| |
|
» Home Page » Our Story (About Us) Web Resources (Links)Contents
These links, when clicked, will open in a new browser window. 1. United Church Links
2. Neighbouring Religious Organizations
3. Ecumenical Church PagesCeltic Christianity: This web site of Island Pilgrims is based in Victoria, BC and is dedicated to deepen our own knowledge of all aspects of Celtic Christianity and to share its rich heritage with others. Taizé is an international, ecumenical community made up of over a hundred brothers with Catholic and Protestant backgrounds, from more than twenty-five nations. At the heart of daily life in Taizé are three times of prayer together. These prayer times have become the model for Taizé services in many communities, characterized by meditation, silent prayer, and simple repetitive chant. The Women's Inter-Church Council of Canada (WICC) is a national council of representatives from 11 church partners, focusing on four main concerns of social justice, women's issues, ecumenism, and the growth of women's spirituality. World Council of Churches: The World Council of Churches (WCC) is the broadest and most inclusive among the many organized expressions of the modern ecumenical movement, a movement whose goal is Christian unity. 4. Theological and Spiritual ResourcesBeliefnet: a multifaith website with much to offe, including columnists Marcus Borg, Cynthia Bourgeault, Joan Chittister, guided meditation by Thich Nhat Hanh, and lots of information on prayer. Canadian Centre for Progressive Christianity is a safe place to explore the big questions of life, a place where every idea, concept, ritual, and belief can be examined, where that which keeps us from living life freely and fully can be set aside, and where that which is worthy of our highest ideals can be upheld and celebrated. Christ in the Desert Monastery: Beautifully illustrated with illuminated manuscript letters, this site offers chants, prayers, homilies, and information on the monastic life and guesthouse. A 34-week Online Retreat offered by Creighton University. ExploreFaith is a community of faith dedicated to sharing beliefs and experiences with anyone seeking answers to spiritual questions. Launched in 1999, explorefaith.org is a non-profit organization with a growing list of Partner Churches that support its mission and development. Resources include reviews of books, movies, reflections on the news, information on events and workshops, etc. Grace Episcopal Cathedral in San Francisco: rich resources including daily meditations, articles on selected topics, sermons etc. The Oremus Bible Browser is a useful resource to help you quickly find biblical passages in a number of different versions of the Bible. Ron Rohlheiser is a Roman Catholic priest and president of the Oblate School of Theology in San Antonio, Texas. He is a community-builder, lecturer and writer. His books are popular throughout the English-speaking world and his weekly column is carried by more than fifty newspapers worldwide. Seattle First Methodist United Church: read the fine sermons. 5. Education, Retreats, ConferencesNaramata Centre sponsored by the United Church of Canada, Naramata Centre is a place of healing, learning and retreat for the empowerment of persons, for the renewal of relationships, and for the work of justice. Queenswood Centre is a retreat, conference and education centre operated by the Sisters of St. Ann. Rivendell is a Christian community and retreat centre on Bowen Island with magnificent views of mountains, forests, and sea. Billed as a place of "peace and quietness away from the noise, distractions and pressures of the city," it aims to minister to those with limited resources and special needs. Schola Divina. Founded by Dr. Beverly Lanzetta to provide the contemplative atmosphere of the monastic setting in a modern, interfaith context, Schola Divina is modeled on the ancient ideal in which study of sacred texts and transmission of spiritual wisdom become the foundation for transformative self-study and reflection. Centre for Studies in Religion and Society at the University of Victoria offers lectures, seminars, and other events. Vancouver School of Theology at the University of British Columbia: VST is fully accredited by the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada and is officially sponsored by the Anglican, United and Presbyterian churches in Canada. The Presbyterian and United Methodist churches also have agreements with VST that recognize the qualifications of VST grads for employment in their churches. It offers a wide variety of degree and diploma programs. 6. Prayer ResourcesBeliefNet: meditations, prayers and a wide variety of spiritual resources and articles from a wide variety of faith traditions. The Contemplative Society is a modern-day "School in the Lord's Service." It is an ecumenical, not-for-profit association that encourages a deepening of contemplative prayer based in the Christian tradition, through teachings and retreats, many offered on Vancouver Island. Daily Prayer Online: prepared by Irish Jesuits, this site offers daily prayers and tips on prayer in many different languages. The Lord's Prayer: A collection of different versions. Pray the News is a website created by the Carmelites of Indianapolis. It contains resources to help you learn how to pray, a glimpse into the contemplative life, and reflections on current events. Prayer Finder: prayer of the day from beliefnet.com. World Prayers: gathering the great prayer classics from spiritual traditions around the world into a common archive for the purpose of inspiration, study and cross cultural appreciation. 7. Resources for KidsCBC for Kids offers information on programs, games, and other fun stuff for kids. Scholastic Kids is a website for children created by Scholastic, the global children's publishing, education and media company. It offers games and contests, information on books, a homework helper and more. Play: Peace Life and You is the home for kids games, comics, and teaching ideas from the United Church. Christian Kid's Links: dedicated to linking kids with Christian and other wholesome sites on the Internet, that are devotional, educational or just plain fun. Developed by Children's and Womens Health Centre and Canuck Place Children's Hospice, the Kids Support Page from Griefworks BC has information on things kids can do when they are grieving and resources that can be helpful. Raffi is an internationally acclaimed family entertainer, songwriter, author, and ecology advocate. 8. Resources for YouthThe Center for Parent/Youth Understanding is a nonprofit organization committed to building strong families by serving to bridge the cultural-generational gap between parents and teenagers. -- New! Griefworks BC: Written especially for teens, this support page developed by Children's and Womens Health Centre and Canuck Place Children's Hospice has tips and resources on helping yourself or others deal with grief and loss. The Centre for Youth & Society: Check out the healthy dating and dating abuse guides available for download from the Centre for Youth & Society. This centre at UVic focuses attention directly on adolescent health and development – within the context of the community. -- New! Youth Ministry.com: Articles, resources, conversations, mentors and more for youth and those involved in youth ministry, brought to you by the publishers of Group Magazine. -- New! 9. Sacred Music ResourcesAlice Parker, in association with Robert Shaw, created many settings of American folksongs, hymns and spirituals which form an enduring repertoire for choirs. She focuses on the heart of vocal music, the melody. Bruce Harding, church musician, composer, and church music scholar, managing director for the More Voices project. Cyberhymnal: lyrics, scores, histories and more for over 5,100 hymns from different denominations. Denis Donnelly is co-director of the Getting' Higher Choir in Victoria. He was Director for 15 years of the Victoria Conservatory of Music, leaving in 1999 to pursue his own musicianship. He has worked with many choirs and vocal groups. My arrangements are becoming popular with community choirs. His workshop on Singing the Spirit gives people an opportunity to sing spiritual songs and chants originating throughout the world. Linnea Good, singer and songwriter. Louise Rose, accomplished performer, composer, facilitator, motivational speaker and choral director and her inner city choir, The Open Doors. Oremus Hymnal: online hymnal contains texts and MIDI files of tunes used in much of the English-speaking world, with particular emphasis on the Anglican tradition. Ron Klusmeier, musician and composer of church music published by over 75 denominations and publishing companies worldwide. United Church of Canada Association of Musicians is a diverse association of people passionate about music in The United Church of Canada, Canada's largest Protestant denomination. Musicians, clergy, laity, worship committee members – all are welcome to join us as we seek to further the cause of music within the church. -- New! 10. Social JusticeAboriginal Rights Coalition BC is a coalition of aboriginal organizations, the major churches of Canada, and local community groups.ARC (BC) has a vision of a Canadian society in which First Nations are free to exercise the legal and political powers necessary to take control over their own lives, territories, and resources. Campaign Against Child Poverty is a national, non-partisan coalition of citizens from faith-groups, social justice groups, charities, child welfare organizations and others concerned about the unacceptably high levels of child and family poverty in Canada. Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives is an independent, non-partisan research institute concerned with issues of social and economic justice. Our research and analysis show that there are workable solutions to the policy questions facing Canadians today. Canadian Council on Social Development is a non-profit social policy and research organization that focuses on issues such as poverty, social inclusion, disability, cultural diversity, child well-being, employment and housing. Established in 1983, the Canadian Foodgrains Bank is a Canadian-based Christian organization that helps provide food and development assistance to people in need on behalf of 13 Canadian church members. Centre for Social Justice is a social advocacy organization that seeks to strengthen the struggle for social justice. Fair Trade Federation (FTF): an association of fair trade wholesalers, retailers, and producers whose members are committed to providing fair wages and good employment opportunities to economically disadvantaged artisans and farmers worldwide. Faith at Work is an ecumenical network of progressive Christians - plenty of spirit-filled and provoking articles. FaithTrust Institute offers a wide range of services and resources, including training, consultation and educational materials, to provide communities and advocates with the tools and knowledge they need to address the religious and cultural issues related to abuse. We are an international, multifaith organization working with many communities, including Asian and Pacific Islander, Buddhist, Jewish, Latino/a, Muslim, Black, Anglo, Indigenous, Protestant and Roman Catholic. First Nations Summit (BC) is comprised of a majority of First Nations and Tribal Councils in BC and provides a forum for First Nations in British Columbia to address issues related to Treaty negotiations as well as other issues of common concern. Kairos unites churches and religious organizations in a faithful ecumenical response to the call to "do justice, and to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God." Kairos BC is our local regional group; its website lists local events and articles. National Anti-Poverty Organization is a non-profit, non partisan organization that represents the interests of low-income people in Canada. Pov-Net: an online community of Canadian anti-poverty groups. Project Ploughshares is an ecumenical agency of the Canadian Council of Churches established in 1976 to implement the churches' call to be peacemakers and to work for a world in which justice will flourish and peace abound. Responsible Shopper reports on global research and campaign information in order to alert the public about the social and environmental impact of major corporations, while providing opportunities for consumers and investors to vote with their dollars for change. Ten Thousand Villages provides vital, fair income to Third World people by marketing their handicrafts and telling their stories in North America. Ten Thousand Villages is a nonprofit program of Mennonite Central Committee, the relief and development agency of Mennonite and Brethren in Christ churches in North America. Ten Thousand Villages has been working around the world since 1946. 11. Sustainable Travel and International Volunteering OpportunitiesAs an international volunteer with Cross-Cultural Solutions, you're making a meaningful contribution, working side-by-side with local people and sharing in the goals of a community that warmly welcomes you. Globe Aware, a nonprofit organization, currently offers volunteer vacations in Peru, Costa Rica, Thailand, Cuba, Nepal, Brazil, Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam. International Volunteer Programs Association (IVPA) is an alliance of nonprofit, non-governmental organizations based in the Americas, that are involved in international volunteer and internship exchanges. Founded in 2002, Sustainable Travel International is a not-for-profit organization, dedicated to providing education and outreach services that will lessen the toll that travel and tourism takes on the environment and local cultures. 12. Environmental Issues and Global ActionThe Centre for Earth and Spirit is a non-profit ecological learning centre in East Sooke committed to the protection and healing of Earth through fostering a mutually enhancing human-Earth relationship. It provides resources, programs and retreats focusing on an Emerging Cosmology, Earth Literacy, Sustainability and Spirituality, The Great Turning, and the Earth Charter. The Forum on Religion and Ecology is the largest international multi-religious project of its kind. With its conferences, publications, and website it is engaged in exploring religious worldviews, texts, and ethics in order to broaden understanding of the complex nature of current environmental concerns. Greeningspirit.ca is the website of the environmental task force of the Diocese of New Westminister, BC, Kootenay and the Yukon and is used by environmental stewards in parishes to coordinate a range of activites aimed at caring for creation. The mission of the taskforce is to bring environmental issues into the forefront of religious life with practical and prayerful attention to the glories of God's creation and our stewardship role. Others may find useful ideas and resources that could be adapted for their own congregations. The Regeneration Project is an interfaith ministry devoted to deepening the connection between ecology and faith. Our goal is to help people of faith recognize and fulfill their responsibility for the stewardship of creation. 13. Health and WellnessBC HealthFiles are a series of over 150 one-page, easy-to-understand fact sheets about a wide range of public and environmental health and safety issues. Canada's Food Guide for Healthy Living. Canadian Association for Parish Nursing Ministry. Chronic Disease Management has useful information designed for B.C. health care providers and individuals living with a chronic disease, as well as the latest developments in chronic disease management. Food Safety Information including safe food handling, allergies, food irradiation, trans fat fact sheets. Pharmacare subsidizes eligible prescription drugs and designated medical supplies, protecting British Columbians from high drug costs. PharmaCare provides financial assistance to British Columbians under Fair PharmaCare and other specialty plans. Spirituality & Health: The Soul/Body Connection reports on the people, the practices, and the ideas of the current spiritual renaissance; offers self-tests, guidance on spiritual practices; reviews of the latest resources for people on spiritual journeys; inspiration and insights from leading teachers, researchers, and practitioners; and a forum for the active exchange of ideas among various disciplines and communities. Vancouver Island Health Authority Spiritual Care Services is a multi-faith based service. Our trained chaplains support staff, patients and their families of any ethnic origin or religious affiliation. Victoria Hospice has provided care and support for individuals and their families facing advanced illness, death and bereavement. Our Victoria Hospice team of physicians, nurses, counselors, spiritual caregivers and volunteers provides expert physical, social, emotional and spiritual care. 14. Community ResourcesThe Inter-Cultural Association of Greater Victoria is a non-profit society that assists newcomers to settle in the Greater Victoria area, advocates for the human rights of people of all cultures and promotes public multicultural events within Greater Victoria. Parent Support Services is a non-profit, volunteer-based society with a mandate is to prevent child abuse and to promote healthy relationships by supporting parenting, families and communities. Parent Support Services is based in Vancouver, with regional offices in Victoria, the Nanaimo area, and Prince George. The Single Parent Resource Centre is committed to serving the varied and changing needs of single parent families in the Greater Victoria area. In a relaxed and supportive house-like setting, the Centre offers a wide selection of programs and free services that assist custodial and non-custodial parents in meeting the needs of their families. Outreach at the Y :The YM/YWCA of Greater Victoria, in partnership with government and community groups offers a variety of programs to assist at risk youth and families in our community. Programs include: community outreach counseling, referrals, counseling, nutritious snacks and medical assistance for street-involved youth, drug and alcohol counseling, supported independent living, youth transitional housing, work and life skills training, seasonal night shelter, and support programs for young single mothers. These youth outreach programs are based on voluntary participation and are offered free of charge. Parent Support Services: Their mandate is to prevent child abuse and promote healthy parent-child relationships by providing parenting, families, and communities with support and information. TAPS (Together Against Poverty Society) provides free, face-to-face advocacy for people in Victoria with income assistance, disability benefits and tenancy issues. Victoria Cool Aid Society: Building hope, lives and community since 1968 through a wide range of social and health service programs including affordable housing, emergency shelters and community health services, the Victoria Cool Aid Society provides support to those who need it most. Victoria Native Friendship Centre is dedicated to improving the quality of life for Aboriginal people in the Greater Victoria area, through programs in career, employment and education, culture and community relations, youth development, housing, infant and early childhood development, and health and family services. 15. Crisis ServicesGrief and Loss Resource Centre provides a place where the issues of grief, grieving, transition, recovery and healing are addressed Grief and loss are an equal-opportunity affliction. These losses and griefs include trauma and stress as well as the changes in our lives such as puberty, graduation, marriage, new job, lost job, new baby, moving, divorce and so on. Resources for ministers, police, EMS personnel, doctors, nurses, counsellors, and other professionals are also provided. Griefworks BC, a partnership of Children's and Womens Health Centre and Canuck Place Children's Hospice, provides resources and tips on helping yourself and others deal with grief and loss. Special pages address the needs of adults, teens and children. Island Pastoral Services Association: Through its staff and qualified contract and volunteer counselors, IPSA, Christian, inter-denominational agency, provides pastoral counseling to any individual, couple or family in distress. Counseling is provided on a sliding scale fee for service basis. Our staff will provide information about costs on request. BC/Yukon Alcoholics Anonymous. AIDS Vancouver Island (AVI) is a community-based organization with offices in Victoria, Nanaimo, Courtenay and Campbell River providing education, support, and advocacy for people infected and affected by HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis C, and other communicable diseases throughout Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands. It operates a mobile needle exchange service in the Cowichan Valley and Port Hardy area. Sandi Merriman Centre (for Women) Located at 809 Burdett Street, 480-1408. This women's only shelter provides 15 safe and supportive shelter beds, hygiene services and drop-in facilities for women including counseling and access to health care for those who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. For more information go to www.coolaid.org. Streetlink, located at 1634 Store Street, 383-1951 is a 55 Bed emergency shelter for temporarily or chronically homeless adults. Clients receive meals, referrals, hygiene services, mental health services, housing advocacy, community liason, and crisis and lifeskills counseling. For more information check out www.coolaid.org. Need Crisis and Information Line provides emotional support, crisis intervention services and community resource information to those in Greater Victoria, Port Renfrew, and toll-free from the Southern Gulf Islands (1-866-368-6323 on the west coast of British Columbia, Canada. Our 24 hour line is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Our youth line is staffed by youth, for youth and is available from 4:00 to 10:00 p.m., 7 days a week. Our Place is a new nonprofit society formed by the alliance of the Open Door and The Upper Room. We are currently building a new facility to help those in need in Victoria's inner city which will be finished in the fall of 2007. We provide transitional housing, meals, support and advocacy, hygiene facilities, training and more. We are striving to give people a hand up, not just a hand out. 16. Recommended Speakers and AuthorsLloyd Axworthy, eloquent statesman, Nobel Peace Prize nominee, former Minister of Foreign Affairs, President of the University of Winnipeg, and author of Navigating a New World: Canada's Global Future. Marcus Borg, Professor of Religion and Culture at Oregon State University, leading historical Jesus scholar, and author of twelve books including Meeting Jesus Again for the First Time, The God We Never Knew, and The Heart of Christianity. Conrad Brunk, Director of the Centre for Studies in Religion and Society at the University of Victoria specializing in social ethics and applied professional ethics, teacher and writer on issues related to technology and society, peace and conflict studies and ethics and public policy. Fred Craddock was selected by Newsweek as one of the 12 most effective preachers in the English speaking world. His books on preaching include As One Without Authority, Overhearing the Gospel, Craddock Stories, and The Cherry Log Sermons. He is the founding pastor of Cherry Log Christian Church and the director of the Craddock Center, a program for serving the needs of people in Southern Appalachia. John Dominic Crossan is Professor Emeritus of Religious Studies, DePaul University, Chicago. He has written twenty books on the historical Jesus in the last thirty years, four of which have become national religious bestsellers: The Historical Jesus (1991), Jesus: A Revolutionary Biography (1994), Who Killed Jesus (1995), and The Birth of Christianity (1998). Senator Roméo Dallaire served for 35 years with the Canadian Armed Forces, retiring with the rank of Lt. General. His award-winning book Shake Hands with the Devil is a stirring account of his experience as the Force Commander of the United Nations Mission to Rwanda and exposes the failure of the international community to stop the horrible genocide in that country. His areas of focus, shared with audiences around the world include leadership, conflict resolution and ethical and moral decision-making. Derek Evans was Executive Director of Naramata Centre, one of Canada's foremost education and retreat centres, former Deputy Secretary General of Amnesty International, and a long-time worker in peace and human rights throughout the world. He is author of Before the War: Reflections in a New Millennium. Derek offers a new model for practicing reconciliation in group and community contexts. Sallie McFague, distinguished Theologian in Residence at Vancouver School of Theology, formerly Carpenter Professor of Theology at Vanderbilt Divinity School and author of The Body of God and Life Abundant: Rethinking Theology and Economy for a Planet in Peril. Nancy Reeves, registered clinical psychologist specializing in the area of trauma, grief and loss, author of I'd Say Yes God if I Knew What You Wanted and Found Through Loss: Healing Stories from Scripture and Everday Sacredness. Richard Rohrbaugh, Paul S. Wright Professor of Religious Studies, Lewis and Clark College, Portland, internationally recognized for his work in the social-scientific criticism of the New Testament and author of six books including Social Science Commentary on the Gospel of John (with B.J. Malina), The Social Sciences and New Testament Interpretation, and The Biblical Interpreter: An Agrarian Bible in an Industrial Age. Joyce Rupp, internationally known speaker and retreat director, author of numerous popular books including Praying Our Goodbyes, May I Have This Dance?, Dear Heart, Come Home and The Circle of Life. Flora Wilson Bridges is a theologian and ordained minister in the National Baptist Convention. She is an Associate Professor at Seattle University, in both the School of Theology and Ministry and the Theology and Religious Studies Department. She teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in African-American religious expression and spirituality; and graduate courses in ministerial and theological integration, group effectiveness skills, and ministry in a multicultural context. She is the author of Resurrection Song: African-American Spirituality. 17. Books, Magazines, Movies, and other ResourcesContemporary Christian Music Magazine has music, photos and forums as well as information on the current edition of the magazine. Geez Magazine has set up camp in the outback of the spiritual commons. A bustling spot for the over-churched, out-churched, un-churched and maybe even the un-churchable. Hollywood Jesus: Pop culture from a spiritual point of view. Includes reviews of movies, music, television etc. Image: A Journal of the arts and religion. Interview with Jesus (Requires Flash plug-in). Sojourner's Magazine, a Christian, justice-oriented magazine; subscribe or read the many online articles. Spirit Connection is an award-winning television program produced by The United Church of Canada at Berkeley Studio and broadcast from coast to coast each week on VisionTV. Tapestry is a weekly exploration of spirituality, religion and the search for meaning broadcast on CBC Radio One each Sunday. United Church Resource Distribution online catalogue of resources United Church Kamloops-Okanagan Presbytery Resource Centre |
| © Copyright 2008 First†Metropolitan United Church |
Contact our Webmaster Developed by MorethanSolutions.com |
| Last Update: Tuesday, April 15, 2008 |