Faith Leaders for Such a Time as This
Fall 2021: October 13, 20 and November 3, 10 - Online
we are called to be faith leaders ...
We are called into faith leadership, as well as church leadership.
These times continue to be disorienting, challenging and require rapid adaptation for all church leaders. Join Cheryl Bear and Kim Uyede-Kai to dig into this call, for those of us holding responsibility for many kinds of leadership roles in our faith communities.
These times also demand our dedication to the essential practices of faith: to attend to the life and faith of our community, to listen for the Spirit within the challenges and opportunities of our context, and to honour the wisdom of our traditions. In everything we hear the call to right relations.
Join Cheryl Bear and Kim Uyede-Kai to dig into this call for those of us holding responsibility for many kinds of leadership roles in our faith communities.
Lead with Intention
Led by Cheryl Bear and Kim Uyede-Kai, gather with colleagues for 4 sessions (no gathering October 27) to explore the spiritual questions that arise during a crisis, the theologies that are guiding us, and how we respond to the needs of our communities right now.
Event Logistics
October 13, 20 and November 3, 10: Wednesdays (4 sessions. No gathering on Oct 27!)
10-11:30am PT / 11am-12:30pm MT
Online
Space is limited to 18
Fee: $50
Facilitators
Cheryl Bear
Cheryl is currently serving as Director of Community Ministry at First United Church on the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver, BC. Cheryl is from Nadleh Whut’en First Nation, is a respected voice and teacher on behalf of Canada’s Indigenous peoples and has traveled to over 600 Indigenous communities raising awareness and understanding of Indigenous issues. She is a founding board member of NAIITS, an Indigenous learning community; an Associate Professor at Regent College; earned her Doctorate from The King’s University, and Master of Divinity from Regent College. Her doctoral work presents an approach to First Nations ministry from the foundations of Indigenous worldview and values.
Cheryl served two terms as a band councilor for her community of Nadleh Whut’en First Nation from 2014-2018, is currently serving as a Strategic Associate as the Indigenous Relations Specialist with Canadian Baptist Ministries and is an award-winning singer/songwriter.
Kim Uyede-Kai
Kim presently serving Shining Waters Regional Council, and is the staff lead for right relations - accompanying the six Indigenous communities of faith and Toronto Urban Native Ministry. Kim provides lead staff support for the Intercultural Commission, the Living Into Right Relations Circle, and also supports the Community of Faith Commission and the Ecological Social Justice Commission.
Raised in the United Church, Kim’s family on her father’s side was Methodist before church union. Kim has a long history working in the United Church beginning in 1979 in the Communication Division of the national office. Her most recent work was in Right Relations and Indigenous Justice with Antler River Watershed, Horseshoe Falls, and Western Ontario Waterways Regional Councils. She was previously Minister, Congregational Support to Hamilton Conference, Vision Keeper with the Francis Sandy Theological Centre, and various General Council staff positions in racial justice, gender justice, and racial/ethnic ministries. Kim is familiar with congregations across southern Ontario and has strong relationships with the Indigenous church. The commitment to live into right relations with Indigenous peoples is a part of Kim’s identity and way of life.
Kim has a social services background and training in restorative practice and listening circles. She is a Reiki energy practitioner in Levels 1 and 2.
Kim continues to be engaged with the Japanese-Canadian community and in wider human rights and anti-racism circles.
Kim’s family roots are in Vancouver Island until internment forced the family west and they landed in Toronto. Kim is the firstborn of three children. Kim is honoured to carry her Japanese spirit name, Harumi meaning ‘spring sea’.
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