We are not alone – UCC Admissions Orientation Circle 2024

We are not alone – UCC Admissions Orientation Circle 2024

From August 12 to 23, 2024, seventeen ministers from various countries and Christian denominations, covering seven time zones, met online with facilitators from the Centre for Christian Studies to talk about the United Church of Canada and ministry in the Canadian context. All seventeen are in the United Church’s admission process for clergy from other denominations who wish to join and serve the United Church.

Some of these ministers are already in Canada, serving congregations in Toronto, Lloydminster, and Aylesford, NS. Others are preparing to come to Canada soon. And others are in the process of applying for appointments in the UCC, hoping to find a community of faith that will welcome their gifts.

This is the third time the Centre for Christian Studies has run an Admissions Orientation Circle for the United Church. The purpose of the circle is to try to establish a supportive community for Admissions ministers that they can turn to for encouragement and guidance, before or after their arrival into the United Church of Canada. The circle also tries to provide contextual tools to help Admissions ministers adapt. All of these ministers are trained and recognized by their home denominations; they don’t need to learn theology. But they might want to know about the particular ways that theological issues are engaged and expressed in the UCC. All of these ministers have an understanding of cultural dynamics and the impacts of colonization in the world; but they might want to start thinking about what racism looks like in Canada or the ways that the legacy of Residential Schools has shaped current understandings of church and mission.

Marcie Gibson and Alcris Limongi planned and facilitated the two-week learning circle on behalf of CCS (with Scott Douglas providing technical support). They introduced typical CCS tools, like learning plans, giving and receiving feedback, and lots of time to share spiritual journeys and connections to one’s own context and experience. Marcie and Alcris also drew on their own experience of the UCC to talk about the nuances of inclusive United Church culture and where that inclusivity doesn’t fully manifest itself as much as we might like.

Martin Mwale, who attended the previous Admissions Orientation Circle in 2023 and now serves a congregation in Chatham, was on-hand as chaplain to the circle, providing wisdom from his experience as one who has walked the admission path and making himself available to provide pastoral support for anyone in the circle who needed a listening ear.

CCS student Hyerim Park spoke to the group about intersectionality from her own experience, unpacking the ways that race, gender, and sexual orientation overlap in the Canadian context. UCC staff person Adele Halliday helped participants understand the UCC’s intentions to become an intercultural and anti-racist church. Reconciliation and Indigenous Justice animator Sara Stratton explained the evolving relationship of Indigenous UCC members within (and independent of) the institutional structures of the church. Participants were deeply moved by the story of the 1986 apology to Indigenous people for the church’s role in colonialism – the courage it took to request an apology, the faith it took to wait for the church to make a decision and to be prepared to dance regardless of what the decision might be, and willingness of the church to see itself in a new light.

Michael Blair, General Secretary of the United Church of Canada, joined the circle to provide an overview of UCC structure and polity, and Marlene Britton in her position as head of the UCC’s Office of Vocation, Sarah Bruer as lead staff for the admissions process, and Judy Hare as a regional personnel minister, all showed up to answer questions about the policies and procedures affecting United Church ministers. The presence of Marlene and Michael, high profile United Church ministers who also came into the UCC from other denominations, was a source of hope for many of the admissions ministers.

Martha Mutswakatira from Zimbabwe thought that the admissions process would be short. Like most of the admissions ministers, she has discovered this is not the case. George Mafuleka, who has been serving a United Church congregation in Alberta for a few months now, offered encouragement. “I know the process is tiresome and can be discouraging. Don’t lose hope.” Tee Vhembo, whose husband Webster is serving in Nova Scotia and is herself looking for an appointment, also offered encouragement. “Don’t be afraid. Everything here is good. Everything is different, but good.”

At the end of the two weeks, the most significant impact of the orientation circle was the sense of community that formed. “The network that has been built is so strong,” said Josephine Sichoongwe from Zambia. “We all needed this connection.” Jackson Chabari from Kenya echoed this. “We have become a family. This is so beneficial to me and my ministry.”

Pauline Njiru, also from Kenya, said, “This is not just a training. It is much more than that. We are journeying together. We are not alone.”

Thanks be to God.