By Josh Carr 

What if hospitality looked a little different? 

Imagine a table where strangers become companions, where storytelling replaces small talk, and where imagination opens doors to connection. This is the heart of a new young adult ministry taking shape—one built around the collaborative storytelling game Dungeons & Dragons (D&D). 

For those unfamiliar, D&D is a guided storytelling experience. Each participant creates a character and, together, the group embarks on an unfolding adventure. There are no winners or losers—only shared journeys, creative problem-solving, and moments of laughter, tension, and discovery. One person, called the “Dungeon Master,” helps weave the story, while everyone else helps bring it to life. 

So how does this fit into ministry? 

At its core, D&D is about gathering people and making space for them to belong. Around the table, participants practice intentional listening, empathy, and cooperation. They make choices, face challenges, and explore questions of identity, courage, justice, and hope—all within a safe, imaginative setting. 

For young adults especially, this kind of space can be deeply meaningful. Not everyone finds connection in traditional settings. Some may feel unsure walking into a worship service or unsure how to join in. But a storytelling table? A shared adventure? That can feel different—more accessible, more inviting. 

In this ministry, the table becomes a place of radical hospitality. No experience is needed. Whether someone has never heard of D&D or has been playing for years, all are welcome. The goal isn’t mastery of rules—it’s connection. 

Participants might find themselves: 

• Working together to solve a mystery 

• Supporting one another through fictional challenges that echo real-life struggles 

• Laughing over unexpected twists in the story 

• Discovering new friendships along the way 

And perhaps most importantly, they experience what it means to be part of a community where every voice matters. 

This is not about escaping the world, but about engaging it differently—through creativity, relationship, and shared meaning-making. It’s about meeting people where they are, in ways that speak to their lives and interests. 

So if you’ve ever wondered what D&D is, or if you’re simply curious about new ways of building community, consider this your invitation. 

Pull up a chair. 
Your story—and ours—is just beginning. 

Hear below from one of Sanctuary D&D’s newest Dungeon Masters! Miriam Goodchild took on the daunting challenge of DM’ing for the first time, and has been doing an incredible job alongside our other Dungeon masters and players! Miriam was asked to speak about their experience with Sanctuary D&D and their opportunity to run the game for the first time within a safe and inclusive space!  

“DnD was something I first heard about as a teenager, and while the moments I was actually able to try playing were very few and far between, I quickly fell in love with this organized yet improvisational method of storytelling. The idea of a narrator guiding the story with main characters that are free to make their own choices that, in turn, affect that same story is such a fun, unique concept. After I started getting more invested in Actual Plays like Critical Role as an adult, my desire to find a space to engage personally in this game resurfaced with a vengeance. Sanctuary DnD has since become the space I was looking for.  

I initially started out as a player. I had thought of DMing at some point in the past, but I was nervous to try. The pressure that I thought would follow such a position kind of intimidated me, but as I continued to attend Sanctuary DnD on a weekly basis, I realized that any pressure to do “well” I might have feared in other groups was practically non-existent here. Most of our dms were new, or had only tried it a few times before. Many players were in similar positions. Each session felt like we were all sort of figuring out the game together, and I found that it dissuaded most of my anxieties and awkwardness very quickly. There was such an overt focus on just having fun with each other, and lifting each other up. There was no pressure to be a “perfect” narrator at all, only to do your best, whatever that may be.  

So I decided to take the leap. And I have since learned that I adore DMing! Having easy and open access to the materials needed to run the adventures alleviates a lot of stress regarding preparations, and the structure of Sanctuary DnD has created a space where encouragement, kindness, and constructive conversation are valued above all else, which has immensely aided in my ability to develop good relations with my players (both as a dm and as a friend, imo). I enjoy the chaos that is running combat, as well as encouraging active roleplay between NPCs and players, and more recently, watching and sitting back as my players engage and converse with each other in-character.  

I find myself becoming aware, more than ever, of what a communal process DnD truly is. While it’s portrayed as “complex” and even “tiresome” by some, I really think DnD (and any other TTRPG, really) is kind of the ultimate form of group storytelling. The DM may be the “leader” by technicality, but it’s the players who are the real stars of the show, driving the story set out for them forward through each decision and dice roll. I find myself enjoying the moments where I get to reveal bits of lore just as much as when I step back and watch everyone else discuss current matters, make jokes, and debate what choices they want to make. I don’t feel like a strict authority as much as a supportive guide, thriving as I watch each character gain experience and further the narrative with increasing confidence. It’s such a special experience that doesn’t really compare to anything else, and is why I highly recommend these sorts of games to anyone who has any interest.” 

We hope you’ll follow along as Sanctuary D&D continues to evolve and carve out space for young adults within our communities!  

Contact: Jess Andrews, Campus Minister, University of Calgary

The post A Bold Experiment: Sanctuary D&D from First Third Ministry & Campus United appeared first on Chinook Winds Region.

    It’s your bulletin to plug your United Church event. Then plan to open it every month so you’re plugged in to what’s happening in Chinook Winds Region

You can submit your United Church event through the Submit Event Page, located under “events” on the top toolbar on the Chinook Winds website.  

Get Your Event in the First Edition!
The first Get Plugged In Events Bulletin will land in your inbox on Thursday, April 16, 2026. Make sure you submit your United Church event by Tuesday, April 14 for it to be included. All events are moderated.

Beginning in May, the Events Bulletin will go out the first Thursday of every month with a submission deadline of the Tuesday before. (The May deadline will be Tuesday, May 5).

Events Also Published on Chinook Winds’ Calendar
Your United Church event will also be located on the Chinook Winds Event Calendar. As well, you will be able to go to the Chinook Winds calendar and see the events happening across the Region.

How to Submit Your Event for Publication
To guide you in submitting your event for publication, please make use of this handy Tip Form. It’s also downloadable on the Events submission form.

What Happens with the Chinook Winds Newsletter?
Chinook Winds Newsletter will focus on news in our region, including community of faith news. If you have news from your community of faith, for example a ministry that you’re excited about or a youth leader or administrator job posting, that will still go in the newsletter. Submit them to Shelley Den Haan, Communications.

Any Questions/Need Assistance Uploading your Event?
If you have any questions or find you need assistance in uploading your event, please reach out to Shelley Den Haan, Communications 

Helpful Links!

• Submit Event Webpage/Form 
• Handy Tip Sheet for Submitting Events
• Chinook Winds Events Calendar
  

The post Introducing…the Get Plugged In Events Bulletin appeared first on Chinook Winds Region.

Easter meets us not in perfect moments, but in the midst of real life, with all its uncertainty, grief, and change.  I have found myself saying more than once this year that this has been the ‘lentiest” Lent I can remember, a season that has felt especially heavy, reflective, and real. And perhaps that is why the promise of Easter feels all the more needed. 

Weeping may linger for the night, but joy comes with the morning. (Psalm 30:5)   

In her Easter message, our Moderator, Right Rev. Dr. Kimberly Heath, reminds us that hope is not about ignoring what is hard but trusting that God is still at work within it. Our work leading up to Easter Sunday is to face the pain and grief with grace and courage. We do not need to know the way out of the darkness- that is God’s work. And when the resurrection comes, it does not erase the wounds, but it does tell us that they are not the end of the story. Even in the hardest seasons, something new is being born, like green shoots pushing up through still-cold ground. 

As a church, we are thinking about our future, imagining, and dreaming about the church in 2035. And yet, this dreaming is shaped not only by hope, but by what we have loved and lost. We carry the ache of what has changed, and like Lent, we are invited not to turn from that grief, but to trust that God meets us within it and ultimately guides us through to new possibilities. God is not finished with us yet. Even now, new life is emerging: in our communities of faith, in fresh expressions of ministry, in the courage to imagine a different future together. And part of our calling this Easter is not only to notice new life, but to nurture it.   

And so, we look for the signs of resurrection: 
in small acts of faith,  in the return of robins amidst spring snowstorms, in renewed relationships,  in the quiet ways people continue to show up for one another, in the ways people choose to serve for the benefit of others, not just themselves. 

Christ is risen. And hope is alive. May you know that hope this Easter, and may it guide us as we step faithfully into the future God is unfolding.

Treena Duncan, Executive Minister, Chinook Winds & Pacific Mountain Regions

The post An Easter Message from Treena Duncan appeared first on Chinook Winds Region.

You’ll find the recording of the January 21 Town Hall below.

The post March 2026 Regional Town Hall: Recording Available appeared first on Chinook Winds Region.

Check out the video link below for an update on the Executive’s conversations from Presider Rev. Taylor Croissant and Rev. Nancy Nourse. The video’s audio has some technical glitches, but Taylor and Nancy’s words are still clear.

The post March 2026 Update from Regional Executive appeared first on Chinook Winds Region.

Can you perceive a new thing? God is doing something fresh among us—something that calls us to hospitality, justice, and hope.

Toward 2035 is an invitation to prayer and a whole-church conversation about the future of God’s call to the United Church of Canada. In the video below, our Moderator, the Right Rev. Dr. Kimberly Heath, introduces Toward 2035 with honesty about our contexts and faith in God’s call to our Church.

Let’s Gather Together! Clusters & Toward 2035 Conversations

Over the next several months, our Executive Minister Treena Duncan will be leading presentations and conversations in clusters throughout Chinook Winds Region as dates and locations become available.

For all congregational leaders – regional representatives, board members, ministers and others — please plan to attend. Both in-person and online sessions will take place. You can choose what fits yours schedule. You’re also encouraged to start Toward 2035 conversations and prayer in your communities of faith. Toward 2035 resources are available HERE

Toward 2035 Cluster Conversations:

Toward 2035 Conversations will be taking place in the Foothills North and South Clusters and also South Alberta. The Central Alberta Cluster gathered online on January 26, 2026. Calgary and Area Clusters gathered in person on March 14.

Please sign up for a Cluster conversation that best suits your schedule:

• Monday, April 13. 2 pm Online. South Alberta Cluster. Register HERE
• Wednesday, April 22. 10 am Online. Foothills North & Foothills South Clusters. Register HERE

“Let’s begin with prayer. Let’s listen. Let’s perceive the new thing God is doing…I truly believe God will give us what we need to answer the call of this moment.” — Moderator Kimberly Heath

The post Rolling Out ‘Toward 2035’ in Chinook Winds Region appeared first on Chinook Winds Region.

Our latest Trustee Workshop was recorded and is available for your use. Workshop facilitators were Rev. Joel Den Haan, Community of Faith Strategy Consultant; Susan Brodrick, Chair, Property Working Committee and Barrie Clayton, member, Property Working Committee. This workshop originally took place in January 2026.

Watch the 2026 Trustee Workshop below:

The post Workshop for Congregational Trustees 2026: Recording Available appeared first on Chinook Winds Region.

With the theme, Provoking Leadership, the Chinook Winds Regional Council will gather in Lethbridge at Southminster United Church from April 30 to May 3, 2026. Plan to join us! You’ll find all pertinent details on our Regional Meeting 2026 page.

The post Registration now open for Regional Gathering 2026 appeared first on Chinook Winds Region.

Registration and Details HERE

Our second annual Imagine Children’s Retreat. It’s for Children and their leaders. Registration is now open.

First Third Ministry will offer children and youth programming in conjunction with the Chinook Winds Regional Meeting. You’ll find more information HERE

The post First Third Events for Winter & Spring 2026 appeared first on Chinook Winds Region.

You are invited to join Chinook Winds Indigenous Minister Tony Snow and others for the monthly Right Relations Circle. We gather for conversation, connection, and friendship as we learn how to live out the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action.

For the Right Relations Circle, you can register to receive the Zoom Link HERE   If you have previously registered, you will receive the Zoom link on the day of the Circle.

Questions? Please email Tony Snow, Indigenous Minister, Chinook Winds Region.

The post Right Relations Circle Meets on March 24, 2026 appeared first on Chinook Winds Region.