Latest news with #UnitedChurchofCanada
Cision Canada
28-05-2025
- General
- Cision Canada
Looking back, looking forward: The United Church of Canada at 100 years
ST. JOHN'S, NL, May 28, 2025 /CNW/ - The United Church of Canada was formed on June 10, 1925, through an Act of Canadian Parliament. On June 8 at 7 p.m. NL, a worship service in the historic Gower Street United Church in St. John's, NL, will commemorate that moment 100 years ago. The Centennial theme is Deep, Bold, Daring. "As The United Church of Canada prepares to commemorate its centennial, it is not just looking back at 100 years of faith and justice in Canada, but using the occasion to look forward to the next 100," says Rev. Michael Blair, General Secretary. "We're answering the call to renew the church for the next 100 years by highlighting the global and local work the church is doing, and who the church is becoming." The service includes a mass choir from churches across Newfoundland and Labrador. Rev. Prof. Dr. Jerry Pillay, General Secretary of the World Council of Churches, will address the special in-person service, which will also be livestreamed nationally on The United Church of Canada's YouTube channel. Other highlights of the weekend include: Friday, June 6 at 9:30 a.m. – more than 50 leaders and members of the General Council Executive volunteering at Bridges to Hope, First United Church, 221 Park Ave., Mount Pearl, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., and Stella's Circle, 77 Charter Ave, St. John's, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, June 7 at 6 p.m. – Centennial celebration dinner for invited guests Sunday, June 8 at 10 a.m. – senior staff preaching at churches in and near St. John's. The United Church of Canada brought together some Presbyterian, Methodist and Congregational congregations, along with the General Council of the Local Union Churches in a remarkable effort of collaboration and agreement. It inherited the Wesleyan tradition in Canada and is a member of the World Methodist Council. The service at Gower Street UC honours Newfoundland's integral role in the history of The United Church of Canada – both as the historic home of Methodism in Canada, and because Newfoundland joined the United Church more than two decades before it joined the confederation of Canada. REV. PROF. DR. JERRY PILLAY As the general secretary of the World Council of Churches. Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay is the chief executive officer with final responsibility for the work of the Council and its staff, and speaks on its behalf. He began serving as general secretary on January 1, 2023. He is the ninth general secretary in the WCC's history since the fellowship of churches was founded in 1948. He was previously dean of the Faculty of Theology and Religion at the University of Pretoria. A member of the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa, he is from South Africa. [email protected] | [email protected], Based in Kitchener, Ont.
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Looking back, looking forward: The United Church of Canada at 100 years
ST. JOHN'S, NL, May 28, 2025 /CNW/ - The United Church of Canada was formed on June 10, 1925, through an Act of Canadian Parliament. On June 8 at 7 p.m. NL, a worship service in the historic Gower Street United Church in St. John's, NL, will commemorate that moment 100 years ago. The Centennial theme is Deep, Bold, Daring. "As The United Church of Canada prepares to commemorate its centennial, it is not just looking back at 100 years of faith and justice in Canada, but using the occasion to look forward to the next 100," says Rev. Michael Blair, General Secretary. "We're answering the call to renew the church for the next 100 years by highlighting the global and local work the church is doing, and who the church is becoming." The service includes a mass choir from churches across Newfoundland and Labrador. Rev. Prof. Dr. Jerry Pillay, General Secretary of the World Council of Churches, will address the special in-person service, which will also be livestreamed nationally on The United Church of Canada's YouTube channel. Other highlights of the weekend include: Friday, June 6 at 9:30 a.m. – more than 50 leaders and members of the General Council Executive volunteering at Bridges to Hope, First United Church, 221 Park Ave., Mount Pearl, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., and Stella's Circle, 77 Charter Ave, St. John's, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, June 7 at 6 p.m. – Centennial celebration dinner for invited guests Sunday, June 8 at 10 a.m. – senior staff preaching at churches in and near St. John's. The United Church of Canada brought together some Presbyterian, Methodist and Congregational congregations, along with the General Council of the Local Union Churches in a remarkable effort of collaboration and agreement. It inherited the Wesleyan tradition in Canada and is a member of the World Methodist Council. The service at Gower Street UC honours Newfoundland's integral role in the history of The United Church of Canada – both as the historic home of Methodism in Canada, and because Newfoundland joined the United Church more than two decades before it joined the confederation of Canada. REV. PROF. DR. JERRY PILLAY As the general secretary of the World Council of Churches. Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay is the chief executive officer with final responsibility for the work of the Council and its staff, and speaks on its behalf. He began serving as general secretary on January 1, 2023. He is the ninth general secretary in the WCC's history since the fellowship of churches was founded in 1948. He was previously dean of the Faculty of Theology and Religion at the University of Pretoria. A member of the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa, he is from South Africa. SOURCE United Church of Canada View original content to download multimedia: Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
CBC
19-04-2025
- General
- CBC
P.E.I. minister 'amazed, inspired and hopeful' after taking part in Last Supper recreation
Social Sharing A Prince Edward Island minister is part of a reimagining of The Last Supper that aims to capture the country's diversity. To mark its 100th anniversary, the United Church of Canada decided to recreate the iconic Leonardo da Vinci painting, which depicts communion between Jesus Christ and his 12 apostles. Rev. Franklyn James, the minister at West River United Church in Cornwall, P.E.I., was asked to take part in the photo recreation after presenting a report on equity in the church at its general council meeting last year. James said the church wanted to challenge the traditional image of the Last Supper, and create one that's more representative of modern times. "Here is an image of a diverse people, a diverse way of being, a diverse lived experience that can be at a table, and you are welcome at this table despite how you present yourself to the world," he said. "I see it as an invitation to anyone who would want to be a part of a community that accepts them truly for who they are." Called A Place at the Table, the photograph by Alan Lai includes 12 members of the United Church from across the country, posed similarly to the apostles in da Vinci's mural. The "disciples" come from various walks of life, including members of the Black, Indigenous and 2SLGBTQ+ communities. Notably, the photo doesn't include the depiction of Jesus in the physical form. Rather, "Christ's presence is embodied through the gathered community, underscoring the belief that faith is expressed through justice, compassion, and service," the United Church of Canada said in a news release. "The image serves as a bold testament to the Church's vision — a table where differences are honoured, diversity is celebrated, and faith is lived through shared commitment to equity and belonging." 'There was this beauty to it' The photo was unveiled at Metropolitan United Church in Toronto on Holy Thursday, also known as Maundy Thursday, which the Christian faith recognizes as the day of the Last Supper. The United Church says Holy Thursday was always about radical inclusion — Jesus sharing a meal with his followers, washing their feet and urging them to love one another. "When I [looked] at it, there was this beauty to it. There's this warm sense of being part of something greater than I am," James said. "There's a pride that comes from looking at the photograph and looking at the colour and looking at the people, and I just felt amazed, inspired and hopeful."
CBC
17-04-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Hundreds gather in downtown Toronto to protest against 'bubble zone' bylaw plan
Hundreds of people gathered outside Toronto city hall on Thursday to rally against a plan for a bylaw banning demonstrations directly outside places of worship, faith-based schools and cultural institutions. The rally, organized by a coalition of unions, community and civil liberty groups, also celebrated the 43rd birthday of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Some city councillors, including Chris Moise, Gord Perks and Alejandra Bravo, joined the rally. Rev. Dr. Paul Shepherd, of United Church of Canada, speaking in a personal capacity and not for church, told the crowd he understands the intention of such a bylaw is to protect people of faith from harassment and disruption. "Of course, nobody should be subject to hate or intimidation, but we already have laws in Canada to address these things," Shepherd said. "Hate laws, criminal harassment laws, municipal noise laws — we have laws in place." "So this proposal does not fill a gap. It creates a new gap by undermining the freedom to protest." Shepherd said he has attended many protests over the years, including ones recently against the war in Gaza. He said the proposal suggests places of worship should be shielded from the accountability that comes from protests. "But we should not confuse discomfort with actual danger," he said. "And I say this as someone inside the religious world, places of worship are not always neutral." Shepherd said he hopes council doesn't move forward with bubble zones. "Let's build a city where justice, truth and faith can all be shared space, including sidewalks," he said. According to a city council motion passed in December, the proposed "bubble zone" bylaw would create community safety zones, or "bubble zones" in front of vulnerable institutions, such as places of worship, faith-based schools and cultural institutions, as a way to protect them. The motion says the proposed bylaw would support "the City's commitment to keeping Torontonians safe from hate" and protect Charter rights "that address impacts of demonstrations that target people based on their identity as prohibited under the Ontario Human Rights Code." The issue is expected to be raised at council's meeting next week because Perks has asked city staff a number of questions about the language used in an online survey that is part of public consultation on the issue. The administrative inquiry he has submitted is on the agenda for that meeting. As well, the issue is expected to be discussed by city council at its May meeting, when city staff have said they will report back with a proposed bylaw and make recommendations. Charter rights 'not just for protesters,' councillor says Coun. James Pasternak, one of the leading voices advocating for the bylaw, said favours protecting vulnerable institutions from protests through bubble zones. He said the bylaw could be similar to those passed by Vaughan and Brampton. No details are in place for what council will ultimately vote on. Following Hamas's Oct. 7, 2023 attack on Israel and amid Israel's war on Gaza, protesters have taken to Toronto streets and demonstrated in front of hospitals, places of worship and cultural centres. "It doesn't affect the Charter right of freedom of peaceful assembly," Pasternak said of the proposal. "All it does it move people back from doorways and from blocking entrances to institutions such as abortion clinics, frontline healthcare workers or places of worship." Pasternak, who represents Ward 6, York Centre, said a "bubble zone" bylaw is valuable because it would give the Toronto police another tool as well as specific political direction from council. He added that other municipalities have adopted similar bylaws that prohibit demonstrations within 50 to 150 metres of vulnerable institutions.
CBC
17-04-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Know your riding — Canada Votes 2025: St. Catharines
Social Sharing The Liberals have held the riding of St. Catharines since 2015. Chris Bittle won that election, defeating the Conservative incumbent. Bittle will run again this federal election against Conservative candidate Bas Sluijmers and NDP candidate Karen Orlandi. The riding runs from Lake Ontario in the north to St. David's Road in the south, and Highway 406 and Twelve Mile Creek to the west and borders Niagara-on-the-Lake to the east. CBC Hamilton sent a survey to major party candidates, or their party representatives. Their responses, edited for length and clarity, are reflected below. Chris Bittle, Liberal Bittle, 46, was a lawyer before running for office. He said he has been "a strong progressive advocate" for the city since he was elected in 2015. "Canada is at a critical time, and we need experienced leadership to navigate what's to come — ensuring our workers and communities don't get left behind," he said in the survey. Karen Orlandi, NDP Orlandi, 58, is a minister at the United Church of Canada in St. Catharines. She said in the survey, if elected, she will advocate for more infrastructure projects locally to keep people working, funding for affordable homes and rental units and capping the costs of "essential" groceries. "We will work for voter reform so that you can vote for who you believe will stand up for the people of St. Catharines," she said. "I promise to listen to the constituents and amplify their voices in Ottawa." Bas Sluijmers, Conservative Sluijmers is an account manager at a local company in the Niagara region and a founding board member of Safe Families Niagara, says his campaign website. He did not respond to the survey. After a decade of ineffective government policies that have left many families struggling with economic challenges and rising crime rates, he believes bold leadership is crucial for a secure and prosperous future," the website says. "He prioritizes protecting individual liberties, ensuring economic stability, and upholding family values." Dennis Wilson, People's Party Dennis Wilson, 73, is a retired consultant with experience in systems management, finance and organizational strategy. He's running in the federal election to bring "a new way of thinking and a new set of possible solutions," he said in the survey. Also running
