News

Federal Election Resources

by Michele | Apr 8, 2025 | Anti-Racism, Children & Youth, Climate Change, Community, Global Community, Indigenous Justice, LGBTQIA+ and Two-Spirit people, News, Resources, Right Relations, Social Justice, The United Church of Canada

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 Hiring! Minister, Congregational Support (Part-time 60%)

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...

Staff Announcement: Rev. Kevin Steeper, Pastoral Support Minister

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...

Staff Announcement: Rev. Lynne Allin, Congregational Support Minister

by Michele | Mar 25, 2025 | Regional Council, Staff

Benagil Caves, Portugal 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...

Ontario Election – Workshop and Relevant Issues

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...

Black History Month Event

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

ARWRC Spring Meeting 2025

by Michele | Jan 27, 2025 | Events, News, Regional Council, The United Church of Canada

Hybrid and In-Person When: May 30th and 31st Where: Grace United Church, Sarnia More details to come as they become available.

Effective Transitional Leadership Training Course

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...

Pilgrimage of Learning Delegations

by Michele | Jan 20, 2025 | Community, Events, Global Community, Learning Opportunity, The United Church of Canada

The United Church of Canada invites United Church of Canada individuals interested in learning about global partners and the Global Partnership Program to apply to the Pilgrimage of Learning initiative, comprising of 4 delegations each visiting one (1) partnership region (Latin America & the Caribbean, Africa, Asia and the Middle East) between May and September, 2025. Are you interested in engaging with global partners in their own contexts to witness first-hand the mutuality of...

Story Sharing of Faith Formation and Social Justice Outreach Activities

by Michele | Jan 16, 2025 | Affirming, Anti-Racism, Camps & Retreats, Children & Youth, Climate Change, Community, Events, Fundraiser, Global Community, Indigenous Justice, LGBTQIA+ and Two-Spirit people, News, Orange Shirt Day, Regional Council, Resources, Right Relations, Social Justice, The United Church of Canada, Volunteer

Is your church or ministry doing something new or exciting to grow your faith, reach out to the community, or seek justice for people or creation? Don’t just be quiet about it! Let us know, so we can share the good news with others in the regional council. Click to fill in the form: Story Sharing of Faith Formation, Justice and Outreach Activities - https://forms.office.com/r/cb4c1PR8Q3 God is doing so much in and through our churches. Let us celebrate and encourage one another by sharing...

Flourishing: Spend a day with the Moderator

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...

ARWRC President Cheryl Bolton’s Christmas Message

by Michele | Dec 20, 2024 | Advent, Community, Events, News, Regional Council

Dear Friends, As we gather to celebrate the joyous season of Christmas, I want to extend my warmest greetings and blessings to each member of the Antler River Watershed Region. As we travel through the Advent Season, we reflect on the profound gifts of Hope, Peace Joy and Love that the birth of Jesus Christ brought into our world. Those gifts often feel lost with the hustle and bustle of our daily lives and it is easy to feel disconnected—from our loved ones, our communities, and even...

Worshiplude 2025

by Michele | Dec 19, 2024 | Children & Youth, Community, Events, Learning Opportunities, LGBTQIA+ and Two-Spirit people, Regional Council

https://arwrcucc.ca/event/worshiplude-2025/

Clarity on 100th anniversary package sent to communities of faith

by Michele | Nov 26, 2024 | 100th Anniversary, Community, Events, Regional Council, The United Church of Canada

Clarity on 100th anniversary package sent to communities of faith Nov 20, 2024 | News, UCC Centenary In October, many communities of faith or pastoral charges received communication from Brian Arthur Brown, chair of Friends of the United Church Foundation and author of two recent books that were widely distributed to communities of faith, Keys to the Kindom and The Untied Church. The letter speaks about inviting specified Communities of Faith to come together and participate in events for...

A Gift for the Season! Free Resource

by Michele | Nov 13, 2024 | Advent, Community, Learning Opportunity, News, Regional Council, Resources

Free Resource for an Advent Small Group Study We are offering every Community of Faith a gift this Advent season! By means of a regional subscription you can access an Advent Small Group Study created by: The Prayer Bench entitled Advent Longing   We hope this will be a gift for busy ministers and lay leaders in this Advent season who want a faith formation opportunity for their community of faith. This Advent Small Group Study invites participants to nurture longing as a powerful spiritual...

Youth and Elders Fishbowl Discussion

by Michele | Oct 4, 2024 | Affirming, Anti-Racism, Camps & Retreats, Children & Youth, Community, Events, Learning Opportunity, LGBTQIA+ and Two-Spirit people, News, Regional Council, Social Justice, The United Church of Canada

Regional Councils of ARW, HF and WOW in partnership with The Hub and Trinity UC Kitchener- Thursday November 28th, 2024, 6:30-8:30 (all participants are asked to arrive at 6:40). Background: Post-pandemic, Youth leaders struggle to put together groups. A message often heard from youth in the church is that what’s being offered doesn’t work for them. Being an intercultural church includes finding ways to bridge communication between different age groups/generations. Goal- To offer a forum that...

Register Now for the Antler River Watershed Regional Council Fall Meeting

by Michele | Oct 3, 2024 | Affirming, Anti-Racism, Community, Events, Learning Opportunity, Mission & Service, News, Regional Council, Resources, Social Justice, The United Church of Canada

Antler River Watershed Regional Council A Time of Renewal: Rebuild, Reconnect, Revitalize Welcomes you to the 2024 Fall Gathering! Online via Zoom Friday October 25th: Time 6:30pm – 8:30pm Saturday October 26th: Time 9:00am – 2:00pm The Celebration of Ministry will be In-person and Livestreamed on YouTube Antler River Watershed Regional Council Fall Online Meeting Information [button link="https://regionalcouncil789.formstack.com/forms/arwrc_meeting_registration_fall_2024" type="big"...

The Basics Workshop – Ministry and Personnel Committees

by Michele | Sep 23, 2024 | Learning Opportunity, News, Pastoral Relations, Resources, Staff

'The Basics': Ministry & Personnel Committee Workshops Online by Zoom, Upcoming dates: October 3rd, December 5th, February 6th, April 3rd 2-4pm with Micol Cottrell, Minister, Pastoral Relations Ordered ministers and designated lay ministers while in paid accountable ministry positions are office holders within The United Church of Canada. While there may be elements similar to employment, the essential nature of the relationship is a covenant. ~ Statement on Ministry in The United Church...

Ask An Expert – Answer Session

by Michele | Sep 16, 2024 | Community, Events, Funds & Grants, Global Community, Learning Opportunity, News, Regional Council, Resources, Staff, Stewardship, The United Church of Canada

Ask An Expert - Answer Session: ❓❓❓ Join us on Wednesday evening for a special one hour Zoom event. Wednesday, September 18th, 2024 from 7-8pm We've been asked some great questions over the summer, come and hear the answers! 👂👂👂 Some of the experts include Mark Laird, Executive Minister, Brenna Baker, Community of Faith Stewarship Support and hosted by Rev. Michelle Owens. All welcome to attend on Zoom at this link...

Supporting 2S-LGBTQIA+ People

by Michele | Sep 13, 2024 | Affirming, Anti-Racism, Children & Youth, Community, Events, Global Community, Indigenous Justice, Learning Opportunity, LGBTQIA+ and Two-Spirit people, News, Resources, Social Justice, The United Church of Canada

Greetings Siblings in Christ, It has come to our attention that across-Canada anti-2S-LGBTQIA+ protest marches are to be held on Friday, September 20, 2024. The organization responsible, Hands Off Our Kids (https://handsoffourkids.ca/) states their mission is to:“safeguard children from gender ideology teachings, sexual indoctrination, exposure to explicit sexual content, ensuring that parental consent remains paramount.” They also aim to “protect our children from thought control and will...