We mark African Heritage Month this week with a service entitled Here From the Beginning. It was written by two Black UCC ministers: Rev. Charmain Bailey and Rev. Lisa Byer-de Wever. It’s also the name of an exhibit created to mark the 100th anniversary of the United Church and is now an interactive website. I invite you to watch this video.
Toward 2035 is an invitation to prayer and a whole-church conversation about the future of God’s call to the United Church of Canada.
When we say whole church, we mean all of us—Communities of Faith, Clusters, Regional Councils, and the General Council. But whole church does not mean one-size-fits-all. Context matters. Connexion matters.
This is about weaving together the unique voices and visions of our church:
- Communities of Faith discerning what it means to live as Beloved Community for the sake of our neighbours where we call home.
- Regional Councils offering visionary leadership, drawing conversations together with a view of ministry across the whole region.
- The General Council providing support and resources needed at every level.
Individual conversations become connected—forming a shared vision for the next decade and beyond. Together, we seek to imagine and embody God’s future for the United Church as we move toward 2035.
As we, like many congregations, worry about how we can attract new members, read this story about how a church is strengthening invitation. We also have a Growth Animator in our region to help churches who are interested in making a difference in their communities. You can read the article HERE.
Photos from the latest Wellness Wednesday for Seniors
St. James United Church Dartmouth 