May 12, 2024 - Easter 07

Norm Seli was Ordained in 1992 and has followed God’s call into three different communities in Southern Ontario. Since 2005, he has been the Supervising Minister at Jubilee United Church in Toronto.  Norm delights in preaching, liturgy and supervising interns and students.  Currently a member of the General Council Executive and a member of the Indigenous Justice and Residential Schools Committee as well as a variety of Conference and Presbytery committees, he will retire from them all just in time to Chair the new Board of Vocation for the United Church of Canada.  In real life, Norm considers himself a husband, father, preacher, musician, supporter of justice and of the arts.

This week features Rev. Norm Seli and the theme: “Luke Reads Like a Musical.” Focus Scripture: Luke 24:44-53.

May 05, 2024 - Easter 06

Rev. Bethany Benz-Whittington is a Presbyterian Church, USA, pastor living in Maryville, TN with her husband and two kiddos. She runs an online educational ministry called Sacred Calls, which provides faith formation and training resources for churches. Her guiding scripture is Philemon 4-5, which calls us to be the kind of person other people see and say "Wow, that's a Jesus follower." In her downtime she enjoys baseball, biking, and beer. No alliteration intended, but B is the best letter of the alphabet.

This week features Rev. Bethany Benz-Whittington and the theme: “The Deep Love of Friendship.” Focus Scripture: John 15:9-17.

April 28, 2024 - Easter 05

Rev. Greg and his family live in Langford, BC where Greg is planting a new church within the United Church tradition. Greg has bounced between western Canada and eastern Canada throughout his life and is happiest on the trails, in the canoe, or on skis. Greg's vocational passions include peace and justice: climate justice and indigenous rights; spending time with people at critical moments in life and finding meaningful ways--new and old--to express gratitude and to dream of heaven here on earth. Greg completed his Master of Divinity at Emmanuel College in Toronto in 2014. Prior to responding to his call to congregational ministry, Greg worked for an environmental non-profit and as an environmental engineer.

This week features Rev. Greg Powell and the theme: “Sharing the Good News Can Be Awkward” Focus Scripture: Acts 8:26-40.

April 21, 2024 - Easter 04

Mary Royal-Duczek is the minister at Almonte United Church in Almonte, Ontario, a small town outside of Ottawa on the Mississippi River. She is currently on the Board of Directors of the United Church of Canada Foundation. She lives in Almonte with her family where she enjoys reading and has recently gotten into gardening.

This week features Rev. Mary Royal-Duczek and the theme: “We Have Enough.  Now What?” Focus Scripture: Psalm 23.

April 14, 2024 - Easter 03

Tracy was born in Calgary and raised on a farm in Balzac, AB. She is married to Todd and has two adult children. She has held various ministry positions in the United Church of Canada and is currently the Minister for Nurture, Education, and Outreach at St. Thomas United Church in NW Calgary. St. Thomas is an Affirming church that models Open Hands, Open Hearts, and Open Minds in everything they do. Tracy is passionate about living out Jesus’ teachings of radical inclusion and is very involved in Calgary’s Affirming Networks and is proud to walk the path to reconciliation with her Indigenous sisters and brothers. Tracy volunteers her time with at risk people involved in the criminal justice system.

This week features Rev. Tracy Robertson and the theme: “We Are Sustained by Hope.” Focus Scripture: Romans 8:24-25 (Non Lectionary)

April 07, 2024 - Easter 02

James McTyre serves the Presbyterian Church (USA) out of Knoxville, TN, USA, where he has served for 30 years, both in congregational ministry and leadership roles with the wider Presbyterian Church.  He is currently serving in Interim Ministry in Alabama.   He has a Doctor of Ministry degree from Columbia Seminary in Atlanta, GA, an M. Div. from Union Seminary in Richmond, VA, and a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science from West Virginia University. He and his wife have two daughters and a tiny Biewer Terrier.

This week features Rev. James McTyre and the theme: “I Wasn’t There, But I Still Believe” Focus Scripture: John 20:19-31.

March 31, 2024 - Easter Sunday

The Rev. Hilde J Seal is an animator of the Holy, one who walks among creation and is in touch with her inner-child.  Recently retired, Hilde has been a member of the United Church of Canada for all her life, serving with congregations in Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia.  As a Spiritual Director Hilde walks with persons of all ages and stages as they seek God in the ordinary and the chaos of life.  Her Practices include silence, walking in the forest, preaching and focused breathing.  She loves to drum, dance and spend time with family.

This week features Rev. Hilde Seal and the theme: “Christ is Risen!” Focus Scripture: Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24.

March 29, 2024 - Good Friday

Brenda Watt retired from ministry as a Designated Lay Minister after 22 years, serving in Vulcan, Calgary, and Crossfield.  Her MTS from St. Stephen’s College combined with her human resource background in recruitment, training and development and organization development has equipped her with a diverse set of skills which has supported her in ministry, stewardship consulting and leadership.  She joined the Together We Worship team in July 2017.  She is the Chaplain of the Crossfield Legion, and enjoys directing in community theatre, singing, and passably playing her baritone ukulele.  She lives in Calgary and is very proud of her talented CPA son, Taylor who plays a mean guitar.

This week features Brenda Watt and the theme and dramatization: “The Overlooked Story of Claudia Pilot” Focus Scripture: Luke 22:14-18 and John 13:3-5 and 14-17 and Matthew 26:57-66 and Matthew 27:11-37 and Matthew 27:57-66.

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March 24, 2024 - Palm Sunday

The Rev. Michelle Slater, after over 15 years of ministry, continues to be fascinated by people's questions, stories and experiences of God/the Divine/mystery...and happy to share her own. Michelle loves the comfort and challenge of scripture, and is passionate about the ways our stories are held within, and redeemed by, the stories of our faith. She is committed to the inclusion of people of all ages, stages, abilities and life experiences in the community of faith, especially LGBT people and their families.  She loves to sing, read murder mysteries, quilt, and play Pokemon Go with her husband and son.

This week features Rev. Michelle Slater and the theme: “The Things that Remind Us” Focus Scripture: Luke 19:29-40.

March 17, 2024 - Lent 05

Doug Goodwin was the minister in small, rural and indigenous congregations in Manitoba and, for fifteen years, in a northern BC multi-point pastoral charge (Vanderhoof, Fort Fraser and Fraser Lake). For almost twenty years he has worked in administrative positions with BC Conference (now Pacific Mountain Region), from 2003 to 2019 as the Conference Executive Secretary. Doug is now retired although working on a very part-time basis for the Pacific Mountain Region. He is a member of University Hill Congregation in Vancouver where he is able to preach from time to time.

This week features Rev. Doug Goodwin and the theme: “Sin - Confession - Forgiveness - Move On?” Focus Scripture: Psalm 51:1-12.

March 10, 2024 - Lent 04

Andria is an ordained United Church minister who has served communities of faith in congregational leadership from North Vancouver to London, England. She has also worked as a church planter, a church consultant, and is an advocate for the faithful building and planting of digital communities (secular and faithful alike!) Digital authenticity is such a passion for her that she even authored a book alongside Rev. Dr. Jason Byassee titled "Following: Embodied Discipleship in a Digital Age." Her passion for sharing the gospel in online spaces has labeled her a progressive evangelist and a digital missionary. You can find her serving as the Associate Minister of Hillhurst United Church in Calgary, Alberta, where she lives with her French bulldog Eugene, a view of the Rockies, and a very public Instagram account. 

This week features Rev. Andria Irwin and the theme: “It’s for Everyone, Not Just Believers.” Focus Scripture: John 3:14-21

March 03, 2024 - Lent 03

Leigh grew up in the United Church, spending summers at CGIT Camp Wohelo on Pigeon Lake and United Church's Naramata Centre.  After receiving her BA (Religious Studies and Anthropology) at University of Alberta, she completed her Masters of Divinity (2005) and a Masters in Sacred Theology (2015, focusing on rural ministry and the theology of Providence) at St. Andrew's College in Saskatoon.   God's gifts of energy and love for church, spiritual rituals and theology has called her to serve congregations passionate about maturing in the faith. Her love for the Gospel and stories (in any form: pages, voices, screens and stages) is fueled by coffee, quiet, conversation and walking.   Leigh has lived in the three prairie provinces and is currently serving at St. David's United Church in Leduc, AB.

This week features Rev. Leigh Sinclair and the theme: “Our Response is to Love.” Focus Scripture: John 2:13–22.

February 25, 2024 - Lent 02

Alwin Maben, from Bangalore, India, served the Church of South India (CSI) Karnataka Central Diocese from 1988-2010. From June 2010 to October 2015, Alwin served the Woodland Pastoral Charge in Whitecourt and Mayerthorpe, and from 2015 to 2023, Coronation Pastoral Charge in Coronation and Veteran, Alberta. After obtaining a Bachelor’s in Commerce,   Alwin did his Theological Studies – Bachelor of Divinity (B.D) and Master’s in Theology (M.Th.) at United Theological College, Bangalore.  In 2019, Alwin was elected to the Executive of the Chinook Winds Regional Council.  He also served as Chair of the Intercultural Ministry Network of The Northern Spirit and Chinook Winds Regional Councils.  Ecumenism, Interfaith and Intercultural ministry is of great importance to Alwin

This week features Rev. Alwin Maben and the theme: “A Trivialized Cost of Discipleship” Focus Scripture: Mark 8:31-38.

February 18, 2024 - Lent 01

Rev. Aaron Miller is the Congregational Minster of University Hill Congregation, in Vancouver BC.  He began serving there July 2016.  Prior to that, he was the minister at Faith Centennial United Church, in Selkirk, ON, for nearly 7 years.  Aaron is a graduate of Emmanuel College, in Toronto.  He lives in Vancouver with his wife and two young sons.   He enjoys the peculiar location of University Hill, on the UBC campus, knowing that the particularities of campus life pose interesting challenges for preaching and living the gospel. Aaron also enjoys the opportunity to interact and work with the students and faculty at the Vancouver School of Theology.

This week features Rev. Aaron Miller and the theme: “When We Stop Forging Our Own Way.” Focus Scripture: Psalm 25:1-10 and Mark 1:9-15.

February 11, 2024 - Transfiguration Sunday

Linda hails from Saskatchewan, the land of waving wheat. She was born in Regina but has called Calgary her home now for over forty years. Her husband, Gord, now retired, was also a minister in the United Church who more recently served the rural community of Rockyford. Together, they have raised two great kids, Dawn and Brendan who have added to the family circle by marrying Andrew and Heather. Linda and Gord are very proud of their four grandsons: Jordan, Nelson, Aemon and Nicky. The gospel has always engaged Linda and she is drawn to the hope and reconciliation that it offers. She also has a passion for social justice and the healing that is needed for the marginalized in our world.

This week features Rev. Linda Hunter and the theme: “The Importance of Perspective.” Focus Scripture: Mark 9:2-9.

February 04, 2024 - Epiphany 05

Graham Brownmiller was ordained in 2009 in the United Church of Canada; he has served at North Thompson Pastoral Charge (Barriere & Clearwater, BC) and Queens Avenue United Church (New Westminster, BC), he is currently serving Jubilee United Church, Burnaby, BC. Until 2018 Graham is the Order of Ministry representative from BC Conference to the Executive of the General Council, of the United Church of Canada. Graham loves community and one-on-one interactions. He greatly enjoys witnessing to people’s stories and exploring moments of grace through authentic relationships.

This week features Rev. Graham Brownmiller and the theme: “Sometimes Freedom From – Sometimes Freedom For.” Focus Scripture: Mark 1:29-39.

January 28, 2024 - Epiphany 04

Rev. Greg and his family live in Langford, BC where Greg is planting a new church within the United Church tradition. Greg has bounced between western Canada and eastern Canada throughout his life and is happiest on the trails, in the canoe, or on skis. Greg's vocational passions include peace and justice: climate justice and indigenous rights; spending time with people at critical moments in life and finding meaningful ways--new and old--to express gratitude and to dream of heaven here on earth. Greg completed his Master of Divinity at Emmanuel College in Toronto in 2014. Prior to responding to his call to congregational ministry, Greg worked for an environmental non-profit and as an environmental engineer.

This week features Rev. Greg Powell and the theme: “The Importance of Authority.” Focus Scripture: Mark 1:21-28.

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January 21, 2024 - Epiphany 03

Rev. Bethany Benz-Whittington is a Presbyterian Church, USA, pastor living in East Tennessee with her husband and two kiddos. She runs an online educational ministry called Sacred Calls, which provides faith formation and training resources for churches. Her guiding scripture is Philemon 4-5, which calls us to be the kind of person other people see and say "Wow, that's a Jesus follower." In her down time she enjoys baseball, biking, and beer. No alliteration intended, but B is the best letter of the alphabet.

This week features Rev. Bethany Benz-Whittington and the theme: “Being the First Follower.” Focus Scripture: Mark 1:14-20.

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January 14, 2024 - Epiphany 02

Mary Royal-Duczek is the minister at Almonte United Church in Almonte, Ontario, a small town outside of Ottawa on the Mississippi River. She is currently on the Board of Directors of the United Church of Canada Foundation. She lives in Almonte with her family where she enjoys reading and has recently gotten into gardening.

This week features Rev. Mary Royal-Duczek and the theme: “It Starts with Making Some Friends.” Focus Scripture: John 1:43-51.

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January 07, 2024 - Baptism of Jesus

The Rev. Michelle Slater, after over 15 years of ministry, continues to be fascinated by people's questions, stories and experiences of God/the Divine/mystery...and happy to share her own. Michelle loves the comfort and challenge of scripture, and is passionate about the ways our stories are held within, and redeemed by, the stories of our faith. She is committed to the inclusion of people of all ages, stages, abilities and life experiences in the community of faith, especially LGBT people and their families.

This week features Rev. Michelle Slater and the theme: “The Beginning Is In The Wilderness.” Focus Scripture: Mark 1:4-11.

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