We continue this week with the Thriving Churches Series, this time focusing on Mission, Discernment and Generosity! The texts are 2 Corinthians 9: 6-8 & Acts 6: 1-6.
The beautiful banner we dedicated a couple of weeks ago has been hung in its temporary home at the back of the sanctuary; once a companion banner has been completed, they will both be hung in the entryway. A key visual expression of our Affirming presence.
May 5th is Red Dress Day; please bring me your red dresses! If you can, sometime during the week, but if not, bring them Sunday morning. I took this photo when I was the Canadian Museum of Human Rights in Winnipeg last summer.
Tuesday, we wrapped up the last gathering of the evening Thriving Churches group, I hope to get a picture of all the participants on Sunday; I’ll photoshop Wilf in; he joined us for the last two sessions via Zoom.
This morning, we had the first gathering of the grief group, they will meet for five weeks. This afternoon I had my first webinar on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Ministry. AI is a fact of life and it seems appropriate that I learn how to use it effectively and ethically. I think I was the oldest person in the group and some of the group are using ALL the AI tools, whereas I’ve just been dabbling in ChatGPT and Canva. I was also the only one from Canada! I already use AI in a variety of ways, such as creating the daily Facebook posts from my sermon text and Bible Study questions. My homework this week is to compile a list of all the ways I use AI in ministry. I’d love to know what you think about AI!
This evening, the Transition Team and some members of the Official Board are meeting over dinner and then we are having another session on Conflict Resolution, this time facilitated by Rev. Shaun Fryday, a retired UCC minister with extensive experience in the field.
Thursday, the annual meeting of the Association of United Church Clergy, for which I am the treasure takes place in the afternoon via Zoom; our guest speakers are The Right Reverend Carmen Lansdowne, our Moderator and the Rev. Dr. Sharon Ballantyne, Growth Animator for the Atlantic Provinces.
And so another week passes… bulletin prep, Power Point creation, sound system testing, some drop in visitors, the start of presentation for the Annual Meeting of the region, lots going on!
St. James United Church Dartmouth 