Canadian Shield Regional Council

1 week ago

20 clergy from Canadian Shield and Shining Waters Regional Councils spent 3 days reflecting on time, patience, trust, joy, homecoming and love through the wisdom of the Snail. See below for more info! ... See MoreSee Less

1 week ago

Reminder! Let's Connect: Lay Leader's Webinar on Conflict, A Part 2 Session with Dr. Betty Pries - Wed. Oct 2, 2024. Still time to register. Also see inside for a link to the recording of our Sept. 11 webinar, in case you missed it! - mailchi.mp/4c6048ea1ace/reminder-lets-connect-lay-leaders-webinar-on-conflict-a-part-2-reminder ... See MoreSee Less

2 weeks ago

Tragic news we share about our colleague Rev. Brenda Fawkes, Office of Vocation Minister for Pacific Mountain and Chinook Winds Regional Councils. Please keep Brenda's family, friends and colleagues in your prayers as they navigate through this sudden loss.The General Council Office, in concert with Pacific Mountain and Chinook Winds regions, mourn the sudden death of Rev. Brenda Fawkes. She died in a fatal car accident on September 20, 2024. At the time of her death, Brenda held the position of Office of Vocation minister for British Columbia, Yukon and Southern Alberta. In the role since 2019, she brought extraordinary dedication and commitment, serving the church she loved with heart and conviction. Coming into the position after giving leadership in congregational ministry and theological field education, Brenda will be deeply missed at national and regional church levels, as well as by the communities of faith in which she served. We are reeling from her tragic death and the huge hole she leaves in our staff teams, and within the whole church. Brenda graduated from Vancouver School of Theology (VST) with a Master of Divinity in 1997 and was ordained in 1998. She was the Minister of Word, Sacrament and Pastoral Care at Wilson Heights United Church (1998-2005) and at Dunbar Heights United Church (2009-2010), both in Vancouver, before becoming the Director of Theological Field Education at VST from 2011 to 2019. She had passion for theological education and great capacity for caring and sensitive accompaniment of students, candidates and ministry personnel, even in challenging moments. In describing her call, Brenda spoke of enabling “Christian faith formation and leadership through comfort and challenge; the comfort of God’s love made real and the challenge of the Gospel in our daily lives and contexts.” Brenda’s colleagues appreciated her capacity for hospitality and welcome and her dry sense of humour. She inspired with her dedication to continual growth and learning. In a chapter in Before Theological Study, Brenda wrote, “we learn best from ... encouragement, hope, imagination and support.” This was the conviction she lived out in her own vocation and cultivated in supporting the vocations of others. Brenda’s abundant love and commitment to her family, including a deep pride in her sons, was at the core of her identity. As The United Church of Canada, we extend our deepest condolences to her partner, Rev. Nancy Talbot, sons Nathan and Joel, as well as Brenda’s mother, Sharon, and her brother, Brent. Our faith tells us that love is stronger than death. May we come together in our loss across this beloved church to uplift Brenda’s grieving family and communities, and continue her critically important work in forming and supporting leaders for the future of the church we share. Details of the celebration of life for Rev. Brenda Fawkes will be shared as they become available. [Photo credit: Richard Betts]#UCCan ... See MoreSee Less

2 weeks ago

Milestones in Canadian Shield - Special Celebration of Ministries Services Edition - Join us as we celebrate those being ordained and admitted to The United Church of Canada in our region! - mailchi.mp/aba029dc77bc/csrc-milestones-celebration-of-ministries-service-sept-2024 ... See MoreSee Less

2 weeks ago

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (Orange Shirt Day) is September 30, 2024. Follow the link for more info and resources - mailchi.mp/d5d944c08b7f/csrc-national-day-for-truth-and-reconcilliation-orange-shirt-day-septembe... ... See MoreSee Less