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!

Ready or not, here he comes!

Friends,

It’s true! Whatever we have left to do, to create a meaningful and joyful Christmas for our communities of faith, our friends, and our families – no matter how imperfectly we get it all done: the Christ Child is coming! I am praying for you during these final few days of the Advent marathon, that you will find moments to open yourself to the hope and peace, love and joy, that the Christ Child brings, even in the midst of it all.

You have no time to read this now…but please bookmark it to return to you’ve had time to rest after all your hard work this season. 

LeaderSHIFT “save the dates” for the year 2024 are....

Daring Justice:
Uniting in Dialogue and Reflection, with Jane Dawson.

  • This six-session exploration will meet 1-4pm, Thursdays, beginning Feb 15, and closing on April 25. Details and registration will be posted to LeaderSHIFT's website soon.



Stewardship Webinar:
Narrative Budgets, Tuesday, January 23, 1 pm.

  • As you prepare for the annual meeting of your community of faith, come and learn the practice and wisdom of creating a narrative budget, to communicate more effectively the ministry and mission of your congregation. Offered by Vicki Nelson, Community of Faith Stewardship Support, and LeaderSHIFT. Registration for this free webinar will be available early in the new year.



Anti-Racism Work and Action
First Third Ministry Leadership Conference runs April 4-6, 2024 onsite at Vancouver School of Theology.



GUATEMALA PILGRIMAGE
for Ministry Leaders: NEW DATES – August 2-12, 2024.

May you be blessed with energy, creativity, and joy this coming week… and then have time to rest and savour the gifts of the season! You have surely earned it, and your efforts are appreciated by so many.
 
Faithfully,

Michelle

Registration Now Open: Confronting Whiteness ~ An Anti-Racism Workshop for White Folks with Anna White

Anna White at Camp Fircom

Anna White at Camp Fircom

Anna White is a PK (preacher’s kid) squared, and a self-professed ‘adjunct church geek’. Anna has partnered on projects with many across the Pacific Mountain Regional Council and beyond including the PMR First Third Ministry Network, Mandate magazine, Oak Bay United Church, Camp Fircom, Naramata Centre (to name only a very, very few!).

LeaderShift is grateful for Anna leading two workshops for White people in our United Church. She has an encouraging and positive willingness to her leadership with makes tackling challenging conversations possible.

Confronting Whiteness: An Anti-Racism Workshop for White Folks
2.5 Hour Workshop

Whether you are new to this journey or have been unpacking your White privilege for decades, this workshop will help you develop personal skills for confronting systemic racism.

Learn more about how we as white people can show up for each other and racialized people in our lives.  We will gain skills to support us in moving the dial on our allyship/accomplice work for justice as communities of faith. 

You’ll have the chance to talk to other White folks about topics ranging from “How do I deal with my racist uncle?” to “What’s White culture?” to “Wait, I’m a Settler?!"

 The course comes out of decades of anti-racism work led by people of colour, and a persistent ask for White folks to engage in our own work of confronting whiteness individually, interpersonally, and organizationally.

Space is limited for each workshop, register soon!

Click to open PDF flyer for printing and sharing.

Click to open PDF flyer for printing and sharing.