Events

"RiverRunning: An Intercultural Conference" took place from November 20-22, 2009, at the University of Winnipeg, in downtown Winnipeg, Manitoba. Nearly 180 people from diverse background gathered for worship, keynote addresses, interactive workshops, creative art, music, and reflections on becoming an intercultural church.

Keynotes

• Opening Keynote [PDF: 9 pp/64 KB] by Katalina Tahaafe-Williams
• Sweet Water [PDF: 4 pp/24 KB] by Stan McKay
• Who Am I? And My Limitations [PDF: 7 pp/41 KB] by Laura Mariko Cheifetz

Worship

• Opening Worship, Friday, November 20, 2009 [PDF: 5 pp/38 KB]
• Worship, Saturday, November 21, 2009 [PDF: 2 pp/25 KB]
• Worship, Sunday, November 22, 2009 [PDF: 6 pp/39 KB]
• Our Covenant as God's Diverse Church [PDF: 2 pp/20 KB]

Photos and Video

Slideshow

• View the full photo album on Photobucket*
• Watch videos from the RiverRunning playlist* on the United Church's YouTube Channel*.

Stay Involved

• Join the Behold Facebook group
• Explore worship resources and photos from the most recent Behold, in 2011
• Order a United Church video on intercultural ministries – Our Common Vision: Becoming An Intercultural Church

About "RiverRunning"

"RiverRunning: An Intercultural Conference" used Revelation 22:1–5 as one of its key scripture passages: it is a text rich in imagery related to the river of life that flows through the city (and through the diverse peoples of the city); the tree of life that brings "healing to the nations," and the light of God.

This imagery spoke to the planning group about the local context, which is so defined by the Red and Assiniboine rivers (blessings and curses, each), the fact that 25% of North America's water flows through Manitoba, that it flows north into First Nations lands, and that the damming of the rivers by Manitoba Hydro in order to export energy south is a very current issue in the province.

RiverRunning was designed to help equip congregations and leaders for doing intercultural ministries. At RiverRunning, there was dynamic intercultural worship, practical workshops, theological reflections on intercultural issues, and opportunities for both celebration and analysis.