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| | | 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: Zoom Workshop - “LLWL Check In” Part 2 24 Hour Prayer Zoom February Zoom Workshop - “How is your Rural Church Celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the United Church of Canada” Reflection: “Alone” Tech Corner - “Preparing For The Future” May Zoom Workshop - Hands On; How to save your Computer Country Preacher’s Notes - South Korean thoughts Reflection of “Present Day South Korean Conflicts” Book: “Faithful Choices in Church and Mission” Rural Routes Through the Holy Reflection; “Epiphany - A Blessing” Rural Ministry Town Halls ChurchX - Free Workshops on Social Media 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 January 2025:
Date: January 16, 2025 (Third Thursday) - 1 pm (EST)
Subject: “LLWL Check in - Part 2”
We had such rich conversation at our November Zoom Workshop with Licensed Lay Worship Leaders, that we have agreed to host another Zoom workshop to dig deeper.
If you are a “LLWL” and missed the November workshop, we’d love your participation - just sign up below.
For those who were registered for the November workshop - you are already registered for Part 2.
Please pass along this opportunity to your fellow LLWL’s. Bring your questions and concerns.
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| | |  | 24 Hour Prayer Zoom: The International Rural Churches Association is hosting a “24 Hour” “Around the World” Prayer Zoom, the week of March 10 to 14, 2025, (time changes that weekend).. We will have three 8 hour Zoom sessions: (dates and times are not confirmed, but will be for the February ENews). There are 8 hours from the Americas, 8 hours from Europe/Africa, and 8 hours from Asia and Oceania. Monday March 10 - The Americas - 10 am to 6pm EDT Wednesday March 12 - Europe and Africa Friday March 14 - Asia and Oceania
The Prayer Zooms are in one hour time slots; with a presentation of work in the rural church (8 places across the Americas), with time for questions, and a time of praying for that ministry and related ministries. These Prayer Zooms are about learning what is happening around the world and supporting rural ministries around the world. Stay tuned to the February ENews for updated times and information. |
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“Zoom” Workshop in February 2025
Date: Thursday February 20, 2025 - 1 pm (EST)
Theme: “How is your Rural Church Celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the United Church of Canada”
Leadership will be facilitated by Rev. Bronwyn Corlett! |
| | UCRMN Gathering - February 20, 2025 @ 1 pm ET
The United Church of Canada’s 100th Anniversary – June 8, 2025
If you are looking for worship resources, please check out the resources available on The United Church of Canada’s website by clicking here.
And be sure to sign up for the Centennial Newsletter here.
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| |  | Reflection on “Alone”by Reverend Bronwyn CorlettRural Ministry Coordinator, Growth Department of the United Church Of Canada
Hoping everyone had a terrific Christmas and New Year’s! I rested, played with my kids, visited family, and watched too much of a show called “Alone.” “Alone” follows 10 people who are dropped in completely isolated locations where they then survive off the land and their own resources for as long as possible. The person who lasts the longest wins a prize. The first two seasons take place in the remote but stunningly beautiful northern tip of Vancouver Island in British Columbia. Watching this show in the last two weeks, I was overwhelmed by three things. Firstly, people are incredibly resourceful: they can build shelter, find food and water, and even entertain themselves for far longer than I ever thought possible, with many contestants lasting weeks and even months. Secondly, people desperately need people. Multiple contestants decided to leave because they simply missed their family and friends too much, deciding that although they can survive alone, they can only thrive with others. My final observation was about some of the contestant’s personal burdens. As the silence of the forest became their norm, some people started sharing regrets, doubts, and misgivings about choices they had made, relationships that were strained, and situations they would be going back to. People were holding shame and guilt that I found myself desperate to forgive them for. All of this to say, what I was struck by was how hungry people are for Christ’s message, for what church might provide for them. Many contestants struggled to find food and were physically hungry, but what took many people out of the game was their need for relationship, forgiveness, and something greater than just survival. Perhaps some of us can relate to this? Jesus met many people who were hungry and thirsty. Jesus offered them fellowship, forgiveness, and new life. As Christ’s body in the world, the church also offers these things. With churches closing, struggling, feeling less-than because we aren’t “like we used to be,” it can be easy to forget how urgently people need the Christian message of hope, love, and new life. Church will look different in the future, it already does look different, perhaps especially in rural Canada, but people will still gather to share the bread of life, communities will still share hope and love with strangers, and together we will still be Christ’s faithful body in the world. Thank God, “We are not alone, we live in God’s world.” – A New Creed (1968) I look forward to continuing to connect, network, and minster with you in 2025! |
| |  | 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. |
| | “Preparing For The Future” Well there is less than a year left before Microsoft’s Windows 10 operating system becomes obsolete. Yes, on October 14, 2025 support for this system will no longer be safe to use for the general public. As you are aware by now, I am not an admirer of the whole Windows approach to computing, and you should read many of my previous articles in past UCRMN newsletters. Thus, I admit that I like the open source approach to computing of Linux operating systems, especially Linux Mint. During a recent trip to Newfoundland my wife and i visited a friend who is faced with the problem, namely they cannot update their computers to Windows 11 because Microsoft has determined that your equipment is obsolete. Therefore the recycling depot, or worse yet, the landfill is the destiny of your machine, and you are forced to buy a newer model that can operate Windows 11. Of course that means you are going to incur a big expense. However, this is where Linux Mint can come to the rescue to save the planet and your budget, as Linux Mint is free! Still, it will require some labour on your part to make it work. I have been working with converting computers to Linux since 2011, and if you follow the step by step process, you should succeed.
(Click below for the rest of the story) Martin Dawson, retired minister living in Cornwall PEI
Note from Editor: This is a part 1 of a three part series (one each month Jan - March). Martin is working with Peter on this series, and are planning a “Hands On” Zoom Workshop on actually how to convert your operating system and keeping your expensive Computer working for you. See below for plans for the May Zoom “Hands On” workshop |
| | | “Zoom” Workshop in May 2025
Date: Thursday May 15, 2025 - 1 pm (EST)
Theme: “Hands On - How to Save Your Computer”
Registration info will be in the March ENews.
This will be a no cost workshop by Zoom!
————————————————————————————————— This workshop is lead by Martin and Peter - who understand most thing “Tech”, but especially saving the rural church money - the legal way.
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Present Day Korean Conflict
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: Both Joyce and I spent years in South Korean for the United Church of Canada. You may be aware that South Korean’s President declared Martial Law in early December, and has since been impeached, but will not let the authorities remove him from the Presidential Palace. So here are two things, that are long, but relevant. The first is from Joyce, a Christmas card made by an artist in Korea, and her reflection on the ministry of the artist who is also a minister working among the very poor of Seoul in the late 60's when Joyce worked there. The second is a reflection from SunDo Hyun, a minister here in a Saskatchewan rural ministry. He shares about the Korean situation today.
—————————————————————————————————————— From Joyce Sasse:
I remember a Christmas Card from Seoul, Korea in 1969 The card was etched by artist Rev. Yun Ho Ye in support of the work of his Medical Doctor wife (and the community where they lived). Yun Ho Ye was a minister and an artist and his wife was a medical doctor. Both were outstanding in their fields of endeavour, and were recognized around the world for their work. (I got to know them while I lived in Seoul, Korea in 1968-1972.) To visit them you had to drive into the very heart of the city – or maybe it could better be described as the “bowels” of the city. Here they were committed to working with the extremely poor… The rest of Joyce’s Story |
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An Update & Reflection on the Political Turmoil in South Korea since the Dec 3 Martial Law Declaration by Reverend SunDo Hyun (Meadow Lake, SK) January 7, 2025 I was shocked and couldn’t believe when I heard the news that the President Yoon Suk Yeol of South Korea declared martial law late at night on December 3, 2024 (KST). Watching scenes of the military and police entering the National Assembly and confronting citizens on the street left me with indescribable shock and fear, praying with heavy hearts. At the same time, I spoke to myself: “Now the current president’s time is finally coming to an end!” I truly believed that because I have trust in the Korean people’s unwavering commitment to democracy and justice and believe in the divine guidance leading us in the right direction in history. The rest of SunDo’s Story Join us in prayer for South Korean’s Political Situation! |
| |  | Rev. Dr. Donna Mann’s New Book“Faithful Choices in Church & Mission”Available now from Amazon.ca Now that Christmas is over and the new year has opened, I invite you to my book release, 'Faithful Choices: Church & Mission.' I will launch it in mid-January. The seeds for this book were planted from discussions many years ago at a Write! Canada conference. I then went deeper during my PowerPoint presentation at a Rural Symposium 2006 titled 'Digging around our Roots' and then 'Watering our Roots.' I had enough material for a long book but chose seven chapters and sent it to readers. Their comments were very positive, and the book was on its way. Because the church has always been part of my life, this book reflects a memoir by unfolding my childhood experience. It opens to other faith communities, highlighting decisions and various celebrations in church and mission. An opportunity for individual responses and group discussion completes each chapter.
Check it out at: https://tinyurl.com/yc3r29pu |
| |  | Rural Routes Through the HolyDeep peace and gladness to you all in this New Year. Rural Routes Through the Holy 2025 is taking shape and the team wants to invite you to join us from June 12 - 14 in Sackville NB. If you can't join us in person there will be an online option. We do feel the inperson element is vital to the values of RRTH so if you do choose the online option we hope that you will gather a group from within your congregation or region, your book group or your family to watch together and have the conversations our speakers and presenters invite. We love to think of people from coast to coast, listening and conversing and perhaps sharing a meal, deepening the life of their community. Our speakers this year will be Rev. Rob Fennell and Shawna Lucas. Among their many interests Rob and Shawna have been initiators and sustainers of the practice of pilgrimage in local landscapes. You can read about Camino NS here. We've asked them to speak about how the values and practice of pilgrimage connect with rural places. We'll also have our delicious mix of tasters, 30 minute presentations of rural and congregation life offered by people who are enthusiastic about something they or their community is doing. You may find their enthusiasm plants a seed for something you might like to begin where you are. Worship, a room full of silence and prayer practices, Healing Pathway, Maker's Market, good food and more await you.
Registration opens February 1st at Rural Routes Through the Holy More information on our brand new website! Please sign up, follow, and share with your friends.
Rev. Dr. Catherine Smith (RRTH) |
| |  | “Epiphany - A Blessing” This is such an exciting time of the year: Epiphany. We think of stars, expectations and blessings. It is a time when we welcome the magi, a surprise and a sense of completion and yet confidence lights the way. The shepherds have gone back to their fields, the angels have sung their Glory, Glory, Hallelujah and as God’s people, we have risen to the invitation to welcome an Epiphany moment or faith experience. That is exciting. Taking a peek into that promise welcomes everyone to watch, wait and wonder. The phrase, “The farther back you can look, the farther forward you are likely to see” (Winston Churchill) tests our willingness to trust, understand and maybe apply to both our happy and sad times. Yet, we look for God to help us take this seriously. In the rural church, our memories give us a clear vision of all good things. And perhaps reminds us of what we could change to move forward. Epiphany is a new beginning. Let’s take that first step trusting God leads us. By Reverend Donna Mann (Retired) - Ontario
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| |  | Rural Ministry Town Halls Gather together and build a network of support! Lay and clergy welcome!Share joys, insights, and successes Share challenges, disappointments, and failures Ask questions and raise concerns
Upcoming dates for the Rural Ministry Town Halls, (Which are monthly) 1 - 2:30 pm ET:
Wednesday January 22, Wednesday February 26, Wednesday March 26, Wednesday April 23, Wednesday May 28, and Wednesday June 25.
Click here to sign up for Rural Ministry Town Halls through CHURCHx.ca
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| |  | 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!
Several Zoom workshops on Social Media are currently running - sponsored by the United Church of Canada Communication Team. |
|  | | 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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