September Greetings!

Autumn begins, school and work beckon, and we bid adieu to summer. With the change in season also come changes in schedules and a time of readjustment to our days. As we do, we bring greetings to you, brothers and sisters in Christ. The changing temperature and length of days are one more sign of the transition that Toronto Conference is in the midst of. It’s a funny thing about change. Too often we want it quick and over and done with so we can get on with things. This process is not like that. It is slow and tedious. It is massive and time consuming. It is filled with grieving and hope, challenge and excitement. As we as a Conference muddle our way through, Toronto Conference Staff are committed to supporting Presbyteries and Congregations in providing encouragement and resources to see you through this transition time and well into the future.

Rev. Darren Liepold, Conference Minister for Mission and Service Fund Support writes,
In the midst of all the changes at Conference, I have accepted a contract to promote and educate about the Mission and Service Fund. It will be my job to share with you the good news, advertise coming events, encourage stewardship activities, and raise awareness about the Mission and Service Fund. The objective for the year 2008 is $31.5 Million dollars.
Darren Liepold – Christian Formation and Congregational Development
416-241-2677 ext. 230
dliepold@united-church.ca

Rev. Susan Howard, Conference Minister – Ministries with Children, Youth & Young Adults writes,
The Very Reverend the Honourable Lois Wilson addressed the 2007 Annual Meeting gathering of Children, Young Teens and Youth. Lois challenged the young people to connect the biblical story with their lives and encouraged each of the 120 or so leaders and participants to read the Bible, know the stories and speak the Bible into and out of their lives. That challenge is what informs the choice of resources, websites and programs listed below so that the discipling of children and youth might take place and Lois’ message can be taken up as graceful invitation to more deeply understand ourselves within God’s life.
Susan Howard – Christian Formation - Ministry with Children, Youth, Camping
416-241-2677 ext. 231
showard@united-church.ca

Rev. Kerrie Perry, Conference Minister – CFCD (part-time) writes,
We are excited to offer the “SEED Catalogue” as one tool to assist you. Filled with suggestions and contact information, we hope the SEED Catalogue will be a valuable resource – one that will continue to support and fuel your ministries in the months and years to come. Whatever you are looking for – need a suggestion for small group resource? Youth info? How about mission and service or even a Stewardship campaign? It’s all here. Resources, people and more! I am excited to be part of the team that will help this catalogue come alive for you. Watch for opportunities at presbytery meetings and regional events in your area to explore the catalogue and all that it offers more thoroughly. I look forward to working our way through the exciting changes happening and living as faithful disciples of the one who loves beyond all measure. Thanks be to God.
Kerrie Perry – Conference Minister CFCD (part-time)
416-241-2677 ext. 234
kperry@torontoconference.ca

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Contents

Nurturing Spirituality
The Christian Formation and Congregational Development Committee is committed to equipping congregations to help people become more spiritually conscious, develop spiritual practices, and reflect theologically.

Evangelism
The Christian Formation and Congregational Development Committee is committed to helping congregations rediscover and re-claim the meaning and practice of evangelism – living, working for, and speaking about the radical good news of hospitality, new life, peace and justice/love that God’s spirit calls us to as individuals and as a church.

Stewardship
The Christian Formation and Congregational Development Committee is committed to helping congregations identify and promote practices of stewardship/Christian discipleship for our time.

Communication
The Christian Formation and Congregational Development Committee is committed to helping congregations develop and educate through the use of communication and networking tool.

Congregational Development
The Christian Formation and Congregational Development Committee is committed to helping individuals, lay and ministry personnel, develop leadership skills for congregational development through its programs, networks, and resources.

Mission and Service Fund

Ministry with Children, Youth and Young Adults

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Book Displays are available and can be sent anywhere in the Conference. UCRD Toll free 1-800-288-7365  or  416-253-5456
Fax      1-888-858-8358
E-Mail: ucrd@united-church.ca
Website: www.united-church.ca/ucrd/popular
Mail: UCRD, 2-25 Connell Court,
Toronto, ON M8Z 1E8 Or through our Presbytery Resource Centres
Grey            519-371-3672
Simcoe         705-428-3711 or 1-877-428-3711 (toll free)
Grand River/AVEL books and videos at Five Oaks 1-888-668-0871 or 519-442-3366  avel_booksandvideos@on.aibn.com

UCRD payments can be made by VISA or Mastercard, Church Account or cheques payable to United Church Resource Distribution

How to reach us at theToronto Conference office:
Tel: 416-241-9698 voice mail 416-241-2677 or 1-800-446-4729
Fax: 416-241-2689 or website: www.torontoconference.ca

Sue Howard - CF&CD Interim Conference minister - Ministry with children, youth and young adults, Camping 416-241-2677 #231 or showard@united-church.ca

Portia Harrison - CF&CD administrative support, 416-241-2677 #221 or portiah@united-church.ca

Upcoming Events Calendar:

January 2009

Jan. 22-26: Epiphany Explorations 2009 with Steven Lewis, Tom Long, Rita Nakashima Brock, Raheel Raza et al. First Metropolitan United Church, Victoria BC. $225. www.firstmetvictoria.com/epiphany/

February 2009

"Celebrating the Good News" Event
Saturday, February 21st, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Trinity United Church, Newmarket
Download the flyer for info and registration