The intercultural vision is about more than inclusion—it’s about a radical welcoming that calls all of us to change.
Worship Ideas
- Asian Heritage Month | A Step Nearer to Harmony (39.25 KB) (Word): A worship service for Asian Heritage Month that encourages harmonious living.
- Asian Heritage Month | Our God Goes with Us (640.15 KB) (PDF): 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.
- Beautiful and Beloved, Vulnerable and Whole (24.5 KB) (Word): A service by the Rev. Miriam Spies for Disabilities Awareness Day
- Pentecost in Asian Voices 2021 (video): A beautiful worship service for Pentecost and personal reflection conducted by United Church ministers for Asian Heritage Month. Presented in Bunun, Korean, Cantonese, Japanese, Tagalog, and English, reflecting the Pentecost vision of a common story. Subtitles in English.
Music
- Sing, Thanks to Our God (Song of Many Tongues) (73.93 KB) (PDF): A unison worship song (includes optional descant) with piano accompaniment for use during Asian Heritage Month. Written by Amy Yea Kyong Lee.
Related Material
- Acknowledging the Territory in Worship (170.12 KB) (PDF): A brief guide to help congregations and bodies of the church incorporate an Acknowledgement of Territory into their gatherings.
- Asian Cultures, Asian Heritage: This video celebrates Asian cultures within the United Church today. Asian leaders speak of their experiences in the church.
- Black History Month 2021 - Patricia Watson, Bedford United Church, Nova Scotia: For Black History Month, Patricia Watson share ways the wider church can learn from the Black communities of faith in Canada's Atlantic region.
- Black History Month Nancy Oliver-MacKenzie: Nancy Oliver-MacKenzie shares the history of Montreal's Union United Church and its long-time role in the work for social justice for the Black community and beyond.
- Questioning Worship: Engaging All God's Peoples: Sample Chapter (906.07 KB) (PDF): A resource for talking about intercultural worship; sample session.
- SCM's Disability, Faith and Justice Devotional (2.64 MB) (PDF): 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 (123.18 KB) (PDF): A Bible study for Asian Heritage Month on Psalm 141:1–4
- The Repudiation of the Doctrine of Discovery | United Church of Christ (947.4 KB) (PDF): A biblical reflection
- UN Decade for African Descent: Join The United Church of Canada and the United Church of Christ USA in promoting recognition, justice, for people of African descent.
- Voices United: Intercultural Index (24.42 KB) (Word): A listing of hymns from Voice United identified by their country of origin.
Worship Blog
Dismantling White Privilege in the Church
Executive Minister Shannon McCarthy writes about the ways she is learning to confront White supremacy in the structures of the church and paving the way for others.
Forgiveness as a Way of Life
The Rev. Marie-Claude Manga reflects on her ministry and work as an ordained Black woman with The United Church of Canada
Building a "Quilt of Belonging"
For Black History Month, Patricia Watson shares about ways to teach Black history using a variety of artistic expressions.
One Instrument in the Orchestra
Nancy Oliver-MacKenzie writes about the role of Montreal's Union United Church as a force for social justice for the Black community and beyond.
The Creator's Abundant Gifts
Rev. John Snow offers an Indigenous perspective on Epiphany season and the sharing of God's sacred gifts.
Mind-Boggling Intercultural Change and Potential
During Asian Heritage Month, Noel A. Suministrado, a United Church minister from the Philippines, sees great opportunities for the church as it opens itself to Canada’s changing demographic realities.
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