught by Dr. Marvin Lee Anderson, one of the RRTH team. Catherine For Kerry, Martin, Marvin & Sara The RRTH Team |  | |  | EXPERIENCE OF ALBERTA FOOTHILLS RURAL CULTURE
JUNE 18-21, 2024
Mount St. Francis Retreat Centre, Cochrane, AB, Treaty 7 Territory
Hosted by CENTRE FOR RURAL COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP AND MINISTRY
And Rural Church Network of the United States and Canadafind information and registration form on www.circle-m.ca Some Background Information: Before COVID Rural Conferences were held in Eastern Canada and in Western Canada. A handful of folks would travel from East to West to attend the other’s Rural Conference. CiRCLe M is hosting this year’s Western Conference this June.
Catherine Christie - CiRCLe M Chair
| | | “Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow”
You attend a rural church! You love it set amid farm fields alongside a river, and tall trees that drop leaves in your churchyard. All of this has been the pleasant vision since childhood. You like to drive through this scenery on the way to church. Even the Sunday School resources have been on the shelf for a while, but they continue to tell the old story in ways that remind us that God is forever with us through the generations. And you like those old resources that continue to strengthen your faith. When you look at the pictures on the long wall, you see faded images of your parents, and yes, there are your siblings. They are family. But you see the writing on the wall as people suggest certain activities or events are not available in the small church on the sideroad. Financial numbers show scarce figures available for the wish list. Sometimes, we feel stretched to look beyond the cornfield to paved roads and traffic lights. It’s almost like a cloud crossing in front of the sun. Reverend Dr. Catherine Smith, (Routes Routes Through the Holy), says, “The Spirit and our spiritual life is not limited to “church.” Nor it is limited to a particular faith tradition.” This thought helps me to celebrate where I am with what I have . . . because God is with me. As part of the United Church of Canada, nationwide colleges associated with regional universities are available to those searching for a learning experience. Last month, Shawn and Bernon shared exciting information about Life-Long-Learning, support and bursary information from St. Andrew’s College in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. “The St. Andrew’s Lifelong Learning (LLL) opens the great joy and privilege of theological and spiritual reflection to a much wider community of learners beyond our traditional degree programs.” Regardless of where we are in our rural journey, we are not alone.
By Reverend Donna Mann (Retired) - Ontario | | Lifelong Learning Pathway St. Andrew’s brand-new Lifelong Learning Pathway is opening options of theological and spiritual reflection to a much wider community of learners, beyond our traditional degree programs. For those who are exploring Christian discipleship through leadership in church or in the wider society, and for those who are seeking paths of wisdom in other spiritual traditions, our certificate programs create new possibilities of study. Our Lifelong Learning Pathway prioritizes the student’s own learning goals, and pairs the learner with their own educational guide. This unique new program is designed with rural lay ministry folks in mind! Regardless of your previous formal education, the St. Andrew’s Lifelong Learning Pathway opens a treasure-trove of theological and ministry support to all who desire it!
If you would like to learn more about our “Leadership in the Faith Community” Certificate within the Lifelong Learning Pathway, please get hold of me, the College’s Recruitment Ambassador, at shawn.sanfordbeck@saskatoontheologicalunion.ca I look forward to hearing from you!
PS … extra bursary support is available to anyone in a rural area!!! | | “Rural Culture and Context”
For the second year, attendance at “Rural Routes Through the Holy” will form part of a directed summer study offered by the Atlantic School of Theology. Dr. Marvin Lee Anderson will supervise the course. You can read the syllabus here. This is an excellent opportunity for those wanting to delve deeper into an exploration of rural context and culture. |  | |  | “Rural Ministry Town Halls 2024” in 2024, the Rural Ministry Town Halls are focusing on different subjects to allows Rural folks to share our experiences, about that month’s topic. Knowing that ministry vitality looks different in rural areas and valuing those differences, these gatherings are a chance for the growth team to develop an understanding of what might be most helpful for rural ministry going forward. Any learnings from these gatherings will enhance our understanding as we work with regional councils to support rural ministry.
Here are the dates for our Zoom Meetings – Please Mark Your Calendar! Wednesday, March 27, 1-2 pm ET – Daring Justice Wednesday, April 24, 1-2 pm ET – Bold Discipleship Wednesday, May 29, 1-2 pm ET – The United Church of Canada Vision – Connected but Evolving Church
| | |  | Collaborative Ministry Resources Page:
We are learning you need to know the “Why”, before the “How”. The “Why” is based on you, as a unique Church Community. The “How” will be different for each “Why”. For tools to help you figure out the ”Why” and then later the “How” - the Antler River Regional Council has a Toolkit # 9.
See ARWRCUCC.ca - there is a Step by step process available. - your Region may have something similar. Talk to your “Congregational Resource Person”
UCRMN has quite a selection of helpful Collaborative Ministry resources on our website. Check out our Collaborative Ministry Resource Page at UCRMN.ca. If you have a Collaborative Ministry story to share, please send us your story to Editor@ucrmn.ca. .
| |  | | Regional Meetings and UCRMN: | Most Regions have a Networking Fund that allows Networks such as the United Church Rural Ministry Network to apply for funding. We are asking for $300 from each Region. Thank you to those Regions who have supported UCRMN in 2023 (Antler River Waterways, Western Ontario Waterways, Prairie to Pine, Northern Spirit, Nakonhaka, Living Skies and Horseshoe Fall). Please invite people interested in rural ministry to check out us at UCRMN.ca. | | 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, Shelley and Yvonne | | | | |
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