This is your invitation to a 3-day conference, working toward living and being an anti-racist church: Anti-Racism Work & Action Leadership Conference 2024

Friends,

This is a powerful First Third Ministry event in partnership with us at LeaderSHIFT, the Pacific Mountain Region Council Justice Ministry Network, the Vancouver School of Theology, and you.

Anti-Racism Work & Action
Leadership Conference 2024
April 2-4, 2024

Held at the Epiphany Chapel, on the Vancouver School of Theology UBC campus, empower yourself to engage key learnings, work, and action in a Christian community of other children and family ministry leaders who are working for an anti-racist church.

LEADERSHIFT IS THRILLED TO BE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH FIRST THIRD MINISTRY!

Work, and action - in Christian community

An amazing line up of speakers, worship leaders, and hosts are already preparing to welcome, educate, and inspire.

Work, and action – in Christian community

Anti-Racism Work & Action Leadership Conference is an offering of Chinook Winds & Pacific Mountain Regional Councils First Third Ministry. First Third Ministry’s mission is to support those who work with those in the first of life’s three eras (children, youth, young adults and families) – yet, this conference is designed to resonate for leaders of any, and, all ages and generations.

For All in Leadership

Whether you’re paid or volunteering, staffing a community of faith or un-churched organization, focused on children & family ministry or serving older generations, this conference centers anti-racism principles and actions in your leadership.

You can expect

• Varied learning formats and thoughtfully chosen content to engage key learnings, focus work, and empower action in your leadership.

• A Christ-centered conference fostering connection and relationship with other leaders who are also working for an anti-racist church.

• Discovery-based questions and reflection opportunities will help you to compassionately and faithfully examine your own ministry and leadership in your specific setting.

• An introduction to the materials from the new United Church of Canada resource for children and youth, Becoming an Anti-Racist Church.

• A convergence of your personal and professional call to anti-racism, with others like you – all seeking a new way of being church.​

Event Page: FirstThirdMinistry.ca/f3-conference-anti-racism-work-and-action

Amos 5:24. Amen!

An Invitation for Spiritual Renewal and Travel with Intention

Dear Friends,

I don’t know about you – but I’m feeling overwhelmed, overstimulated, isolated, paralyzed, and powerless a lot of the time these days. So much injustice and suffering in the world, and here in our own country and communities too.
 
And yet, those feelings are also a luxury, aren’t they? Because it’s only since I live in a position of great global privilege, that I can afford to feel this way, and yet continue functioning in my daily life. So I’m looking for ways to keep engaging with the pain of the world, so that I can be changed, and then be able to help make change in the world.
 
One way I’m doing that is joining the upcoming pilgrimage to Guatemala, myself, this August 2-12, 2024. Definitely NOT a tourist trip, this is an opportunity to develop relationships with colleagues and a new country, people and culture that will be both formative and transformative.

Rev. Nancy Nourse, Coordinating Minister of Northminster and St David’s United Churches in Calgary, has recently returned from a similar trip with World Pilgrim Guides, and I asked her what she thinks others would want to know about participating in one of World Pilgrim's offerings. You can read her words below.

Guatemala: a tour for ministry leaders
August 2-12, 2024

Who is it for?

Whether serving in full-, part-, or very-part-time ministry; whether in leadership with seniors, adults, or a children and family ministry focus; whether in a current call, ministry area, or retired -- all ministry personnel in Chinook Winds and Pacific Mountain regions are encouraged to consider this travel experience.

Doesn't it cost a LOT? 

Looking for financial assistance? If you’re in PMRC, ask me about the Congregational Learning Fund for Leaders by return email. If you’re clergy, check out the HR MacMillan Fund at Vancouver School of Theology. If you’re in First Third Ministry, consider the Vision Fund Continuing Education Bursaries. More funding-sources are added to this tour's event page too.

How do I decide?

Intrigued, but want to know more? Join Executive Minister Treena Duncan, World Pilgrim Guides Doris Kizinna and Julio Cochoy, and me, for a Zoom info session on Friday, February 9 at 10 am (PT), 11 am (MT), here: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82787409411.

Blessings as you continue your important and lifegiving ministry – you are making a difference!
 
Michelle

…Within moments of being greeted at the airport by Doris and Julio, we knew this was going to be a wonderfully curated journey for us.

Each day overflowed with experiences of mutual learning, and connecting with people, their stories, the communities they are part of, and the organizations that contribute to the wellbeing of so many individuals. Fully immersed in the Mayan culture and spirituality with the markets and artisan cooperatives, organizations that seek to overcome issues of injustice, poverty, and barriers to education, lush farmland, colourful buildings, and delicious food, we were welcomed by those for whom Doris and Julio already have a close relationship with – and for me that was such a strength; it was not a fly in – fly out opportunity but one that was strengthened by long existing partnerships and relationships between our hosts, and friends, colleagues, and congregations in Canada. And now we are blessed to be part of that beautiful weave.
 
Not only did I consider this a valuable opportunity for my congregations, but as a continuing education time for me. I wanted to learn more in general about the spirituality and history of Guatemala, and specifically about the journey of truth and reconciliation in Guatemala since the end of the civil war. I also hoped to redefine what is “enough”, and how communities support one another. We also fully learned what it means to “travel with a purpose” through the ways part of our tuition was used to bring needed items to schools, families, and a seniors’ centre.
 
I hope you will consider attending this time in Guatemala with friends and colleagues knowing that you won’t just be challenged and learn in this time, but it will be a wonderful time of self-care….comfortable accommodations and transportation, an abundance of delicious meals, hot springs and beautiful gardens, and plenty of time for rest and renewal.
 
- Rev. Nancy Nourse, Northminster and St David’s United Churches, Chinook Winds Regional Council

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!