Glimmers of Glory: Holding the Light
Those who mourn...will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, to display God’s glory. -- Isaiah 61:3You're welcome to join us via the YouTube livestream beginning, Thursday, May 2 at 2:30 pm MT and running through the weekend.
At the 2024 Chinook Winds Regional Gathering we heard multiple, diverse voices speak of where they are seeing glimmers of God’s glory and how they are building the hopeful resilience and daily courage needed to hold the light. The theme was explored through plenary sessions, a panel discussion, workshops, spiritual practices, and of course, plenty of music. Special guests include musician Linnea Good and General Council Executive Minister Jennifer Henry.
Financial Presentation: A financial update was held online on Tuesday, April 22, 2024. Recording HERE
Gallery
Photos from the 2024 Regional Gathering are highlighted. Click on a photo for a larger format and to scroll through the gallery
Arriving at the registration check-in desk: Lori Roberts, Big Valley-Erskine Churches; Jes Beckerley, Chinook Winds Region; Wilma Clark, Red Deer Lake and retired ministers' coordinator.
Getting ready to welcome regional meeting registrants! The meeting's theme and worship committee members were on site the day before setting up: Peter Chynoweth and Andria Irwin (chair).
Setting up at McDougall United Church on the Wednesday before the Regional Meeting began on Thursday.
Thank you to the local arrangements volunteers! More than 30 people from McDougall, Red Deer Lake and Ogden United Churches were involved in hosting the conference including welcoming, hosting refreshments, moving tables and chairs, decorating, live-streaming technical support and more!
Members of the theme and worship committee: Trevor Potter (lighting candle), Peter Chynoweth, Sheena Trotter-Dennis and MiYeon Kim.
Chinook Winds' Presiding Officer Joanne Anquist and Executive Minister Treena Duncan at the opening of the meeting on Thursday afternoon.
Youth Council members Elysia Park and Micah Vogstad and young adult regional representative Rhondda Gower helped business chair Dave Pollard teach the court how to work with proposals. The practice proposal recommended that "a well-known Christian Canadian musician songwriter (perhaps Justin Bieber) be commissioned to create a new hymn for The United Church of Canada."
Jennifer Henry, executive minister with the General Council office of The United Church of Canada, gave the opening reflection on our theme, Glimmers of Glory: Holding the Light.
Music leaders Linnea Good and David Jonsson.
Lisa Waites leading singing and Rhondda Gower, Gaetz Memorial United, Red Deer, on flute. Photo: Mark Dutkoski.
During the meeting, Minister of Vocation Brenda Fawkes introduces the people who would be admitted, ordained and commissioned during Sunday's worship service.
Youth Council members at the Chinook Winds Regional Gathering.
Table group conversations
Table group conversations
Table group conversations
Barrie Clayton, McDougall United Church and Alan Lee, Chinese United Church. Barrie also serves on the Region's property working group and was elected to the Regional Executive.
Friday morning's session began with hearing from Cynthia Hunter who has been advocating for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-spirited people for 35 years.
Scott Reynolds is a growth animator, part of a national church program and spoke on the Friday morning. Scott is available to work with congregations in Chinook Winds and Pacific Mountain Regions.
Presiding Officer Joanne Anquist with members of the Chinook Winds Regional Executive. Regional Executive members are Joanne, Kathy Yamashita, Trudy Wesley, Elaine Taylor-Kerr, Taylor Croissant, OhWang Kwon, Allan Buckingham and David Holmes. Newly elected are Barrie Clayton, Nancy Nourse, Luke Haisa and David Pollard.
The Hillhurst United Church (Calgary) Praise Band participated in Friday evening's closing worship.
Music was a significant part of the Glimmers of Glory: Holding the Light meeting theme. Leadership from Lisa Waites and Linnea Good.
Bob Mutlow, chair of local arrangements, ensures the Friday lunch line goes smoothly.
Rhondda Gower on flute. Rhondda is from Gaetz United Church, Red Deer. Photo: Mark Dutkoski.
Meeting Materials & Resources
The detailed Agenda, Reports and other documentation will be uploaded here when available. Please click on a button below to access relevant forms or documents.
Meeting & Sunday’s Celebration of Ministry Worship Live-Streaming
You’ll find the live-streaming of the Regional Gathering during the meeting on the Chinook Winds YouTube Channel.
On Sunday morning, congregations and individuals throughout Central and Southern Alberta are invited to join in worship with us through the live-streaming at 10:30 am. We have a good tech team on board and congregations will have a cell number that they could call or text if they are experience technical issues.
Chinook Winds' YouTube Channel
Theological Reflection & Music
Jennifer Henry
Theological ReflectionJennifer currently serves as Executive Minister for Organizational Development and Strategy at the General Council Office of The United Church of Canada, leading staff teams dedicated to planning, growth, communications, research and Ministries in French. For almost three decades she was a social justice advocate on behalf of Canadian churches, including as Executive Director of KAIROS between 2012 and 2020. Jennifer holds a Master of Social Work and of Theological Studies from the University of Toronto, a Diploma of Denominational Studies from Vancouver School of Theology, and an Honorary Doctor of Christian Letters from Lutheran Theological Seminary in Saskatoon. Jennifer was ordained in The United Church of Canada in 2023. Raised on Treaty 1 territory, she currently lives in Toronto on land governed by the Dish with One Spoon Wampum Belt Covenant.
Linnea Good
MusicLinnea is a composer, performer, worship leader, accredited biblical storyteller and Christian educator. Well known in the Canadian church, she has written music for hymn resources around the globe. She and drummer-spouse David Jonsson live in Summerland, BC, where they strike an un-balance between Linnea's local and online music teaching, and their work in concerts, conferences, missions and worship animating for the wider Church. That includes Ukulele Church which combines ukulele learning with bible telling and devotion. The couple travel regularly to India where they share in music ministry and biblical storytelling instruction with Christian leaders. Linnea heads the Network of Biblical Storytellers Canada and has recorded weekly videos of lectionary-based scripture.
Children & Youth
Glimmers of Glory Children's Program
For ages 5 to 11 years old, get your sparkle on! A one-day children’s program will be offered on Saturday, May 4. Expect great art, games and other fun activities. The program is open to all children whether or not their parent, guardian or grandparent is attending the Regional Gathering. Registration is now closed.
Youth Program
Joining with the Chinook Winds Region's Youth Council members, teenagers up to grade 12 are invited to attend the Regional Gathering as either congregational representatives or youth delegates. It’s a great opportunity to meet other youth from across Central and South Alberta. Youth will have their own break-out sessions and activities as well as engaging in the Regional Gatherings theme, worship and business sessions. Registration is now closed
