Join David Rourke of RTPS (Round Table Procurement Services) on June 13, 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. EST for an information webinar about the re-imagined Buying United Program, created to support members of the United Church of Canada to meet their procurement needs beyond a selection of low-cost supplier deals. More so than in almost any other sector, the way in which non-profit organizations spend money is more critical than ever! Just finding the ‘cheapest’ option is no longer enough - making a smart financial choice includes considering quality, risk management, transparency, service, and overall cost. Learn how Buying United can help!

Meeting Structure
1 Zoom Session: 1 hours

A 4-session workshop for settlers and newcomers to explore our histories and stories. Where do we connect with the forces of colonization? What are our responsibilities to the places where we have “settled” and the people whose lives that has impacted? Where does this lead us in our discipleship?

This series, which includes a panel discussion, a book study, and your own research (we’ll help!) and sharing, is inspired by the work of Elaine Enns and Ched Myers (authors of Healing Haunted Histories: A Settler Discipleship of Decolonization). It will also feature Chinook Winds Indigenous Minister Rev. Tony Snow, United Church of Canada Anti-Racism and Equity Lead Adele Halliday, and United Church of Canada Reconciliation and Indigenous Justice Animator Sara Stratton.

While there is one registration form for the the full series, you may choose to attend only some of the individual sessions."

Program Format:
Zoom Sessions: 8 hours total

Is your congregation struggling to keep your church building? Selling your church isn’t always the only solution. What if instead you opened your doors and turned your building into a centre for your community… a place where groups of people pay you to use various rooms at various times for various activities. What if in addition to your choir practice and Sunday services your building became home to the local writers’ workshops, cooking classes, art exhibits, concerts, drop-in tutoring, monthly strata meetings, Saturday workshops, wedding ceremonies, ethnic congregations, and more?

Course Structure:

Video Lectures with Activities, Exercises, and Worksheets

Designed for self study or as a one-day group workshop – 7 hours

The hybrid church extends beyond Sunday morning. How do we spread the gospel and welcome guests in digital culture? Join us for instruction and discussion around these ever-changing best practices.

Class Format:
Self-Directed Study: 10 hours

This course is designed to help communities of faith facing challenges or barriers take the first steps on a change journey. Participants will learn to assess and contextualize their current situation and to build a leadership team to address issues. You'll see that a way forward is possible!

"Finding Your Place on the Map" is the first of of EDGE's "Signposts", but can be taken at any point in the series or as a stand-alone course.

Class Structure:
Individual Study: 5 hours

Calling all those in rural ministry! Join your colleagues on the last Monday of each month (except July and August) on Zoom for an energizing discussion of the joys and challenges of being in rural ministry, thoughtful consideration of current needs, and exploration of how to meet them most effectively. EDGE's Rural Ministry Town Halls start in January 2023 - register once to attend each of them!

Class Structure
Zoom Meeting: 1 hour

Finding Peter Bryce: Story of a National Crime is a 22 minute documentary that tells the story of an early critic of the residential school system. It can be used as a jumping off point for conversations about the role of individuals and communities of faith in responding to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's 94 calls to action.

As a sponsor of the film, Toronto United Church Council is authorized to share it at no cost with United Church communities of faith along with discussion questions and resources to facilitate conversation.

Are you excited about an idea that you've got for your community of faith? EDGE's online Idea Days are a free opportunity to practice talking about your idea to other people and to hear feedback, and to give feedback to others about their ideas. Sign up once to attend all monthly Idea Days in 2023, starting in January.

Class Structure
Zoom Meeting: 1 hour

Self-Directed: Our most flexible option, the self-directed program lets you begin and end the course whenever you’d like, and to move at your own pace through it. This option does not facilitate engagement with other learners or the instructor. Learners will have access to course materials for 6 months following the course conclusion.

Course structure:
Self-directed reading: 7 hours.