A learning and networking gathering for United Churches across Greater Sudbury
Are you passionate about engaging in Indigenous justice initiatives in your congregation?
Do you want concrete, helpful resources?
Are you looking for connection and relationships to support you?
Join us for a simple dinner, conversation and exploration.
Wednesday, May 24th, 2023 @ 5:30pm
St. Peter’s United Church, 203 York Street, Sudbury
Hosted by the Manitou Intentional Learning Community
Labyrinth Day 2023, May 6, 1:00pm – Join the worldwide Rolling Wave of Peace – Self Guided Walk Instructions
Introduction: Welcome! For this year’s event, we are playing with the theme of waves as get ready to join the ‘rolling wave of peace’ around the world that is World Labyrinth Day. If you are doing this as a walking meditation on your own or at your local labyrinth, we invite you to carry a glass of water as you walk. Waves will be created in your glass as you walk, and you may contemplate the movement as we seek to wash the world in peace with our intention, one person at a time. When you get to the centre, you may pour your water into a collective receptacle if walking with others, or wait until the end of the walk to water some plants with it. While we walk we could also remember that we ourselves are mostly water, and that we constantly create vibrations in ourselves throughout our daily activities that extend beyond our bodies. Let us remember to send out positive energy to the rest of the world, our home, and make that home a better place.
A Gaelic Blessing
Deep peace of the running wave to you
Deep peace of the flowing air to you
Deep peace of the quiet earth to you
Deep peace of the shining stars to you
Deep peace of the gentle night to you
Moon and stars pour their healing light on you Deep peace of Christ the light of the world to you Deep peace of Christ to you
Song – “The Peace of the Earth”, based on a Guatemalan song, “La Paz de la Tierra”
The peace of the earth be with you, the peace of the heavens too; the peace of the rivers be with you, the peace of the oceans too.
Deep peace falling over you;
God’s peace growing in you. (Repeat)
Walk as One at 1:00 – everyone walks at 1:00pm in their own time zone Water the ground with peaceful water from everyone
Song – “Go Now in Peace”
Go now in peace;
go now in peace.
May the love of God surround you everywhere,
everywhere you may go.
Saturday, May 6, 2023 at 12:45 pm
Lourdes Grotto, 271 Van Horne St., Sudbury
Join the event hosted by MILC. We are meeting at the top of the hill at the labyrinth where there will be readings and songs, and then a “Walk as One at 1:00” with friends around the world. Refreshments will be served afterwards. Rain or shine!
Manitou Intentional Learning Community Presents
LISTENING FOR THE SPIRIT : Reflections on Lent and Easter scripture from an Indigenous perspective
with guest speaker
THE RT. REV. DR. CARMEN LANSDOWNE, Moderator, The United Church of Canada
Join us 29 March 2023 @ 6:30 pm on Zoom
Registration Fee — by Donation
“Queer identity may be discerned in relative isolation, but it comes to life in community.” Elizabeth M. Edman, Queer Virtue: What LGBTQ People Know About Life and Love and How It Can Revitalize Christianity
Join the Manitou Intentional Learning Community in a-three session study of the book Queer Virtue led by Peter Haddow, Canadian Shield Regional Council Affirm Team.
February 27th, March 6th and March 13th at 7:00 p.m. via Zoom.
Participants are cordially invited to make a donation (suggestion $10) by etransfer to [email protected].
Please note, the text is not available in Chapters stores. It can be purchased from Chapters online and from Amazon.ca. It is also available as an ebook. We recommend that you purchase the text promptly to be sure to get a copy on time.
More about the book:
Arguing from the heart of scripture, Edman reveals how queering Christianity—that is, disrupting simplistic ways of thinking about self and other—can illuminate contemporary Christian faith. Pushing well past the notion that “Christian love = tolerance,” Edman offers a bold alternative: he recognition that queer people can help Christians better understand their fundamental calling and the creation of sacred space where LGBTQ Christians are seen as gifts to the church.
Weekly readings:
Week One: February 27th Chapters 1-3
Week Two: March 6th Chapters 4-6
Week Three: March 13th Chapters 7-10
‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ In Matthew 25:40, God call us to be of service to others and to end poverty in our communities. The Covid-19 pandemic and resulting lockdown meant that many Church programs stopped running… and many did not start up again. This could be a time to lament what we have lost but it is also an opportunity to start again and build even better projects. Join MILC on February 6th for a panel discussion about anti-poverty work in our communities. The panel presentations offer a chance to hear about Christian responsibility to work to end poverty, root causes of poverty in our communities and how Churches can get involved in practical projects. This panel of speakers will help participants bring new life to projects to address poverty in our communities.
Panel speakers:
Rev. Glen Eagle, United Church of Canada
Rev. Pam Cullen, London Community Chaplaincy
Rev. Michael Blair, General Secretary, United Church of Canada
February 6th, 2023 @ 6:30pm via Zoom
Contact Gillian if you have any questions at [email protected].
So, . . . it’s that time of the year again, . . . time for Lenten planning. Join Rev. Stewart Walker and others for a time of reflection and discussion of the Lent and Easter lectionary readings and how we might frame the Easter message in this particular time. As is usual for this recurring Lenten event, we will look at the scriptures but we will also share how we do/did Lent, Holy Week and Easter in a time of uncertainty.
The Manitou Intentional Learning Community invites you to attend a workshop designed for all those who are responsible for preparing worship during Lent and Easter.
The event will take place via Zoom.
Date: Saturday, January 21st from 9:30 to noon.
For more information, contact Gillian at [email protected].
Presenter: Sylvia Keesmaat
Wednesday, December 7, 2022 @ 7pm via Zoom
Description:
Please join MILC for a advent season workshop. As Sylvia Keesmaat notes of the women in the Christmas story… some are named, some are hidden. Some are unexpectedly front and centre, others are obscure. This workshop will explore the women of the Christmas story, those seeking to birth hope in a world where the powerful seem to control the lives of women.
Biography:
Dr. Sylvia Keesmaat is a biblical scholar, activist and farmer. She obtained her doctorate from Oxford University, studying with NT Wright, and has most recently taught as an Adjunct Professor of Biblical Studies at Trinity College, Toronto School of Theology, as well as for the Creation Care Studies program in Belize.
Sylvia founded Bible Remixed in 2021 to help nurture a community of Jesus followers who are deeply rooted in the biblical story, and who are becoming a community of welcome, healing and nurture for those people and creatures who suffer most from the violence of our world.
More information is available about her work at Bible Remixed.
The Manitou Intentional Learning Community invites you to our Annual General Meeting, followed by:
Encounters with Jesus: Different Points of View
Wednesday, November 9th, 2022 Via Zoom 6:30 to 8:00pm
Guest Speakers
Torrin Maag, Master’s Student, Atlantic School of Theology:
Neurodiversity in the Church
Jeffrey Dale, Minister, Justice and Faith Formation, Canadian Shield and Shining Waters Regional Councils:
Faith Formation
Faye Moffatt, Church Musician and LLWL, Trinity United Church, Capreol:
Music: One Step on our Journey to Becoming an Anti-racist Church
October, the time when all good worship leaders start planning for Advent and Christmas!
This workshop will provide opportunities for reflection and discussion of some of the Advent and Christmas lectionary readings and of ways in which we might frame the Advent message in these challenging times. There will be opportunities for group wide and small group work.
Leadership provided by Rev. Stewart Walker
Saturday, October 29th, 2022, 9:30am to noon via Zoom