Intercultural

Food, Food, Local Wonderful Food

Jennifer Janzen-Ball and Julie Graham share their experience of celebrating love of the soil, of God, and of humanity with Mission & Service partners in Japan.

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.

Working toward Wholeness

As a recent immigrant from Asia, Rev. SunDo Hyun finds that opening oneself to intercultural opportunities — despite the challenges — can be transforming and life-giving.

Expanding the Circle of Understanding

Rev. Dr. Alan Lai writes about how Asian Heritage Month challenges us to grow deeper into intercultural awareness and understanding.

Kendrick Lamar as Prophet

Wendy Gichuru reflects on how the negotiation of sacred and profane in Kendrick Lamar’s music contributes to the making of Black meaning.

Learning to Be Black

Rev. Andrew Kinoti Lairenge writes that growing up in post-colonial Kenya, he did not know what it was to be a person of colour or visible minority. It is in Canada that he is learning to be Black.

My History is African Centred and It’s Beautiful

Dr. Velda Love of the United Church of Christ writes that her history is African centred and it’s beautiful.

Sharing Cultures, Working for Peace

At the Minority Youth Forum in Japan, Jacob Burns and Jacqueline Warner-Smith were exposed to a struggle for justice that had similarities to the Canadian experience.

My Civil Rights Excursion

Rev. Dr. Bentley de Bardelaben-Phillips of the United Church of Christ, writes about the recent powerful tour he took with colleagues to the Alabama cities of Birmingham and Montgomery, where much civil rights history took place. 

February Isn’t Enough for Black History

Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia A. Thompson writes about the UN International Decade for People of African Descent and how it extends the opportunity to focus on Black history beyond February.

Celebrating Love, Community, and Restoration

An LGBTQ member of the United Church writes that they came to Canada with their partner to be free, yet are still not fully accepted in the church. So they never imagined their wedding would be so beautiful and noble, made so by friends and God.

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Kelsi James shares her video poem "[REDacted]," as a reflection on her experience serving as United Church oversea personnel in China. 

Sharing Our Stories, Claiming Our Names

Kim Uyede-Kai writes from the Asian Ecumenical Women’s Assembly, a “herstorical” assembly where women could hear one another’s stories be given voice, some for the first time.

To Bloom for More than a Day

Rev. Ruth Lumax reflects on how learning to become an intercultural church can help us develop into lush and vibrant communities of faith.

A Hot Pot of Humanity

Kelsi James, United Church of Canada Overseas Personnel in China, writes on her experience of finding authentic community so far from home.

Living Our Diversity

In the wake of Don Cherry’s divisive and hurtful statements, Rev. Dr. Paul Douglas Walfall asks, “Why is it that immigrants and people of colour have become the punching bag for some in our society?”

Challenging Our Assumptions

Paul Douglas Walfall writes that if we are to claim diversity, we need to challenge our assumptions about who and what is normative in Canada and in the church.

A Conversation toward Inclusion

Sharon Ballantyne shares about a conversation on inclusion, in which participants sought brave and safe space to engage with each other with all their hearts.

Good News Refreshes the Body

Working with deaf children, author Susan Lukey discovers that we lost something important in worship when the focus became words, spoken and written.

Being Together

Tom Reynolds writes that the experience of being with people with disabilities can reawaken an awareness of the deeply human condition of vulnerable interdependence.

Considering Accessibility

I have a new perspective on life.

While I am waiting for two hip replacements, my mobility is decreasing – in direct proportion to the increase in chronic pain I am managing. These two factors, along with the long wait for joint replacement in the Ontario health care system, have come… Read more

Creating Autism-friendly Worship

The Rev. Norm Seli writes about creating worship that speaks to people on the autism spectrum. 

“Allow Me to Softly Touch Your Heart” 

Participants in the Minority Youth Forum in Japan are amazed by the similarities and differences between Indigenous cultures around the world.

On Vanier, Voice, and Disability

Mandate magazine consulted people with disabilities across the church and invited them to share their experiences in The United Church of Canada.

Centring my Life

Following personal challenges and global tragedies, Japhet Ndhlovu finds fortitude and centring in God and colleagues through United Church clergy gatherings.

Welcome the Children… in their Own Languages

For Asian Heritage Month, Yoonjoo Shin, an early childhood educator, writes about the importance of having racialized educators who can embody inclusiveness for children from immigrant families.

Imagine the Lake as an Ocean

With the start of the King Street transit pilot project in Toronto, I discovered a new way to get to work. Even if it took an additional 15 minutes more than taking the tube, it was worth it to see a glimpse of Lake Ontario. Memories of Luneta Park at Manila Bay flood in as I watch the waters of… Read more

Our Diverse Heritages Are Gifts to Give and Receive

For Asian Heritage Month, YoonOK Shin writes that our diverse heritages are gifts to give and receive, transforming bleak cultural boundaries. 

Inclusion Solutions

Cameron Watts responds to the question, "How do we measure whether inclusion has been achieved?" which was raised at the 9th Annual Federal Policy Forum on Inclusion.

As Purple to Lavender

Row on row we stood… in the brand new courtyard… row on row of young girls in navy tunics or navy skirts, white starched shirts, ties, and polished oxfords. I wore my new navy blazer with its red school crest, because it was a special occasion. The Honourable Lieutenant Governor… Read more

Facing the Past, Transforming the Future

“History, despite its wrenching pain, cannot be unlived, but if faced with courage, need not be lived again.” —Maya Angelou, “On the Pulse of Morning”

Our Congregation Visits a Mosque!

The United Church of Canada has long been involved in interfaith dialogue and action to build respectful, mutual relationships. The church has recognized Islam as a religion of peace, mercy, justice, and compassion and has affirmed that we want to journey towards reconciliation,… Read more