What are Clusters and Networks? Who’s working on them, and how do the people of the United Church in Manitoba and parts of Northwestern Ontario get involved?
First, the language:
Clusters: local (or potentially face to face) groupings of communities of faith that provide community and support for communities of faith and their leaders, and focus on worship, mission, learning, collegiality, and planning
Networks: linking people working on specific issues (e.g., supportive housing, intercultural ministry, youth ministry) or for project work (e.g., event planning) that function through the whole church, depending on the issue. These can be in part of our region, region-wide, cross Regional, or national.
Who can form either of these? Anyone. For what purpose? Anything involving community, mutual support, and the overall justice and peace mission of the church.
Here is our Fall 2021 list of Networks and Clusters. Please make sure you’re on it! Interested in starting a Network or Cluster? Confused? Have ideas to share? Please contact the office: prairietopine@united-church.ca or 204-594-8381
Funding
Funding is available to support the program work of your Cluster or Network, including support for travel, events, and supplies. Click here to access the online funding form.
Networks and Clusters News
Introducing Rural Connect interactive shared worship online!
At General Council 43, the Executive was mandated to explore ways of supporting rural churches through the use of technology. This led to the creation of the Rural Connect Project. The Rural Connect initiative uses a hub/satellite model (or a Host/Partner model)...
Introducing: United Church Rural Ministry Network
The United Church Rural Ministry Network was established in 2020 through a grant from Embracing the Spirit. There was a strong feeling that after the meeting of General Council 43 in 2018, which had committed to support rural ministries throughout the country, there...
Introducing Korean Rainbow United Network
Korean Rainbow United is a network of The United Church of Canada for Korean queer people and allies, with involvement and leadership in our Regional Council. Members of the network work along with affirming Christian alliances in Korea, as well as with the “Rainbow...
Video invitation to Affirming ministries: Let’s create together!
This is your invitation to a video project for Pride Month, June 2022! Rev Laura Fouhse at McClure United, Saskatoon, Treaty Six, writes, “I would love for all of the Affirming Ministries across Canada to send me a short and simple video clip! I will use these clips...
Photo Finish! Regional Council Snow and Ice Art
It’s nearing time to bring our lovely creativity in the Snow and Ice Art competition to a close. The equinox is drawing close, even though snow and cold across the Prairies and the North haven’t shown much sign of loosening their grips quite yet. Still, with the sun...
Snow and Ice Art- new registrants and hashtags
We're slowly expanding the circle! So far we have three teams registered, at St Andrew's United in Lumsden SK, McClure United in Saskatoon, and the United Church in Meadowood, Winnipeg MB. A bunch more are in planning, and people are trying out a lot of individual...
It’s ON! Regional Councils Snow and Ice Art Competition 2022
It’s another COVID winter and it’s all too easy to feel isolated, tired, and just blah. So, our Regional Council is joining with other Regions and holding an all ages Snow and Ice Art competition. This is your chance to dust off your creativity and your communal...
We Are All Treaty People Event report
Report: We Are All Treaty People Event – Sunday, September 19, 2021 PDF version of this article. The Winnipeg Truth and Reconciliation Cluster of the United Church writes, On September 19 of this year the We are all Treaty People event (WAATP) was presented as a...
Western Intercultural AGM plans for the future
November 2 the Western Intercultural Ministry Network held a workshop and its annual general meeting, bringing us together in community, learning, and storytelling at the end of another strange COVID year. See the workshop and AGM presentation here (PowerPoint) and...
Encountering the Intercultural Iceberg: the Clergy Collar!
Encountering the Intercultural Iceberg: the Clergy Collar! Speakers Rev Lee Spice, Rev Piotr (Peter) Strzelecki VDM, and resource people from the WIMN executive, followed by conversation and a short AGM for the Network. Join the Western Intercultural Ministry Network...
