Sharing stories of life, faith, and ministry in the United Church and beyond.

Ever so often in the church I hear statements and experience attitudes that cause me concern. One such incident occurred recently in response to the outcome of Remit…

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Mission before Ministry?" href="/blogs/round-table/mission-ministry"> A fork in the road in foggy, autumn hills.
Practicing Good Relations" href="/blogs/round-table/practicing-good-relations"> Two young Indigenous women, Nicky McKay (left) and Sam Miller (right) are part of the United Church dialogue on reconciliation in Australia.

Last summer, I spent three memorable hours in prison. I had not been arrested.

Three Hours in Prison" href="/blogs/round-table/three-hours-prison"> A maximum security prison in the Philippines, ringed with barbed-wire.

Earth Hour—Saturday, March 24, 8:30 to 9:30 p.m.—marks its 12th edition this March.

I remember that first gathering in a darkened Church of…

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Earth Hour: In Seeking Hope, We Are Making a Difference" href="/blogs/round-table/earth-hour-seeking-hope-we-are-making-difference"> Earth pictured from space, facing South America and the Southern Hemisphere.
Greenhouses of Hope" href="/blogs/round-table/greenhouses-hope"> A view inside a greenhouse, captured within a circular frame.
It was a rare privilege to travel to Zambia in February 2018 for a Mission & Service–sponsored partners’ meeting dubbed “the Indaba” (Zulu for consultation or…
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Zambia Consultation Brings United Church Partners Together" href="/blogs/round-table/zambia-consultation-brings-united-church-partners-together"> United Church and Zambian partners gather in a circle for a "string exercise" passing a ball of string to each other and forming a web that symbolizes connection.

Why did I write a worship service and sermon for Black History Month? It’s a difficult question to answer. I was filled with excitement and dread at the prospect. I…

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Why Did I Write a Worship Service for Black History Month?" href="/blogs/round-table/why-did-i-write-worship-service-black-history-month"> Black Lives Matter supporters march at Toronto Pride 2016, beneath a large Canadian flag and flags representing the Trans movement.

Full disclosure. I am a Black man. I was born in Jamaica and I am an immigrant to Canada. Having served as an ordained minister of The Methodist Church in the…

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Practicing the Inclusion We Preach" href="/blogs/round-table/practicing-inclusion-we-preach"> Rev. Paul Douglas Walfall in his clergy robes, presiding over a meeting in the United Church's Alberta and Northwest Conference.

The Healing Fund has the privilege of supporting many…

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Healing Ourselves – Helping Each Other" href="/blogs/round-table/healing-ourselves-helping-each-other"> A group photo of members of the Naandwindizwin-Wechihitita Residential School Survivors Support Group together in a park.

I don’t know about you, but at our house we are preparing to begin binge watching the Olympic coverage starting this weekend. I am generally not a big sports fan,…

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Speed Skating Lessons" href="/blogs/round-table/speed-skating-lessons"> United Church pastor's kid Bob Donnelly, seen here skating around the track, is going to the Olympics as a speed skater.