Living Skies Regional Council

Zoom Meeting for Ministry Personnel only
2020-03-24 13:00 - 14:30, 2020-03-31 13:00 - 14:30, 2020-04-07 13:00 - 14:30, 2020-04-14 13:00 - 14:30, 2020-04-21 13:00 - 14:30, 2020-04-28 13:00 - 14:30, 2020-05-05 13:00 - 14:30, 2020-05-12 13:00 - 14:30 (America/Regina)
This meeting will be a supportive space for ministry personnel to gather with your pastoral relations minister and possibly members of the Committee of Support to Ministry Personnel.
This meeting is scheduled for Living Skies Regional Council:
Living Skies: 1:00 PM Saskatchewan. Every week on Tuesday at this time, until further notice. https://united-church.zoom.us/j/705926119

The meeting ID you’ll need is the number that’s in the link above. Toll free number for everyone who has limited connectivity: 1-855-703-8985. PLEASE NOTE: please arrive on time. The meeting may be locked for security purposes five to ten minutes after the start.

Zoom meeting for lay leadership
2020-03-25 18:30 - 20:00
Pastoral Charge Supervisors, Board and Council members, M&P committee members, pastoral care teams, and more. All welcome. These will be supportive spaces for lay leadership to gather with pastoral relations ministers, the Executive Minister, and possibly members of the Committee of Support to Communities of Faith.
Wednesdays at 5:30 PM in BC; 6:30 PM AB, SK, NWT; 7:30 MB and NW Ontario. Some meetings will have specific resource people and others will be check ins.
March 25: Treasurers especially take note! Meeting with Erik Mathiesen, the United Church’s Chief Financial
https://united-church.zoom.us/j/978525442 Meeting ID: 978 525 442

POSTPONED - Joy Workshop
2020-03-27 19:30 - 2020-03-28 15:30 | Nipawin United Church, Nipawin, Saskatchewan, S0E 1E0, Canada
This event has been post-poned until further notice.
What if “JOY” is something we can choose, cultivate and practice? In this weekend session, let’s take time to define JOY for ourselves, reflect on what scriptures tell us about it, and explore ways to experience more JOY in our daily lives!! Bring a journal or notebook and pen to jot down your own thoughts during this workshop. Our presenter is Rev. Shelly Manley-Tannis from Saskatoon. Lunch on Saturday, snacks and refreshments for Friday evening and Saturday are provided. Please register so there are enough resources. Phone 306-862-4108 Tues. to Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. or email: bridgingwaters@sasktel.net with name, contact info., etc.

Zoom meeting for lay leadership
2020-04-01 18:30 - 20:00, 2020-04-15 18:30 - 20:00, 2020-04-22 18:30 - 20:00, 2020-04-29 18:30 - 20:00
Pastoral Charge Supervisors, Board and Council members, M&P committee members, pastoral care teams, and more. All welcome. These will be supportive spaces for lay leadership to gather with pastoral relations ministers, the Executive Minister, and possibly members of the Committee of Support to Communities of Faith.
Wednesdays at 5:30 PM in BC; 6:30 PM AB, SK, NWT; 7:30 MB and NW Ontario. Some meetings will have specific resource people and others will be check ins.
https://united-church.zoom.us/j/978525442 Meeting ID: 978 525 442

Pastoral Relations Commission
2020-04-02 08:00 - 09:30
Paperwork for this meeting (i.e. appointment forms, ministry profiles, etc) need to be submitted to Bev Diebert ( bdiebert@united-church.ca ) the Friday before the meeting.
For this meeting, any paperwork needs to be submitted by Friday, March 27 in order to be considered on April 2. As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact Tracy Murton at tmurton@united-church.ca .

CANCELLED Appreciative Inquiry; and Social Media and Evangelism workshops
2020-04-03 - 2020-04-04 | Zion United Church, 423 Main St N, Moose Jaw, SK, S6H 0W5, Canada
This event has been cancelled.
Zion United Church in Moose Jaw in partnership with St. Andrew’s College on Friday April 3rd and Saturday April 4th. This learning event is comprised of two parts: an Appreciative Inquiry workshop and a Social Media and Evangelism workshop.

Appreciative Inquiry Workshop (AI) – Time 3pm to 9:00 pm Friday. This workshop is intended to introduce participants to Appreciative Inquiry as a practical philosophy. Unlike some workshops that focus on training the trainer, this one endeavours to allow participants to experience one central part of the practice: developing a provocative proposal. The intention is to allow participants an opportunity to experience what is life giving about the philosophy and to acquire, refine, or refresh skills that can immediately translate into use, not only in their ministry context, but also in their own faith journey.
Social Media and Evangelism Workshop – Time 9;30 am to 3:30 pm Saturday. The aim is for participants to recognize social media as a catalyst to (re)explore mission. Often participants come expecting to acquire skills and quickly learn that social media reveals ways to be the church that are both old and often new. This workshop is for participants who are excited about imagining ways to harness social media as one component in visioning and revitalizing mission in communities of faith. As well, it can (re)connect missional activities such as social justice, pastoral care, and lifelong learning. For those who imagine discipleship as an ongoing exploration in which change is a constant, this workshop will challenge, excite, and energize.

Ideally, we encourage you to come with a team of 4 people from your congregations, council/board members and or other leaders in your community of faith. The workshops are intended for teams of four. The reason for the team suggestion is that the implications of social media require more human resources than are traditionally allocated financially in most United Church of Canada contexts. Creating a group with a shared identity and passion serves to create a cohesive team. However, you are invited to come and participate even if you are a team of 1.
There is no cost to attend this event, however, each participant is responsible for their own travel, accommodation, and meal costs.
There are a number of restaurants within walking distance of Zion United Church. If you are interested in registering for this gathering the church has a list. Approximately 1.5 hours will be set aside for supper on Friday evening and for lunch on Saturday. As well, If you are wanting to attend I can also send a list of Hotels/Motels with their contact information. For further information or to register please contact Tim Ellis by email at zionuc.minister@sasktel.net or by phone at 306-631-0082.
There is a requirement to read the core text for the event: Branson, Mark Lau. Memories, Hopes, and Conversations: Appreciative Inquiry and Congregational Change. 2004 https://www.amazon.ca/dp/1566997836/ref=pe_3034960_236394800_TE_dp_1 or through other online retailers.

(CANCELLED for April 8/ Holy Week) Zoom meeting for lay leadership
2020-04-08 18:30 - 20:00

Living Skies Regional Council Executive
2020-04-22 - 2020-04-24
in Saskatoon – TBD

Women's Event for all Women in Living Skies Regional Council - CANCELLED
2020-04-24 17:30 - 2020-04-26 11:00
CANCELLED
WOMEN’S GATHERING for ALL women in the United Church takes place at Calvary United Church in Prince Albert on April 24 – 26. The theme for the week-end is “Women & Mindfulness”. Check-in is from 6:30 – 7:30 on Friday. Shannon McCarthy, Executive Minister of Northern Spirit, Living Skies and Prairie to Pine Regional Councils will be in attendance. There will be a Wellness Presentation as well as a speaker on Forever in Motion. Workshops include: choice of Gentle Yoga or Meditation in the morning and choice of Prayer Bracelets, Container Gardening, Drumming or Beading in the afternoon.
Saturday’s evening entertainment will feature local Indigenous Dancers. We will lead Sunday’s worship service and plan to include a Women’s Choir. Cost for the Gathering including all meals is $50 plus $10 for workshop supplies. Registration forms must be in by April 1. For information please contact Barbara Byers Bradley at 306-249-2433 or Mary Mohn at 306-749-3446.

Let's Talk Youth Ministry...
2020-04-29 10:30 - 11:30
As y’all know, we have some amazing people in ministry with/by/for Youth & Young Adults in this region. It’s time to start getting everybody in the same room together to let the creative Spirit work some wonders.. Or for now, at least the same virtual room.
Here’s the plan: Youth Ministry Discussion – Wed., April 29 at 10:30am. Bring your coffee or gatorade or whatever. We’ll swap ideas, resources, plans for the future, hopes, dreams, bad jokes, recipes, e-mail addresses, and anything else related to youth ministry that can fit into 55 minutes or less.
Join URL: https://united-church.zoom.us/j/99852247121

Docket Report Deadline
2020-04-29 - 2020-04-30

Affirming Leaders Day online!
2020-05-02 10:00 - 16:00 | Zoom, Alberta, Canada
You’re invited to the premiere Online Affirming Leaders Day!
Join us from anywhere in the world on Saturday May 2. Visit our Eventbrite page for tickets. AND for a limited time, we are offering a promo code for any staff or volunteers who work with any type of United Church Ministry.
Enter code: UCC for $5 off your registration!When: Saturday, May 2, 2020 – 10am-4pm MST
Where: On Zoom, you can watch/listen from your computer, tablet, or smart phone, from anywhere in the world!
Tickets: $10-$20. Every ticket type gives you access to ALL of the sessions.
Enter promo code: UCC for $5 off your registration.
Affirming Leaders Day is a faith-based development & connection day for allied and LGBTQ2S+ folks. All are welcome to join us online.
Featuring David Hayward – the cartoonist NakedPastor, Shylo Rosborough, Singer-Songwriter Kate Reid, and Rev. Mark Chiang!
David Hayward, aka the NakedPastor, will share how he became a friend to LGBTQ+ people and is now considered by many to be an ally. He will also explain why he expresses himself and his ideas through his art and cartoons online. He will also share several of these through slides during his presentation.
Kate Reid: Slam poetry meets folk music meets LGBTQ+ themed tunes in singer-songwriter Kate Reid. Kate is funny, passionate, queer as a three-dollar bill, and is sure to entertain. Kate will perform music and screen their recent short film on gender identity!
Rev. Mark Chiang: The Cultural Dynamics of Queer and Trans Ministry. The experience of queerness varies across the world. Without an awareness of our cultural differences, we risk causing harm when engaging in ministry with LGBTQ+ newcomers to Canada when imposing our Canadian understanding of sexual identity. This workshop will introduce you to the scholarship of queer post-colonial theologians from Latin America, Asia, and Africa, who demonstrate the role colonialism plays in shaping our debates on sexuality.
Shylo Rosborough: Transgender & Christian: A New Look at Gender in the Bible. This session will outline different ways to interpret what we find in the Bible about Gender and embodiment.
Visit our Facebook event for the latest

Lay Leadership re: Q&A re: re-opening your churches
2020-05-13 18:30 - 19:30
Pastoral Charge Supervisors, Board and Council members, and more. All welcome.
This meeting topic: Questions and answers for re-opening your Churches. Please share this note with your board chair, ministry personnel or anyone who wants to be involved in the conversation.
Wednesdays at 5:30 PM in BC; 6:30 PM AB, SK, NWT; 7:30 MB and NW Ontario.
Meeting link: https://united-church.zoom.us/j/92436034028
Tollfree 1-855-703-8985 Meeting ID: 924 3603 4028
(Do not post this link on social media or your congregational website, please. Share it by email.)

CANCELLED Affirming and Affirming-curious retreat
2020-05-19 11:00 - 2020-05-21 12:00
Join the Living Skies community as we explore becoming Affirming: committing to a full and equal welcome of LGBTQIA+ and Two Spirit people in all parts of the church and Canada. This will be a space for support, questions, prayer, learning, and fun (Dancing? Singing? Partying? You decide!)
Whether your ministry is getting its feet wet or needs a re-energizer after years of being Affirming, this space is for you. Your energy and questions are welcome and needed. Planners and program ideas welcome! Contact Julie Graham, Regional Minister, communications and justice: jgraham@united-church.ca

CANCELLED YARC 2020: Youth at Regional Council
2020-05-21 - 2020-05-24 | Humboldt Uniplex, 619 17th St., Humboldt, Saskatchewan, S0K 2A0, Canada
We’re back! We’re sleeping on a church floor! Table groups are going to be so much better now!
The YARC 2020 planning team is looking for volunteers, so send Kent a message to join in the fun.
Watch for Registration Info coming soon…

CANCELLED Annual Gathering of Living Skies Regional Council
2020-05-21 14:00 - 2020-05-23 20:00 | Humboldt Uniplex, 619 17th St., Humboldt, Saskatchewan, S0K 2A0, Canada
We regret that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Living Skies regional gathering in Humboldt May 21-24 2020 has been cancelled. An electronic meeting will be held instead, likely in the fall. Please watch the regional gathering page for further details.

CANCELLED - Living Skies Regional Council Service of Praise and Celebration
2020-05-24 09:00 - 11:00

Korean Ministries Network Zoom Workshop
2020-05-26 12:30 - 14:00
“Intercultural Theology & Ministry”
Tuesday, May 26, 2020 2:30 pm Eastern Time ( SK 12:30 pm)
Presentation – Intercultural Theology & Ministry: – Rev. Dr. Hyuk Cho, (West Point Grey United Church in Vancouver, BC)
Group ‘Korean Network’ Discussion: – Free discussion to promote Korean Network

Leadership Webinar
2020-05-27 18:30 - 19:30
Leadership Wednesday evening meeting:
Questions and answers for re-opening your churches in Living Skies Regional Council. Please share this note with your board chair, ministry personnel or anyone who wants to be involved in the conversation.
Meeting link: https://united-church.zoom.us/j/92436034028 ; Toll-free 1-855-703-8985 Meeting ID: 924 3603 4028
(Do not post this link on social media or your
congregational website, please. Share it by email.)

Questions and answers for re-opening your churches in Living Skies RC
2020-06-03 18:30 - 20:00 | Zoom
To assist in your discernment and respond to any questions, additional Zoom gatherings will be offered on Wednesday, June 3 and June 10,@ 6:30 pm. Here is the connection information: Meeting link: https://united-church.zoom.us/j/97292579140
(Do not post this link on social media or your congregational website, please. Share it by email.)

Toll-free 1-855-703-8985
Meeting ID: 972 9257 9140

Please encourage someone from your community of faith to join staff as we discern together, especially if you were unable to join us last week.
Please note that if you join the call, we will be asking you to make sure your Zoom name is correct and to re-name yourself while on the call if not. We will walk you through this, or if you prefer to learn ahead of time, here’s a link. Using your correct name helps us know who is actually on the call, and which communities of faith are and are not present.
