Youth Forum at General Council 44 Delegate Application Application deadline December 15
Are you ready to lead the church into the future?! If so, why not apply to become a General Council 44 Youth Forum Delegate?
And yes, SUMMER EMPLOYMENT is also part of Youth Forum at GC44!
You will be paid for your participation, leadership, and dedication to General Council.
General Council is the United Church of Canada’s triennial business meeting where justice issues are discussed, visions are cast, proposals are examined, decisions are made, and inspiring worship and community are offered. The voices of leaders ages 15-19 are needed to speak into this space. If you would like to have an impact on the direction of the church now and into the future, please apply here.
Youth Intern Application:
This application is for youth ages 15 – 19 to apply to the youth intern position. Each Regional Council will have 5 youth intern positions.
Please see the link to the application below for more information.
Antler River Watershed Regional Council invites everyone to join us for the livestream of the Celebration of Ministry service on
Saturday, October 30th at 7:00pm
Preacher, General Secretary, Michael Blair Candidate, Karlene Kimber
Communion will be celebrated on the livestream so please have the elements ready.
Many thanks to Byron U.C. and their Music Director and Minister for all they are doing to host this service.
If you cannot join the livestream, catch the service later (minus communion) on the regional council YouTube channel noted below!
This video series features a variety of topics that youth and young adults are keenly interested in exploring further. These short videos have been created so that communities of faith may utilize them in their engagement with youth and young adult ministry.
Creating Conversation is a video series that features a variety of topics that youth and young adults are keenly interested in exploring further. These short videos have been created so that communities of faith may utilize them in their engagement with youth and young adult ministry.
This project is sponsored by the United Church of Canada’s Vison Fund, and was supported by: Jen Auger and Norval United Church, Cynthia O’Connell, Antler River Watershed Regional Council, Western Ontario Waterways Regional Council, Horseshoe Falls Regional Council, Shining Waters Regional Council, Prairie to Pine Regional Council, Not The Ends Media.
For further inquires please contact:
Jeffrey Dale, Minister for Justice and Faith Formation – Email: jdale@united-church.ca
Kathy Douglas, Minister for Faith Formation – Email: kdouglas@united-church.ca
Are you looking for ways to be more engaged in your local community? Are you looking for ways to fund all the community work you’ve dreamed of? Look no further! All Antler River Watershed, Horseshoe Falls, and Western Ontario Waterways changemakers, innovators, and community animators are invited to a Zoom gathering to learn about the exciting new grant opportunity, My Main Street.
The My Main Street Community Activator provides funding for placemaking projects that help strengthen the connection between people and places to drive economic activity and feelings of belonging.
Placemaking is a process that inspires people to collectively reimagine and reshape public space at the heart of every community in order to maximize its shared value.
Program funding will be provided through reimbursements for placemaking projects including but not limited to:
*Events and activities to draw visitors and create destinations;
*Above grade community enhancements to improve local streetscapes;
*The development of placemaking policies and partnerships that aim to create sustainable changes to an area to promote social cohesion and spur economic activity in a defined geographic area.
For convenience, the information session will be offered twice; choose the one that fits your schedule:
The United Church of Canada – Christian Resource Centre 29 Ontario Road, PO Box 760, MITCHELL, Ontario N0K 1N0
Contacts:Gayle Coleman and Gillian Thomas
Phone: 519-348-9261
Email: hpprc@quadro.net
Website: www.wowresourcecentre.ca
**Our satellite Resource Centre in London at the Centre for Practical Theology – Fairmont site at 29 Tweedsmuir Avenue is open Wednesday’s from 10am – 2pm. Please phone Pastor Mary Dillon with any requests/orders 519-878-7134
Thank you to local community of faith leaders. When they accepted these roles, few expected to be coping with a global pandemic. The regional council offers advice but the decisions are made in the community of faith. All congregations are encouraged to applaud and support the efforts of leaders who have been navigating changing regulations, consulting with their local health unit and instituting protocols to keep the church available to others and to ensure the safety of all who access it.
Worship
The legislation that came into effect on September 22nd continues to exempt worship from proof of vaccination requirements.
Events Other than Worship
On September 21st, we received a legal update on this topic.
Essential services, such as a food bank, that continued even when the rest of the province closed, do not require proof of vaccination.
The law uses the term “patrons” when referring to people who are required to show proof of vaccination and specifically exempts “Workers, contractors, repair workers, delivery workers, students, volunteers, inspectors or others who are entering the business or organization for work purposes and not as patrons”. The advice received suggests the term workers could include volunteers, such as the members of the congregation helping at the food bank. If governing bodies intend to use this broader definition for “workers” over one referring exclusively to paid employees, they are encouraged to define who is considered a “worker” and who is a “patron.” That said, legal advice recommends erring on the side of caution and requiring proof of vaccination, especially to attend any event that is being led by paid staff.
Tenants and Rentals
Tenants covered by a lease are themselves responsible for complying with the legislation. The governing body may want to confirm with the tenant how they are complying with the legislation since as landlords they may have some liability risk.
One-off rentals may be the responsibility of the church. Churches should stipulate in any one-off rental contracts that the renter is responsible for complying with all COVID-restrictions then in place, including verifying vaccinations, as required.
Proof of Vaccination for Church Employees
The legal advice received is quoted directly on this topic.
From a regulatory perspective, O. Reg 364/20 that requires that “The person responsible for a business or organization that is open shall operate the business or organization in compliance with the advice, recommendations and instructions of public health officials operate in the compliance with the advice / recommendations of the health units.” And some of those units have recommended that employers implement a mandatory vaccination policy. For example, Toronto Public Health announced August 20, 2021 that it now “strongly recommends” that employers implement mandatory vaccinations in their workplace: https://www.toronto.ca/news/toronto-medical-officer-of-health-strongly-recommending-toronto-employers-institute-covid-19-vaccination-policy-and-support-workplace-vaccination/
Please check with your local public health unit.
The Office of Vocation is addressing proof of vaccination and ministry personnel. Ministry personnel who are not able to provide proof of vaccination will find themselves hampered in fulfilling certain of their duties in person (long-term care and hospital visits) and will need to determine how to handle other elements such as home visits safely. They are encouraged to meet with their Ministry and Personnel Committee to discuss their plan to fulfill the requirements of their position description. Acting Personnel Minister, Micol Cottrell remains available to work with ministry personnel and Ministry and Personnel Committees until his time with the regional councils concludes October 31st. Diane Blanchard returns November1st and, after having an opportunity to catch up on the changes during her sabbatical, will be pleased to do likewise.
Local Public Health Unit
Many communities of faith have written updating the regional council on their public health unit’s advice. Please remember that the geography of the regional councils covers multiple health units and varying rates of transmission. Advice must always be contextual. Our goal is to provide communities of faith with guidance for their decision-making based on the provincial requirements. When making decisions, governing bodies are reminded to check with the local health unit for additional input.
Thank you again to the dedicated leaders trying to answer the gospel’s call for inclusion as they protect the well-being of all. Your hard work is deeply appreciated.
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