| |  | | | The United Church Rural Ministry Network is for all rural and small town folks - lay and ministry.
Please sign up at UCRMN.ca |
| Items of Interest in this ENews: November Zoom Workshop - “LLWL Check In” Update on Jasper Article “Why Is Our Church Stuck?” Tech Corner Story “Old Is New Again” Country Preacher’s Notes Notice “Affirming Media Conference” Notice “Song Contest for PIE Day 2025” “Save the Date” - Rural Routes Through the Holy Story “Discussion is Good for the Soul” February Zoom Workshop - TBA Rural Ministry Town Halls Rural Ministry Conference in October, in Alberta ChurchX - Free Workshops on Social Media Article - “Should Churches Use Tik Tok?” Regional Fall Meetings and UCRMN
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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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“Zoom” Workshop in November 2024:
Date: November 21, 2024 (Third Thursday) - 1 pm (EST)
Subject: “LLWL Check in”
Our Licensed Lay Worship Leaders are so valuable in our United Church. UCRMN would like to offer a time for them to come together and share.UCRMN calls this a “Check In” - no cost.
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| | |  | Update on Jasper:What’s happening in Jasper after the fire? The situation in Jasper changes daily. To keep you up to date - check out the Town link:
Thank you to Rev. Jordan Cantwell - Jordan serves as the Growth Animator for the Prairie Regions. Jordan has worked to offer prayers and services to the United Church folks in Jasper. Great idea, and thank you Jordan!
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Why Is Our Church Stuck?by: Rev, Dr. Anna Hall
(This article is from “Convergence Weekly” Blog, and has been used with permission) If your church seems stuck and unable to move forward these days, you are not alone. Consulting with dozens of churches every year, I have noticed a specific tension in most discussions and decision making. Most congregations I work with seem pulled between the past and the future, and the balance of this tension is constantly shifting. In some cases, this tension can break badly and harm our congregation and our people. Why is this? For many of us and our congregations, we are still actively grieving that the future of our church won’t look like the past. We may be working to accept that our or our loved one’s funeral may not be in this church with this organ and choir, like we always pictured. We may be sad that our children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren will not experience church as we did when we were young. We may feel that all we invested in the church over the years was for naught…
(“The Rest of the Story!” link will take you to this particular “Convergence Weekly” Blog)
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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. |
| | “The Age of Analogue” Yes, I realize that modern readers expect an article on modern technology in our digital world; however, in last month’s article, I strongly hinted that lately I have been delving into the technology of the age before computers. Now, I hope that you are not thinking that I am talking about eight track and cassette tapes or vinyl records. No, I wish to go back in history, past Windows Office and e-readers to a time before the printed Bible in our church pews. This journey in time takes us back to the 1st century and then advancing up to the invention of the printing press in the 15th century. So, the question that I asked myself, as I started a handwritten copy of my Bible, was, “How did we get the printed copy of the Bible in our pews in 2024?” Well, the answer is simple. They came from handwritten copies going back to the 1st century. I was experiencing how it was done as I write it out with my dip pen, bottled ink, and paper, yet I have the advantage of having my supplies come from the shelves of my local stationery store, but that was not the case in the past…
(Click below for the rest of the story) Martin Dawson, retired minister living in Cornwall PEI
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When Pandemic Was Unleashed, Women Were Ready
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)
Foreword by Rev. Catherine Christie: As we approach the election in the US and elections in some of the provinces this fall, hear what Joyce was noticing and musing on 4 years ago from the Nursing Home in Pincher Creek. Six months ago, who would have suggested a Black female Senator from California might become an American vice-presidential candidate? Three months ago who would have named Crystia Freeland as Canada’s Minister of Finance? Now, like cream naturally coming to the top of the milk pail, very capable women candidates are “coming to the top” in the world of business and politics. Furthermore, the public is being told who they are … and that their recognition is being celebrated. When COVID-19 changed our world in March 2020, do you remember how many female journalists and talk-show TV hosts quickly moved ahead? Suddenly broadcasting from a space in their own homes, without their make-up / hairdo / style-designers, they accepted whatever responsibility was required. We laughed at their foibles, marvelled at their tenacity, and saw them in a whole new light. As for our Federal and Provincial Medical Officers (women and men) … they continue being an awesome bunch. Regardless of their ongoing need for patience and rest, their leadership in these crisis-times exudes capability, calmness and confidence. As a female professional in what was very much a “men’s world” in 1965 (when I was ordained as a United Church minister), I felt it important to recognize I shared partnership with my male colleagues and professors. Later, while working in Korea, I particularly valued the Oriental Yin and Yang Philosophy. (The Yin & Yang symbol is an essential component on the Korean flag.) This philosophy teaches that opposite forces (like male and female) are complementary, interconnected and interdependent in the natural world. While many women in our North American Society have been ready to be recognized alongside the men for a long time, many other women and men have rejected this kind of thinking. In the Old Testament Scriptures (as well as in Greek thinking) the female personification of the divine is called “Wisdom” or “Sophia”. In my understanding that terminology includes the qualities of intelligence, beauty, graciousness, and compassion … These qualities are much valued in the 21st century. Finally, in the world of technology the robot named “Sophia” was developed in Hong Kong in 2016. News about it was covered by media around the world - and clone-likenesses now abound. This “Sophia” was named after the Ancient Egyptian Queen Nefertiti. Isn’t it interesting to note how today’s important news headlines can remind us of what some scholars have known for generations!
(Written by Joyce Sasse) - shared by Catherine Christie |
| |  | Affirming Media ConferenceNovember 1 - 2, 2024Friday, November 1 , 7pm - 9:30pm MTSaturday, November 2, 9am - 4pm MT(Conference registration includes BOTH days)Location: Calgary Central Library - Patricia Whelan Performance Hall & Online
Join us for the inaugural Affirming Media Conference, a 2 day hybrid event. Focused on providing accessible training in marketing, social media, communications, and media literacy for Affirming leaders, Affirming faith communities, 2SLGBTQIA+ leaders, 2SLGBTQIA+ serving organizations, and advocates of all kinds who want to develop these skills to create change and stop anti-2SLGBTQIA+ misinformation and disinformation.
With a keynote and workshop from Kathryn LeBlanc, plus two additional workshops with media specialists and a special opening arts night, this is an event like none other - and not to be missed!
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| |  | Rural Routes Through the Holy We think the word's out by now but just in case it's not, here's the news on Rural Routes in brief. RRTH is an annual three-day gathering of those in rural congregations (lay and clergy) for worship, learning, conversation, the sharing of resources, ideas and lots of good food. It's a time for rest, relationship and renewal. We're based in Atlantic Canada but we love to welcome folks from wherever they travel. Much as we love to see you in person and to hear your voices in conversation around card tables, we're also offering a virtual option again this year. We learned a lot from our pilot of virtual attendance last year and are finding ways to open up more interactive online gathering space.
You can read more about our vision here . You can read about last year's theme here and listen to 30 minute podcasts of our theme presentations here. We'll have lots more information available in November along with our brand new Rural Routes Through the Holy website. If you have questions you can email ruralroutesatlantic@gmail.com.
We love to hear from you!
Rev. Dr. Catherine Smith (RRTH) |
| |  | “Discussion is Good for the Soul” How many times have we attended church meetings and observed someone giving a report on an important topic, only to have no one inquire further? The presenter begins to move towards asking for a vote . . . and everybody waits. This can be very discouraging as he or she has probably given up family time, maybe spent money on gas or Tim Hortons to gain information before unveiling these facts or figures. Is no one interested? Additionally, the speaker is presenting an opinion and a passion to foster discussion among everyone before the vote. Encourage people to sit down together, talk, and share with each other, inspire, and wrestle together with difficult questions. This creates a safe space where members of the board or committee can listen, open topics, define subjects and respond. Does it show disinterest when there is no response? Does it begin to look like contentment? Besides having opportunity to contribute to the topic, there are other posotive options. Questions enlarge a topic with answers. Discussion is good for the soul. Hearing someone else’s opinion can enrich our own. Bring it on. Let’s talk about difficult topics and enlarge our understanding of process, issues, problems and opportunities. By Reverend Donna Mann (Retired) - Ontario
(Image: complements of my membership in Canva.) |
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“Zoom” Workshop in February 2025
Date: Thursday February 20, 2025 - 1 pm (EST)
Theme: TBA
Do you have an concern or interest that you think others in Rural Ministry would like to share?
Maybe something about how Rural Churches can celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the United Church of Canada: Ideas and possibilities?
Registration info will be in the January ENews.
This will be a no cost workshop by Zoom!
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| |  | “Rural Ministry Town Halls” The Rural Ministry Town Halls are by Zoom. Next Town Hall is: Wednesday October 30, 2024 at 1 pm (EDT).
Click the link to go to ChurchX - for more information, the dates and to register. |
| | |  | Chinook Winds is sponsoring this Rural Ministry Conference, in Fort McLeod AB on October 25 - 27, 2024.
This conference is for Lay Leaders and Ministry Personnel in the Chinook Winds Regional Council of The United Church of Canada — and all from any region or denomination are invited, whose church life and work is rooted in a rural setting. Come experience rural hospitality, inspiring theme sessions and practical workshops tuned to today’s rural ministry contexts! |
| |  | Check out ChurchX for all kinds of Learning Events: Many are free. Some are learn at your own pace. There is plenty to choose from.
UCRMN has had requests for help with Social Media. Church X offers two free courses. Click on the banner below to check it out! |
|  | |  | “Should Churches Use Tik Tok?” by: Rev. Jim Keat - Digital Minister at Riverside NYC
Every new communications technology brings new opportunities and new pitfalls. Even the printing press, 600 years ago, faced opposition by some who thought that this new technology would lead to immorality — what if they start using it to print and distribute non-religious texts?! Engaging new technology responsibly is always essential, but we can’t let our fears keep us from new opportunities to connect with people, because at the end of the day this technology is designed to help people connect with other people.
And so yes, churches should use TikTok. One pastor doing exactly that isRev. Wanda Floyd, a pastor in the Metropolitan Community Church. Reflecting on the history and current use of Tin Tok, Wanda writes: “TikTok exploded on the scene at just the right time – 2017…”
(“The Rest of the Story!” link will take you to this particular “Convergence Weekly” Blog) |
| | | 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 2024 (Antler River Waterways, Western Ontario Waterways, Horseshoe Falls, Prairie to Pine, Living Skies, Northern Spirit, Nakonhaka, Eastern Ontario Outaouais and East Central Ontario). 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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