First Chinook Winds Regional Meeting blows through Lethbridge

The first-ever Chinook Winds Regional gathering took place at McKillop United Church in Lethbridge June 7-8 under the theme of Born of Winds and Spirit. The Gathering brought together regional representatives and ministry personnel from Communities of Faith throughout the area south of Highway 13 that is now called Chinook Winds Region.

The two-day meeting included worship and business, covenanting with the new Chinook Winds Region Staff, electing the first-ever Chinook Winds Executive and short presentations and greetings from special guests, ministries and staff.

In response to a presentation from Affirming Connections, discussions from the floor led to a proposal for the Chinook Winds Region to begin the process to become an Affirming region within The United Church of Canada.

The Gathering also discussed a proposal on establishing a Being in Good Relations Circle and after much discussion, the Region voted on a process towards better relationships with Indigenous people and churches. It also voted for continued work to encourage intercultural ministry.

Our photo gallery details more of the many significant moments of the Chinook Winds first gathering. Our photographers were: Richard Betts; Doug Goodwin; Sam Grottenberg, Bob Wallace and Shelley Den Haan.

: Elder Kathleen Poucette, at right, with daught Myrna Powderface

: Opening Worship: Helen Reed, Chair, Regional Commission and Esther Crews, Brooks United Church

: Several parts become one: Representatives of the former presbyteries pour water into one font symbolizing the new Chinook Winds Region

: Music leadership

: Sermon by Tammy Allan, Regional Commission Member

: Covenanting with the Chinook Winds Region Staff: Doug Goodwin, Executive Minister; Treena Duncan, Incoming Executive Minister; Mauricio Araujo, Executive Assistant; Lee Spice, Pastoral Relations; Joel Den Haan, Community of Faith Support/Strategy; Shelley Den Haan, Communications; Chris Mah Poy, Program and Administration Support; Helen Reed, Regional Commission Chair and Esther Crews, Hosting Committee and Worship Presider. Table Group Conversations

: Table Group Conversations

: Table Group Conversations

: Table Group Conversations

: Lunch break outside at McKillop United Church, Lethbridge

: Helen Reed, Executive Minister Doug Goodwin, Incoming Executive Minister Treena Duncan.

: Chris Mah Poy, Helen Reed, Doug Goodwin

: David Pollard, Chair, Business Committee

: Dishing out soup on the patio at McKillop Church

: Deborah Richards, General Council Executive

: Brenda Fawkes, Office of Vocation

: Diane Bosman, General Council Staff

: Lee Spice, Pastoral Relations

: Joel Den Haan, Comunity of Faith Support/Strategy

: Doug Goodwin

: Some of the Displays at the Regional Gathering: Affirming Connections; St. Andrew’s Regional Ministries

: Pam Rocker, Affirming Connections

: Jane Harding, Stewardship and Gift Officer (centre)

: Tony Snow

: David Pollard

: Tom Melvin, member of Business Committee

: Doug Goodwin, Treena Duncan

: The view from the back!

: ote for the New Chinook Winds Executive: 100 per cent in favour!

: Chinook Winds Newly Elected Executive: John Snow, Bob Wallace, David Pollard, Kevin Dorma, Helen Reed, Eric Pagé, Vicki McPhee, Frances Liu, Alwin Maben, and Bill Moore.

: De-commissioning the Regional Commission: Bob Wallace, Helen Reed, Ray Goodship, Kathy Yamashita, Russel Burns, Tammy Allan

: Covenanting with the Incoming Executive Minister Treena Duncan

: Behind the scenes: Chris Mah Poy

: Behind the scenes: Business Commitee and Tech Support with David Pollard and Sam Grottenberg

: Celebration of Ministry Musicians

: Celebration of Ministry

: Celebration of Ministry

: Celebration of Ministry: Susan Brodrick

: Celebration of Ministry: Lee Spice preaches the sermon

: Celebration of Ministry: Lee Spice

: Celebration of Ministry

: Celebration of Ministry

: Brenda Fawkes, Office of Vocation

: Celebration of Ministry – Commissionand Marian Martin

: Celebration of Ministry

: Celebration of Ministry

: Celebration of Ministry

: Commissioning of Marion Martin

: Musicians at Celebration of Ministry

: A few of the very busy hosting committee

: Helen Reed and Pat Dyson.

: Celebration of Ministry

: Eras Van Zyl, retiring minister, and Esther Crews

: Recessional: Brenda Fawkes and Lee Spice

: The Regional meeting wrapped up on Saturday night but Doug Goodwin, Treena Duncan, Lee Spice and Deborah Richards attended church on Sunday morning in Picture Butte, Alberta. Worship took place at the historic church at Coyote Flats for the Covenanting Service with Glenda Wert and Lois Punton.

: Glenda Wert and Lois Punton

: At Coyote Flats

: At Coyote Flats