Supporting the (weary?) Justice heart, Talking about money with your church, Lenten book study, and more in The Latest newsletter

 

New year blessings to you, from me and all of us at LeaderSHIFT. And, hoping this Friday evening message finds you when you can take, or create, a cozy moment for the news within; consider the invitations before you and the collective delight of sacred-birth-story-sharing and all that new life offered!

Depending on the choices your community of faith has made, you may have either just celebrated the baptism of Jesus in worship, or are about to. The baptism of Jesus is one of my favourite stories of our faith. Jesus is claimed as God’s own, as God’s beloved, in whom Goddelights - and all before he has done one. single. thing.

celebrated

Jesus is not beloved because of what he’s accomplished, what he’s taught, who he’s healed, or the stories he’s told. He just IS beloved, because he is a child of God. In Jan Richardson’s blessings, “Beginning with Beloved", she suggests, “Begin here: Beloved. Is there any other word needs saying, any other blessing could compare with this name, this knowing? Beloved."

 In Jesus, God comes to be with us, to be one of us. We too, are children of God, who are beloved just as we are, without having to earn, accomplish, deserve, or achieve one. single. thing.

beloved


Of course, beginning with beloved leads us to notice and affirm the beloved-ness of the rest of God’s people and the entire creation, too. Which compels us to stand in solidarity with those whose beloved-ness is denied, by the forces of racism and sexism, homo/bi/transphobia, anti-Semitism and Islamophobia, unfettered capitalism, and the drive for power. As Howard Thurman wrote,

“When the song of the angels is stilled, when the star in the sky is gone, when the kings and princes are home, when the shepherds are back with their flock, the work of Christmas begins: to find the lost, to heal the broken, to feed the hungry, to release the prisoner, to rebuild the nations, to bring peace among others, to make music in the heart.”
 

invitation

The opportunities that follow are an invitation to you, and to your community of faith, to begin with Beloved, to join together in the work of Christmas that has only begun.
 

Living Generously: A Stewardship Webinar Series
Beginning Jan 23, 2024, Four sessions in total, Online Via Zoom

Daring Justice: Uniting in Dialogue and Reflection Course
Beginning Feb 15, 2024, Six sessions in total, Online Via Zoom

Lenten Book Study: 'Canoeing the Mountains: Christian Leadership in Uncharted Territory"
Beginning Feb 20, 2024, Online Via Zoom

Anti-Racism Work & Action: First Third Ministry Leadership Conference
April 4-6, 2024, In-Person Only at Vancouver School of Theology

Introduction to the Theological Banquet: For Ministry Leaders
April 16, In-Person Only at Jubilee United (Sussex) Burnaby BC
 
Guatemala: a Tour for Ministry Leaders with Treena Duncan, World Pilgrim Global Education Tours
Tour Date: 2-12 August 2024
Info Sessions: Jan 30 or Feb 9, 2024, Online via Zoom 

So many opportunities to learn, grow and build life-giving community. Full details (date, time, investment, registration) are below. Please scroll down to take it all in. Won’t you join us?
 
Blessings,
 
Michelle

info page coming soon!

 

New Topics Added to Online Engagement Sessions

We sent out this email today, and are happy to highlight the details here too.

Last week my family watched Groundhog Day, and despite the dated sexism, heteronormative trappings and some violence (which gave us a lot to talk about too), having the context of this movie to describe our current reality has brought silliness, film analysis (Godly Play questions are fabulous for dissecting a movie!) and a growth-mindset to our days ... how does Phil Connors become released from February 2nd? Eventually, by shedding ego, embracing the gifts of his reality and leaning into LOVE. Woah.

This Newsletter is important and quick - make a cuppa, and find comfort, inspiration and tools for supporting you in these most unusual, yet very real, ministry days.

1. Nurturing the Soul of the Preacher
2. Relationship and Ministry with Youth and Children During COVID-19
3. Zoom and Beyond - **NEW TOPICS** and More Online Engagement Sessions Added
4. Deepening, Harvesting - How We Are Being Shaped by This Global Experience

Faithfully,
Tressa Brotsky - communications

and the LeaderShift Team
Allison Rennie - director
Rhian Walker - program staff
Brenda Wolff - administrative assistance
Rob Crosby-Shearer - LeaderShift Church Plant Project

1. Nurturing the Soul of the Preacher 

The LeaderShift team really wants you to know about and consider choosing to be part of the 6 week program with Janice MacLean called Nurturing the Soul of the Preacher. We created this session, plus Christ of the Celts Book Study and Stewardship Buzz, in the month before COVID-19 -- and the relevance of each in these physical distancing days is apt. These sessions begin after Easter, and will connect you to others in nourishing, grounded ways. They are $25 each. Registration details are here.

2. Relationship and Ministry with Youth and Children during COVID-19

The Regional Council staff team (Pamela, Sarah, Robin, and Mary) responsible for Youth and Young Adult Ministry and the First Third Ministry Network, powered to get pmrfirstthirdresources.ca online in the days immediately following the first wave of announcements limiting group gatherings.This website is updated frequently, and specifically provides excellent, vetted links to a wealth of ideas, resources, and encouragement for continuing ministry with children and youth, and their families during COVID-19 distancing.

3. Zoom and Beyond

LeaderShift and the PMR First Third Ministry Network worked in partnership to get a slate of online training and conversation sessions happening for church leaders, board members, choir directors, youth group leaders, study group leaders, church members ... everyone! ... and more than 250 people have access these sessions. There are more available - including one called Worship Options in a Time of Physical Distancing. and Making Your Instagram Count: Meaningful Posts for Faith Communities.  

4. Deepening, Harvesting - How We Are Being Shaped by This Global Experience

We are continuing to develop opportunities for learning in order to help equip us for this time –  

LeaderShift has offered some technical learning sessions, some ‘how to’ workshops on online tools for ministry right now. Based on need, we will continue to offer these again after Easter. And we have offered some opportunity for thinking about how to deepen existing online ministry offerings.  

In addition, we are aware that this is a tremendous moment for us to pay attention to the deeper theological and spiritual realities. Our practice of ministry is being shaped, and will be shaped, by this global experience. In light of this, we are working on some opportunities for theological engagement, and for deepening capacity in the practice of ministry including trauma-oriented pastoral care.   

We want to encourage the harvest of learning happening now. LeaderShift wants to be part of the adaptive leadership called for in order to help us discover an emerging shape of life in the body of Christ for our time. Courageous. Christian. Called. Hopeful. Stay tuned.

- Allison Rennie, LeaderShift Director

Evolve 2019: Growing community and leadership "At the Well"

Celebrating the community of United Church leadership that gathered to share time, stories, faith and enter into mutual learning and discovery, taught too by the youth and young adults gathered at Evolve UCC 2019 💫 These photos are from Evolve closing worship with Wild Church BC and Contemplative Justice Network, Rev Murray Pruden, Rev Franklin James, the PMRC Youth and Youth Adult Ministry team and volunteers.