Registration NOW OPEN for Antler River Watershed Regional Council Fall Meeting 2025
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
45th Moderator of the United Church of Canada – Rev. Dr. Kimberly Heath
[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! 
Rev. Dr. Kimberly Heath, nominated by Eastern Ontario Outaouais Regional Council, brings deep faith, visionary leadership, and a pastoral heart for the whole church.
Learn more about our new Moderator here:
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. 
The Climate Express
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
Announcing: Karlene Kimber, Congregational Support Minister
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.
Introducing ARWRC President Richard Auckland
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
