Items on a table at Behold 2013

The intercultural vision is about more than inclusion—it’s about a radical welcoming that calls all of us to change.

Worship Ideas

Prairie Horizons Intercultural Worship: An outline for worship in an intercultural context.
2019 Black History Month: International Decade for People of African Descent: A service of Word and Sacrament from The United Church of Canada / United Church of Christ
2020 Black History Month Service: A worship service marking the legacy of slavery in Canada and the British Commonwealth with the theme of “all are made in the image of God.” By the Rev. Paul Douglas Walfall.
A History in Song: This hymn festival celebrating Black History Month could be used in the place of a sermon.
Asia Sunday 2020: In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, this Christian Conference of Asia worship service has the theme "God, Heal Us as We Are Vulnerable."
Asian Heritage Month | A Step Nearer to Harmony: A worship service for Asian Heritage Month that encourages harmonious living.
Asian Heritage Month | Centennial of Korean Independence: 2019 marked the 100th anniversary of the March 1st Independence Movement of the Korean people, who rose against colonial occupation by Japan in 1919. This worship resource can be used in Sunday service in May, Asian Heritage Month.
Asian Heritage Month | Our God Goes with Us: A worship service for Asian Heritage Month worship service this year that focuses on the United Churches of Japanese-Canadian background and reminds us that no matter where we go and whatever the future holds, we need not fear, for God goes with us and before us.
Asian Heritage Month | Rice Is Heaven: A worship service for Asian Heritage Month that uses rice as a symbol of life and harmony.
Beautiful and Beloved, Vulnerable and Whole: A service by the Rev. Miriam Spies for Disabilities Awareness Day
Celebrating the Journey worship service for Black History Month: A worship service for Black History Month.
Come, Drink of Living Water: A liturgy honouring an intercultural ministry, suitable for Asian Heritage Month.
Gathering at the Table worship service for African Heritage Month: A worship service for African Heritage Month
God Calls Us to Be Transformed: Black History Month Service: A worship service for Black History Month that calls the congregation to discomfort and transformation.
Healing Waters: Churches Working to End Violence Against Women: Worship excerpts from Healing Waters: Churches Working to End Violence Against Women
Living with Respect for Children: This worship service on "Living in Right Relationship" invites all ages to live in respectful relationship with all people and nature.
On Eagle's Wings: Black History Month Service: May we not grow weary but soar on eagle’s wings as one people, bound together in your love.
Revival out of Helplessness: Worship: A worship service on the theme of anti-racism (from Mandate, Winter 2018).
Room at the Table: A worship service by the Rev. Sharon Ballantyne for Disabilities Awareness Day
Surrounded by So Great a Cloud of Witnesses: A worship service for Asian Heritage Month that awakens the senses and celebrates diversity while seeking harmony.
Toward Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities (Mark 1:29-39): A worship service with the theme of creating a culture of mutuality and full participation for those with disabilities and their allies (based on Mark 1:29-39).
Toward Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities (Rom. 12:3–13): A worship service with the theme of creating a culture of mutuality and full participation for those with disabilities and their allies (based on Rom. 12:3–13).

Prayers

International Decade for People of African Descent: A 2020 Prayer Cycle, Part 1: A 2020 prayer cycle for the human rights and fundamental freedoms of people of African descent, part 1 (February to April).
International Decade for People of African Descent: A 2020 Prayer Cycle, Part 2: A 2020 prayer cycle for the human rights and fundamental freedoms of people of African descent, part 2 (May to July).
International Decade for People of African Descent: A 2020 Prayer Cycle, Part 3: A 2020 prayer cycle for the human rights and fundamental freedoms of people of African descent, part 3 (August).
International Decade for People of African Descent: A 2020 Prayer Cycle, Part 4: A 2020 prayer cycle for the human rights and fundamental freedoms of people of African descent, part 4 (September).
International Decade for People of African Descent: A 2020 Prayer Cycle, Part 5: A 2020 prayer cycle for the human rights and fundamental freedoms of people of African descent, part 5 (October).
Prayer for Missing and Murdered Aboriginal Women: A prayer for missing and murdered Aboriginal women, and their family and friends.
Recommitting to Justice, Equity and Peace: A prayer of confession about racial justice - for individual or community prayers

Music

Sing, Thanks to Our God (Song of Many Tongues): A unison worship song (includes optional descant) with piano accompaniment for use during Asian Heritage Month. Written by Amy Yea Kyong Lee.
Songs from Many Cultures for Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany: Hymns in Voices United, More Voices, and Nos Voix unies that offer in many languages and diverse origins.

Related Material

Acknowledging the Territory in Worship: A brief guide to help congregations and bodies of the church incorporate an Acknowledgement of Territory into their gatherings.
Advent Intercultural Hymn Festival: These songs with accompanying commentary can be combined with seasonal prayers and scripture readings to create an Advent hymn festival. Please credit Bruce Harding for this resource and the music arrangements.
Asian Cultures, Asian Heritage:
Bulletin Insert: Black History Month: Features a prayer written in response to racial tensions in North America and the 50th anniversary of voting rights marches from Selma, Alabama.
Bulletin Insert: Children’s Time for Black History Month: A bulletin insert to outline the story of The Freedom Quilt for Children's Time.
Intercultural Hymn Service: A service framed around hymns in Voices United from cultures around the world.
Questioning Worship: Engaging All God's Peoples: Sample Chapter: A resource for talking about intercultural worship; sample session.
Revival out of Helplessness: Bible Study: The story of the Samaritan woman at the well can help us reflect on racism (from Mandate, Winter 2018).
SCM's Disability, Faith and Justice Devotional: We are all made in the image of God, but people with disabilities have been excluded and shamed for who they are. This devotional from the Student Christian Movement of Canada’s asks: How should our faith shape us in this struggle?
Scripture and Incense: A Bible study for Asian Heritage Month on Psalm 141:1–4
The Repudiation of the Doctrine of Discovery | United Church of Christ: A biblical reflection
The Sound of a Church: An Intercultural reflection from a Japanese Canadian perspective, excerpted from Fire and Grace, UCPH, 1999.
UN Decade for African Descent:
Voices United: Intercultural Index: A listing of hymns from Voice United identified by their country of origin.