Becoming an Intercultural Church in Western Canada/ Turtle Island
For a number of years, the United Church has pursued a vision for becoming an intercultural church, meaning that we live “together with a respectful awareness of each other’s differences. We do this by examining ourselves, building relationships, and distributing power fairly.” In Western Canada/ treaty and traditional territories, this work is carried forward in part by the Western Intercultural Network.
The Western Intercultural Network: Who are we? We are people and communities in the United Church of Canada committed to a fully inclusive and intercultural church, from northwestern Ontario to the Pacific, and north to Yellowknife. Anyone of any identity is welcome! Please see our mission statement and terms of reference here.
We’re new, trying something different as the United Church continues the major restructuring begun in 2019. We occasionally hold gatherings and online conversations that focus on the communities named above. We work in our own Regional Councils across Western Canada, and we gather as the Western Intercultural Network in person every fall. An executive from the five Western Regional Councils of the United Church offers us leadership.
Our vision of becoming an intercultural United Church encompasses:
Black people and people of colour and communities, which includes ethnic churches within the United Church, lay leaders and ministry personnel who are people of colour or Black, and more.
Indigenous people and communities, within the United Church and beyond, of all traditions.
People with disabilities/ disabled people.
LGBTQIA+ and Two Spirit people and communities.
We honour these identities, and the spaces where they intersect. Our ministry includes courageous (and awkward!) conversations about our diversity, and about the social privilege and history that hinder right relationships. We believe the Good News of Jesus Christ calls us into such conversations and relationship. To get involved with the Network, please get in touch with the Prairie to Pine office, and we will put you in touch with our Regional Council’s representatives. Their contact information is not shared here in order to protect their privacy.

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More resources
Overview of the United Church’s intercultural vision
Intercultural worship resources
Round the Table: personal intercultural reflections
Racial justice training program of the United Church (open to all); further details about the online format are here.
Deepening Understanding for Intercultural Ministry program, Canadian Council of Churches
Disabilities and inclusion
Affirm United/ S’affirmer Ensemble, the LGBTQIA2S+ and ally movement within the church
Intercultural news

Neechi Camp 2023 in partnership with Mamawe Ota Askihk at Sandy Saulteaux Spiritual Centre
August 20th to 25th, four Indigenous and four non-Indigenous youth took part in Neechi Camp at Sandy Saulteaux Spiritual Centre (SSSC). At the same time, SSSC was hosting an all ages family camp...

Canada Day 2023: 100th anniversary of the Chinese Exclusion Act
This reflection is written by Chris Mah Poy, First-Third Ministry Coordinator and Networks and Justice Support at Chinook Winds Regional Council and a successful mixed-race Canadian. Here his story...

More information, Remit on autonomous Indigenous organization
Our church is in the midst of an important journey that requires a vote from your pastoral charge governing body between now and early 2024. The Remit is a voting process which involves pastoral...

Indigenous Day of Prayer, National Indigenous Peoples Day
June is National Indigenous History Month, a time to commemorate and honour the history, contributions, and diversity of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples in Canada. The summer solstice,...

Regional letter and resource on Pride vigilance and courage
A Pride season letter has been sent to all ministries in Northern Spirit, Living Skies, and Prairie to Pine Regional Councils. In light of vandalism, and angry words sent to2SLGBTQIA+ Affirming...

Background on 2SLGBTQIA+ hate movements in Canada
This article accompanies a June 2023/ Pride season letter sent to all ministries in Northern Spirit, Living Skies, and Prairie to Pine Regional Councils. In light of vandalism and angry...

A Wonderful Celebration of a Beautiful Mural
Sunday, May 28th, Harrow United Church and the Walking Together Youth Grant Team hosted the community in a celebration of a mural that was 2 years in the imagining and the making, and well worth the...

Beautiful Mural Graces Harrow United Church
Photo: End of mural installation day. Artists & crew gather in circle with representatives of grant team, youth painters and Harrow UC to hear some of the thoughts and feelings shared by...

Community Statement Against World Unity Convoy 2023
In February 2023, Prairie to Pine Regional Council signed on to a community-based statement explaining a range of groups' opposition to a second attempt at the 2022 Winnipeg "Freedom Convoy". The...

Regional Affirming update and PIE Day 2023
To see this post in newsletter format, click here. Greetings across the Prairies and North this cold January, as the light slowly begins to return, and we continue our many Affirming journeys and...