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
Saturday morning theme panel: Dave Holmes (moderator); Pam Rocker, Affirming Connections; Treena Duncan, executive minister, Chinook Winds; Luke Haisa, Central United, Calgary; Tony Snow, Indigenous Minister, Chinook Winds and Ryan Andersen, Calgary Alliance for the Common Good.
Business chair David Pollard with presiding officer Joanne Anquist and executive minister Treena Duncan during a light moment during business on the Saturday of the meeting. The Regional Council worked on proposals related to continuing efforts for peace and how statistics are gathered in the United Church. Photo: Mark Dutkoski.
Chinook Winds' Presiding Officer Joanne Anquist and Executive Minister Treena Duncan during the Saturday business meeting. Photo: Mark Dutkoski.
Charlene Burns, Community Capacity Development Coordinator, Western Canada, Indigenous Ministries and Justice, United Church. Photo: Mark Dutkoski.
The fourth workshop, Then Let Us Sing, introduced people to the latest United Church music resource which will be available this fall. Workshop leader was Lisa Waites. This workshop was offering online and in person.
Four workshops were offered on the Friday afternoon of the meeting. Danah Cox, minister at McDougall United, led Art as a Way of Knowing.
A second workshop was Biblical storytelling with Linnea Good.
A third workshop was technology and ministry with Randy Boyd joining via Zoom from Thunder Bay. Here, in-person registrants joined with online workshop participants.
Youth Council members enjoying a game together on Saturday evening.
Affirming Connections Pam Rocker.
Volunteers and others moved a lot of tables and chairs and other furniture to facilitate the meeting. Pictured is Joel Den Haan, community of faith strategy consultant.
Mauricio Araujo, Executive Assistant to the Executive Minister during the regional staff introductions.
Regional minister Karen Medland during the staff introductions on Friday afternoon.
Dave Goodwin, regional representative for Stettler United Church, was inspired by the meeting's theme, Glimmers of Glory, to write a song which he sang to those gathered on Saturday afternoon. Words and music are available.
Barbara Davison, Strathmore United Church, is also the current national president of the United Church Women (UCW). Barbara offered a short report and led grace for Saturday's lunch.
Meeting participants, including Barb Lough, were able to create with fabric and other mediums during the meeting. Their creations were then part of the communion table for the final worship services. Barb is a member of the Region's business committee and is a Robert McClure United Church regional representative.
Getting ready to welcome General Council 45 to Calgary in 2025! Sue Brodrick, Parkdale United, is chairing local arrangements and Taylor Croissant, Southminster United, Lethbridge, is the planning chair and the two reported on the plans underway and how you can get involved in welcoming people to our Region.
Music was an integral part of worship: Rhondda Gower, Gaetz Memorial United Church; David Robertson, High River United Church and and MiYeon Kim, Fort MacLeod-Granum pastoral charge.
Matthew Heesing, St. Andrew's United, Cochrane United Church. Photo: Mark Dutkoski
Chinook Winds Regional Council joins with others in praying for a ceasefire in Gaza. Many church people are participating in the Gaza Ceasefire Pilgrimage . You'll find more details and can add your name in support here: https://www.kairoscanada.org/gaza-ceasefire-pilgrimage
As the meeting closed on Saturday, participants were able to participate in different spiritual practices. Those online had options and for those in-person, stations were spread throughout the building. Many participants chose to pray for peace in our world, particularly in Gaza and Ukraine.
As we moved towards the closing of the meeting, participants were able to take part in a variety of spiritual practices including walking the labyrinth at the McDougall church.
Receiving God's light at the closing worship: Barrie Clayton, McDougall United; Nancy Chegus, Sunnybrook United; Dave Holmes, St. Andrew's, Lacombe.
Saturday evening banquet to honour ministers who were retiring and the nine people being admitted, commissioned and ordained to the order of ministry.
Saturday night banquet: Susan Wilkinson Matticks serves Blackie-Gladys and Nanton. Irene Milton is the regional representative for Blackie-Gladys and a Licensed Lay Worship Leader.
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
