Dear Friends,
As always, thanks for taking these few minutes to catch up on important news from the Pacific Mountain Regional Council Office (this newsletter is different from the Online, Together event listings that serves to highlight community of faith events).
In this 17 November 2020 News of Note:
1. Tomorrow’s Townhall with Jason Bayassee
2. Nominations – Finance Advisory Council
3. Palestinian Network Update
4. Justice Network Input Groups
Warmly,

Tressa Brotsky
PMRC Communications

1. November 18, 1pm Townhall with Jason Brayassee

   Jason recently joined our neighbouring regional council, Chinook Winds, and folks we’re thrilled with the time spent with Jason online.  If you’re able, we hope you’ll join this inspiring conversation happening tomorrow (November 18th): Treena and Blair will be joined by Rev. Dr. Jason Byassee, who teaches preaching at the Vancouver School of Theology.  Jason will present on his forthcoming book, Northern Lights: Resurrecting Church in the North of England.  It’s about growing congregation in places where churches purportedly ‘can’t’ grow.  Some folks will know of Jason’s other books, and particularly his work with Matt Moisky in ‘8 Virtues of Rapidly Growing Churches’.  We’re excited Jason can join PMRC’s townhall this November.

Zoom links for Nov 18, 1pm PT/ 2pm MT Townhall are here on the PMRC Event page: Jason Bayassee Townhall (click to open)

2. Nominations: Finance Advisory Committee

Apply here: PMRC Nominations Application Form

The purpose of the Finance Advisory Council is to ensure the financial affairs of the Region supporting the Regional Executive priorities and goals and fulfilling all legal and moral requirements. The responsibilities of the Finance Advisory Council are laid out in the Terms of Reference which are found here (click to view download PDF).

Skills which are being sought include:

• financial management
• business experience
• investment management
• accounting experience
• property development
• not-for-profit management
• and a good understanding of the Regional Council and its mission and goals.

New members for this council will be chosen primarily on the basis of their skills and experience that will assist the Finance Advisory Council in meeting its purpose and goals. The term of this appointment will be 3 years, renewable once.

Vacancies: 3
Deadline: November 30, 2020

3. PalNetPacific Network

This note from Marianna Harris came to the office —
“Thanks so much for the Regional Town Hall centered on the e-petition. It has closed now and there were 652 signatures from BC. More importantly, between the Town Hall and the Regional meeting, many people within the Region have learned about one aspect of Palestinian life.”

Marianna Harris, Keith Simmonds and others continue to bring Palestinian advocacy, awareness and invitation to the Pacific Mountain Regional Council communities. This YouTube video (below) talks about olives and Palestinians. It’s an inspirational and educational conversation with Rev Tannous, a Lutheran pastor serving Beit Jala (near Bethlehem). He talks about the importance of the olive for connecting it relates to us in our time of disconnecting.

Many people in Pacific Mountain Regional Council buy Palestinian olive oil to support Palestinian farmers. Unfortunately some Israeli settlers attack olive trees as part of the attempt to drive Palestinians off their lands. Ecumenical Accompaniers (as Keith Simmonds was) provide a protective presence during the olive harvest. Fewer attacks happen when internationals are present. Because of COVID, there are no internationals in Palestine this year and the number of attacks has multiplied.

• Check out this website for information about the olive harvest and its challenges: Middle East Eye (click to open)
• Here is the Beit Zatoun website: great place to buy olive oil and get it shipped to you (click to open).
• If you would like to support olive farmers by buying olive trees as a gift this year visit the Gifts with Vision website: Plant an Olive Tree (click to open). The money goes through the Joint Advocacy Initiative of the East Jerusalem YM and YW to Palestinian farmers. If you would like to learn more about their work go to kuminow.com/online-archives (click to open) and search for week 52.

4. Justice Network Input Groups

The PMRC seeks to consult with folks across the regional council to help determine next steps for the Justice Network in the PMRC. Contracted by Treena Duncan on behalf of the PMRC, we welcome Janet Gray, who is coordinating this effort, and we invite your input and participation. Please read on for the hello from Janet, and share the poster with friends, colleagues, neighbours, people in your family (youth!) who may also be interested in how the United Church will shape justice ministry in our future. Click to choose a Justice Network Input Group to share your ideas! Click here to open to the date selector tool.

Greetings: My name is Janet Gray and I live in the Victoria area with my partner, Steve. Now that we are retired, we grow as much food as we can and I started a small cut flower business this past spring and summer. I have been an active member of First Metropolitan United Church in Victoria and an active KAIROS member for years.

This past August, I was asked by Treena Duncan, Executive Minister for the Region, if I would facilitate a Justice Network consultation around our Region. So far, I have interviewed people around our region, in several other regions and some in the National office and now I’d love to hear from more folks in the PMRC to share ‘what I heard’ and get some feedback from you. If you are interested in participating in one of the focus groups planned for the last week of November or first week of December for 1-1½ hours please click here to sign up.
Blessings of Hope, Peace, Love and Joy filled Justice,
Janet Gray.