by Michele | Sep 4, 2025 | Community, Events, Learning Opportunities, News, Regional Council, Resources, Social Justice, Staff, Stewardship, The United Church of Canada
Register Now for the Antler River Watershed Regional Council Fall Meeting
THEME: SEASONS
Online via Zoom Only
Friday October 3rd: Time 6:30pm – 8:30pm
Saturday October 4th: Time 9:00am – 3:00pm
Good day, and with fall-like weather upon us it is a glorious day. It is hard to believe we are winding up our summer and heading into fall. Students and teachers are heading back to school, and as a retired educator, I know how they are feeling – a little nervousness, excitement, anticipation, and an unsurety of what the future holds. And as a church, we too may be feeling similarly about what the future holds. Toward 2035 is an initiative of the General Council Office predicting and planning what the United Church of Canada’s future may hold for us all. During our meeting time, we will also review some of the events of General Council 45 held in Calgary. The theme of our fall meeting will be Seasons, taken from Ecclesiastes. Won’t you join us online on Friday, October 3rd & Saturday, October 4th? Registration is open now!
Looking forward to seeing you online in October,
Richard Auckland
President, Antler River Watershed Regional Council of The United Church of Canada
REGISTER NOW: ARWRC Fall Meeting 2025
Meeting Target Dates:
Registration Opens: Thursday September 4th (no registration closing date required)
Complete Workbook and Zoom Link: Tuesday, September 23rd
Note: Meeting Information will be posted on the website as it becomes available HERE
Meeting Dates:
Friday October 3rd: 6:30pm-8:30pm Online via Zoom
Saturday October 4th: 9:00am- 3:00pm Online via Zoom
Post Meeting Feedback Survey – Monday October 6th via email
by Michele | Jul 29, 2025 | 100th Anniversary, Children & Youth, Climate Change, Community, Events, Learning Opportunities, News, Regional Council, Social Justice, The United Church of Canada
The Climate Express leaves on it’s journey to GC45 on Wednesday July 30th, follow along here:
https://www.polarsteps.com/ClimateExpress/19256495-climate-express
by Michele | Apr 16, 2025 | 100th Anniversary, Affirming, Anti-Racism, Climate Change, Community, Events, Global Community, Learning Opportunities, News, Regional Council, Resources, Social Justice, The United Church of Canada
Dear Friends,
With joy and anticipation, we, The Regional Executive and Staff, invite you to join us for the Antler River Watershed Regional Spring Meeting on May 30th and 31st, 2025, hosted at Grace United Church in Sarnia.
Our theme this year is “A Time of Renewal: Revitalize,” inspired by Romans 12:2 –
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds…”
In this spirit, we gather as a community to reconnect, refresh, and rekindle our shared sense of purpose and call. It will be a time to worship together, engage in meaningful dialogue, hear from our commissions and explore the ways we are being invited to revitalize our ministries and our spirits.
We are thrilled to welcome Gail Barker, a gifted motivational speaker and workshop leader, as our guest. Gail will guide us with wisdom, energy, and encouragement as we reflect on how we continue to be transformed in faith and practice.
Whether you are lay or clergy, long-time attendee or first-time participant, your presence is a vital part of this gathering. We look forward to being together in community, grounded in hope, and open to the Spirit’s renewing power.
With blessings and gratitude,
Rev. Cheryl Bolton
Antler River Watershed Regional Council President
SPRING MEETING 2025
A Time of Renewal: Revitalize
Friday, May 30th to Saturday, May 31st, 2025
Friday May 30th, 2025: 2:00pm-6:00pm Hybrid and 7:30pm In-Person Community Building
Saturday May 31st, 2025: 9:00am – 3:30pm Hybrid
Celebration of Ministry: Grace United Church, Sarnia Saturday May 31st at 4:00pm In-Person and Live streamed to YouTube
Grace United Church, Sarnia
990 Cathcart Blvd, Sarnia, ON N7S 2H2 (Google Map)
Registration for In-person attendance closes: May 14th, 2024 at midnight
Register Now for ARWRC Spring Meeting 2025
by Michele | Jan 21, 2025 | Community, Events, Learning Opportunities, News, Regional Council, Resources, The United Church of Canada
A Unique Learning Opportunity for Lay Leaders and Ministry Personnel in ARW, HF and WOW
The Effective Transitional Leadership (ETL) Training Course has been designed by the Interim Ministry Network to support the work of ministry personnel and lay leaders in congregations experiencing change and transitions.
This training will be held on the following dates:
- March 6, 13, 20 and 27th
- Time: 1:30 PM – 4:30 PM EDT via Zoom
- Instructor: Pegi Ridout
This is a fantastic opportunity you to enhance your leadership skills.
What are the intended outcomes of ETL?
- understanding change theory and how to apply it in transitional times
- feeling more competent in the role of a transitional leader and facilitator for the work of your congregation
- being equipped to manage both yourself and your congregation in the midst of conflict
- practicing transitional leadership, using tools designed to guide a congregation through a transition
- applying your learnings, using case studies and reflection on your experience/knowledge
- overall, being prepared and confident to assist a congregation towards health, effectiveness, and faithfulness to its purpose/mission
The cost for this training is $75 per person – a savings of 50% off the regular price.
Registration is limited to 24 people.
Attendance at all 4 sessions is expected.
Course material and the zoom link will be provided closer to the first meeting.
Registration Closes on February 24, 2025
Payment can be made by e-Transfer to hfrc@united-church.ca or by cheque mailed to Horseshoe Falls Regional Council – PO Box 100, Carlisle, Ontario L0R 1H0
Please respond using the link to the registration form by February 24, 2025:
Register Now:
ETL Training Registration Form
This is an opportunity you do not want to miss. We look forward to your participation!
For more information about the course ETL Description and ETL and IMN FAQ
by Michele | Jan 10, 2025 | 100th Anniversary, Anti-Racism, Camps & Retreats, Children & Youth, Climate Change, Community, Events, Global Community, Indigenous Justice, Learning Opportunities, LGBTQIA+ and Two-Spirit people, Mission & Service, News, Pastoral Relations, Regional Council, Resources, Right Relations, Social Justice, Staff, Stewardship, The United Church of Canada, UCW
Flourishing: Antler River, Western Ontario Waterways, and Horseshoe Falls Regional Councils
Spend a day with the Moderator, engaging in reflection and energizing activities towards dream-oriented actions for our churches and communities.
Saturday, February 22, 2025, 9:00 am to 4:30 pm (local time).
9:00am -9:30am Registration and coffee/tea
9:30am – Welcome and Introductions
In person
Avondale United Church, 194 Avondale Ave., Stratford, ON N5A 6N4
All around the world – from universities to the United Nations, from corporations to community organizations – people are talking about flourishing. Rooted in belonging, flourishing means living with purpose and joy, and bringing bold collaborative solutions to our world’s challenges.
The Moderator, the Rev. Dr. Carmen Lansdowne, wants to bring that conversation to The United Church of Canada. She invites us to connect to one another in hope, with a deep conviction by a belief that, despite all the challenges of church life in this day and age, we can move from despair to transformation – from languishing to flourishing.
Is your church flourishing?
(Perhaps that’s the wrong question.)
Is your church contributing to the flourishing of your community?
How might we truly be a flourishing church in the world? How might we live in deep spirituality, bold discipleship and daring justice, linked from coast to coast to coast in ministry that transforms us and the world around us?
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER: Flourishing Workshop
