April 16 - Easter 02

Alwin Maben, from Bangalore, India, served the Church of South India (CSI) Karnataka Central Diocese from 1988-2010. From June 201 to October 2015, Alwin served the Woodland Pastoral Charge in Whitecourt and Mayerthorpe, and since then has been serving the 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 serves 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.  Alwin currently serves Kimberley United Church, a shared ministry with the United Church and Anglicann Church.

This week features Rev. Alwin Maben with the theme “Being Possessed by the Spirit.” Focus Scripture: John 20:19–31.

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April 09 - Easter Sunday

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 with the theme “This Isn’t Just a Story of Hope.” Focus Scripture: Matthew 28:1–10.

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April 07 - Good Friday

Nancy Chegus has a master’s degree in Theological Studies from St. Stephen’s College, and an Education degree from the University of Alberta. She is a Designated Lay Minister, educator and published songwriter for the United Church of Canada.  She has worked as a music teacher and choir director, and has served in congregational ministry in the areas of faith formation, music, congregational care and worship.  Nancy is currently serving Sunnybrook United Church in Red Deer.  She continues to write music and liturgy relevant to our everyday experiences.

This services features Good Friday Liturgy and hymns prepared by Nancy Chegus, Sunnybrook United in Red Deer.

There is no recorded sermon.

Scriptures: John 18:1-11 and John 18:12-27 and John 18:28 – 19:16 and John 19:17-30 and John 19:31-42

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April 02 - Palm Sunday

The Reverend David Pollard is the Minister at First Avenue Memorial, Medicine Hat, AB. Dave has a special interest in preaching, pastoral theology, and church history. He is a cradle member of the United Church of Canada and has served in a variety of ways and places as a lay person and as an Ordained Minister.

This week features Rev. David Pollard with the theme “A Choose Your Own Palm Sunday.” Focus Scriptures: Matthew 21:1-11 and Isaiah 50:4-9a and Matthew 27:11-54.

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March 26 - Lent 05

Rev. Adam Hall graduated with his M.Div. from St. Andrew's College in Saskatoon, SK and was ordained into the Ministry of Word, Sacrament and Pastoral care by Saskatchewan Conference (Living Skies Region) in 2010. Upon his ordination in July 2010, he was settled to Beaver Pastoral Charge (Tofield and Holden United Churches) in central Alberta. He has a passion for connecting scripture to everyday life, seeing the Holy in everyday moments and encouraging faithful growth in both personal and community-oriented ways. Currently he also serves The United Church of Canada as the chairperson of the Prairie Candidacy Board and enjoys the work of the Candidacy Board tremendously. In his down time, he enjoys fishing, NFL football, and spending as much time as possible with his family.

This week features Rev. Adam Hall with the theme “A Cool Experience with a Great Big Bug.” Focus Scripture: Ezekiel 37:1-14

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March 19 - Lent 04

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 with the theme “Becoming What We Receive.” Focus Scripture: Luke 15:11-32

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March 05 - Lent 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 has been a member of the General Council Executive since 2009 and chairs the Permanent Committee for Programs for Ministry and Mission. She lives in Almonte with her husband Adam, their daughter Maria and two spoiled rotten cats.

This week features Rev. Mary Royal-Duczek with the theme “Exploring the Details of the Story.” Focus Scripture: John 3:1-17

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February 26 - Lent 01

Rev. Nick Coates is the minister at Red Deer Lake United Church in Calgary. One of the things that brings Nick joy is exploring what it means to be human and alive in the world. That's what led him to do a Master of Arts in Theology and a Master of Divinity. When not at work, Nick enjoys being active at the gym, playing dodgeball, reading, writing, drinking too much coffee, listening to good music, cooking, and hanging out with friends. Nick is the co-host of the podcast: "Prayer and Private Parts: a podcast about Sex and Jesus."

This week features Rev. Nick Coates with the theme “Dinner Parties, Temptations, and Using Our Power” Focus Scripture: Luke 4:1-13

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February 22 - Ash Wednesday

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 with the theme “Sometimes We Fast Like Hypocrites.” Focus Scripture: Isaiah 58:1-18 and Matthew 6:1 – 6 and 16-21.

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February 19 - Transfiguration Sunday

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 with the theme “Alters not Idols” Focus Scripture: Exodus 24:12-18 and Matthew 17:1-9

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February 12 - Epiphany 06

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 with the theme “Is Love Enough?” Focus Scripture: Psalm 119:1-8

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February 05 - Epiphany 05

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 with the theme “A Salty Conversation with Jesus” Focus Scripture: Matthew 5:13-20

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January 29 - Epiphany 04

The Rev. Shannon Mang has served the United Church of Canada in Saskatchewan and Alberta for most of the past 25 years.  Her ministry has focused at times on children and youth as well as adult ministry in various churches. Shannon has also trained at the Pacific Jubilee program and is a Spiritual Director. Shannon is currently serving as Interim Minister at St. Andrews United Church, Markham ON & as Wedding Minister for the Bow Valley Wedding Ministry.

This week features Rev. Shannon Mang with the theme “You Want Me to Go Where???” Focus Scripture: Jonah 3:1-5 and 10.

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January 22 - Epiphany 03

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 with the theme “Artificial Intelligence & The Church” Focus Scripture: Matthew 4:12-23.

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January 15 - Epiphany 02

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 the Brenda Watt with the theme “Keys to a Meaningful Epiphany” Focus Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:1-9.

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January 08 - Baptism of the Lord

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 the Rev. Graham Brownmiller with the theme “We are God’s Beloved.” Focus Scripture: Matthew 3:13-17.

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January 01 - Christmas 01

Rev. James McTyre is the transitional General Presbyter and Stated Clerk for the Presbytery of East Tennessee, as well as Pastor of Lake Hills Presbyterian Church (USA), Knoxville, TN, where he has served for 25 years.  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 the Rev. James McTyre with the theme “Jesus & the Chuckleheads” Focus Scripture: Matthew 25:31-46.

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December 25 - Christmas Day

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 Region. He is a member of University Hill Congregation in Vancouver where he is able to preach from time to time.

This week features the Rev. Doug Goodwin with the theme “The Same God, But New.” Focus Scripture: Psalm 98

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December 24 - Christmas Eve

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 the Rev. Linda Hunter with the theme “Finding That Immaculate Love.” Focus Scripture: Luke 2:1-20

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December 18 - Advent 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 has been a member of the General Council Executive since 2009 and chairs the Permanent Committee for Programs for Ministry and Mission. She lives in Almonte with her husband Adam, their daughter Maria and two spoiled rotten cats.

This week features the Rev. Alwin Maben with the theme “Not God with You, But God with Us.” Focus Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

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