Pre-PMRC AGM Gathering for Ministers, with Rev. Scott Reynolds and Rev. Michelle Slater

Clergy friends,

We are thrilled to be offering a gathering for you, in the days immediately prior to the Pacific Mountain Regional Council’s 2024 Annual General Meeting!

Deep Dive - A time for Ministry Personnel pre-PMRC AGM
with Growth Animator Rev. Scott Reynolds and LeaderSHIFT’s Rev. Michelle Slater

May 29-30, 2024

Come to Vancouver BC a day early to explore how we are called to minister and lead in this time and place, post-pandemic. How did you embrace ministry during the pandemic, and what did you learn? What do we want to lament, and what do we want to ask God’s blessings on? How can we support one another in the challenging work of ministry leadership today?

Begins Wed. May 29 at 1 pm, and ends Thursday, May 30 with lunch

Location: St. Andrew’s-Wesley United Church, Downtown Vancouver BC.

Cost: $50

Registration coming soon!

Contact Rev. Michelle Slater if any questions, in the meantime: MSlater@united-church.ca

This is your invitation to a 3-day conference, working toward living and being an anti-racist church: Anti-Racism Work & Action Leadership Conference 2024

Friends,

This is a powerful First Third Ministry event in partnership with us at LeaderSHIFT, the Pacific Mountain Region Council Justice Ministry Network, the Vancouver School of Theology, and you.

Anti-Racism Work & Action
Leadership Conference 2024
April 2-4, 2024

Held at the Epiphany Chapel, on the Vancouver School of Theology UBC campus, empower yourself to engage key learnings, work, and action in a Christian community of other children and family ministry leaders who are working for an anti-racist church.

LEADERSHIFT IS THRILLED TO BE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH FIRST THIRD MINISTRY!

Work, and action - in Christian community

An amazing line up of speakers, worship leaders, and hosts are already preparing to welcome, educate, and inspire.

Work, and action – in Christian community

Anti-Racism Work & Action Leadership Conference is an offering of Chinook Winds & Pacific Mountain Regional Councils First Third Ministry. First Third Ministry’s mission is to support those who work with those in the first of life’s three eras (children, youth, young adults and families) – yet, this conference is designed to resonate for leaders of any, and, all ages and generations.

For All in Leadership

Whether you’re paid or volunteering, staffing a community of faith or un-churched organization, focused on children & family ministry or serving older generations, this conference centers anti-racism principles and actions in your leadership.

You can expect

• Varied learning formats and thoughtfully chosen content to engage key learnings, focus work, and empower action in your leadership.

• A Christ-centered conference fostering connection and relationship with other leaders who are also working for an anti-racist church.

• Discovery-based questions and reflection opportunities will help you to compassionately and faithfully examine your own ministry and leadership in your specific setting.

• An introduction to the materials from the new United Church of Canada resource for children and youth, Becoming an Anti-Racist Church.

• A convergence of your personal and professional call to anti-racism, with others like you – all seeking a new way of being church.​

Event Page: FirstThirdMinistry.ca/f3-conference-anti-racism-work-and-action

Amos 5:24. Amen!

'Understanding Each Other: An Introduction to the General Council Indigenous Ministries & Justice Unit', with National Executive Minister, Rev. Murray Pruden

October 6 Update: The recording of this conversation is now on the LeaderSHIFT YouTube Channel here: https://youtu.be/FTGDqBG2tOA

The Indigenous Church within The United Church of Canada has gone through some momentous and historical progressions as faith communities and councils. For us all to work more faithfully toward right relationship we need to understand these changes and the approach of our denomination’s National Indigenous Ministries & Justice Unit as we support and strengthen Indigenous ministries. Let us explore and get some understanding of the current definitions and relational structures that The Indigenous Church functions with!

LeaderSHIFT welcomes Rev. Murray Pruden, National Executive Minister for Indigenous Ministries & Justice United Church of Canada to this September 28th conversation.

We will be introduced to the national Indigenous Council and Elders Council affiliation, learn current definitions and structures. 

We will get some understanding of history and movement in the Indigenous Church, and learn about the national work that embodies the Indigenous Ministries & Justice Unit.

We will hear about what is continuing to be developed as the Indigenous Ministries and Justice Unit continues its relational work as an autonomous structure in the United Church body.

~ Rev. Murray Pruden

Murray will help us see the potential for the future as we live out the newly emerging Indigenous Church structure and walk together on this path self-determination and equity. All are welcome, and we hope you are able to share this morning with us!

Understanding Each Other - The Indigenous Church

An Introduction to the General Council Indigenous Ministries & Justice Unit, with National Executive Minister, Rev. Murray Pruden

10-11:30am Pacific / 11am-12:30pm Mountain
Wednesday September 28, 2022

Online Only, Via Zoom

Registration is now closed.

About Murray

Rev. Murray Pruden is the current National Executive Minister for Indigenous Ministries and Justice for The United Church of Canada. 

Rev. Pruden is Nehiyaw, Cree First Nations from the Goodfish Lake and Saddle Lake First Nations. He grew up in the rural community of Smoky Lake. And his family’s history come from that area based on his ancestor Rev. Henry Bird Steinhauer. 

Rev. Pruden has studied theatre at the University of Alberta, received a theatre performance diploma from Keyano college in Fort McMurray, and an undergrad BFA from the University of Lethbridge. He completed his Master of Divinity at the Vancouver School of Theology at UBC and studies at the Sandy Saulteaux Spiritual Centre in Manitoba.  

Murray’s path to Ministry has taken him to many good uses of his talents and spiritual gifts- dramatic works on theological topics, workshop presentations on storytelling, ecumenical representation on Indigenous theology, and sermon reflections to various communities of faith across Canada. 

“My role as a leader and person of faith and spirituality has grown to a role of a storyteller and person of inspiration. This path I am taking is the foundation, the history and literature to help form a good sustenance of authority and community building for me and for our Indigenous communities. I like to think that this all leads to me being a strong voice for Indigenous people on the level of religion and spirituality and the love of our communities. And a path of self love and love for all of Creators creations.” ~ Rev. Murray K. Pruden.