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The Cross on the Camino Lebaniego-A Message from Rev. Éric-Hébert-Daly
As I walked the Camino del Norte about three weeks into my journey, I was a little ahead of my projected schedule. I had previously read about the Camino Lebaniego which split off from the del Norte and traveled four days south through the Picos de Europa and takes...
A message from Rev. Éric Hébert-Daly
Friends in Christ, We are currently in the midst of a Federal Election Campaign. As we all discern the future of Canada through the decisions we will be making, it is important for us to find a way to be prophetic and pastoral in this time. There are some who would...
“We are Pilgrims on a Journey: A Lenten Message from Rev. Éric Hébert-Daly”
As the church looks back on 100 years and looks forward at the next ten, there are some stark realities we are facing. There is grief and frustration, anxiety and a feeling of helplessness. I am reminded of when Mary and Martha bemoan Jesus’ delay at the bedside of...
Elizabeth and Steve Britton Awarded King Charles III Coronation Medal for Their Work with Montreal’s Unhoused Population
Elizabeth and Steve Britton have been recognized with the prestigious King Charles III Coronation Medal for their unwavering commitment to improving the lives of Montreal's growing Indigenous and unhoused populations. For years, they have dedicated their time to...
About Us
Conseil régional Nakonha:ka Regional Council incorporates communities of faith and outreach ministries from the former Consistoire Laurentien and Consistoire du Quebec Presbytery of The United Church of Canada.
The multilingual nature of our region is an integral part of our identity. In addition to English and French, the primary languages spoken in communities of faith across the region include Mohawk, Spanish, German, Italian, Japanese (including Urdu in worship), Armenian, Hungarian, and Korean.
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A message from Rev. Éric Hébert-Daly![]()
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Camino reflection-The Cross on the Camino Lebaniego![]()
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As I walked the Camino del Norte about three weeks into my journey, I was a little ahead of my projected schedule. I had previously read about the Camino Lebaniego which split off from the del Norte and traveled four days south through the Picos de Europa and takes you to a monastery where the last large intact piece of the True Cross is kept. It is considered one of the most important Christian pilgrimage sites in the world. ![]()
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I had spent some time in some terrain where I had the marks of bramble bushes with little cuts that were healing on my arms and legs. As I examined them the day before I arrived at the turn off towards the Lebaniego, I saw two cuts on the top of my right hand near the thumb that made the shape of a cross. I figured that this was the sign I needed to make my decision. ![]()
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There is a reason that early Christians chose this site to protect the relics of the cross. The mountains are significant. The route is highly isolated and there are relatively few pilgrims on the route, even fewer from outside Spain. There are required stops for food and lodging because there are few services along the way. It is also one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen. ![]()
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Arriving at the monastery in the midst of busloads of tourists coming through, I walked into the square wearing my collar. A woman ran up to me, greeted me and asked if I wanted to join the priests to do the pilgrim mass. I told her that I was Protestant and she instead invited me to come to the chapel fifteen minutes ahead of the mass. She would clear out the tourists and give me some time alone in the 8th century chapel with the cross for prayer and contemplation. I gratefully took her up on her offer. ![]()
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As I sat alone in the cool chapel after a long hot walk, I contemplated the cross and I was overwhelmed. Let me be clear, I do not hold a firm belief in relics. In the end, the veracity of claims made about its origins are not something I have spent a lot of time considering. A relic does, however, create a physical encounter with the story of its origin. I’m convinced that items like this get imbued with the power of their story whether or not they are truly from the place they are purported to be. ![]()
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It prompted me to reflect on the horrors of empires that seek to control through power and violence. I could feel the pain and grief of those who stood at the cross with Christ. I felt a deep and direct connection to the events of Good Friday in this little chapel, alone with the cross. That experience stays with me to this day, almost as if those fifteen minutes were more clearly etched in my memory than most other things. It prompted me to feel ever more connected with seeking justice and creating space for tolerance, understanding and love. ![]()
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Sacred moments like this are key reasons why I’m a person of faith. When a connection to divine spirit can transport you through time, imbed you into an experience and all of its emotions and implications, it is harder to deny the presence of that spirit. It is impossible to deny our connection to one another as a result of the connection with the spirit. ![]()
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All of our communities of faith should be creating space for the sacred encounter and witness. We all need moments of connection and the occasional ‘reboot’ that reminds us that we are not just physical or intellectual beings. Our spiritual health and relationship to the world and all its joys and pains is not something to take lightly. In the world and the context in which we are living, it is more important than ever that we carve out some time for spirit connection and seeing the bigger picture. Time for our hearts to be reshaped and attuned to one another. I’m convinced it is what will change the world for the better and bring about the radical transformation we all need. I dream of our communities being that sacred space for connection and transformation.
Communities of faith in our region are being warned of a major Spring snow and ice storm that will take place over the next few days. Many of you have already decided to cancel your Sunday worship or switch to online services. Ultimately, this is the decision of your community of faith's governing body. As a regional council, we always encourage that safety be a major consideration as you navigate these decisions. Taking the time to discern ahead of Sunday morning will give you the time to communicate this effectively to the community at large. Whenever you modify or cancel a worship service, it is important to share this with the wider community (through a website update/social media/community bulletins/a sign on the church doors, etc) as well as informing members of your community of faith.
nakonhakaucc.ca/blog/2025/03/27/elizabeth-and-steve-britton-awarded-king-charles-iii-coronation-m...
nakonhakaucc.ca
Elizabeth and Steve Britton Awarded King Charles III Coronation Medal for Their Work with Montreal’s Unhoused Population by Avi Abrams | Mar 27, 2025 | Community & Justice Leadership, News Elizabeth...
Lunch & Learn: Getting your church on the map!![]()
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Join us on May 6th at 12:00PM EST for a 45-minute webinar that will walk you through setting-up your church’s Google Business Listing. This Lunch & Learn will offer you one practical tool you can implement today to strengthen invitation to your community of faith. This webinar will be provided in English, but content is available in French by emailing tmullin@united-church.ca.![]()
Register: united-church.zoom.us/meeting/register/RaQ37EahRj-AnyoP5rtf_A![]()
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Déjeuner et apprentissage : Faire connaitre sa communauté de foi!![]()
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Rejoignez-nous le 6 mai à 12h00 HNE pour un webinaire de 45 minutes qui vous guidera dans la mise en place du profil d’entreprise de votre église sur Google. Ce déjeuner-conférence vous offrira un outil pratique que vous pouvez mettre en œuvre dès aujourd'hui pour renforcer la présence de votre communauté de foi. Ce webinaire se déroulera en anglais, mais son contenu est disponible en français en envoyant un courriel à tmullin@united-church.ca.![]()
Inscription (anglais): united-church.zoom.us/meeting/register/RaQ37EahRj-AnyoP5rtf_A
Please note that the regional council office will be closed from December 24, 2024 until January 3, 2025. Christmas Blessings!![]()
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Veuillez noter que le bureau du conseil régional sera fermé du 24 décembre 2024 au 3 janvier 2025. Bénédictions de Noël!![]()
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#Nakonhaka #UCCan #egliseunieducanada
Merci à Roger Boisvert d'avoir partagé cette réflexion : nakonhakaucc.ca/fr/2024/12/23/noel-cest-lamour-roger-boisvert/![]()
#Nakonhaka #égliseunieducanada #UCCan
Noël, c'est l’Amour (Roger Boisvert) - Conseil régional Nakonha:ka
nakonhakaucc.ca
Noël est la fête de l’Amour. À Noël, on célèbre l’Amour gratuit, le Don de soi [...]
United Church of Canada
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- Kirchentag Brings Together Christian Faith and Societal Responsibility May 1, 2025General Secretary Rev. Michael Blair offers celebratory communion at Kirchentag festival in Hannover, Germany, on Friday, May 2
- Prayers and Solidarity in Response to the Lapu Lapu Day Block Party Attack April 27, 2025We hold the Filipino-Canadian community in Vancouver and around the world in deep concern and solidarity.
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