Intercultural

Becoming an Intercultural Church in Western Canada/ Turtle Island

Yellow, blue and red patchwork drawing with Western Intercultural Ministry Network in the middle.

For a number of years, the United Church has pursued a vision for becoming an intercultural church, meaning that we live “together with a respectful awareness of each other’s differences. We do this by examining ourselves, building relationships, and distributing power fairly.” In Western Canada/ treaty and traditional territories, this work is carried forward in part by the Western Intercultural Network.

The Western Intercultural Network: Who are we? We are people and communities in the United Church of Canada committed to a fully inclusive and intercultural church, from northwestern Ontario to the Pacific, and north to Yellowknife. Anyone of any identity is welcome! You can sign up for occasional updates here; you can unsubscribe at any time, and we don’t share your information with anyone else.

We’re new, and trying something different as the United Church continues the major restructuring begun in 2019. We occasionally hold gatherings and online conversations that focus on the communities named above. We work in our own Regional Councils across Western Canada, and we gather as the Western Intercultural Network in person every fall. An executive from the five Western Regional Councils of the United Church offers us leadership. Anyone of any identity is welcome!  Please see our mission statement and terms of reference here.

Our vision of becoming an intercultural United Church encompasses:
Black people, and people of colour
, which includes ethnic churches within the United Church, BIPOC lay leaders and ministry personnel, and more.
Indigenous people and communities, within the United Church and beyond, of all traditions.
People with disabilities, disabled people.
LGBTQIA+ and Two Spirit people and communities.

We honour these identities, and the spaces where they intersect. Our ministry includes courageous (and awkward!) conversations about our diversity, and about the social privilege and history that hinder right relationships. We believe the Good News of Jesus Christ calls us into such conversations and relationship. Learn more by reading our Mission Statement and Terms of Reference.

Interested in knowing more?

Sign up for our email list here (all information is confidential and will not be shared with anyone else. You can leave the list at any time.)

Regional Council gathering 2021

The 2021 Living Skies Regional Gathering was held June 4-6 online. Please click here for all related documents.

United Church News

The United Church of Canada gathered with partners in Asia for a consultation on dignity, inclusion, and belonging for LGBTQIA+ communities. Read More

Moderator Carmen Lansdowne encourages communities of faith to celebrate Together for the Love of Creation: Earth Week, April 16–23, 2023. Read More

On March 24-26, The United Church of Canada invites participation from across the country in Lenten actions calling for a guaranteed livable income to be established by the federal government. Read More

Thanks to the generosity of United Church of Canada donors, we have been able to raise over $182,000 to provide support to our partners who are supporting the people of northern Syria and Türkiye. Read More

The 44th General Council has authorized a remit on removing structural barriers so that the Indigenous Church can determine its place and structure within the United Church. Read More