Register here now: https://forms.office.com/r/ZjvMB4TVKL

It is that time of year to work on your Community of Faith’s Annual Report and to complete the Community of Faith Self-Assessment Checklist as well as your updated Community of Faith Profile.

Annual Report 

Your Annual Report should be uploaded to your Community of Faith’s account on ChurchHub. If you are unsure how to do this, please see this helpful how-to article here.

You will also need to update the officer roles including your Regional Lay Representative for your Community of Faith’s ChurchHub account. Here is a handy video from the UCC on how to do this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHsoNoQh8jo.  There is also further information on the regional websites; ARW, HFRC and WOW.

Please email a copy of your annual report to your respective Congregational Support Minister at; HFCSM@united-church.ca, ARWCSM@united-church.ca, WOWCSM@united-church.ca.

Your report will be reviewed by members of your Regional Congregational Support Commission.

What To Include in Your Annual Report? 

The following is a list of things required by The United Church of Canada’s 2026 Manual that need to be included in your Annual Report;

1. Minutes for the previous year’s Annual Meeting

2. Financials including Treasurer’s report, year-end statements, proposed budget

3. A letter of review of the Financials from an independent person

4. A list of the legal names of the Trustees

5. Membership stats including new members, marriages, baptisms, deaths

6. Contact page including names and contact info for the Officers (governing body Chair, Secretary and Treasurer), chairs of committees

Self-Assessments for Community of Faith: 

Self-Assessment for Communities of Faith can be found on Toolkit #11. Self-Assessments are helpful to highlight areas that may need to be addressed.

Community of Faith Profiles: 

Your Community of Faith Profile should also be reviewed and updated annually.  Information on Community of Faith Profiles can be found on Toolkit #2 on your regional website.

Information for all of the above is found here:

ARW Toolkits; HF Toolkits; WOW Toolkits

Spring Regional Meetings: 

The Horseshoe Falls and Antler River Joint Regional Meeting will be held at the Lamplighter Inn & Conference Centre, London, ON from June 26-28, 2026.

WOW’s Regional Meeting will be held on May 22-23, 2026 at the Unifor Family Education Centre, Port Elgin, ON.

Additional information will follow about each regional meeting. Please watch your regional newsletters.  Subscribe to your regional newsletter  ARW, HF, WOW.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out. ARW: Karlene Kimber, HF: Beverly Tyhurst and WOW: John Neff.

Thank you for taking the time to complete this important annual task for your Community of Faith!  

Laura will begin her ministry on Monday, February 2nd, 2026. She brings a deep commitment to faith formation, collaborative leadership, and nurturing spiritual growth across diverse communities. Laura is excited to work alongside the councils, congregations, and leaders of these regions as they continue to support meaningful faith development for First Third Ministry.

Please join us in warmly welcoming Laura to the region and this important ministry. We look forward to the gifts, energy, and vision she will bring to this role!

More about Laura:

Laura Black joins the team with a lifelong connection to the United Church of Canada and a deep call to faith formation and community leadership. Rooted in curiosity, placemaking, and nature‑based practices, she is passionate about co‑creating spaces where the brilliance of God’s children can shine.

For more than a decade, young people have been at the heart of Laura’s ministry. She has supported emerging leaders through Christian education, intergenerational programming, camp and creative arts ministries, Youth Forum, and her consulting work with The Hub community network. Nationally, she served as a Commissioner and Table Leader at the 40th General Council. Her experience also spans human rights, conflict management, leadership and interfaith initiatives with domestic and international students as both faculty and staff in post-secondary education.

Relationships ground Laura’s ministry. She is rooted in a large close-knit family, and is married and raising a wise, deeply feeling child. Often you can find them playing games, paddling the Nith River, or on a basketball court. She has accompanied survivors of gendered violence, supported people living with mental illness, and worked to amplify Indigenous knowledge in efforts to decolonize systems. She holds a Master of Education in Teaching and Learning specializing in Inclusive Education and a Bachelor of Arts in Social Development, with studies in child development, family systems, world religions, marginalized populations, emerging technologies, coaching and mentoring.

A national award‑winning organizer and collaborator, Laura is also a published author in the Journal of Transformative Learning. She has led teams in applying Global Diversity Equity and Inclusion Benchmarks (GDEIB), accessible customer service practices, and collaborative agreements. She has coordinated wide-ranging justice‑focused initiatives such as a Food Security Collective and Human Trafficking Symposium. She strives for deep listening, strategic thinking, and collective action while helping communities find shared purpose and turn meaningful ideas into real impact.

Laura looks forward to joining the teams of Antler River Watershed, Horseshoe Falls, and Western Ontario Waterways Regional Councils as the First Third Ministry, Faith Formation Minister. She’s excited to learn from each and every one of you in your unique context while contributing her gifts to shared spiritual growth and formation.

Note: The RC Office will be closed from December 24th, 2025 to January 1st, 2026

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

Click here for a Video Invitation from ARWRC President, Richard Auckland

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

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

[Photo credit: The United Church of Canada]

The United Church of Canada has a New Moderator!

A huge congratulations to Rev. Dr. Kimberly Heath, who has been elected as the 45th Moderator of The United Church of Canada on the third ballot!

Learn more about our new Moderator here:

https://generalcouncil.ca/…/rev-dr-kimberly-heath…

We also extend our heartfelt gratitude to Rev. Dr. Samuel V. Dansokho, Rev. Dr. John Pentland, Rev. Dr. Cheri DiNovo, CM, and Rev. Sungmin Jung for their faithful discernment and willingness to stand for this sacred role. Your courage and leadership have blessed, and will continue to bless, the whole church.

https://www.polarsteps.com/ClimateExpress/19256495-climate-express

Kathy Douglas at Camp Bimini

Retirement Announcement: Kathy Douglas, Faith Formation Minister

With heartfelt gratitude and deep appreciation, we announce the retirement of Kathy Douglas, our beloved Faith Formation Minister, after six years of dedicated service to the Antler River Watershed, Horseshoe Falls and Western Ontario Waterways Regional Councils.

Kathy has been a guiding light in the spiritual formation of countless folks across all ages. Her unwavering commitment to nurturing faith, fostering community, and walking alongside others on their spiritual journeys has left a lasting impact on all who have had the privilege to know her.

From organizing youth retreats to Palestinian marches, Kathy’s ministry has been marked by compassion, wisdom, and a deep love for Christ and the United Church of Canada community. Her legacy will live on in the lives she has touched and the seeds of faith she has helped to plant and grow.

Please join us in celebrating Kathy’s retirement and honoring her incredible contributions. Celebration of Kathy’s ministry to be announced at a later date, all will be welcome to attend and share in this joyful occasion.

Kathy, thank you for your years of faithful service. May your retirement be filled with peace, joy, and the continued blessings of God’s grace.

Kathy’s official retirement date will be December 31st, 2025.

We are pleased to announce Karlene Kimber will be joining our team as Congregational Support Minister to Antler River Watershed Regional Council. Karlene will be working part-time and starts her position with the region on September 1st! Welcome Karlene and we look forward to you joining the team in this important work.

More about Karlene:

Karlene is deeply committed to helping people and communities grow in faith, hope, and connection. She has served in a variety of ministry settings, including a two-point charge and a five-point collaborative ministry, and brings valuable experience in guiding faith communities through change with compassion, curiosity, and encouragement. Karlene is eager to learn about the unique needs of the communities of faith in our region, to walk alongside them as they explore new possibilities, and to serve the wider church in whatever ways she can. In her free time, she enjoys reading, creating art, baking, and spending time with her family.

Message from the Antler River Watershed Regional Council President

My name is Richard Auckland and I live in Talbotville, ON.  I look forward to serving the Antler River Watershed Region as President.  My spouse, Karen and I, have three adult children, who I am so thankful for, as they still like coming home for meals, games or just to hang out.  I’m a 50+ year member of First United Church in St. Thomas, and have served on the Official Board and Trustees of that church.  I am a retired educator having worked in elementary schools as first a teacher, and then in administration.  I continue to support students through tutoring and working with Teacher’s College candidates at the Western University in London.  Additionally, I am President of the Elgin-St. Thomas Christmas Care program which serves area residents with a food hamper and toys for children at Christmas. I plan to bring some of the skills I have accumulated to my role as President and I look forward to meeting and working with congregations across our area.

What a great Celebration of Ministry on May 31!  It was good to be a part of the service at Grace United Church in Sarnia as part of the Spring Meeting of ARW.  Rebecca, Melodee and Martin have entered into the next chapter in their ministerial journeys.  And Japhet made the trip from Capetown, South Africa (a journey of 27+ hours of flying, waiting and driving on top of that) to support Martin.  Now that’s dedication.  My hope is that all our ARWRC Communities of Faith are feeling supported in their spiritual challenges and triumphs.  It was good to connect with many individuals over the course of the Friday and Saturday meetings.  As well, the available staff were present offering their support.  It is great to be a part of a wonderful team of caring individuals.  I would encourage Communities of Faith to reach out and connect with us.  As a team, that is a lot of knowledge and experience on which to draw and find creative solutions or walk the journey, whatever it is, with you.

I look forward to serving Antler River Watershed as President for the coming two years, as I have served it in various capacities over the last 6 years on the Mission & Discipleship Commission and Executive.  And lastly, thank you to Past President, Cheryl Bolton for offering her leadership over these last two years.  I’m glad she is not going too far so that I can call on her for guidance as we move forward together into the next 100 years of the United Church of Canada!

Richard Auckland
President, Antler River Watershed Regional Council

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

Faith in action: the 2025 federal election and the United Church

This resource includes links to workshops and resources, and will be updated and re-posted weekly until the election.

As faith communities, and registered charities, we don’t promote or critique only one party. We address all of them, we focus on their social policies, and we expect accountability of all of them. Below are some suggested principles and resources to help people of faith engage the federal election process.

We are called to speak up for what we believe in, not only what we oppose.

We are called to name our values, including what our faith calls us to. We live in a polarized and often anxious world and country, and it’s easy to focus on what we oppose. Try to ask others, especially those you disagree with, to name their values and their hopes.

Respond rather than react, working with communal and individual spiritual and faith resources.

Encourage people to engage the whole process, and vote.

Watch out for dis/misinformation. We are all vulnerable to it, because it’s tailored to spark an instant emotional reaction and to reinforce what we already believe. Always check your sources, and think before you post or share. Ask others for their sources if big, polarizing, or unlikely claims or situations are being presented as real.

Be aware that targeted and vulnerable communities are often the target of dis/misinformation, and be aware of the spiritual and emotional impact of this targeting.

Put another way by our Mennonite family members:

“I commit to loving my neighbours in the following ways:
• Listen with curiosity and compassion
• Speak with authenticity and integrity
• Act for the good of my community, here at home and around the world”

Upcoming Workshops (click on the date for the link to information and registration)

Tuesday April 8, from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. Eastern. Federal Election Forum. Craig Norris, Host of the Morning Edition on CBC will moderate. Although everyone is very welcome, we are asking people to register to keep track of numbers. In person (Waterloo, ON) and online. If you register, a link for the online streaming will be sent to you. Click here for the registration link

April 24th Egale- Vote with Pride:

April 24th Canadian Interfaith conversation – Engaged Citizenship The role of Faith Communities during an election

Some key resources (click on each for the link to information)

Groups bringing justice concerns to the election process

United Church home page for election resources (scroll down to the bottom for resources- note that these will change as they’re being constantly updated.)

KAIROS Canada election resources on key issues and engaging your candidates well.  (The United Church is a founding and active member of this ecumenical justice coalition.) Their resources include: Indigenous Rights; Ecological Justice; Gender Justice; Migrant Justice; Jubilee 2025

Citizens for Public Justice election resources and travelling/ online meetings (CPJ is a long-standing Christian social justice coalition.)

Mennonite Central Committee: Every Action Counts

Specific justice concerns: choose what you are called to prioritise!

Climate justice

Faith and the Common Good- Interfaith advocacy group

For the Love of Creation- Interfaith Advocacy

Nature Canada- Election 2025 Platform

Guaranteed Livable Income

United Church of Canada – Guaranteed Livable Income

Basic Income Canada Network

Healthcare

Canadian Public Healthcare Association election focus issues
Recorded Webinar: Federal Election 2025: Protecting Medicare in Canada (March 28, 48 min)

Housing

Housing Canada: A Sovereign Plan to Protect Canadians and Build a Resilient Housing System. This resource includes an overview, and links to “Take action and email federal leaders,” and to  “Download the full plan”

National Right to Housing Network- Questions for your federal candidates

Indigenous rights

KAIROS Canada election resources

2SLGBTQIA+ rights

Human rights of gender-diverse/ 2SLGBTQIA people (Momentum Canada)

Palestine and Israel justice and peace
Vote Palestine: A coalition that includes Jewish, Muslim, Christian, and secular groups

Ontario Election 2025:

More than Tariffs A panel discussion

Sunday Feb 23, 3:00-4:15 PM EST on Zoom

Information to help you faithfully discern your vote and continue advocacy after the Feb 27^th election.

Brief presentations by five panel members on selected topics.

Panelists will respond to questions from the audience.

Advance registration required:

https://united-church.zoom.us/meeting/register/Pfy-0rDhQt-l-V5KqspFkw

For more information contact:

Thérèse Samuel tsamuel@united-church.ca and John Egger jegger@united-church.ca

Moderator:

Rev. Éric Hébert-Daly serves as the Executive Minister to ECO and EOO Regional Councils in Eastern Ontario. He was ordained in 2020. He served for 5 years as Responsible, Ministries in French, for 9 years as the National Executive Director of the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society. Éric spent 17 years working in federal political circles and 7 years as a registered lobbyist. He also brings a hope-filled passion for the church.

Panel Members

Charles Barrett is a retired economist, who was actively involved in policy dialogue in North America, and the Asia-Pacific region in international economic relations, human resources development and capacity building. He has broad research experience and has written extensively on Canadian and international policy issues. He is a member of Riverside United Church, Ottawa and Eastern Ontario Outaouais Regional Council.

The Rev. Dr. Jessica Hetherington is an ecotheologian and ordained minister in the United Church of Canada. Working at the intersection of ecology and theology for 20 years, she inspires people of faith to transform their actions in response to the climate crisis. She currently serves as commissioner on climate justice with the World Council of Churches and the World Communion of Reformed Churches. Sign up for her weekly newsletter: Faith. Climate Crisis. Action. (https://jessicahetherington.substack.com/).

Bryan Smith is a long-term member of the Oxford Coalition for Social Justice, an organization committed to work and advocacy on a wide range of social and environmental issues locally in the County of Oxford and across the planet. It stands in for the Ontario Health Coalition and stands up for public health. Bryan is a retired teacher, and is active in providing school lunches and community dinners, and promoting local foods, the avoidance of waste, community events, and public health.

Rev. Jeffrey Dale (they/he) is the Minister at College Street United Church in downtown Toronto. Jeffrey is a harm reduction advocate and community educator, working with harm reduction advocacy groups throughout the Province of Ontario to educate communities of faith and the wider society regarding the needs of people who use drugs.

Rev. Susan Eagle is the minister at Grace United Church in Barrie. She chairs both the Ecological and Social Justice Commission for Shining Waters Regional Council, and the Steering Committee of the provincial interfaith coalition, ISARC, which does policy analysis and advocacy for income security, homelessness and employment rights. She has worked with newcomer and low-income individuals and sole-support families as a community outreach worker, and served on London City Council for 13 years.

This workshop is presented by the Social Justice Network of Ontario Regional Councils (SJNORC) with representation from Eastern Ontario Outaouais, East Central Ontario, Shining Waters, Canadian Shield, Antler River Watershed, Horseshoe Falls, Western Ontario Waterways and Prairie to Pine Regional Councils of The United Church of Canada.

Engage, Pray, Vote.