Dear friends,

As we journey from the shadowed stillness of Lent into the promise of Easter morning, I find myself reflecting on the depth and complexity of this holy season. It is not a straightforward path. It never has been.

This year, as we mark Easter amidst global uncertainty, political tension, and communal fatigue, it feels especially important to be honest about where we’ve been. Lent has taken us through wilderness places—individually and collectively. We walked with grief, confusion, longing, and lament. And yet, it is precisely this movement—through sorrow and into hope—that makes Easter so powerful.

A movie I recently watched with my family, Inside Out 2, captures this truth beautifully. If you haven’t seen it yet, I highly recommend it. It’s about a girl named Riley who is moving into adolescence. Much of the film is spent inside Riley’s mind, which features a control centre piloted by five personified emotions: Joy, Sadness, Fear, Anger and Disgust. Her teenage years introduce four new emotions: Anxiety, Envy, Embarrassment and Ennui. It’s a hilarious and brilliant exploration of the emotional landscape of adolescence (and, if we’re honest, of adulthood too).                    

One of my favourite moments is when the character Anxiety arrives and, looking around nervously, asks, “Where do I put my stuff?” I still chuckle thinking about it. But I digress…

Adolescence introduces a newly formed element of Riley’s mind called her “Sense of Self,” which houses memories and feelings that shape Riley’s beliefs. What struck me was the evolving relationship between Joy and Sadness. Early in the film, Joy does everything she can to keep Sadness away, trying to keep things upbeat and cheerful, hoping that all Riley’s core memories will be positive. But—spoiler alert—by the end, it is clear that Joy cannot exist without sadness, and vice versa. Joy says to sadness “wherever I go, you go.” She realizes that true joy doesn’t come from pushing sadness aside. It comes from embracing it. Sadness, it turns out, gives Joy her depth and perspective. Together, they create something more honest, more human—something holy.

                   Lent softens the soil so resurrection can take root

Isn’t this exactly what Lent and Easter offer us? Lent doesn’t cancel joy—it prepares us to feel it more fully. It softens the soil so resurrection can take root.

But I’ve been thinking about another emotion introduced in the movie: Ennui. It’s a kind of grey, detached listlessness. Ennui is the voice that says, “Why bother?” It’s the numbness that creeps in when things feel too hard for too long. And if we’re honest, many of us—many of us in Canada, many in our churches, many in our communities—know that feeling all too well.

                       The real danger of our time: detachment

This, I believe, is the real danger of our time. Not anger. Not sorrow. But detachment. A giving up. A slow surrender to disconnection.

And so, Easter comes not only as a celebration—but as a call. A call to reengage. To feel again. To hope again. To risk joy again. Because Christ is risen—not only in the bright places, but in the broken ones too. And that resurrection promise pulls us toward life.

                              Easter calls us toward life

This year, I pray that we don’t skip past the sorrow. That we don’t deny the wilderness we’ve walked. But that we also don’t stay there. Because Easter invites us to a deeper joy—one that isn’t shallow or performative, but rooted in the whole story. A joy shaped by loss, like a river forging new ground. A joy that sings because it has wept.

May the Risen Christ meet you exactly where you are this Easter—whether in celebration or in exhaustion, in confidence or in doubt. You are not alone. We are a Resurrection people, and wherever you go, the Spirit of God is already there.

With deep gratitude and Easter hope,

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

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As the final days of Advent draw to a close, we find ourselves on the cusp of a joyous celebration—the lighting of the candle of Love and the celebration of the birth of the baby who embodies love itself. The Advent Christian season is a special time of preparation, a threshold between what is and what will be—a time pregnant with promise and alive with hope for the future.

In the congregation where I worship, we’ve embarked on a profound Advent journey centred around the theme “Don’t be Afraid.” We’ve delved into the myriad ways these words echo through the scriptures and were spoken to individuals in moments of fear and uncertainty. That phrase appears in Scripture some 365 times. I wonder how reassuring those words might have been for those who first received them… I know that when I’m really afraid, having someone tell me not to be doesn’t help matters!

Our church finds itself at a significant juncture that itself is an Advent time; we are living into a new and emerging reality that requires us to faithfully navigate through change—facing budgetary challenges, grappling with structural adjustments, and contending with the realities of ageing congregations. Amidst this flux, it’s easy to be consumed by apprehension and worry for the future.

Yet, I am reminded that always when the words, “Don’t be Afraid,” are uttered in scripture, they come with the assurance that God is with us and will never abandon us.

The essence of this season that we make time for year after year, calls us to embrace audacious, enduring hope—to shed fear and apprehension and to trust in the divine promise of an exciting future. It’s a time to collectively step forward in faith, recognizing that the future of our church rests securely in God’s hands. Let us stand together, bolstered by faith and united in purpose, as we venture forth into the future.

May this season of Advent instil in us the courage to face the unknown and the unwavering belief that our path is guided by a greater, loving presence. I wish each of you a blessed and joyous Christmas season.

Please note that the Regional office will be closed starting today, Friday, December 22, 2023, and reopening on Tuesday, January 2, 2024. This brief pause allows us to recharge, reflect, and return with renewed vigour, optimism, and readiness for our work in and as a church alive in the world.

Advent and Christmas Blessings,

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

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During Executive Minister Treena Duncan’s sabbatical, Pastoral Relations Minister Karen Medland is Chinook Winds Region’s Acting Executive Minister from January 1 through March 31, 2022.

For property matters, please contact Joel Den Haan. If you are unsure who to contact, please reach out to Executive Assistant Mauricio Araujo and he can re-direct you.

Karen will be unavailable from January 25 – February 15 so please contact Mauricio during that time to be re-directed.

The post Karen Medland is Acting Executive Minister appeared first on Chinook Winds Region.

Unfortunately, the live-streaming experienced distorted sound as the service progressed. Then the feed was lost during Guest Preacher Rev. Dr. Carmen Lansdowne’s sermon but returned for the commissioning, ordination and communion.

The full service is now uploaded to YouTube including Dr. Lansdowne’s sermon. Please see below. Also, in the video’s descriptions are the times of different parts of the service including the sermon.

We thank everyone for their graciousness and understanding.

During the Celebration of Ministry Service, the Chinook Winds Regional Council commissioned Rachel Nadon, Knox United, Drumheller and also ordained Kim Holmes-Younger, Parkdale United, Calgary.

Guest Preacher, the Rev. Dr Carmen Lansdowne, is a member of the Heiltsuk First Nation and the executive director of Vancouver’s First United Community Ministry Society. Carmen is also a nominee for United Church Moderator.

11:13 — Welcoming from Gaetz Memorial United Church 14:13 — Land Acknowledgement 17:20 — Opening prayers 23:10 — Scripture Reading 25:45 — Introduction of Guest Preacher by Executive Minister Treena Duncan 28:09 — Sermon by Rev. Dr. Carmen Lansdowne 50:01 — Celebration of Ministry and Communion

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A Message from Executive Minister Treena Duncan

Last week Author and Lutheran Minister Nadia Bolz Weber published a sermon called Between Exhaustion and the Deep. It’s based on Luke 5 where Jesus encourages fishermen who are tired after a night of unsuccessful fishing to throw their nets into deep water again.

In Luke’s telling, Jesus sees two boats at the shore of the lake; the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. Jesus gets into the boat belonging to Simon and asks him to put out a little way from the shore. Then Jesus teaches the crowds from the boat. When he finishes speaking, he says to Simon, “Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.”

Simon (Peter) answers, “Master, we have worked all night long but have caught nothing. Yet if you say so, I will let down the nets.” When they do this, they catch so many fish that their nets were beginning to break. Bolz Weber goes on to reflect what it must have been like to be the disciples, exhausted and disheartened from an unsuccessful night of fishing, and being sent back out to fish deeper waters. Her powerful reflection (which I encourage you to read) reminds us that “we are indeed in the space between exhaustion and the deep, and facing the deep can be terrifying and we may long to return to the shores of 2019… and yet we can know that we will not be separated from the mothering, protective love of God.” 

We are entering yet another new phase of this pandemic, in the context of divisions and protests that threaten to damage the fabric of society. As a Church, we are called to be a prophetic voice in society, reminding each other that love is an all-important value.  We are being called into the deep, as it were, but as always, we are reminded that we don’t go there alone. I encourage you to turn to faith and to one another. We walk this journey together with an ever-constant God who will never fail us.

On Tuesday, the Government of Alberta announced that they will be lifting the restrictions that were in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19. For us this means that effective immediately, there are no restrictions on the numbers attending worship and proof of vaccination is not required. Masking remains mandatory. (Note that for those 12 and under masking will not be required beginning February 14, 2022).  While some of you have already returned to in-person or hybrid worship, many of you have not, and will be faced with making a decision about a return to in-person worship in the coming days and weeks. 

As you make decisions the Region recommends the following:

• Be cautious, the virus is still present and spreading.
• We have consistently recommended choosing caution to protect those most vulnerable among us.
• Please keep this as a core value in your decision-making process.
• When gathering, continue to manage distance.
• Wear masks with a minimum of 3 layers.
• Within reason, do what you can to improve ventilation.
• Minimize singing. Soloists and choirs should be distanced from the congregation, and congregational singing must be masked.
• Keep services on the shorter side.
• Use only single-serve communion (not a common loaf or cup)

I, and the entire Regional staff team, are available to respond to your questions, don’t hesitate to reach out.

Blessings,

Treena Duncan,

Executive Minister, Chinook Winds and Pacific Mountain Regional Councils

The post Responding to Changes in Provincial COVID-19 Restrictions appeared first on Chinook Winds Region.

Friends,
I have been receiving many emails wondering whether it’s safe to continue to gather in person. Throughout this pandemic, we have been called again and again to make difficult choices, to wade through the politics and rhetoric to get to the grain of truth which will lead us toward the best next step on this journey.  Our public health officials are working very hard to keep us safe, to protect our health care system and to protect our elders.

Dr David Keegan, a committed United Church member, Alberta doctor and professor at the University of Calgary, reached out to me to offer some wisdom and guidance for the church. He is calling on The United Church of Canada in Western Canada to be leaders in the fight against Omicron.

He said, “I suggest that the United Church has the opportunity to save many lives, prevent hospital admissions and long-term disability, and to focus on the social justice and life orientation of Jesus by switching to online services for Christmas/Christmas Eve. Let’s give the gift of life this Christmas.”
Dr Keegan goes on to say:

• “For anyone unvaccinated or partially vaccinated (or even for some who have two shots), Omicron is a severe threat to life and health, just like the previous variants.
• Omicron spreads incredibly rapidly, even with measures such as those in Alberta, Saskatchewan and British Columbia.
• Omicron (and all COVID) is airborne, which has been known for over a year, but which many governments have been loathe to acknowledge
• Omicron’s doubling time is moving at a record pace
• Testing numbers lag and are usually far less than the actual case numbers
• Previous research indicates that if a daily case count is rising, there is 10 to 100 times of new infections really in the community – people who have simply not yet developed symptoms and/or not tested.  This is supported by the fact that our positive case rate (i.e. percent positives of all people tested) has suddenly jumped to over 11% in Alberta, when just a week ago it was 4%.  When the positive case rate jumps like this, it means there are likely lots of people out there who have COVID.  Let’s be conservative and only use the 10x number.  This brings us to 36,000 NEW cases of covid TODAY in all of Alberta.  This means we’re looking at 288,000 NEW cases on Christmas Eve alone – most of whom don’t know they have the virus.
• Christmas Eve and Christmas Day gatherings – even if most people have two vaccines are essentially guaranteed to be super-spreader events.  In other words, thousands or tens of thousands of cases could directly arise from allowing Christmas in person events at UCC churches, including many deaths and many more people with resultant disabilities.”

Presently, the restrictions for Places of Worship have not changed: in Alberta we can be at one-third capacity; in BC we can be at 100% capacity with vaccine passports or 50% without.  However, again, we are called to a higher standard to care for our members. While the pandemic has unfolded differently in the two regions I serve, I believe Dr Keegan’s wisdom goes beyond regional borders. This pandemic has gone on for longer than any of us could have ever imagined.  We are all tired of restrictions and we just want things to go back to ‘normal.’ But we are led by one who calls us into difficult choices and walks with us through these challenging times.

So, what do we do about Christmas Eve?  Minimally, we need to ensure that we follow all the provincial restrictions, wearing proper masks (N95 masks are the gold standard) have good ventilation and ensure proper measures for distancing.  Please do not have communion (this requires people to remove masks) or hold post worship gatherings. 

But I also invite you to take up Dr Keegan’s challenge and consider moving your service online to ensure that our places of worship are not a source of virus transmission.  And as always, we know: We are not alone!

Christmas Blessings,
Treena

Executive Minister, Chinook Winds and Pacific Mountain Regional Councils, The United Church of Canada

The post Considering Omicron & In-Person Gatherings appeared first on Chinook Winds Region.

‘On this darkest day of the year, I offer prayers of thanksgiving for each you’

Also, Reminder of Current COVID-19 Restrictions for December 2021

Today is Solstice, the shortest, darkest day of the year. As many of you know, the early Christians intentionally chose that we would celebrate Christ’s birth as the northern hemisphere gradually returns to light and longer days.

The word, Solstice, comes from the Latin, ‘sol’ for sun and ‘sistere’ to stand still, which together means ‘sun stand still.’ As the Almanac explains, for a few days prior to and after the solstice, the sun’s path only changes slightly. Its noontime elevation changes so slightly that the Sun’s path seems to stay the same or stand still.

In this wintertime where the sun appears to stand still, so we have been invited in Advent to take time to be still. One version of Psalm 62 begins with, “On God alone, my soul in stillness waits.” In Advent, we wait upon God to come into our midst while knowing God is already with us. We wait for God’s kin-dom to come about here on earth, where God’s justice and love reigns.

In stillness, in resting in God, we renew our strength that comes from God’s steadfast love.

Yet at the same time, our waiting for Christ to come again in our midst is an active waiting.

We know that ultimately this COVID-19 virus will be defeated. Yet as we wait for God’s acting, —as churches and ministries in Chinook Winds — you have adapted and pivoted again and again to minister in new ways. You have encouraged each other to be vaccinated and put in place protocols to offer ministry in safe ways.

So many of us celebrated when Canada’s House of Commons and then the Senate voted to ban LGBTQ+ conversion therapy earlier this month. Yet, that vote came about because of much active waiting. It was the faithful persistence of many individuals and affirming communities of faith who put themselves in the line of attacks and criticism, forging a path forward, envisioning a world where all people are valued as their true and whole selves.

After so many of you wrote to the Alberta Government about the K-6 curriculum, including the Chinook Winds Regional Council, it was heartening to hear Education Minister Adriana LaGrange announce last week that the curriculum’s implementation is delayed. We were concerned that the curriculum lacked indigenous perspectives and didn’t fully respond to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call to Action regarding education for reconciliation. Yet while we are encouraged by this news, we know that this is but one small step along the path towards reconciliation which we choose to walk.

On this darkest day of the year, I offer prayers of thanksgiving for each of you across Chinook Winds Regions for your faithful witness. I am thankful for the volunteers of Chinook Winds Regional Council including the regional representatives, working groups and Executive members as well as the regional staff. I am thankful for the dedicated laypeople and ministry personnel of the Chinook Winds Communities of faith.

Each of you continues to choose to walk God’s path of light. Together, may we reflect much divine light into a darkened world.

I pray that in this coming season of Christmas, you will be nurtured by times of stillness and joy to be renewed in strength in God’s steadfast love.
With blessings,

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

P.S. One last but important administrative note: With the Omicron variant, we are seeing COVID-19 numbers doubling every two to three days across Canada. I would like to remind you that in Alberta, we are required to keep worship attendance at one-third capacity with people social distancing and wearing masks. Even if your community of faith is checking for vaccinations, churches are still required to be at one-third capacity because worship doesn’t qualify for the restrictions exemption program. Our office has received a lot of questions on the latter lately.

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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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    It’s just over a week since the Alberta Government declared a State of Emergency in Alberta and instituted new restrictions. Since then, the City of Calgary has instituted a mandatory vaccination passport for certain businesses and activities (worship excluded) and we have fielded several questions about how the restrictions apply to churches.

Additionally, several of us attended a Faith Leaders telephone conference with Alberta’s Premier Jason Kenney and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Deena Hinshaw on Wednesday, September 22. Both Premier Kenney and Dr. Hinshaw urged churches to encourage people to be vaccinated and answered questions on the restrictions. 

Dr. Hinshaw also said that her office will be providing further written guidelines on how places of worship can live within these restrictions.

In the meantime, we offer you the following:

1. The United Church of Canada does not offer religious exemption for vaccinations.
2. Public Worship is at 1/3 Capacity with masking and physical distancing in place.
3. People should be reminded to stay home if unwell (doing so is a legal obligation)
4. Masking and social distancing is required in all indoor spaces in Alberta
5. Given that the Province has asked people to be working at home, the Region encourages congregations to hold meetings online rather than in-person as much as possible.
6. Public Worship is considered a non-discretionary activity and as such does not require proof of vaccination documentation. However, in Calgary, non worship activities in churches require the proof of vaccination documentation. We would recommend that churches outside Calgary also follow suit.
7. Weddings and funerals do not fall under the Places of Worship exemption. The province has determined that Funerals and Weddings are not considered worship, and are subject to the provinces restrictions for weddings and funerals, which is 50 people or 1/2 capacity of the building, whichever is less. In Calgary, proof of vaccination is required for these two events.
8. In addition, it is the Region’s recommendation that churches not participate in the Restrictions Exemption Program for Weddings and Funerals in order to have a larger number of people attend than provincial restrictions allow. Our position throughout this pandemic has been one of caution, and while we realize that this is difficult, we feel obligated to not seek exceptions but rather to follow the restrictions as presented, recognizing it as the way to keep the most people, including our Church staff, safe.
9. Churches are allowed to have rental groups in the building — IF they are groups or activities that are currently allowed by the State of Emergency restrictions.  Rental Groups must follow the provincial guidelines. We should include an agreement to follow provincial guidelines in all of our rental agreements, and the rental group is responsible for ensuring they are followed. However, if we become aware that they are not being followed, we need to cease the rental arrangement.
10. Singing continues to be considered a high risk activity… the Region recommends no congregational singing
11. Communion- the Region recommends single serve communion.

We will continue to monitor the restrictions and guidelines provided by the Province and advise you accordingly. 

You can reach out to Chinook Winds Staff with your queries or commentary.

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On September 15, 2021, the Alberta Government announced new measures to combat COVID-19. Places of Worship now have specific restrictions as outlined below.

However, these restrictions may not greatly affect the way you are already doing ministry.

That’s because most Chinook Winds Region’s Communities of Faith have already put into place high standards for offering COVID-19 Aware ministry. You are living out Christ’s Gospel to love and care for one another including the most vulnerable. Most of you had already asked people to wear masks, social distance and are offering hybrid forms of in-person, online and outside ministry. I commend you for your loving care of others.

The new mandatory restrictions for Places of Worship effective today, September 16, 2021 are:

• Capacity limited to 1/3 fire code occupancy.
• Masks are mandatory.
• 2 metres physical distancing between households, or 2 close contacts for those living alone.

Wedding and Funeral mandatory restriction – Effective Sept. 20:

• Indoor wedding ceremonies and funeral services are permitted with up to 50 people or 50% of fire code occupancy, whichever is less.
• Indoor wedding and funeral receptions are prohibited, unless the hosting facility implements the restrictions exemption program.
• Outdoor ceremonies, services and receptions are permitted with up to 200 people and must follow liquor sales and consumption restrictions (sales end at 10pm, consumption by 11pm), unless the hosting facility implements the restrictions exemption program.

At the Alberta Government’s News Conference yesterday, nothing was said about Places of Worship in the context of the restrictions exempt program. That said, however, what the United Church is finding in other provinces is that proof of vaccination can end up being a requirement for some non-ministry activities. That certainly is true now in Alberta for indoor wedding and funeral receptions and outdoor ceremonies, services and receptions noted above.

We will continue to monitor the requirements of the Proof of Vaccination Program and advise you accordingly. 

You can reach out to Chinook Winds Staff with your queries or commentary.

As we navigate these strange times the words of the hymn, “We have this Ministry,” help remind us of our call in this time:

We have this ministry and we are not discouraged,
It is by God’s own power that we may live and serve.
Openly we share God’s word, speaking truth as we believe,
Praying that the shadowed world may healing light receive,
We have this ministry, O God receive our living.

We continue to pray that this shadowed world may healing light receive. We pray for Alberta’s front-line health care workers, those who have lost ones to COVID-19, those affected by postponed surgeries and treatments, for those suffering from COVID-19, our children who have yet to receive a vaccine, those adults yet to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.

Our prayers are many.

With Blessings,

Treena Duncan, Executive Minister

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