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 | Mar 31, 2025 | Regional Council, Staff, The United Church of Canada

Job Number: 25-08
Opening/Closing Date: March 31, 2025 to April 30, 2025
Description
Antler River Watershed Regional Council of The United Church of Canada is seeking an individual to fill the role of Minister, Congregational Support on a permanent part-time basis at 60% time (21 hours per week).This position reports to the Executive Minister.
The Minister Congregational Support resources the partnership between communities of faith and regional councils in the articulation of congregational ministry and the decisions flowing from that. This position works in close collaboration with the Minister, Congregational Support, Western Ontario Waterways, and the Minister, Pastoral Relations and in consultation with the Growth Animator and UCC partners such as Kindred Works (United Property Resource Corporation) The main areas of focus will be:
- Congregational Support: Nurture covenant relationship between the Regional Council and Communities of Faith, design and publish resources, support Communities of Faith dealing with emergencies and support emerging communities;
- Ensure fulfillment of Regional Council responsibilities: Resource the Congregational Support Commission by gathering and distributing required documentation to ensure the Commissions’ timely action on matters requiring their decision;
- Resource property work: Provide support and advice to communities of faith dealing with real property within the guidelines of the regional council property policy;
- Oversight and Administration: Promote compliance with both church and government requirements.
A copy of the full position description is attached.
Qualifications
- Minimum of four years post-secondary education or appropriate life experience and 3-5 years of related work experience;
- Graduate studies in theology would be an asset.
- Membership in The United Church of Canada and experience working within the structure and policies or experience working in a similar faith community would be considered an asset;
- Ability to translate the purpose of the regional councils into the experience of people making contact;
- Ability to articulate the link between faith and ministry practice and to reflect theologically and interculturally;
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively and collegially with other members of the staff team and with volunteers;
- Skilled at recruiting, screening, training and supporting volunteers and Group facilitation skills;
- An understanding of property matters, including leases, property sales and collaboration agreements and CRA regulations concerning property would be an asset;
- Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills with the ability to communicate with others in a respectful manner and articulate concisely and clearly;
- Good judgement, discernment and analysis skills as responsibilities can be difficult and complex and recommendations can have long-lasting effects; openness to consulting with other supervisor when no clear advice available;
- Strong administration, time management, planning, organizational, and implementation skills with the ability to deal effectively and positively with changing situations or priorities;
- Solid computer skills in the use of various software applications – Office 365, Dynamics, SharePoint, One Drive, Teams, Zoom, and other social media and online platforms;
- Willingness and ability to travel throughout the regional councils;
- Ability to speak a language other an English is an asset.
- Alignment with the vision and values of The United Church of Canada – respect, integrity, passion and diversity;
- Motivated self-starter capable of identifying needs and taking action in cooperation with volunteer leadership and other staff;
- Initiative, good judgement, tact, discretion, resourcefulness, and creativity in problem solving;
Working Conditions:
The United Church of Canada has adopted a hybrid workplace model, providing flexibility for this position, working both off-site and in the regional council office located at 1552 Hwy 6, Carlisle, ON. The incumbent will be provided, for work purposes, use of secure devices and must be available by email, phone, teams or zoom during regular office hours Monday to Friday. Sitting and viewing a computer screen for long periods, keyboarding/using voice recognition software, intermittent physical activity including sitting, standing and being on the phone for long periods of time will be required. Travel within the region will be required. Occasional additional hours, evening and weekend assignments may be required.
As part of our ongoing commitment to the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, The United Church of Canada will aid employees who request accommodation throughout their employment with us, unless the position is deemed to be a bona fide occupational requirement and/or to the point of undue hardship considering issues of health, safety and cost.
Compensation
The target hiring range for this position is $42,522.87 to $47,324.08 pro-rated annual salary with the ability to progress to a maximum of $55,363.81. This is based on category 7 on our salary range. Placement on the salary range will depend on factors such as market conditions, internal equity, and the candidate’s experience, skills, and qualifications relevant to the role. Pension and group benefit plans coverage and annual vacation round out this compensation package.
To Apply
Interested applicants are invited to submit their resume, quoting job number 25-08 to Human Resources, e-mail: careers@united-church.ca.
Internal applicants, if interested, please advise your immediate manager of your intentions.
Please note, Candidates who are being invited for an interview will be contacted the week of May 19th and interviews will be held the week of May 26th, 2025.
Downloads
by Michele | Mar 25, 2025 | Regional Council, Staff

Kevin Steeper and Kate Ballagh-Steeper in Northern Scotland
Kevin Steeper our Pastoral Support Minister has accepted a call with the Eramosa pastoral charge effective April 1st, 2025.
For the last six years Kevin has served and supported our Regional Councils in this unique role with grace, prayer and confidentiality. His dedication to this important work has been seen and felt by many through emails, phone calls, visits, clergy gatherings and luncheons.
As a staff team we’re not sure what we’re going to do without Kevin and his black belts in Taekwondo and skill in Aikido. We’re pretty sure the virtual office will be a much louder place, as Kevin limited himself to only 100 words per day and we’re not sure Eramosa pastoral charge will be ready for that. Good luck Kevin, we wish you all the best and don’t forget us!
Kevin will be using compensation time and vacation as he prepares to transition between the two roles. Eramosa’s gain is our loss and Kevin will truly be missed by the Tri-Regional Councils. Eramosa pastoral charge is blessed to have Kevin join their ministry at the beginning of April.
by Michele | Mar 25, 2025 | Regional Council, Staff
| It is with mixed emotions we announce the retirement of Lynne Allin, our Congregational Support Minister for the last six years.
Her unwavering commitment to communities of faith in the Antler River Watershed and Horseshoe Falls Regional Councils have been instrumental to the success of many congregations. Lynne’s meticulous attention to detail, combined with her ability to see the bigger picture, has been invaluable.
Her willingness to go the extra mile to meet tough challenges consistently demonstrated her dedication to excellence. We are incredibly grateful for her constant support with the Regional Council staff team. Beyond her exceptional skills, Lynne has been a cherished friend to all, offering thoughtful encouragement and unwavering support.
We lose Lynne to her beloved grandchildren and her calling kayak! Her last day will be June 1st, 2025. We celebrate Lynne on a well-deserved retirement. |
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by Michele | Feb 12, 2025 | Affirming, Anti-Racism, Children & Youth, Climate Change, Community, Events, Global Community, Indigenous Justice, Learning Opportunity, LGBTQIA+ and Two-Spirit people, News, Regional Council, Resources, Right Relations, Social Justice, The United Church of Canada

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 27th 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.
Read More Here
by Michele | Jan 28, 2025 | Anti-Racism, Community, Events, Global Community, Learning Opportunity, News, Regional Council, Resources, Social Justice, The United Church of Canada

Register here now: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/lu2FfRocTb6yqlx2FznABw