‘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 6^th 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 6^th, 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 9^th, 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 29^th, 2022, 9:30am to noon via Zoom

with Rev. Dr. Jessica Hetherington

Following up on her first talk on “Discipleship in a Burning World: Christian Faith and Ecological Crisis,” this presentation will explore the ways in which the church, as a worshipping community, can explore its call to Earth healing. Questions such as the following will be explored: What does a collective discipleship of Earth healing look like? How can we support,encourage and challenge one another as a community in our discipleship? How can our commitment to Earth healing be reflected in all aspects of church life, including liturgy, Christian education, the sacraments, and more?

Wednesday, October 26^th, 2022, 7:00 p.m. via Zoom

Presenter’s Bio:

The Rev. Dr. Jessica Hetherington, ecotheologian and ordained minister, is a preacher, speaker and teacher who inspires people of faith to transform their lives and actions in response to the ecological crisis. She holds a PhD in Theology from Saint Paul University in Ottawa, Canada, and serves in the United Church of Canada.

Wednesday, September 14^th, 2022, 1:30 to 3:30, St Peter’s United Church, York Street, Sudbury.

Workshop Facilitator: Rev. Kathy Dahmer, Chaplain RP

Special Guests: Dr. Jessica Jackson, MAID provider and Mary Huska, Clinical Bioethicist/Manager Spiritual and Religious Care

This workshop offers:

1)      Education about MAID- (in institutions and in the community) and the importance of spiritual care for spiritual patients, facilitating MAID and last wishes.

2)      Unique issues that can surface regarding death and/or grief for patients- and family members.  (Sharing our experiences)

3)      Equipping Clergy with tools- communication and ministry of presence in order to best serve patients and families. 

Cost – Kindly consider making a donation at the event.

Saturday, May 7, 2022, 12:45 pm

“Walking for Peace in our World”

Join us for our first in person World Labyrinth Day celebration since the start of the pandemic!

At the Lourdes Grotto, 271 Van Horne St., Sudbury

We will gather at the labyrinth at the top of the hill (the gate will be open, so you can park right at the labyrinth site) at 12:45 pm for some opening words, and at 1:00pm on we will join those around the world in a wave of peace as we “walk as one at 1:00”. 

Together we will discover connections between the labyrinth, the world, ourselves and nature. There will be readings and songs throughout, and you will be invited to do some nature ‘wandering’ after walking the labyrinth. Families with children are especially welcome as the first part of the event will be geared to them. Individually wrapped refreshments will be offered as well.                                                                    

Please wear a mask, as we will be close together at times on the labyrinth.

This event is presented by St. Peter’s United Church and the Manitou Intentional Learning Community (MILC)

Discipleship in a Burning World: Christian Faith and Ecological Crisis 

The changes that human beings must undertake in order to adequately respond to the ecological crisis are complex and difficult. While we have expressed concern over the need for change for decades, we have been largely ineffective, and the crisis, in its various dimensions, has been careening out of control. In this talk, I will address two essential pieces of the solution for people of faith: coming to a new understanding of who we are as the human species in creation, and understanding what discipleship means and its potential for transformative action in the face of the ecological crisis.

Join us for an online event exploring Christian faith and ecological crisis with Rev. Dr. Jessica Hetherington.

April 27, 2022 @ 7pm on Zoom.

Registration is now closed.

The Rev. Dr. Jessica Hetherington, ecotheologian and ordained minister, is a preacher, speaker and teacher who inspires people of faith to transform their lives and actions in response to the ecological crisis. She holds a PhD in Theology from Saint Paul University and serves in the United Church of Canada.d dreams for environmental behaviour change./

If you are unable to join us in person, please consider using the self-guided walk and make a finger labyrinth.