Connect Globally

Welcome a global partner for a one-to-two-week visit, or invite one to be part of your congregation's ongoing engagement in God's mission for up to three years.

Host a global partner in your congregation, presbytery, or Conference. Build lasting relationships of love and respect that widen perspective and deepen faith. Your ministry may never be the same!

Read an article [PDF: 1 p/23 KB] about a one-month visit by Mama Nzeba from the Église du Christ au Congo to Lindsay Presbytery.

Thinking About It

Who can be involved?

The people of a pastoral charge, congregation, a cluster of congregations or presbyteries, or Conferences who want to connect directly with a global mission partner.

Why would our faith community host a global partner?

There are a lot of reasons! Your faith community will have:

• a chance to explore faith, mission and ministry from a global perspective
• an opportunity to build relationship within communities
• a challenge to explore connections between local and global issues

You will see the world through new eyes by living, working, and worshipping with global partners….

I see a relationship that looks at what can be contributed and what can be received by both parties.

Bridge Street United Church in Belleville, Ontario, received Rev. Robert Cemillan from the Presbyterian Church in Cuba in 2009

Your community can form new and lasting friendships around the world…..

May the glory of God be upon you all the days of your life! I still remember my good Canada at Mount Forest and Woodlands.

Greetings from Payman Basele from Botswana to friends in Mount Forest and Woodlands United Church in Mount Forest, Ontario

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Going for It

We've decided! How would we begin?

• Think about the issues you are passionate about in Canada (for example, poverty, agriculture, ministry with seniors, children at risk). Would like to look at one or more of these issues from a global perspective? 
• Is your congregation already involved in a particular region of the world? Would you like to deepen that involvement? Would you like to connect with another part of the world? 
• Prepare a brief proposal that outlines the purpose and goals of the visit, including a description of the local issues your group is concerned about, and identifies a tentative timeframe. (You should allow a minimum of six to eight months of planning for shorter visits, and a year to 18 months for longer ones.)
• Send the plan to People in Partnership at the General Council Office.

As the Canadian partner, what would our responsibilities be?

• Learn about the global partner's country and culture before they arrive.
• Develop a plan for ways of getting to know the global partner before they arrive.
• In consultation with the partner, plan the stay in the community, including public events, worship, and contact with other local churches.
• Arrange for billeting and local transportation during the visitor's stay.
• Develop a plan for language support and translation if necessary.
• Learn about cultural sensitivities and differences.
• Plan for an orientation to Canada and to your region.
• Share in the costs of the visit, including visa, international travel, health insurance, local travel, billeting, and a modest per diem.

What are the responsibilities of People in Partnership, General Council Office?

• We'll offer suggestions on how you might refine and develop your proposal.
• We'll connect you with a global partner of the United Church.
• We'll coordinate the visa process.
• We'll help in planning orientation.
• We'll book travel and arrange for health insurance.

What about funding?

The costs of hosting a global partner are shared between the hosting group and the Mission and Service Fund. Budget would include

• international travel costs for the visitor
• health insurance
• a modest per diem
• ground travel and accommodation during the visit

How might our congregation follow up on the visit?

• Let us know how it went!
• Study and/or act on compelling issues affecting the visitor's country and church.
• Connect global issues to the concerns of your own community.
• Stay in touch with the visitor and the partner organization.
• Try some new Bible study or worship resources that provide a global South perspective.
• Plan an exchange visit.
• Tell the story of the visit and what it has meant to your community.
• Support the global ministry of the United Church with gifts to Mission and Service.

Participate in building United Church global mission relationships!

Partnership...is grounded in the relational nature of God, who calls us into right relationship with each other, with all of creation and with God.

Reviewing Partnership in the Context of Empire (2009)

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Interested?

Find out more by contacting People in Partnership and reading the following guidelines:

• Short-Term Hosting Opportunities [PDF: 3 pp/40 KB]
• Long-Term Hosting Opportunities [PDF: 3 pp/41 KB]