Dialogue is the only way to avert a war- Korean churches statement

“War destroys all of us: we desperately appeal for peace on the Korean peninsula.”

Dear Friends,

With tensions steadily increasing between the United States and North Korea, the National Council of Churches in Korea (NCCK) continues to call for peaceful dialogue to resolve the rising conflict between these two governments to avoid war in the Korean peninsula.

The NCCK, along with each moderator from the member churches of the NCCK, participated in a press conference to express their unified stance on a peaceful resolution.

To read the collective call and the urgent appeal to the international community for peace in Korea, please click here.

Sincerely, the NCCK International Team

Jeremiah 33:6 “Nevertheless, I will bring health and healing to it; I will heal my people and I will let them enjoy abundant peace and security.”

 

 

 

 

Reconciliation in the Watershed Workshop- Oct 21 Regina

Reconciliation in the Watershed Workshop: free, all welcome!
Saturday, October 21st, 2017
9:30 am to 4:00 pm
University of Regina / First Nations University, Regina, SK

Worship and action resources for World Food Day, Oct 16

Throughout this week in October we are invited to take action for food justice. As the harvest is gathered and as Indigenous and non-Indigenous people alike respectfully hunt and fish in preparation for winter, we give thanks for the beauty and the bounty of God’s Creation. Please set aside time in worship to give thanks, and to pray and take action for the millions around the world and in Canada who are hungry in the midst of plenty, or who are hungry because they are fleeing disasters and violence.

See the United Church’s national page for resources. The United Church and many of our own farmers are also partners with the Canadian Foodgrains Bank, which also offers a special 2017 worship resource.  

Speaker opportunity: Global partner stories at home

Out of Many, One: bringing home stories of global partners in Kenya, Cuba, and Palestine

Three SK Conference members have been recent guests with global partners in Cuba, Kenya, and Palestine/ Israel.  These partners, our global family, share in our mission and in our givings to Mission and Service. Throughout the fall of 2017 and winter/ spring 2018, we encourage you to invite them to share their stories in worship, workshops, and at Presbytery. Some support for their travel is available through the Conference Generosity in Mission Fund.

Get in touch with Cindy, Brenda, and Sandra to find out how your ministry can host them for worship, workshops, and more. Or contact Laura Sundberg, Global Personnel Coordinator, or Julie Graham, Education staff. In order to protect email addresses, we ask you to use the Conference Directory or contact Julie if you need help finding contact information. Email her at jgraham(at)skconf(dot)ca

Rev. Cindy Bourgeois serves Wesley United Church in Regina. On behalf of the United Church and Affirm United, in 2017 she attended an historic church gathering in Cuba for the transgender community.

Rev. Brenda Curtis serves Humboldt pastoral charge. In the spring of 2017 she participated in a clergy “Come and See” visit to the Occupied Palestinian Territories and Israel.

Sandra Fowler is a licensed lay worship leader at Spirit Hills pastoral charge.  She represented SK Conference in March 2017 on the Mission and Service Pilgrimage to Kenya.

 

Resources-World Week for Peace in Palestine and Israel

World Week for Peace in Palestine and Israel, 17 to 24 September 2017

During this week, which includes the International Day of Prayer for Peace on 21 September, church organizations, congregations, and people of faith are encouraged to bear a common witness by participating in worship services, educational events, and acts of support in favour of peace and justice for Israelis and Palestinians. Resources:

• Order of service for the World Week of Peace in Palestine and Israel 2017
  (Adapted from the Pentecost Prayer in Jerusalem)

• The World Council of Churches is also offering a short series of personal videos that can be shown in worship or at coffee hour: https://www.oikoumene.org/en/what-we-do/12-faces-of-hope

Call for prayers: In just 68 words… (pdf, 400 KB)
This year marks the 100^th year since the Balfour declaration. That declaration was just 68 words. But those 68 words have had a dramatic impact. We know prayer can also have a lasting impact. We invite you to give a prayer in support of all people seeking justice and peace in Palestine and Israel in just 68 words. More information is posted in the flyer; follow the PDF link above.

From 15,000 years to 150- prayers and reflections

July 1 marks the 150^th anniversary of Confederation. As we reflect on this milestone, there are “thoughts, feelings, and prayers Indigenous friends and relations want our whole church to hear. As we mark Canada 150, we need to contemplate them, share them in our networks, and lift them up in worship on July 2, the Sunday closest to Canada Day. As Henry David Thoreau wrote, “It takes two to speak the truth—one to speak and another to hear. (David Giuliano, Community Capacity Development Coordinator, Aboriginal Ministries, The United Church of Canada).

Worship resources

Reflections on Canada 150 from Indigenous people

All My Relations Network: How Shall We Celebrate Canada 150?

Prayer (By Liz Mackenzie, Saskatchewan Conference Personnel Minister)

One:   From the West to the East, the North and to the South;

All:      we are your people, O God, and we live in your world.

One:   From sea to sea to sea; from mountains to prairies; rock shields to Great Lakes; bountiful fruit orchards to windswept east coast cliffs;

All:      we are your people, Creator God, called to celebrate your good creation.

One:   From the first peoples to inhabit Turtle Island to the newest visitors to arrive in Canada;

All:      your Spirit lives in all your peoples – yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

One:   Young and old, in the diversity of our abilities, sexualities, gender identities, ethnicity and race;

All:      You gather us as sheaves of wheat and call us to live as one.

One:   You call us together, Source of all Love, to be the bearers of your love in this great country of Canada;

All:      As we celebrate Canada’s 150th anniversary, may we work together for a country and a world where all are included in your dream of justice, peace, reconciliation, and grace.  May it be so, Gracious God.  Amen.

June 5 Facebook Live event: anti-poverty

Minister Duclos to Host a Facebook Live Event Discussing the Federal Anti-Poverty Strategy

On June 5, the Hon. Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children, and Social Development, will be holding a Facebook live event in order to discuss poverty reduction, and the federal government’s Poverty Reduction Strategy.  The event will be held on June 5 from 4:30-5:30pm EST, and can be accessed via the following link:  https://www.facebook.com/SocialDevelopmentCanada/

Participants will be invited to submit questions and pose comments.

SK Conference The Call Echoes weekend June 16-18

You’re invited to The Call Echoes, SK Conference events June 16, 17, 18 in Saskatoon
Register: www.sk.united-church.ca/register/ or call the Conference office.

In need of some faith revival and community? Come and be fed . . . Saskatchewan Conference does not have an annual general meeting this year, but The Call Echoes, Saskatchewan Conference’s Ministry event, is for you. This is an exciting get together for renewal, justice-seeking, learning, and celebration of our ministry is for everyone. Please help promote these events! (See below for promotion resources and details).

Come join us for a Friday retreat, Saturday singing and workshops, and the celebration of ministries banquet, and Sunday’s celebration of new ministries service. We even have a micro brewery tour and tasting! It all takes place June 16 – 18 in Saskatoon. Please register as soon as possible as registration is only open until June 5^th. Some events have limited enrollment.

Workshops and bios: June 17, Call Echoes event

Workshops and great workshop leaders! June 17, 2017: SK Conference Education Day at McClure United Church. (Map. And a flyer about the whole weekend.)

Scroll down for bios of our amazing facilitators. Please indicate your workshops preferences at www.sk.united-church.ca/register/ or call the Conference office at 306-721-3311. Workshops are free and open to the community. Lunch is $12 and you must register for it in advance. Registration and coffee at 8:30; worship is at 9:15 and workshops will begin by 10:15AM. Lunch: 12:30- 1:30, then afternoon workshops at 2:00PM- 4:15PM. Click here for a workshops flyer.  (PDF)

Update: Philippines emergency continues

Update received from United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP): Emergency Continues. 

The national United Church of Canada received the following update from the UCCP this morning, May 27, regarding the emergency situation in Marawi, on the southern Philippines island‎ of Mindanao. (See an earlier post for background.)  Please continue to pray for and support the people of Marawi and those related to the UCCP’s Dansalan College: 

1. In MARAWI — 50 college-related families remain trapped, and need to be evacuated. Food and medicines are scarce, given extreme limitations on movement in the city, even for rescue and relief efforts.
2. In ILIGAN City — 30 college-related families are in temporary, make-shift shelter.
3. CAPTIVES — Whereabouts and conditions are still unknown of the seven (7) hostages from the college including the School Principal. 

Prayer request: United Church of Christ in the Philippines

Patricia Talbot, General Council staff (Team Leader for Church in Partnership, and Northeast Asia Partnerships), wrote to all  Conferences with an update on the violence gripping communities in Mindanao, the southernmost island in the Philippines. In addition, please see the UCCCP Bishops’ statement on the violence. (Note that we will post updates in separate posts; please see the home page on the right side for a list of updates.) 

Bill C-16 stalled in the Senate: take action for transgender human rights

Trans* people are ministers and leaders in the United Church and across the country. They are members of our families, our loved ones, our friends, colleagues, and neighbours, and they deserve to have their identities protected by the law.

Bill C-16 would amend the Canadian Human Rights Act to prohibit discrimination on the grounds of gender identity and gender expression. It will also amend the Canadian Criminal Code to include gender identity and gender expression as a recognized group when offences are motivated by bias, prejudice, or hate.

Bill C-16 passed its third reading in the House of Commons in November 2016, and is now in its second reading in the Senate. Some groups are actively campaigning the Senate to block this bill. Please take action by contacting your senator as soon as possible, and urge the Senate to make Bill C-16 law.

Saskatchewan Senators: https://sencanada.ca/en/senators

Raynell Andreychuk raynell.andreychuk@sen.parl.gc.ca

Denise Batters: denise.batters@sen.parl.gc.ca

Lillian Eva Dyck: lillian.dyck@sen.parl.gc.ca

David Tkachuk david.tkachuk@sen.parl.gc.ca

Pamela Wallin: pamela.wallin@sen.parl.gc.ca