July 07, 2024 - Proper 09

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: “Ignoring the Usual Markers” Focus Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:2-10.

July 14, 2024 - Proper 10

The Rev. Chelsea Masterman has served in team ministry at Grace United Church in Edmonton, Alberta since August 2018. The path to ministry wasn’t always clear cut for Chelsea, and she is grateful for the wilderness along the way. Some of the communities of faith that have shaped her include High River United Church, First United Church in Lethbridge, University Hill Congregation in Vancouver, the Caribbean and North America Council for Mission, New Spirit Community Church in Berkeley, California, Hummingbird Ministries in BC’s Lower Mainland, Cole Harbour Woodside United Church in Nova Scotia, and her first call: Westminster United Church in Medicine Hat, through which she also served Gordon Memorial United Church in Redcliff and Peace United Church in Irvine. Chelsea was ordained in 2014, and she has an MDiv from Vancouver School of Theology and a Certificate of Special Studies from Pacific School of Religion.

This week features Rev. Chelsea Masterman and the theme: “It’s a Call to Abundant Life.” Focus Scripture: John 6:51-58.

June 30, 2024 - Proper 08

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: “How Are We Touched by Jesus?” Focus Scripture: Mark 5:21-43.

July 21, 2024 - Proper 11

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 in Oak Bay, BC.

This week features Rev. Michelle Slater and the theme: “Don’t Miss the Bibles Best Stories.” Focus Scripture: 2 Samuel 7:1-14.

June 23, 2024 - Proper 07

Allan Buckingham is a lay member of the United Church of Canada living in Banff, Alberta. A passionate volunteer, Allan has sat as a member of the Executive of the General Council of the United Church of Canada, and the Executive Committee of the World Communion of Reformed Churches, among many other church committees. Also involved in their community, Allan is currently the Chair of the Banff Housing Corporation, a local not for profit. When not attending meetings, Allan is a Communications and Technology consultant focusing on how churches can use innovative techniques to share their message. Allan is also the founder of Together We Worship.

This week features Allan Buckingham and the theme: “A God for the Oppressed.” Focus Scripture: Psalm 9:9-20

June 16, 2024 - Proper 06

Rev. Ming Yung Chuan, Ibi (as he prefers) began his journey with The United Church of Canada about five years ago.  He is an aboriginal from Bunun tribe in Taiwan.  He received his Bachelor of Arts in Christian education and a Master of Divinity from Yu-Shan Theological School in Taiwan. After arriving in British Columbia he completed a Master of Theology in Homiletics from Vancouver School of Theology in 2011 and is currently completing a doctoral degree with Carey Theological School at UBC.  He is passionate in theological conversation and the bridging between biblical text and the intercultural setting. A lifelong learner and seeker, he likes to share the spiritual life and Christian faith that is in the Bible.   Ibi has been supported in ministry by his beloved wife and children, his many friends and the United Church in Canada.  Ibi is committed to working with all ages to discover their Christian identity in the United Church and their own sense of ministry in the word. He is committed to working with affirming and is inclusive of faith-communities and is called to engage in conversation of how to be Church in our intercultural context.  Ibi was ordained in 2017.  He is serving at Cranbrook United Church in his new Ministry role.

This week features Rev. Ibi Chuan and the theme: “Finding Meaning in Metaphor.” Focus Scripture: Mark 4:26-34.

June 9, 2024 - Proper 05

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: “We Like to Play the Blame Game” Focus Scripture: Genesis 3:8-15.

June 2, 2024 - Proper 04

Jeff Cork is a member of Grace United Church in Edmonton, where he is active in the choir and on the worship committee. Jeff enjoys providing lay leadership as needed. He is also a reader, writer, and board game enthusiast.

This week features Jeff Cork and the theme: “A Place for All Our Different Parts.” Focus Scripture: Psalm 139.

May 26, 2024 - Trinity Sunday

The Rev. Stéphane Vermette is the minister at Emmanuel United Church, Ottawa, ON. Through worship, sacraments, and pastoral care, he is always looking to reach out to people, wherever they stand on their spiritual journey. Stéphane also believes we must reclaim the driving force behind Paul’s missionary journey when distinction between gender, race, status and affiliation were set aside in order to build a new community where everyone is welcomed.

This week features Rev. Stéphane Vermette and the theme: “God Still Needs Prophets.” Focus Scripture: Isaiah 6:1-8.

May 19, 2024 - Pentecost

Brenda Watt is 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 is a trained facilitator for the Fresh Start Program and joined the Together We Worship team in July 2017. She is the Chaplain of the Crossfield Legion, enjoys performing and directing in community theatre, as well as singing and passably playing her baritone ukulele. She lives in Calgary and is very proud of her talented CPA son, Taylor who now lives in Seattle, who also sings and plays a really mean guitar!

This week features Brenda Watt and the theme: “Our Bizarre and Magical Behaviour.” Focus Scripture: Acts 2:21

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.