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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December 31, 2023 - Christmas 01

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: “Walking From the Old to the New” Focus Scripture: Luke 2:22-40

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December 24, 2023 - Advent 04

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: “Don’t Be Too Ready Now.” Focus Scripture: Luke 1:46-56

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December 24, 2023 - Christmas Eve

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: “With a Babe Comes Responsibility.” Focus Scripture: Luke 2:1-20

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December 17, 2023 - Advent 03

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: “In the Time Before Jesus” Focus Scripture: John 1:6-8 and 19-28.

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December 10, 2023 - Advent 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 Brenda Watt and the theme: “The Sunday of Promise.” Focus Scripture: Isaiah 40:1-11 and Mark 1:1-8.

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December 03, 2023 - Advent 01

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: “Preparing for a Second Coming” Focus Scripture: Mark 13:24-37.

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November 26, 2023 - Proper 29

Rev. Dr. Karen Medland, serves the United Church of Canada as Chinook Winds Regional Council Staff as Pastoral Relations Minister.  Karen previously served at Carman United, Chilliwack; First United, Kelowna and North Thompson Pastoral Charge. She has also served as chair and secretary to the former Kamloops-Okanagan Presbytery, president to the former British Columbia Conference and co-chaired Local Arrangements when the United Church’s General Council met in Kelowna in 2009.  Karen holds a Master of Divinity from Vancouver School of Theology and a Doctor of Ministry from Chicago Theological Seminary. She’s currently completing a Human Resource Management Certificate from the University of Alberta Extension.

This week features Rev. Dr. Karen Medland and the theme: “What Does it Mean to Reign?” Focus Scripture: Matthew 25:31-46.

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November 19, 2023 - Proper 28

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: “Does God Care About our Financial Situation?” Focus Scripture: Matthew 25:14-30.

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November 12, 2023 - Proper 27

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: “Playing With Wisdom” Focus Scripture: Wisdom of Solomon 6:12-16.

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November 05, 2023 - Remembrance Sunday

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: “Servanthood is God’s Highest Honour.” Focus Scripture: Matthew 23:1-12.

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October 29, 2023 - Proper 25

GThe 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".

This week features Rev. Cheryl Meban and the theme: “Putting Love Before Everything Else” Focus Scripture: Matthew 22:34-46.

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October 22, 2023 - Proper 24

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: “The Backside of the Holy.” Focus Scripture: Exodus 33:12-23.

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October 15, 2023 - Proper 23

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: “Why Didn’t I Just Prepare More?” Focus Scripture: Matthew 22:1-14.

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October 08, 2023 - Thanksgiving 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 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: “The 9 of us Who Didn’t Give Thanks.” Focus Scripture: Luke 17:11-19.

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October 01, 2023 - World Communion Sunday

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: Living In Community & Humility. Focus Scripture: Philippians 2:1-13.

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September 24, 2023 - Proper 20

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: It’s About Relationships; Right?
Focus Scripture: Ephesians 2:14-22

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September 17, 2023 - Proper 19

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: What Kind of Schmuck Forgives so Relentlessly? Focus Scripture: Matthew 18:21-35 

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September 10, 2023 - Proper 18

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: “Learning to Love.” Focus Scripture: Romans 13:8–14.

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