What Are We Waiting For?
Advent Reflections with the Leaders of the Anglican, Evangelical Lutheran, Presbyterian and United Churches

The Rev. Dr. Bob Faris, Moderator of the 2022 General Assembly, has worked with other church leaders to prepare an ecumenical Advent program of devotions and conversations.

Every Monday during Advent, the national church leaders of The Anglican Church of Canada, The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, The Presbyterian Church in Canada and The United Church of Canada will release an ecumenical Advent meditation and conversations reflecting the four Advent themes of hope, peace, joy and love, and addressing challenges facing the Canadian churches.

Every Thursday during Advent, listeners are invited to join in a live discussion, via Zoom, with one of the leaders on that week’s Advent theme. Attendees to the gathering will be able to ask questions during the online conversation.

Logos for The Anglican Church of Canada, The Evangelical Lutheran in Canada, The Presbyterian Church in Canada and The United Church of Canada.

Participating Church Leaders:

The Most Rev. Linda Nicholls, Primate, The Anglican Church of Canada
The Rev. Susan C. Johnson, National Bishop, The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada
The Rev. Dr. Robert Faris, Moderator, The Presbyterian Church in Canada
The Right Rev. Dr. Carmen Lansdowne, Moderator, The United Church of Canada

Schedule for the Live Online Discussions via Zoom | Thursdays during Advent at 7 p.m. (Eastern)

December 1: Hope, “Signs of the Times”
In a one-on-one conversation, The Rev. Dr. Bob Faris and the Rev. Susan C. Johnson discussed the signs of the time and answered questions from participants in the live event. They discussed whether we can read the signs of our own times to understand where we are being called to be the church.

Watch the Recording of the Live Discussion

December 8: Peace, “Finding the Good Path”
Bob Faris in conversation with Carmen Lansdowne about truth telling and reconciliation with Indigenous peoples.

Three of the churches represented here ran Residential Schools. The recovery of hundreds of unmarked graves in Kamloops and in many other locations has once again shocked all of us into hearing the truth that Indigenous people have been telling for decades.

What is the path forward?

Watch the Recording of the Live Discussion

December 15: Joy, “God’s Love Includes Everyone
Carmen Lansdowne in conversation with Bob Faris about the inclusion of all in the church.

For decades, all churches have been engaged in discussion around the inclusion of 2SLGBTQI+ people. All four participating churches have taken steps towards greater inclusion, but the discernment continues.

What does it mean to include everyone?

Watch the Recording of the Live Discussion

December 22: Love, “The Cost of Discipleship”
Bob Faris in conversation with Linda Nicholls about the church’s public witness in a rapidly changing social and political context in Canada.

At times, the church is called to take positions that are not in tune with popular opinion or with other church partners.

When should the church take a prophetic stand, and are we willing to pay the price to witness to the gospel?

Watch the Recording of the Live Discussion

Click on the button above and  fill out the sign-up form to receive the meeting link for each event along with email reminders of each week’s upcoming events.

The Rev. Susan C. Johnson, National Bishop, The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada

The Rev. Susan C. Johnson

The Right Rev. Dr. Carmen Lansdowne, Moderator, The United Church of Canada

The Right Rev. Dr. Carmen Lansdowne

The Rev. Dr. Bob Faris

The Most Rev. Linda Nicholls

What are We Waiting for? – Ecumenical Advent Conversations

Informational Materials

Bulletin Insert

Image of arrow pointing downAdvent Meditation Program Bulletin Insert – Print
Image of arrow pointing downAdvent Meditation Program Bulletin Insert – Web

Poster

Image of arrow pointing downAdvent Meditation Program Poster

PowerPoint Presentation Slides

Image of arrow pointing downAdvent Meditation Program Worship Slide #1
Image of arrow pointing downAdvent Meditation Program Worship Slide #2

Ecumenical Advent Series Episode 2 Resources list from Carmen Lansdowne

Books:

True Reconciliation: How to be a Force for Change
By: Jody Wilson-Raybould

Indian in the Cabinet: Speaking Truth to Power
By: Jody Wilson-Raybould

In My Own Moccasins: A Memoir of Resilience
By: Helen Knott

A Mind Spread Out on the Ground
By: Alicia Elliott

Unreconciled: Family, Truth, and Indigenous Resistance
By: Jesse Wente

Five Little Indians
By: Michelle Good

The Marrow Thieves
By: Cherie Dimaline

Hunting by Stars
By: Cherie Dimaline

The Comeback
By: John Ralston Saul

Resources:

Sála Consulting

The Report of The Royal Commission On Aboriginal Peoples

Summary
Full

Yellowhead Institute

Movies:

Beans

Run Woman Run

Kayak to Klemtu

Podcasts:

Land Back
Hosted by: Karyn Pugliese

Small Business:

Makeup – Cheekbone Beauty

Feast Bistro – Winnipeg

Certified Aboriginal Business Program
By Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business

Ecumenical Advent Series Episode 3 Resources list from Bob Faris and Carmen Lansdowne

Resources:

Rainbow Communion
– This page contains the special committee’s final report, as well as the video resource Not All Are Welcome.

The Presbyterian Church in Canada’s Confession to God and LGBTQI People

Definitions of commonly used words in discussions about sexuality

Books:
Sex is a Funny Word: A Book about Bodies, Feelings, and You
By: Cory Silverberg and Fiona Smyth

The Queer Bible Commentary, 2nd Edition
Edited by: Robert E. Goss and Mona West, SCM Press

The Queer Evangelist: A Socialist Clergy’s Radically Honest Tale
By: Cheri DiNovo

Supplementary resources:

Celebrating Gender Diversity: A Toolkit on Gender Identity and Trans Experiences for Communities of Faith (United Church of Canada resource)

Guidance to Help Amend Policy, Procedure and Practice to Reflect the Church’s Decisions about Gender and Sexuality (Presbyterian Church in Canada resource)

If you are looking for more resources about gender, sexuality and 2SLGBTQI+ inclusion, you may contact Carragh Erhardt (Sexuality and Inclusion Program Coordinator at The Presbyterian Church in Canada).