Snapshot
2025-08-20 19:00 - 20:00 (America/Toronto) | Online by Zoom link
Contact Kathy Douglas, Faith Formation Minister KDouglas@united-church.ca

Strawberry Thanksgiving and Communion - Online
2025-09-24 10:00 - 11:30 | Online via Zoom
Join us online Wednesday, September 24th at 10:00-11:30 AM for Strawberry Thanksgiving and Communion, and take your acknowledgement of Territory to the next level by considering the Spiritual Covenant.
Many congregations who have been acknowledging the territory for the past few years are asking what meaningful action they can take to move their acknowledgment from words to actions. You are invited to Strawberry Thanksgiving and Communion, an online opportunity to begin the conversation about making a spiritual covenant.
You’re warmly invited
to this special event featuring Adrian Jacobs of the Turtle Clan, Cayuga Nation, sharing on the Spiritual Covenant—a reflection on land, relationship, and reconciliation on Wednesday, September 24th, from 10:00-11:30 AM.
Adrian Jacobs will offer a leadership in this workshop and communion service that will inform and inspire the discernment of churches on any traditional territory who wish to consider concrete action to live into their acknowledgment of territory. The workshop and worship will be grounded in history and scripture, and will invite you to deeper relationship with the land and the peoples on the land, and the Creator, Christ and Spirit. (For more information about the Strawberry Thanksgiving and Communion and the Spiritual Covenant, see below.)
The road to a decision about a faithful action by your community of faith is an ongoing journey. Come prepared to engage and to learn, and then bring your reflections to your home church for prayerful consideration.
Bread and Juice for Communion
This workshop will include an online communion service, so have your own juice and bread ready. For juice, you are invited to honour Indigenous tradition with strawberry juice, a local Indigenous medicine. If you would like to make strawberry juice, here is a simple recipe you can use:
https://tworowtimes.com/healthy-roots/jihsodahk-the-leader-of-the-plants/. If you are not able to use strawberry juice, feel free to bring any fruit juice of your choice.
Register in advance for this event:
https://united-church.zoom.us/meeting/register/2BNM7atZRhKNuAGAeO_1nA
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Read More Here

ARWRC Fall Meeting 2025 (Online only)
2025-10-03 - 2025-10-04 | Online by Zoom link
Antler River Watershed Regional Council
THEME: Seasons
You are invited to the 2025 ARWRC Fall Gathering!
Online via Zoom only
DATE: ARWRC Fall Meeting (online): October 3-4, 2025
Friday October 3rd: Time 6:30pm – 8:30pm
Saturday October 4th: Time 9:00am – 3:00pm

Antler River Watershed Regional Council Fall Online Meeting Information
Registration begins September 4, 2025 – Watch your emails for registration information

Volunteers Round Table - Children and Youth Ministry
2025-10-22 10:30 - 11:45 | Online via Zoom
Register here: https://shiningwatersregionalcouncil.ca/communities-of-faith/youth/childrens-ministry-roundtable/
For more information contact:
Kathy Douglas Email: Kdouglas@united-church.ca
Pronouns: she/her
Faith Formation Minister,
Antler River Watershed, Horseshoe Falls, Western Ontario Waterways Regional Councils of The United Church of Canada

WOWRC Fall Meeting 2025 (Online only)
2025-11-07 - 2025-11-08 | Online by Zoom link

HFRC Fall Meeting 2025 (Online only)
2025-11-21 - 2025-11-22 | Online by Zoom link

Tri-Regional Affirming Network Gathering
2025-11-25 13:00 - 14:30 | Online via Zoom
Tri-Regional Affirming Ministries Network – Upcoming Gathering Nov. 25
Join us for an online Zoom Gathering on Nov. 25 at 1 pm for conversations about what the Tri-Regional Affirming Ministries Network is all about:
Who Are We And What Do We Do?
Tuesday, Nov. 25 at 1pm (allow up to 90 minutes)
Affirming churches, affirming churches “in process”, affirming leaders, affirming-curious churches, and any other interested parties are welcome to attend.
For a link to the meeting, please contact John Egger, Minister, Social Justice at JEgger@united-church.ca

Kathy Douglas' Retirement Party
2026-01-16 13:30 - 15:30 | Avondale United Church, 194 Avondale Avenue, Stratford, Ontario, N5A6N4, Canada

Tri-Region PalNet
2026-02-11 19:00 - 20:30

Dementia Workshop
2026-02-12 10:00 - 11:30, 2026-02-19 13:00 - 14:30, 2026-02-26 19:00 - 20:30

Shared Shelves
2026-04-15 10:00 - 14:00 | Regional Councils Office, Hamilton

ARW UCW Annual Gathering
2026-04-18 09:00 - 15:00
Click here for more information!
Click here for registration form!

Towards 2035 Townhall Meeting
2026-04-29 19:00 - 20:30, 2026-05-06 19:00 - 20:30, 2026-05-12 13:30 - 15:00 | Online via Zoom
Towards 2035 Townhall Meeting
You may have seen the presentation at the Regional Councils fall meeting…you may have heard about it from a colleague or fellow congregation member…you may have seen the General Council resources for Communities of Faith…you may be asking yourself “What does this all mean?”
Please join me (Executive Minister Mark) for a time of conversation, and answering questions of what does Towards 2035 mean in your local context, and what resources are needed for us to be this group of:
resilient, inspired, diverse contextual communities of disciples
seeking to continue the story of Jesus
by embodying Christ’s presence in the world!
These sessions are open to clergy, lay reps, chairs of boards/council’s congregation members. Please register for a time at fits your schedule:
Wed April 29th 7-8:30pm
Wed May 6th 7-8:30 pm
Tues May 12th 1:30-3pm
Blessings,

Rev. Mark Laird
Executive Minister, Antler River Watershed, Horseshoe Falls, Western Ontario Waterways Regional Councils of The United Church of Canada
mlaird@united-church.ca

Clergy Retreat - Rooted and Rising
2026-06-03 - 2026-06-05 | Five Oaks Education and Retreat Centre, 1 Bethel Road, Paris, Ontario, N3L 3E3, Canada

Kids Across the Regions 2026
2026-06-05 - 2026-06-06
Registration links:
Kids/youth:https://regionalcouncil789.formstack.com/forms/kids_across_the_regions_2026_child
Leaders: https://regionalcouncil789.formstack.com/forms/kids_across_the_regions_2026_leader

Strawberry Thanksgiving and Communion
2026-06-13 09:00 - 13:00
Learn about Spiritual Covenants and how your church can live into right relations by attending the all-ages Strawberry Thanksgiving and Communion.
Don’t miss this special all-ages community event, online or in-person at Six Nations Polytechnic in Ohsweken, Sat. June 13.
Click for Info and to Register Now

Great Lakes Collaborative Retreat
2026-08-23 - 2026-08-25 | Five Oaks Education and Retreat Centre, 1 Bethel Road, Paris, Ontario, N3L 3E3, Canada
Register Here for The Great Lakes Collaborative Retreat

Contacts:
Kathy Douglas kathymdouglas@hotmail.com
or
Lisa Hart lhart@wcucc.org

From the Shire to Stratford - A Youth Overnight Quest
2026-09-12 - 2026-09-13 | Avondale United Church, 194 Avondale Avenue, Stratford, Ontario, N5A6N4, Canada
From the Shire to Stratford – A Youth Overnight Quest
Dates: Saturday, September 12, 2026 (10:00 AM) – Sunday, September 13, 2026 (2:00 PM)
Location: Avondale United Church, Stratford

Step into the world of adventure, friendship, and discovery! From the Shire to Stratford is a unique overnight youth experience inspired by J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit, featuring a live theatre performance at the renowned Avon Theatre alongside a variety of engaging and memorable activities.

Event Highlights
Participants will enjoy:

A professionally staged performance of The Hobbit
Boating on the Avon River (paddleboat or canoe)
Creative stained glass activity
Group games and faith discussions
All meals provided
Exploring downtown Stratford

About The Hobbit

Follow Bilbo Baggins, a quiet hobbit who is unexpectedly drawn into a daring quest across Middle-earth. Alongside a band of dwarves, he journeys to reclaim their homeland from a fearsome dragon. Encountering trolls, goblins, and a mysterious magic ring, Bilbo discovers courage he never knew he possessed. He proves that even the smallest person can play a vital role in a great adventure.

Themes We’ll Explore

Adventure & Courage
Friendship, Fellowship & Unity
Identity & Self-Discovery
Leadership & Responsibility
Home, Belonging & Purpose
Teamwork & Cooperation
The Hero’s Journey
And much more!

*Participants may benefit from reading the book or watching the film in advance.
Registration Details Are you a Youth (Grades 7+) or accompanying Youth Leader from WOW, ARW, or HF Region? Register today!

Step 1: Submit online registration form (one for each participant – youth and adults)
Step 2: Pay fee of $35 per participant (includes all meals, boating, and activities)
Step 3: Complete the boating waiver that will be emailed at a later date
The theatre ticket is generously covered by a grant from the Western Ontario Waterways Region of the United Church of Canada.
E-transfer Instructions
Send e-transfer to avondaleuc@wightman.ca
You will be asked to enter a security question and answer. Please set up as follows:
Question- What city is this event being hosted
Answer- Stratford
Enter in message section: youth event registration for (insert participant name)
Transportation
Transportation to and from the event must be arranged by each participant’s youth group or accompanying adult.
Join us for an unforgettable journey of imagination, community, and faith-filled adventure—where every participant has a chance to discover the hero within!

WOWRC Fall Meeting 2026 (Online only)
2026-10-15 - 2026-10-16 | Online by Zoom link
WOW – Thurs Oct 15th 6:30-9pm, Friday Oct 16th 6:30-9pm
TBD Celebration of Ministrey Sunday late afternoon on October 18th.

HFRC Fall Meeting 2026 (Online only)
2026-10-29 - 2026-10-30 | Online by Zoom link
HF – Thurs Oct 29th 6:30pm-9pm, Friday Oct 30th 6:30pm-9pm
TBD Celebration of Ministry Sunday Nov 1 late afternoon.

ARWRC Fall Meeting 2026 (Online only)
2026-11-20 - 2026-11-21 | Online by Zoom link
ARW – Friday Nov 20th 6:30pm-9pm, Saturday Nov 21st 9am-5pm
TBD Celebration of Ministry Service will occur during the 9am-5pm session on Saturday afternoon.
