The Chinook Winds Region’s first-ever Rural Ministry Conference took place at High River United Church on Truth and Reconciliation weekend, September 29-October 1, 2023. It drew some 70 participants from across Alberta, BC and Manitoba. Several participants opted to come in teams from their congregations.
Theme Speaker was United Church Minister Rev. Jenny Carter who has served in three rural communities. As one attendee commented: “I appreciated her practical, down-to-earth approach to community ministry and her real-life examples of its challenges and successes.”
Participants were able to choose from workshops including planning worship for small congregations with Rev. Susan Lukey; turn your congregation into a choir with Rev. David Robertson; strengthening spiritual care in rural congregations with Rev. Dr. Geoffrey Simmins; Story-telling and preaching with Rev. Dr Karen Medland and working with partnerships and alliances in smaller communities with Rev. Joel Den Haan.
Additionally, Saturday evening sessions included time with Rev. Dr. Ross Bartlett who has researched part-time ministry in The United Church of Canada and authored, It’s Real Ministry with Rev. Kate Jones. And a presentation by Affirming Connections on Small Town, Big Impact on the journey of becoming affirming.
We are grateful for the support of Edge and LeaderSHIFT in offering the Rural Ministry Conference.
Session Recordings available:
- Saturday, September 30th Morning Session with Rev. Jenny Carter starts at minute 18.
- Saturday, September 30th Afternoon Session with Rev. Jenny Carter
- Rev. Dr. Ross Bartlett Session on United Church Part-Time Ministry
Your Feedback: If you attended and haven’t yet filled out the feedback form, we’d love to hear from you!
To scroll through gallery and read captions, click on an image below.
