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| February 2025 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 |
| Items of Interest in this ENews: February Zoom Workshop - “How is your Rural Church Celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the United Church of Canada” 24 Hour Prayer Zoom Reflection: by Rev. Dr. Catherine Smith Zoom Workshop - “LLWL Check In” Part 3 Tech Corner - “Preparing For The Future” May Zoom Workshop - Hands On; How to save your Computer Country Preacher’s Notes Book: “Faithful Choices in Church and Mission” Rural Routes Through the Holy Rural Ministry Town Halls ChurchX - Free Workshops “Church and AI” 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 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! |
| | 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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Reflections on the Centennial: Whenever I consider church union in 1925, I find myself pondering the communication challenges they faced. Four different denominations, came together and decided to become a new church, a church that I love. The people of those four denominations gave up their ministers and buildings and expanded their accepted doctrine for something greater than what they knew. Would we be willing to do that today? I wonder what the conversations were prior to 1925, what were congregations worried about? Would they sound familiar? How did they have these conversations with each other? Today, some of our rural and isolated ministries struggle with connecting, having limited internet access or cell phone service. Prior to 1925, how many phone calls were made on party lines? How many train rides were taken? How many letters were written? How many messages conveyed through a series of people, broken-telephone style? We have challenges to overcome in rural Canadian churches, but we also come from a church tradition that travels great distances, that listens carefully to faraway neighbours, and that trusts one another. When two or three gather together in Christ’s name, we are assured that He is with us. It is time to celebrate this incredible coming together of Christ’s body in Canada. I know many feel the church is not what it used to be. For some, that is a good a thing. For many, it is something to grieve. But we can celebrate where we’ve been, while looking ahead to where we might go. May we listen boldly that we might believe deeply, and live daringly. May we continue to uphold the value of United Church ministry across Canada, even when there are two gathered together, as we move into the next century of The United Church of Canada. by The Rev. Bronwyn Corlett |
| |  | 24 Hour Prayer Zoom: The International Rural Churches Association is hosting a “24 Hour” “Around the World” Prayer Zoom, the week of March 6 to 10, 2025, (time changes that weekend). We will have three 8 hour Zoom sessions. There are 8 hours from Asia and Oceania, 8 hours from Europe/Africa, and 8 hours from the Americas. (Click on any of these links to register - or register for all three) Each presentation is given an one hour time slot; which consists of about 30 minutes of information (could be a couple of videos) on the important work they would like prayer for. The time slot will be; 5 minutes to introduce your organization and lead up to the presentation, the video or presentation of the work, then 10 minutes for questions, and 10 minutes to offer prayer for your work, leaving the last five minutes for a break (and prep for the next presentation).
These Prayer Zooms are about learning what is happening in rural around the world and supporting rural ministries around the world.
For the “Americas” Prayer Zoom, here is a draft schedule (to give you an idea):
1) Wartburg, Rural Ministry Leadership (at 10 am - Kick off) - Mark Yackel-Juleen 2) Rural Routes through the Holy (Catherine Smith in Maritime Canada), 3) The United Methodist Rural Advocates (Jodie) 4) UCRMN (background of the United Church network) - Eric and Catherine 5) Robin Haensel, who presented his Dr. Min thesis at the RCN in Cochrane on sparsely-populated areas, along with a follow-up project in his home sparsely-populated area 6) the Rural Church Network (video from Cochrane - ties into Robin’s presentation) - Eric, Catherine, Inba, Lisa and Dave. 7) Rural Chaplains Network (Video from Minnesota and could promote the upcoming 2025 Fall Event in Southern Ontario) Eric, Inba, and Dave. 8) Roberto Ochoa is working on a connection to Latino America and/or South America.
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| |  | Reflection by Rev. Dr. Catherine Smith
On Candlemas (February 2nd) I will say words of blessing at home. One small candle will represent all the candles I will light this year, a congregation of lights variously holy and rambunctious in their appearing through the coming days.
I'll pause to offer these words as I light my candle. Bless to me Holy One
this small, swift coming into Light. Bless to me the darkness
that was
before the flame.
And bless the silent hush that follows it. Bless to me the kindled light
the warm waxen melting.
May my heart take note. And bless me to the world.
Call out my own small, swiftness,
my own melting
into the unpeaceful machinations of these days,
into the gathering of what makes whole. Bless me. You can read the whole reflection at https://hemofthelight.com/a-candlemas-prayer-and-reflection/
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“Licensed Lay Worship Leaders Check in”
We had another wonderful time of sharing rich conversation at our January Zoom Workshop with Licensed Lay Worship Leaders, and we have agreed to host another Zoom workshop to dig deeper.
If you are a “LLWL” and missed the previous workshops, we’d love your participation - just sign up below.
For those who were registered for the November or January workshop - you are already registered for Part 3.——————————————————————-
“LLWL” “Zoom” Workshop - Part 3March 20, 2025 - 1 pm EST
Subject: “LLWL Check in - Part 3”
Please pass along this opportunity to your fellow LLWL’s. Bring your questions and concerns.
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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. |
| | “Preparing For The Future” - Part 2 In the last UCRMN newsletter, I addressed the issue of the coming “end of life” for Windows 10 computers that are deemed incompatible with the newer Windows 11 operating system. It is estimated that about 240 million or so computers will then be considered obsolete, and the landfill is probably their eventual new home, as the amount of recycling is dismal (12.5 to 20 % at best). So, a little effort on your part will help avoid this problem and save you a lot of money. The solution is to put a Linux operating system on the supposedly obsolete computer. As I mentioned in part 1, I have been doing this changeover since 2011.
(Click below for the rest of the story) Martin Dawson, retired minister living in Cornwall PEI
Note from Editor: This is a part 2 of a three part series. 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 - in legal ways.
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Statistics Tell Their Story
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)
—————————————————————————————————————— As church treasurers and secretaries are collecting the annual statistics to send to General Council office, listen to this story from Joyce Sasse as she thinks of ‘statistics’ – submitted by Catherine Christie I wonder what all the statistics gathered in these Covid-19 months will tell historians in the year 2120? While tabulating information charts gathered now may seem to be a nuisance, the information can be of utmost importance to succeeding generations. Let me give an example. When Dr. Olive Dickason visited Pincher Creek’s Cross Cultural Conference twenty years ago, she told us about her study of statistics that had been written in the 1700s. These were detailed manifests of goods delivered by French-based ships to the Fortress at Louisbourg (Cape Breton on the North Atlantic). Food and building materials were among the supplies being shipped from over-seas. By examining these manifests and comparing what she knew about the oral historical stories told by Indigenous people in the region, she was able to prove the validity of their stories … And that information had to make Canadians re-think what they understood about what Native story-tellers said. Until then, those who immigrated to the “New World” from “Over-seas” thought the people who they “discovered” in North American to be “Savages”. But the work done by Dr. Dickason was proof that “thriving, productive Indigenous peoples had survived for centuries in North America before the European’s had arrived”. We are told that her statistical work proved to Canadians that they had been wrong in their interpretation of Aboriginal history. They had to think of the Native and Metis culture in a totally different way. A story of the book Champlain’s Dream by David Hackett Fischer (about the explorer Champlain’s ventures through-out the St. Lawrence River, and far beyond) is another example of how essential statistical account keeping was in the 1600s. There is another detail to Olive Dickason’s autobiography that is important to her “back-story”. Her mother intentionally neglected informing Olive that her father was Aboriginal. Olive was successful as an outstanding journalist who used her skills in writing and research before she discovered her Metis heritage. But it was while she was working among the Indian artifacts in Ottawa’s National Gallery that she said “The pieces spoke to me. I felt I knew all about them. I guess that is what they refer to as racial memory”. That sensitivity fueled her passion to enter University and do her scholarly Louisbourg documentation. She continued her writing. In addition to “ The Myth of the Savage ”, she wrote “ Canada’s First Peoples ” (a history of Founding Peoples). A wonderful short film “ Introducing Dr. Olive Dickason ” can be found on You Tube. Her life-long achievements are reminders of how essential statistics can be is teaching us vital vibrant historical lessons. Thanks be for such insights shared! |
| |  | Rev. Dr. Donna Mann’s New Book“Faithful Choices in Church & Mission”Available now from Amazon.ca Donna’s book has launched and the buzz is all positive. Donna had a great Book Launch Party by Zoom. Check out Donna’s book, 'Faithful Choices: in Church & Mission.' The seeds for Donna’s book were planted from discussions many years ago at a Write! Canada conference. She went deeper during her PowerPoint presentation at a Rural Symposium 2006 titled 'Digging around our Roots' and then 'Watering our Roots.' Donna tells stories of Rural Ministry and Mission. Because the church has always been part of Donna’s life, this book reflects a memoir by unfolding her 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. A great Book for your next Book Study! This wonderful Resource is $10 from Amazon (click on the link)
Book Launch Video Check out the book |
| A few words about “Faithful Choices” “Wonderful book: Many, many thanks for your book on 'Faithful Choices’. I have only read into chapter 2 and you are speaking to me and many others. The Alice in Wonderland example is a favourite of mine. Your observations of my/our experience of being in church are so right on! I look forward to seeking 'faithful choices' in covenant with our Living God as we look to being the church today and in the future! Brenda C. |
| |  | Rural Routes Through the Holy: 2025 We have lots of news for you! Our new website has launched and we love it. The first picture you’ll see on the site was taken on an evening walk at last year’s Rural Routes gathering. You can have a look here Please follow us to receive our news. Rural Routes Through the Holy 2025, will be held June 12 – 14th at Sackville NB at the Regional Office, 21 Wright Avenue The theme is Life, Land, and Leadership: Loving with Your Feet and it will be led by Rob Fennell and Shawna Lucas. Our experience and honouring of the sacred can’t be contained within walls. Sometimes it calls for a journey. It can be a rural route through the holy, a route we take in with our senses and feel in our bodies, a route that shapes us in community with the storied land beneath our feet and those storied people, past and present, with whom we journey. It can begin right outside our door. Come listen to insights and stories from Camino Nova Scotia’s eleven years of facilitating local pilgrimage and imagine together what pilgrimage could look like on the land you call home.
We’ll have those things Rural Routes participants have come to know and love: tasters (brief presentations), body prayer, worship, table talk, good food, a place for silence and various prayer practices, a Maker’s Market and book exchange. This year we will not be livestreaming the in person gathering BUT we WILL be recording our themes and tasters and offering a package that includes recordings, prompts, questions reading list and ideas for sharing the contents in a group. Registration fees for this and the in person gathering are available on the website. The team is excited as we gather all that we can offer and prepare to welcome you again. If you have questions, you can reach me at ruralroutesatlantic@gmail.com Rev. Dr. Catherine Smith (RRTH) |
| Atlantic School of Theology Credit Course: Pilgrimage and Retreat Leadership If you would like to participate in Rural Routes and receive a university-level course credit, you can do so by registering for a course at Atlantic School of Theology, entitled, "Pilgrimage and Retreat Leadership." For more information, contact Prof. Rob Fennell at rob.fennell@astheology.ns.ca.
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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 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 are plenty to choose from.
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|  | “Conversations about Church and AI”
Here are some of the conversations planned: An Introduction to Generative AI Ethical and Responsible AI Use AI and Preaching AI and Pastoral Care Theological Reflection on AI AI and Social Justice AI and Education AI and Theology of Work Data Privacy and Security AI, Creativity, and Spirituality
This is a free Course.
UCRMN has received requests for help with integrating AI into Worship and Ministry. Church X offers this free course. Click on the banner above and check it out! |
| | 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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