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April 15, April 22, April 29 1:30 – 3:15 pm ET / 10:30 am – 12:15 pm PT
Course Description
Retiring is one of the major transitions in our lives, and like all transitions it raises many spiritual questions. We often find ourselves asking questions about identity, purpose, and value. As the day comes closer we can be both excited at the prospect of having more unstructured time to spend with family members or on other life passions, but also anxious about how to plan for and cope with the inevitable losses.
Ministers and church leaders also often experience a perceived loss of community status, and sometimes loss of many of the social networks that helped us to stay grounded. In the midst of the losses, the uncertain in-between times, and the new beginnings, there are important spiritual questions to ask and dilemmas to prepare for.
Join us for a three part series:
- Part 1– Endings. The Exodus
- We’ll spend some time articulating the variety of things that are coming to an end — the things we’re relieved to be letting go of, and the things we’ll miss the most — and take some time to compare this to other life transitions we’ve already been through. What helped us cope then? Where was God in those earlier transitions? What can we learn from other transitions that help us find meaning in this one?
- Part Two — Life in the Wilderness
- Almost nobody ever moves immediately from ending to new beginning; the time in-between is often the most uncomfortable, and yet the most creative part of the whole transition. We’ll reflect on what the Israelites learned between the Red Sea and the Jordan River, and how that might offer some insight into managing the chaos and anticipation of the in-between time
- Part Three — The Promised Land
- Crossing the Jordan River brought the Israelites all sorts of new possibilities, and some new structure and regularity to their lives. But there were struggles too; things they weren’t expecting; things that surprised them; things they’d never planned for. We’ll explore how their journey into Promised Land can be a fruitful metaphor and guide as we plan for the unexpected in the next stage of life.
Cost: $29.99 for the series — $5 discount if you pay online
Recordings
All these sessions will be recorded, and will be available in our Recorded Webinars section. Click HERE.
Leader
| Sheila Macdonald Macgregor has served as an ordained minister in the United Church of Canada for more than 30 years. She holds an M.Div from Princeton Theological Seminary and a D.Min from McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago, where her research focussed on spirituality in the second half of life. Sheila is the author of Re-designing Your Life: A Practical Spirituality for the Second Half of Life, which was generously supported by a McGeachy Senior Scholarship from the United Church of Canada Foundation. |
| Praise for Re-designing Your Life: A Practical Spirituality for the Second Half of Life “A timely book for us baby boomers who are seeking to live our final chapters with personal and spiritual integrity. Macgregor shares relatable stories in clear and deeply personal ways, introduces great resources for aging well, dusts off biblical sign posts to help us rediscover the kingdom of God within and makes the renovating of our lives feel much less lonely. A fine resource for both personal reflection and group discussion.” — Mardi Tindal, former Moderator, The United Church of Canada “In a culture yearning for meaning and purpose, Sheila Macgregor offers us both. This book brings the wisdom of the ages to those of us seeking the way through the second half of our lives in compelling and practial ways. It will certainly shape the way I live my life going forward.” — Rev. Dr. Jeffrey Japinga, former Dean, Doctor of Ministry Program, McCormick Theological Seminary |
 In 2002 the Executive of the General Council of the United Church of Canada, established the United Church of Canada Foundation. Now, 19 years later, it is an independent charitable organization that expertly manages the trusts and endowments that benefit The United Church of Canada, its communities of faith and related organizations. The Foundation was kickstarted by over 250 Founders – individuals and organizations who believe in the work of the United Church – each made gifts of over $1,000. The United Church of Canada matched those generous gifts with significant support from a significant bequest. The Foundation believes that the United Church has an important role to play in the world’s future and together can continue to change Canada for the better, strengthening congregations and following the words of A New Creed: “To live with respect in Creation, to love and serve others, to seek justice, and resist evil.”. The Foundation’s mission is to help generous people sustain the work of The United Church of Canada, its congregations and its partners, in life and beyond; empower individuals and congregations who are looking to invest in the future of the church make meaningful impacts for years to come; and support new initiatives, ministries, and programs that enrich the church through its extensive granting and award program. Thanks to the generosity of donors, today the Foundation makes grants totalling over $6.5 million dollars in yearly in support of leaders, projects across Canada, and our shared denominational work. To learn more about the Foundation please visit their website https://www.unitedchurchfoundation.ca/. | The McGeachy Senior Scholarship Thanks to generous donors who believe that academic study and education is important to the growth of the United Church of Canada, The United Church of Canada Foundation offers various academic award and scholarship opportunities. These awards are available to United Church ministers, ministry students, and lay people. One of these scholarships is The McGeachy Senior Scholarship. The estates of William A. and Margaret H. McGeachy, an agricultural family in southwestern Ontario, established a fund and this scholarship through a substantial bequest. The intent of the scholarship is to develop leaders who will provide The United Church of Canada with discernment and direction that inspire and challenge the church towards creative and faithful mission. The aim of this scholarship is to serve the church as well as the individual doing the project. McGeachy Scholars are expected to express the prophetic vision of the church and to interpret Christ’s call to justice and peace in our pluralistic world. To learn more about this award and read the works that it has supported visit the foundations website here https://www.unitedchurchfoundation.ca/grants/education-based-grants/. |
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