Orbiting the Calgary Conference Site - Satellite Hub Locations Are Locked In For Bold Witness, Relentless Grace!

It’s almost here —

Three days in the company of visionary leaders, finding friends new and old, being challenged and encouraged, and celebrating Christian faith in community. For the Seeker, the Wanderer, the Questioner, Bold Witness, Relentless Grace invites you to dive deeply into what boldly living Christian faith with grace can mean — and for those who can’t make it to Calgary, attending one of the Satellite Conference Locations may work for you!

Oooh, Watch Party!

LeaderSHIFT is supporting the Satellite Conferences to live-stream the entire BOLD WITNESS, RELENTLESS GRACE event to in-person gatherings outside of Southern Alberta! Imagine a book study, pub theology, or congregational pot luck — our Satellite Conferences gather folks in person to break bread, share time and story, and engage Christian practices while attending Bold Witness, Relentless Grace together.

The Satellite Conference Experience

  • Hosted by communities of faith in church-spaces, by individuals in their living room, and all possibilities in between

  • LIVE-STREAMS Calgary conference hours (Mountain Time) to your in-person party

  • Fuels powerful reflection and connections with the conference theme

  • Captures the energy and inspiration radiating from the Symons Valley stage

  • Good fun, in the good company of other Seekers, Wanderers and Questioners!

Bold Leadership

Dr. Monetta Bailey, Rev. Tony Snow, Rev. Jake Van Pernis, and Keith Murray are joining Sarah Bessey on the BWRG stage. They bring Christian insights, experiences, practices of Truth and Reconciliation, calls for equity, justice and healing, and deep, deep appreciation for Jesus’ way in the world. Accompanying our presenters and participants in Worship & Song are Symons Valley United’s Lead Minister, Rev. Vicki McPhee, ‘The Naked Faith Band’ member and musician, Andrew Nicholson, and Symons Valley United Minister of Music, Donna Williams.

BOLD WITNESS, RELENTLESS GRACE is Sarah Bessey’s first in-person event in 3 years give or take pandemic limitations and life’s realities. You may not yet know of Sarah Bessey’s home-based ministry, or the authentic ways she lives her call and faithfulness, or the low-pressure way that ancient-Christian practices ever-accompany her in life’s stuff: this is her site

An inspiring, late-autumn conference —

Enjoy Keynote and Panelist presentations balanced with scheduled breaks, a longer lunch for discussion or reflection opportunities. Celebrate. Pray. Sing. Lament. Give Thanks. Sunday Worship with Symons Valley United: SARAH BESSEY, preaching; REV. VICKI McPHEE, presiding.

Dreamt into being and planned by Symons Valley United Church clergy, staff and team of volunteers. Sponsored by LeaderSHIFT who exist to support church leaders in managing change and leading faithfully through challenge. Supported by the Chinook Winds Regional Council. Attended by YOU. Let us know how to help you attend.

Blessings,

LeaderSHIFT

The Latest ~ our LeaderSHIFT Newsletter, From Allison: Responsive, faithful offerings to support and sustain you

Everything is full and overflowing, isn’t it?

     Inbox and schedule; Heart and milkweed pod


While other things are emptying, aren’t they?

     Osprey nest and ego; Lungs and sky


Now we surrender to the filling and emptying, don’t we?


So, I wrote this wee note on a tender September Wednesday to say: here’s what may fill you in this living moment of Spirit led leadership ---



Understanding Each Other–an introductionto the General Council Indigenous Ministries & Justice Unit, and The Indigenous Church, with Rev. Murray Pruden.


Elements of Truth-experiential workshopsfrom kinSHIFT guided by Indigenous values: reciprocity, inclusion, curiosity, and humility. To help you access these offerings, LeaderSHIFT will pay for half of your registration fee. Use the codeSHIFT50to receive the 50% off price adjustment. Note the code is ALL CAPS.


Yes! No! Maybe?! Discerning a Call To Ministry-a retreat, is being planned in partnership with our national Office of Vocation colleagues. Dates are to be announced.


Bold Witness, Relentless Grace -the 3-day conferencein Calgary AB that's building momentum and has confirmedSatellite Conferencesin the Okanagan, Southern Vancouver Island, and Lower Mainland (and more to be announced)!



and, with still some room -- and time to join 



Faithfully,
Allison 

'Understanding Each Other: An Introduction to the General Council Indigenous Ministries & Justice Unit', with National Executive Minister, Rev. Murray Pruden

October 6 Update: The recording of this conversation is now on the LeaderSHIFT YouTube Channel here: https://youtu.be/FTGDqBG2tOA

The Indigenous Church within The United Church of Canada has gone through some momentous and historical progressions as faith communities and councils. For us all to work more faithfully toward right relationship we need to understand these changes and the approach of our denomination’s National Indigenous Ministries & Justice Unit as we support and strengthen Indigenous ministries. Let us explore and get some understanding of the current definitions and relational structures that The Indigenous Church functions with!

LeaderSHIFT welcomes Rev. Murray Pruden, National Executive Minister for Indigenous Ministries & Justice United Church of Canada to this September 28th conversation.

 

We will be introduced to the national Indigenous Council and Elders Council affiliation, learn current definitions and structures. 

We will get some understanding of history and movement in the Indigenous Church, and learn about the national work that embodies the Indigenous Ministries & Justice Unit.

We will hear about what is continuing to be developed as the Indigenous Ministries and Justice Unit continues its relational work as an autonomous structure in the United Church body.

~ Rev. Murray Pruden

Murray will help us see the potential for the future as we live out the newly emerging Indigenous Church structure and walk together on this path self-determination and equity. All are welcome, and we hope you are able to share this morning with us!

 

Understanding Each Other - The Indigenous Church

An Introduction to the General Council Indigenous Ministries & Justice Unit, with National Executive Minister, Rev. Murray Pruden

10-11:30am Pacific / 11am-12:30pm Mountain
Wednesday September 28, 2022

Online Only, Via Zoom

Registration is now closed.

About Murray

Rev. Murray Pruden is the current National Executive Minister for Indigenous Ministries and Justice for The United Church of Canada. 

Rev. Pruden is Nehiyaw, Cree First Nations from the Goodfish Lake and Saddle Lake First Nations. He grew up in the rural community of Smoky Lake. And his family’s history come from that area based on his ancestor Rev. Henry Bird Steinhauer. 

Rev. Pruden has studied theatre at the University of Alberta, received a theatre performance diploma from Keyano college in Fort McMurray, and an undergrad BFA from the University of Lethbridge. He completed his Master of Divinity at the Vancouver School of Theology at UBC and studies at the Sandy Saulteaux Spiritual Centre in Manitoba.  

Murray’s path to Ministry has taken him to many good uses of his talents and spiritual gifts- dramatic works on theological topics, workshop presentations on storytelling, ecumenical representation on Indigenous theology, and sermon reflections to various communities of faith across Canada. 

“My role as a leader and person of faith and spirituality has grown to a role of a storyteller and person of inspiration. This path I am taking is the foundation, the history and literature to help form a good sustenance of authority and community building for me and for our Indigenous communities. I like to think that this all leads to me being a strong voice for Indigenous people on the level of religion and spirituality and the love of our communities. And a path of self love and love for all of Creators creations.” ~ Rev. Murray K. Pruden.