Wisdom of the Elders, the Indigenous Lenten Series for 2022 wrapped up on April 12, 2022. You’ll find recordings of the Lenten sessions for 2022 HERE

The Lenten season is a time for reflection upon the wisdom of our Elders and Ancestors. In Christ’s example, he entered into the desert for 40 days of fasting and discernment, contending with his purpose and calling, as well as his mission. It is a reminder that our inner work is important as we orient ourselves to be a force for good in the many challenges we face in the world.

The 2022 Indigenous Lenten Series is an opportunity for discerning our calling and mission during these difficult times. We trace the efforts of our forebearers, the leaders and wisdom keepers of the Ecumenical Circle who attended the Morley Indian Ecumenical Conference between 1970 to 1985, and who continued their call for reconciliation and healing throughout their lives. We look upon their message and its relevance today for our work toward fulfilling our obligations under the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People and the Calls To The Church from the Indigenous Caretakers Circle. This invitation is open to everyone. 

Facilitators

• Tony Snow, Indigenous Minister, Chinook Winds Region, The United Church of Canada

• John Snow, Indigenous Minister, Pacific Mountain Region, The United Church of Canada

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I am pleased to announce that the Rev. Dr. Karen Medland will join the Chinook Winds Regional Council Staff as Pastoral Relations Minister effective June 1, 2022.

Karen currently serves as Office of Vocation Minister for Northern Spirit, Living Skies and Prairie to Pine Regions of The United Church of Canada and is based out of Edmonton. She will be moving to Chinook Winds Region this spring.

Says Karen: “I am excited about working with congregations and ministry staff as we discover what it is God is calling us all to in Chinook Winds Region.”

Karen previously served at Carman United, Chilliwack; First United, Kelowna and North Thompson Pastoral Charge. She has also served as chair and secretary to the former Kamloops-Okanagan Presbytery, president to the former British Columbia Conference and co-chaired Local Arrangements when the United Church’s General Council met in Kelowna in 2009.

Originally from Scotland, Karen holds a Master of Divinity from Vancouver School of Theology and a Doctor of Ministry from Chicago Theological Seminary. She’s currently completing a Human Resource Management Certificate from the University of Alberta Extension.

Karen will also join with Chinook Winds Regional Representatives and Ministers at the Regional Gathering scheduled to be in Red Deer, AB, on May 5 to 8, 2022.

Thank you to the interview team of Elaine Taylor-Kerr, St. Thomas United Church, Calgary; Julia Kimmett, Okotoks United; and Taylor Croissant, Southminster, Lethbridge.

With Blessings,

Treena Duncan,

Executive Minister for Chinook Winds and Pacific Mountain Regions

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The Indigenous Ministry Christmas Eve service with the Chinook Winds Region went live at noon on December 24, 2021.

Many First Nations continue to follow their form of Christian faith while lifting up the Indigenous traditions and teachings of their ancestors. This Christmas service shares traditions from the Treaty 7 area, while remembering the connection to early Christian missionaries like Rev. Robert Rundle and Rev. Henry Bird Steinhauer who came there in the 1840s and 1850s. We remember their relationship building and the profound impact they had on the Stoney Nakoda people, who continue to practice Christian traditions today.

We know that there is struggle between Indigenous traditions and the history of the Christian Church. Through the TRC Calls to Action, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and the Calls to the Church from the Elders’ Caretakers Circle in the United Church of Canada, we continue to pursue justice and reconciliation in our work in the Chinook Winds Region (southern Alberta). We thank all members of the region for their support of our ministry and the ongoing work of relationship repair and redress of social justice issues.

We offer this service in the spirit of reconciliation and the beautiful traditions Indigenous people continue to practice.

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This year we explore the intersection of Indigenous faith and Christian Advent through the work of Bishop Steven Charleston (Choctaw Nation) “The Four Vision Quests of Jesus”. Join us in this journey of Indigenous Spirituality to explore the faith and values of Indigenous Nations and people as they move within a Christian context to find balance, inclusion and sovereignty. All are welcome to join this four-part online study.

Facilitator: Tony Snow, Indigenous Minister, Chinook Winds Region.

• Vision Quest #1: Wednesday, December 8   7 PM MST
• Vision Quest #2: Sunday, December 12  2 PM MST
• Vision Quest #3: Wednesday, December 15  7 PM MST
• Vision Quest #4: Sunday, December 19  2 PM MST

To Register, please click HERE.

You will receive the Zoom link after registering.

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Friends,
      You may be aware that  Chinook Winds Region agreed to host General Council 44 in Calgary. Then, COVID happened, and plans changed.  We will now be hosting the General Council 45 (in person) but we remain the host region for the upcoming online meeting of General Council 44!  As part of our hosting role, we were invited to meet with the Partner Council.  The Partner Council has generally met in the Toronto General Council offices, but met online and requested an opportunity to meet the Church in the Region. 
          It was a privilege to gather with these Global Leaders and share with them the ministries of Chinook Winds Region. We have a lot to share!  The biggest challenge was fitting it all into the few hours time we had. 
        I am grateful to Chinook Winds leaders from across the region who gave of their time and talents to share their testimony of their life and work of their communities of faith.  I was especially grateful to Rev. Joanne Anquist and a team of region-wide worship leaders for offering meaningful worship, and to the Naked Faith Band, Regional Youth Ministries, for their musical offering.  Thank you also to those who took the time to send in photos of congregation participants, church buildings and local geography that contributed so much to the presentation. I write with gratitude to those of you who offered leadership and to all of you who offer such amazing ministry across the Region!
        Please watch the above message to Chinook Winds from the Partner Council. 

Partner Representatives are Parul Chaudhary, Astha Sansthan, India; Aisha Francis, KAIROS, Toronto; Samer Laham, Middle East Council of Churches (MEEC); Marcel Leites, World Student Christian Federation; Kangwa Mabuluki, All Africa Theological Education by Extension Association (AETEA), Zambia; Horacio Mesones, Centro Regional Ecumenico de Asesoria y Servicio (CREAS). Also facilitating the video is Rev. Dr. Japhet Ndhlovu, Executive Minister for Church in Mission.

Blessings,
Treena Duncan, Executive Minister

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The Chinook Winds Town Hall on Wednesday, June 23 at 2 pm MST, will welcome guest speaker Rev. Andria Irwin for a conversation on Hybrid Worship – combining in-person and online ministry.
Andria is one of the ministers at Highlands United Church in North Vancouver and is also the minister of United Online, a resource of LeaderShift (PMR). She is the co-author with Rev. Dr. Jason Byassee of Following: Embodied Discipleship in a Digital Age, being published by Baker Academic in August 2021.

Register to receive Zoom link HERE

In preparation, read this note from Andria:

Something for Everyone — Discerning what a ‘hybrid model’ means for your community; Introducing key areas of focus, and Where to find the support you need

We’re almost as sick of the phrase “hybrid model” as we are of the phrase “new normal.” If you’re anything like me and the communities I’ve been in close conversation with, the phrase brings up feelings of immediate urgency and a sense of scrambling, along with one pesky question: what even is that? 

The frustrating reality is, we’re still learning what a hybrid model is (me included) and because we’ve never tried it before, we’re not sure what’s going to work. What we do know is that it doesn’t feel optional, and there doesn’t seem to be a one-size-fits-all solution. 

If these frustrations and curiosities sound like you, join me on June 23 for a conversation around how to view the hybrid model within the context of your own community, the four areas of your church life you should consider in creating both online and in-person connection, options for discerning where to put your energy, ideas to spark your own planning conversations, a glimpse at what kind of growth and continued connection is possible, and some suggestions for where to go for resources/ continued support.

Before our meeting it might be helpful for you to spend some time in contemplation around the following questions:

• What am I too tired to continue?
• What does our church’s vision/mission/ministry plan indicate is most important to our community? Has this proven to be true over the past year based on what we’ve prioritized? 

My hope is that these 40 minutes together will fuel you with the energy and conviction you need to speak to your own church communities with confidence and clarity around what needs to come next. As for the technical to-dos … well, the Spirit of Pentecost is upon us and she isn’t the least bit hindered by our how (but we’ll get to that in some workshops later this month). 

Looking forward to meeting with you! Andria Irwin

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Greetings! My name is Corinne and as the Chair of the newly-formed David Ferguson Music Fund, I’m honoured and excited to announce that the APPLICATION WINDOW IS OPEN! 
This fund is accessible to individuals and groups in the Chinook Winds Region in Central and South Alberta. It’s funded by a portion of the proceeds from the sale of St. Matthew’s United Church to honour and continue the musical legacy of David Ferguson. The purpose of the fund is:

1. To inspire children, youth and young adults to experience God through music;
2. To support music learning, education, and growth for children, youth and young adults through The United Church of Canada, with particular attention to choral and vocal musicianship;
3. To support program planning for music education in faith communities in Chinook Winds Region or its successor body with particular attention to choral and vocal musicianship.

This Spring/Summer we are planning for an initial, pilot round of five (5) grants of up to $1000 each. The window for applying for these grants is June 1st-July 31, 2021 with grants being distributed before the Fall. We are accepting applications for music projects, which could include things such as music lessons, money for musical development, assistance for choral or other musical groups, or any other initiative that fits within these stated purposes.

We’re asking that those reading this message pass on this information to Children’s & Youth Leaders, Music Ministry Leaders and participants, or anyone with the United Churches of the Chinook Winds Region who may wish, or know someone who wishes to apply.

How to Apply
To apply, please download the attached ‘fillable’ PDF. Details on how to apply are included on the form. Applications must be received digitally OR post-marked no later than 11:59 PM on July 31, 2021

If you have any questions, please email Corinne Nairn, David Ferguson Committee.
We look forward with excitement to receiving applications and continuing David Ferguson’s legacy.

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It’s hard to believe that today is the one-year anniversary of the pandemic. I remember that as we closed our places of worship, we were thinking we would be back and celebrating Easter. Who could have imagined that one year later we would be once again wondering if there is any chance we can re-open for Easter. We are in the second lockdown lent, which has been described as the ‘lentiest lent we have ever lented’!

   You may be reflecting upon the multiple events that occurred within 10 days in March 2020 that significantly changed our world. On March 5, 2020, Alberta reported its first COVID-19 case. Soon after our Regional Office started issuing ever-changing guidelines for communities of faith until on the morning of March 16, the Regional Executive had to recommend communities of faith close to public worship.  We hold up in prayer the families of the nearly 2,000 Albertans who have lost their lives to COVID-19 and the approximately 137,000 individuals in this province who have had the virus over the past year.

Without exception, every person has faced a challenge or difficulty, and many have even felt overwhelmed during this past year. But along with the challenges, this pandemic has brought its gifts. As communities of faith, we have come together and found a way forward, not just surviving, but thriving! We have learned that our churches are more than just our buildings. We have taken bold actions toward justice by committing to becoming an anti-racist church and exploring becoming an affirming region.  We have been living the call of the gospel by making sacrifices to protect the most vulnerable among us.

It’s natural for us to feel the weight of this time. The pandemic takes an emotional toll. Trauma is stored in the body at the cellular level. While our brains may try to forget, our bodies remember. You and those you work with may find yourselves weighed down and feeling some angst. Please remember that experiencing heightened anxiety is a natural, normal reaction to trauma. Together and in faith, we will get through this.  

I encourage you to look for the moments of goodness and hope, and to see the abundance of God’s gifts in the midst of the challenge, because, through it all ‘we are not alone.’

While vaccination programs ramp up, I know there are some yearnings to gather as soon as possible and others carrying deep concern about how to manage a gradual return to in-person gathering. Many feel both these things at the same time. And I know that another Easter in virtual worship is not what any of us want. I believe you have offered exemplary leadership through the last year, that you are resilient, creative, and by God’s grace, you will find ways, once again, to journey through Lent and Holy Week with grace, and celebrate the resurrection full of hope again.

If you have any questions as we go through the coming changes, please do not hesitate to attend the town hall meeting and to consult with Chinook Winds Regional Staff or me.

In faith and hope,
Treena Duncan

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