Minister's Message for Saturday, August 2nd

[Rev Alison Mock]

Dear YKUC Friends:

Usually I begin these missives by complaining about the heat in Southern Ontario. Spoiler alert, it's still hot, though not AS unbearable as it was for most of July. Today, however, as much as I miss the NWT (I can't believe I'm missing Ramble & Ride), I'm happy to be in Ontario because it's PEACH season! My favourite time of year. I'll spare you the photos of the juice running down my chin, and just tell you that if this email gets cut short, it's because I had to run to the store for MORE PEACHES! I know, I know - it's still rhubarb season up there! Small comforts.

I'm so happy to share a few updates about my schedule. As you all know, I've spent this last "rotation" working remotely, when the intention was that I was supposed to be up north with you for the summer. Life is slowly getting back to normal after my parents' healthcare crisis, and I'm delighted that I will be able to spend a week visiting you all! My intention is to be in Yellowknife from Saturday, August 9th until Sunday, August 17th. Then, my calendar will resume its regularly scheduled programming. I'll be back up north for 6 Sundays starting September 21st, and we'll go on from there. A revised "Where's Alison?" calendar is attached to the bottom of this email.

I'm also really excited to share with you that we have a guest minister coming to YKUC to cover my vacation and study leave from August 14th-September 21st. Rev. Beverly Brazier is well-known to some of the folks at YKUC. She served Whitehorse United Church for many years, and after retiring, served Pool's Cove United Church in Newfoundland. YKUC knows Bev from Northern Lights Presbytery days, particularly through her dedicated work on the Pastoral Relations & Oversight teams. I first met Bev when I was a Student/Intern in Alberta Northwest Conference, and have come to know her as a good friend and mentor. She and I trade resources from time to time, and I greatly admire her skills in the pulpit. I've learned TONS from Bev, and I can't wait to have the chance to work with her, and have you learn from her. Bev and I will share leadership on the "first and last" Sundays of her visit. And, she'll be back again later in the fall to lead you through Advent & Christmas (I plan to alternate Christmas seasons, and have Christmas In Yellowknife 2026 on my calendar).

This Sunday, I have one more video appearance for you. Laurie Gault will be our in-person worship leader, and I'll offer a sermon on Luke's parable of the Rich, Foolish (and Dead) Man. I have to say I'm having a blast with these video sermons, it's so much fun to talk to you in this way. I know that nothing beats in-person, but on the bright side, I get to do a second take if I make a mistake! This week is a slightly uncomfortable topic (money) - so here's a comic to lighten the mood:

For those of you looking for last week's reflection on the Lord's Prayer, you can find the link to it here:

The Lord's Prayer 

Finally, General Council 45 starts this week in Calgary! For those of you new to the United Church of Canada, the national court of our church meets every 3 years (the intervening years called the triennium). This meeting addresses proposals brought forward from the various regions of the church, and also elects a new Moderator, our spiritual leader for the next three years. The meeting is presided over by our current Moderator, the Right Rev. Carmen Lansdowne. Several of the candidates for moderator are well-known to me, including Rev. Dr. Cheri DiNovo, and the GC worship is being headed up by my dear friend, the Rev. Dr. Miriam Spies. Our very own Karen Wilford will serve as a commissioner to GC from Northern Spirit Regional Council. If you're a church-geek like me, you might want to watch some of the proceedings, and you can do that here:

General Council 45

That's it from me this week. I look forward to seeing you on screen tomorrow, and in person next Sunday!

Love

Alison

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Rev. Alison Mock

Minister, Yellowknife United Church

5403 - 50 Avenue (Franklin Ave)

Yellowknife, NT

Mobile: 647-287-4489

Church Phone: 867-873-6291