September 03, 2023 - Proper 17

Born on the prairies and raised in Alberta, the Rev. Murray Speer has been a member of the United Church of Canada since 2001 and in full-time ministry in Alberta since 2010. His hobbies include movies, science fiction, and community theatre. He has a passion for transformative church leadership in the 21st century context, and believes that changes in the culture around us call for changes in how we do preaching and worship, specifically engaging the visual imagination, deconstructing the mindset of modernity, and reading scripture alongside contemporary popular culture. 

This week features Rev. Murray Speer and the theme: When We Wrestle with God Focus Scripture: Genesis 32:22-31.

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August 27 2023 - Proper 16

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 with the theme “Actually Recognizing our Differences.” Focus Scripture: Romans 12:1–8.

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August 20 2023 - Proper 15

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 “The Dry Bones are Waiting for God.” Focus Scripture: Ezekiel 37:1-14.

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August 13 2023 - Proper 14

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 Rev. Doug Goodwin with the theme “A Word About Discipleship.” Focus Scripture: Matthew 14:22–33.

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August 06 2023 - Proper 13

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 “The Days We See God and the Days We Don’t.” Focus Scripture: Psalm 146.

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July 30 2023 - Proper 12

The Rev. Michelle Slater is the Interim LeaderShift Director with Chinook Winds and Pacific Mountain Regions. After over 15 years of ministry, she 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 with the theme “The Reign of God: An Invasive, Relentless Weed.” Focus Scripture: Matthew 13:31–33, 44–52.

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July 23 2023 - Proper 11

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 with the theme “Out Dang Flaws: Let’s Play Together.” Focus Scripture: Psalm 139:1-12, 23-24 and Psalm 86:11-17.

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July 16 - Proper 10

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 Rev. James McTyre with the theme “You Can’t Plan Away the Randomness.” Focus Scripture: Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23.

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July 09 - Proper 09

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 with the theme “The Point: It’s About Love. Focus Scripture: Song of Solomon 2:8-13.

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June 25- Proper 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 with the theme “ “ Focus Scripture: Genesis 21:8-21 and Matthew 10:24-39

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June 18 - Proper 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 J Seal with the theme “Teaching How People Learn.” Focus Scripture: Matthew 9:35-10:8

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June 11 - Proper 05

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 with the theme “The Power of a Touch” Focus Scripture: Matthew 9:9-13 and 18-26

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June 04 - Trinity Sunday

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 “Is God Showing Up with Us?” Focus Scripture: 2 Corinthians 13:11–13

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May 28 - Pentecost

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 “The Greatest Gift of Christianity.” Focus Scripture: Acts 2:1–21

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May 21 - Easter 07

The Rev. Karen Bridges is the Minister of Congregation and Community Development at Robertson-Wesley United Church in Edmonton, Alberta. Karen was born and raised in Edmonton and within The United Church of Canada. Following her B.A (Drama major, and Religious Studies minor) from the University of Alberta, Karen completed her Master of Theological Studies at St. Stephen's College in 1998 while working full time as the Children, Youth and Young Adult Minister at Riverbend United Church until 2009. She then attended the Vancouver School of Theology and was ordained by the Alberta Northwest Conference in May, 2011. Karen has a passion for storytelling, creative worship, visioning, leadership development and faith formation, and she has a weakness for lattes!

This week features Rev. Karen Bridges with the theme “A Kind of End Times?” Focus Scripture: Acts 1:6–14

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July 02 - Proper 08

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 with the theme “An Interresting, Vexing & Repugnant Story.” Focus Scripture: Genesis 22:1-14

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May 14 - Easter 06

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 with the theme “Easter: Expect the Unexpected” Focus Scripture: John 14:15-21.

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May 07 - Easter 05

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 “Baffling our Left Brain.” Focus Scripture: John 14:1–14.

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April 30 - Easter 04

The Rev. Cheryl Meban was born and raised in Belfast, Northern Ireland. She is a minister in the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, and works as a Chaplain in the Ulster University, with a commitment to global and local transformation. Cheryl's student ministry began in France and she "continues to seek local expressions of God's love for the whole world in every place and life I am privileged to touch". Currently she is one of 3 European representatives on the Executive Committee of the World Communion of Reformed Churches.

This week features Rev. Cheryl Maben with the theme “I Am is My Shepherd.” Focus Scriptures: Psalm 23.

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April 23 - Easter 03

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 with the theme “The Importance of a Walk with a Friend.” Focus Scripture: Luke 24:13-35.

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