We met at the Crossroads in Medicine Hat, AB
May 4-7, 2023 - Fifth Avenue United ChurchMeeting Recordings are HERE
The Chinook Winds Regional Council met at Fifth Avenue Memorial United Church from May 4-7, 2023. Theme Speaker Rev. Cameron Trimble of Convergence delved into this crossroads time with presentations such as The Problem with Planning, The Art of Being Lost and Navigating Change. The meeting began mid-afternoon on Thursday, May 4 and wrapped up with the Celebration of Ministry Worship on Sunday, May 7, 2023. Registrants participated in-person or online. We also celebrated officially becoming an Affirming Region.
At the Crossroads Theme with Cameron Trimble
Links to recordings of theme presentations and presentation slides are below:
• Opening Worship Sermon - May 4, 2023. Starts at hour 1:34
• The Problem with Planning our Future - May 4, 2023. Starts at hour 4:06
• The Art of Being Lost - May 5, 2023. Starts at hour 2:22.
• How to Navigate Change - May 6, 2023. Starts at Minute 7:48
Fifth Avenue Memorial United Church, Medicine Hat, welcomes Chinook Winds Regional Council for its 2023 Annual Meeting.
At the Registration Desk: Chinook Winds staff Jes Beckerley and Chris Mah Poy; and Tammy Allan and Marlene Stevens, Innisfail United Church
Chinook Winds Region's Presider Rev. Joanne Anquist officially opened the meeting with Executive Minister Treena Duncan.
Kim Holmes-Younger and Trevor Potter, Theme and Worship Committee, finish decorating Fifth Avenue Memorial's Wesley Hall before delegates arrive.
Thursday morning -- Wesley Hall at Fifth Avenue Church, all decorated and ready to welcome Regional delegates.
The meeting opened with Treva Eagle of Samson Cree Nation leading us in a smudge.
Medicine Hat lived up to its reputation as Canada's hottest city as it welcomed Chinook Winds Regional Gathering! With 30 degrees + temperatures, First Third Ministries served up popsicles. Enjoying the cool treats are Andria Irwin, Herman Ng and Anne Yates_Laberge.
Community of Faith Strategy Consultant Joel Den Haan and Pastoral Relations Minister Karen Medland: check out the sign behind them!
Our musicians were rEvolve: Chris Giffen, Gord Oaks and Josh McHan
Rev. Bob Wallace from Common Cup joined rEvolve on stage.
Business Chair Taylor Croissant
Rev. MiYeon Kim, Theme and Worship Committee introduced the At the Crossroads logo: "(It) represents the diverse crossroads which we face together at this moment. The orange line represents the road toward reconciliation between the Indigenous and settler church, and our commitment to becoming an Intercultural denomination. The yellow line represents the Intergenerational crossroad. The green line represents the environmental crossroad in the midst of the climate crisis. Finally, the rainbow line with chevron represents the crossroad of living into being a Two Spirit & LGBTQIA+ affirming Regional Council. Our diversity brings vigor and health to the church, and we find our unity in Jesus Christ. In our time together, we will encourage one another in the bond of love that is the Holy Spirit."
Tables-ready-for-Regional-Gathering-delegates
The Theme and Worship Committee invited three people to tell a story of a crossroad moment in their life. Ministry Candidate Letitia Berger was the first person to speak.
Singing!
Singing!
Executive Minister Treena Duncan
Rev. Dr Japhet Ndhlovu, the United Church's Executive Minister for Church in Mission was our General Council guest.
Red Dress Day on May 5 is to honour and bring awareness to the thousands of Indigenous women and girls, and two-spirit people who have gone missing or who have been murdered. Thank you to Trudy Wesley and Elder Glenda Crawley and also Rev. Tony Snow who led the Red Dress Commemoration at the Chinook Winds Regional Gathering today.
Chinook Winds Indigenous Minister Tony Snow
Red Dress Day on May 5 is to honour and bring awareness to the thousands of Indigenous women and girls, and two-spirit people who have gone missing or who have been murdered. As an act of solidarity, many delegates chose to wear red on Red Dress Day which was also the second day of the Regional meeting.
Barrie Clayton and Sue Brodrick from the Property Working Group made a presentation.
Meeting Materials and Resources
The detailed Agenda, Reports and other documentation are uploaded here as they are available.
- Chinook Winds Agenda and Reports 2023
- Proposal 1: Support Leadership of Adolescents & Young Adults
- Proposal 2: Getting Rid of Greenhouse Gases
- Proposals to Regional Council Submission Form. Submit by May 1, 2023
- One-Page Agenda for May 4-7, 2023 Chinook Winds Regional Meeting
- Nominations for Regional Executive - looking to fill two vacancies.
- 2022 Draft Financial Highlights from Treasurer John Den Hoed
- 2022 Chinook Winds Regional Council Minutes - May 5-8, 2022
- 2023 Regional Gathering Volunteer Expense Form
- Campus United 2022-2023 SlideShow
Theme Speaker: Cameron Trimble
Cameron Trimble, pilot, author and faith leader, was the theme speaker at the Chinook Winds Regional Meeting that will be May 4-7, 2023 at Fifth Avenue Memorial United Church in Medicine Hat.
Cameron is the CEO of Convergence, a not-for-profit made up of subsidiary companies and organizations focused on organizational transformation. She is also the author of Piloting Church: Helping Your Congregation Take Flight, Searching for the Sacred and the Beginner’s Bible Study Guide.
Guest Preacher for Celebration of Ministry Worship
Rev. Dr. Japhet Ndhlovu, Executive Minister for the United Church’s Mission Unit will be the guest preacher for the Chinook Winds Region’s Celebration of Ministry worship on May 7, 2023 at 10 am. Born in Zambia and educated in Zambia, Ireland and South Africa, Rev. Dr. Japhet Ndhlovu now resides in Toronto.
Children & Youth @ Regional Council
Children, ages 8-11, and youth, ages 12-16, are invited to participate in programs that will happen concurrently at the Chinook Winds Annual General Meeting, May 4-7, 2023 in Medicine Hat.
Program & Registration Details:
- the Children and Youth Programs will run at the same time as the annual general meeting. There will be two programs, one for children and one for youth. It’s an opportunity for children and youth to meet others from across Central and Southern Alberta and participate in fun, faith-filled programming.
- These are not overnight programs. Children and youth attending this event must stay with their parents or another adult from their home community of faith who will act as their sponsor for the weekend.
- Parents or sponsors are responsible for ensuring the safety of the children and youth when the meeting is not in session, that the children/youth have breakfast and are ready for the day programs, and provide accommodation and travel with the children/youth to and from Medicine Hat.
- To participate, children and youth must register at First Third Ministry's Event Registration. You will first need to set up an account and then you register for the Chinook Winds AGM - Children and Youth Program and fill out the relevant forms i.e. medical. If a sponsor will be attending with the child/youth, that sponsor will also need to be registered.
Meeting & Sunday’s Celebration of Ministry Worship Live-Streaming
You’ll find the live-streaming of the Regional Gathering during the meeting in this location as well as on the Chinook Winds YouTube Channel.
Congregations throughout Central and Southern Alberta are also invited to join in worship with us on Sunday, May 7, 2023 at 10 am through the live-streaming.
