Learning Opportunities Archives - Western Ontario Waterways Regional Council

A Summer Sabbath Resource Gift for You!

Michele — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 19:21:49 +0000

A Gift for You from the Regional Council

Free Resource
for Summer Sabbath:

The Inventions of Summer

The poet, Mary Oliver, declares “there is no end to the inventions of summer”.

As we anticipate the gifts of summer, your Regional Council is pleased to provide you with a free resource.

Inventions of Summer

A simple, creative, theologically rich companion for a Summer Sabbath
or Worship Series for your Community of Faith
This four-week, ready-to-use Summer Sabbath booklet and worship series invites us to enrich our summer through simple reflections on sunflowers, string beans, mosquitoes, and fireflies.

Designed for Flexible Use

Print and share with congregants to keep community if your church takes a summer break.
Use and adapt as a creative Summer Worship series with ready-made reflections and prayers for Communities of Faith.
Easy-to-use four week worship resource for Communities of Faith without ministry leadership or when leaders are on holiday or study leave.
Use as personal or family summer spiritual practice on vacation, at the cottage, or for stay-at-home vacations.
Enjoy in Small Group gatherings on decks, beaches or gardens.

What You Receive

Print-ready PDF booklet (8 double-sided pages)
Editable Word file to personalize the booklet for your community of faith or to share with friends (includes space for your personalized welcome/greeting to your congregants)
Permission to print and share freely within your community
Additional Worship Planning Notes with prayers, blessings, music suggestions, and ideas for preparing your worship space.
A short introductory video and theme photo for use in bulletins or on social media.

The Four Themes
1. Sunflowers – Pronouncing a Blessing
Receiving the day and affirming Goodness.
2. String Beans – Taking Up the Offerings
Thanksgiving and returning blessing to Earth.
3. Mosquitoes – Praying Through Hard Times
Honest prayer when life irritates or wounds.
4. Fireflies – Praying for Others
A practice of carrying others in Love.

This resource is made available to you through a Regional Group License
with Prayer Bench at www.prayerbench.ca

Watch Video Here

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Registration is now open for the WOWRC Spring Meeting

Michele — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 14:57:29 +0000

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Towards 2035 Townhall Meetings

Michele — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 18:38:09 +0000

Towards 2035 Townhall Meeting

You may have seen the presentation at the Regional Councils fall meeting…you may have heard about it from a colleague or fellow congregation member…you may have seen the General Council resources for Communities of Faith…you may be asking yourself “What does this all mean?”

Please join me (Executive Minister Mark) for a time of conversation, and answering questions of what does Towards 2035 mean in your local context, and what resources are needed for us to be this group of:

resilient, inspired, diverse contextual communities of disciples

seeking to continue the story of Jesus

by embodying Christ’s presence in the world!

These sessions are open to clergy, lay reps, chairs of boards/council’s congregation members. Please register for a time at fits your schedule:

Wed April 29th 7-8:30pm

Wed May 6th 7-8:30 pm

Tues May 12th 1:30-3pm

Blessings,

Rev. Mark Laird
Executive Minister, Antler River Watershed, Horseshoe Falls, Western Ontario Waterways Regional Councils of The United Church of Canada
mlaird@united-church.ca

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WOWRC Fall Meeting Registration Now Open!

Michele — Thu, 09 Oct 2025 20:45:23 +0000

Click Here to Register Now for the WOWRC Fall Meeting

President’s Invitation:

Hello everyone!

Today is my birthday (52 in case you were wondering). As such I would love to invite you to an online party November 7th and 8th! Okay, well, maybe not a party but there is lots planned so register soon, registration is open now for our Fall WOWRC meeting. Totally on line so you can join from the comfort of your own space and sleep in your own bed, though it also means you have to make your own meals and there is no book store to browse unless you go to the United Church Resource page (https://ucrdstore.ca/).

Come and join me as I fumble my way through chairing my first regional meeting.

See you all there!

Rebekah Duncan

President, Western Ontario Waterways Regional Council of the United Church of Canada

October 9th, 2025

Western Ontario Waterways Regional Council

“Growing our Community”

Welcomes you to the 2025 Fall Gathering!

Online via Zoom

WOWRC Fall Meeting (online): November 7th-8th, 2025

Friday November 7th: Time 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm

Saturday November 8th: Time 9:00 am – 3:00 pm

Saturday November 8th: 4:00 pm Celebration of Ministry

Celebration of Ministry Service:

Saturday November 8th at 4:00 PM

Westminister United Church

247 Broadway, Orangeville, ON L9W 2Z5

Celebrant(s): To be announced

In-person at Westminister UC & YouTube Livestream

Meeting Resources as they become available will be posted here:

Western Ontario Waterways Regional Council Fall Online Meeting Information

Meeting Target Dates:

Registration Opens: Thursday October 9th (no registration closing date required)

Complete Workbook and Zoom Link: Wednesday, November 5th

Note: Meeting Information will be posted on the website as it becomes available HERE

Meeting Dates:

Friday November 7th: 6:30pm – 8:30pm Online via Zoom

Saturday November 8th: 9:00am – 3:00pm Online via Zoom

Celebration of Ministry Service: Saturday November 8th 4:00PM

Post Meeting Feedback Survey – Monday November 10th via email

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The Climate Express

Michele — Tue, 29 Jul 2025 13:56:26 +0000

The Climate Express leaves on it’s journey to GC45 on Wednesday July 30th, follow along here:

https://www.polarsteps.com/ClimateExpress/19256495-climate-express

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Discernment Retreat

Michele — Mon, 21 Jul 2025 17:47:23 +0000

Discernment Retreat

Date: Saturday September 20, 2025

Time: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Place: Grace UC, Hanover

Cost: $25:00

Led by: Betty Pries of Credence & Co.

Register Now Here – Registration Form

Space is limited to 50 people. Please register early to ensure a spot.

Part 1:
Nurturing a Spirit of Discernment in Congregational Decision-Making

Congregational discernment differs from decision-making in critical ways. When a spirit of discernment and listening for God’s leading precedes the decisions that congregations must make, these decisions are more robust and more grace-filled. This session defines discernment and decision-making, offers strategies for discernment, and explores spiritual practices to undergird congregational discernment practices.

Part 2:
Leading Discernment Conversations

This theme considers key strategies critical for those leading discernment conversations: Clear purpose and focus questions, an agenda that moves items naturally from introduction to discernment to decision, tools for building buy-in, momentum and consensus, alongside effective strategies for engaging participant comments (including those that are experienced as less-than-helpful).

Questions about this event can be directed to John Neff, Congregational Support Minister at JNeff@united-church.ca

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WOWRC Spring Meeting Registration Now Open

Michele — Tue, 04 Mar 2025 18:32:02 +0000

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Ontario Election – Workshop and Relevant Issues

Michele — Wed, 12 Feb 2025 23:02:54 +0000

Ontario Election 2025:

More than Tariffs A panel discussion

Sunday Feb 23, 3:00-4:15 PM EST on Zoom

Information to help you faithfully discern your vote and continue advocacy after the Feb 27^th election.

Brief presentations by five panel members on selected topics.

Panelists will respond to questions from the audience.

Advance registration required:

https://united-church.zoom.us/meeting/register/Pfy-0rDhQt-l-V5KqspFkw

For more information contact:

Thérèse Samuel tsamuel@united-church.ca and John Egger jegger@united-church.ca

Moderator:

Rev. Éric Hébert-Daly serves as the Executive Minister to ECO and EOO Regional Councils in Eastern Ontario. He was ordained in 2020. He served for 5 years as Responsible, Ministries in French, for 9 years as the National Executive Director of the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society. Éric spent 17 years working in federal political circles and 7 years as a registered lobbyist. He also brings a hope-filled passion for the church.

Panel Members

Charles Barrett is a retired economist, who was actively involved in policy dialogue in North America, and the Asia-Pacific region in international economic relations, human resources development and capacity building. He has broad research experience and has written extensively on Canadian and international policy issues. He is a member of Riverside United Church, Ottawa and Eastern Ontario Outaouais Regional Council.

The Rev. Dr. Jessica Hetherington is an ecotheologian and ordained minister in the United Church of Canada. Working at the intersection of ecology and theology for 20 years, she inspires people of faith to transform their actions in response to the climate crisis. She currently serves as commissioner on climate justice with the World Council of Churches and the World Communion of Reformed Churches. Sign up for her weekly newsletter: Faith. Climate Crisis. Action. (https://jessicahetherington.substack.com/).

Bryan Smith is a long-term member of the Oxford Coalition for Social Justice, an organization committed to work and advocacy on a wide range of social and environmental issues locally in the County of Oxford and across the planet. It stands in for the Ontario Health Coalition and stands up for public health. Bryan is a retired teacher, and is active in providing school lunches and community dinners, and promoting local foods, the avoidance of waste, community events, and public health.

Rev. Jeffrey Dale (they/he) is the Minister at College Street United Church in downtown Toronto. Jeffrey is a harm reduction advocate and community educator, working with harm reduction advocacy groups throughout the Province of Ontario to educate communities of faith and the wider society regarding the needs of people who use drugs.

Rev. Susan Eagle is the minister at Grace United Church in Barrie. She chairs both the Ecological and Social Justice Commission for Shining Waters Regional Council, and the Steering Committee of the provincial interfaith coalition, ISARC, which does policy analysis and advocacy for income security, homelessness and employment rights. She has worked with newcomer and low-income individuals and sole-support families as a community outreach worker, and served on London City Council for 13 years.

This workshop is presented by the Social Justice Network of Ontario Regional Councils (SJNORC) with representation from Eastern Ontario Outaouais, East Central Ontario, Shining Waters, Canadian Shield, Antler River Watershed, Horseshoe Falls, Western Ontario Waterways and Prairie to Pine Regional Councils of The United Church of Canada.

Engage, Pray, Vote.

Effective Transitional Leadership Training Course

Michele — Tue, 21 Jan 2025 19:47:40 +0000

A Unique Learning Opportunity for Lay Leaders and Ministry Personnel in ARW, HF and WOW

The Effective Transitional Leadership (ETL) Training Course has been designed by the Interim Ministry Network to support the work of ministry personnel and lay leaders in congregations experiencing change and transitions.

This training will be held on the following dates:

March 6, 13, 20 and 27th
Time: 1:30 PM – 4:30 PM EDT via Zoom
Instructor: Pegi Ridout

This is a fantastic opportunity you to enhance your leadership skills.

What are the intended outcomes of ETL?

understanding change theory and how to apply it in transitional times
feeling more competent in the role of a transitional leader and facilitator for the work of your congregation
being equipped to manage both yourself and your congregation in the midst of conflict
practicing transitional leadership, using tools designed to guide a congregation through a transition
applying your learnings, using case studies and reflection on your experience/knowledge
overall, being prepared and confident to assist a congregation towards health, effectiveness, and faithfulness to its purpose/mission

The cost for this training is $75 per person – a savings of 50% off the regular price.

Registration is limited to 24 people.

Attendance at all 4 sessions is expected.

Course material and the zoom link will be provided closer to the first meeting.

Registration Closes on February 24, 2025

Payment can be made by e-Transfer to hfrc@united-church.ca or by cheque mailed to Horseshoe Falls Regional Council – PO Box 100, Carlisle, Ontario L0R 1H0

Please respond using the link to the registration form by February 24, 2025:

Register Now:

ETL Training Registration Form

This is an opportunity you do not want to miss. We look forward to your participation!

For more information about the course ETL Description and ETL and IMN FAQ

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Pilgrimage of Learning Delegations

Michele — Mon, 20 Jan 2025 21:17:24 +0000

The United Church of Canada invites United Church of Canada individuals interested in learning about global partners and the Global Partnership Program to apply to the Pilgrimage of Learning initiative, comprising of 4 delegations each visiting one (1) partnership region (Latin America & the Caribbean, Africa, Asia and the Middle East) between May and September, 2025.

Are you interested in engaging with global partners in their own contexts to witness first-hand the mutuality of partnership? About the rich history of Mission & Service partners, and the priorities that they are addressing?

Read more here:

https://united-church.ca/opportunities/pilgrimage-learning-delegations

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Flourishing: Spend a day with the Moderator

Michele — Fri, 10 Jan 2025 20:47:55 +0000

Flourishing: Antler River, Western Ontario Waterways, and Horseshoe Falls Regional Councils

Spend a day with the Moderator, engaging in reflection and energizing activities towards dream-oriented actions for our churches and communities.

Saturday, February 22, 2025, 9:00 am to 4:30 pm (local time).

9:00am -9:30am Registration and coffee/tea

9:30am – Welcome and Introductions

In person

Avondale United Church, 194 Avondale Ave., Stratford, ON N5A 6N4

All around the world – from universities to the United Nations, from corporations to community organizations – people are talking about flourishing. Rooted in belonging, flourishing means living with purpose and joy, and bringing bold collaborative solutions to our world’s challenges.

The Moderator, the Rev. Dr. Carmen Lansdowne, wants to bring that conversation to The United Church of Canada. She invites us to connect to one another in hope, with a deep conviction by a belief that, despite all the challenges of church life in this day and age, we can move from despair to transformation – from languishing to flourishing.

Is your church flourishing?

(Perhaps that’s the wrong question.)

Is your church contributing to the flourishing of your community?

How might we truly be a flourishing church in the world? How might we live in deep spirituality, bold discipleship and daring justice, linked from coast to coast to coast in ministry that transforms us and the world around us?

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER: Flourishing Workshop

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Worshiplude 2025

Michele — Thu, 19 Dec 2024 22:02:45 +0000

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A Gift for the Season! Free Resource

Michele — Wed, 13 Nov 2024 16:04:13 +0000

Free Resource
for an Advent Small Group Study

We are offering every Community of Faith a gift this Advent season! By means of a regional subscription you can access an Advent Small Group Study created by:

The Prayer Bench entitled Advent Longing

We hope this will be a gift for busy ministers and lay leaders in this Advent season who want a faith formation opportunity for their community of faith.

This Advent Small Group Study invites participants to nurture longing as a powerful spiritual gift through an imaginative pilgrimage in an old-growth forest. It encourages us to notice longing in our ordinary days, recognize its gifts during times of desolation and reclamation, and welcome “thin spaces”—those moments of connection, support, and hope. In the context of a planetary crisis, we explore how to activate Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love in the world God loves.

What You Receive with this Downloadable Resource  

Complete Leader’s Guide for three Advent sessions with ideas for Opening, Singing, Movement or Sound Prayers, Conversation prompts, a Group Spiritual Practice, and Closing.

Three 8-10-minute audio recordings.

Three scripts of the audio recordings to download and copy so participants can follow along.

Access to a Prayer Bench webpage with all the study materials, downloadable image for social media promotion, customizable poster for the series, and other resources related to the study.

Click here to register and receive the free resource here:

https://prayerbench.ca/regional-license-for-advent-small-group-study/

Advent Small Group Study Taster on Zoom 

An introduction to the Advent Small Group Study for Leaders with Janice MacLean of Prayer Bench, offering background information and hints for leading the process. Please download the resource and come with any comments or questions for use in your setting.

We are offering two sessions (the same content just different times and days) as follows:

Antler River Watershed, Horseshoe Falls and Western Ontario Waterways Regional Council

Friday, November 22nd at 1:00pm

Click link to register and receive the Zoom link:

https://united-church.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAudequpj4qHtUr_VJD6D436RejF-lPoQO7

OR with

Eastern Central Ontario Regional Council

Monday, November 25 at 7:00 pm

Click link to register and receive the zoom link:

https://ecorcuccan.ca/eco-rc-2024-advent-small-group-study/

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Youth and Elders Fishbowl Discussion

Michele — Fri, 04 Oct 2024 16:28:19 +0000

Regional Councils of ARW, HF and WOW in partnership with The Hub and Trinity UC Kitchener-
Thursday November 28^th, 2024, 6:30-8:30 (all participants are asked to arrive at 6:40).

Background: Post-pandemic, Youth leaders struggle to put together groups. A message often heard from youth in the church is that what’s being offered doesn’t work for them. Being an intercultural church includes finding ways to bridge communication between different age groups/generations.

Goal– To offer a forum that brings together youth and Elders in the church– a forum that allows the two groups to hear one another and be heard by one another, and to consider what might be the Spirit’s invitation to the church for youth ministry at this time.

FISHBOWL PROCESS:

8 Youth (teens to twenty-somethings) and 8 Elders (45+) from WOW, HF and ARW Regional Councils and facilitators will gather via Zoom.

Discussion questions will invite each to share and listen to experiences of their own youth faith formation, and hopes and challenges for youth ministry then and now.
On each question, using the Zoom spotlight feature to focus on one group of eight:
- Youth will invite one another to share, while the Elders listen.
- Places will be switched, and the Elders will invite one another to share while the Youth listen.
- For some questions, the order might be reversed, with Elders sharing first
After two rounds of sharing in separate groups, Youth and Elders will have an opportunity to reflect together as one group.

Each group will be invited to reflect on what they have heard and consider possible next steps.

Participants will be given questions for reflection and feedback, to be submitted in writing following the session.

This is a cross-cultural listening event, and a pilot project. This session will not focus on problem solving or planning. The focus of this event is to listen and learn about one another as a first step of re-visioning youth ministry in ARW, HF and WOW in this post-pandemic time.

An HONORARIUM of $105 is available for participants who are not otherwise paid for their time in this discussion.

To apply, complete the Application Form :

https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=qLUYz3gmEUCTEhXw9xV1dPBWSFWIXSNPila5mgKiAchUM0NLV0kyWUtVM1JXUEcyOUw4QlVaRlVDUS4u

Application deadline November 18, 2024

For more information contact:

Thérèse Samuel tsamuel@united-church.ca

Kathy Douglas kdouglas@united-church.ca

Adam Cresswell – hubleadership@gmail.com

Aimee Belanger at youthevents@hubcommunity.ca

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The Basics Workshop – Ministry and Personnel Committees

Michele — Mon, 23 Sep 2024 15:39:22 +0000

‘The Basics’: Ministry & Personnel Committee Workshops

Online by Zoom, Upcoming dates: October 3rd, December 5th, February 6th, April 3rd

2-4pm with Micol Cottrell, Minister, Pastoral Relations

Ordered ministers and designated lay ministers while in paid accountable ministry positions are office holders within The United Church of Canada. While there may be elements similar to employment, the essential nature of the relationship is a covenant.

~ Statement on Ministry in The United Church of Canada (2012)

New members are often elected to the vital Ministry & Personnel Committee near the start of the year, although M&P Committee membership can change for many other reasons throughout the year.

The Basics will help a new member learn the essentials of this crucial role. More experienced members of M&P Committees are invited to take this workshop as a refresher with their team, and keep up with changing United Church practices and policies. This workshop is open to members from Western Ontario Waterways, Antler River Watershed and Horseshoe Falls Regional Councils!

Please Note: each member of your M&P Committee attending this workshop is required to register.

In your Confirmation Email, you will receive the Zoom link and material in preparation for the meeting to make the most of our time together. If you have questions about the content, please email Micol Cottrell, Minister, Pastoral Relations, at MCottrell@united-church.ca, or better yet, write down the questions to bring with you.

Sign up here: https://regionalcouncil789.formstack.com/forms/m_p_workshop

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Ask An Expert – Answer Session

Michele — Mon, 16 Sep 2024 21:31:14 +0000

Ask An Expert – Answer Session:
❓❓❓
Join us on Wednesday evening for a special one hour Zoom event.

Wednesday, September 18th, 2024 from 7-8pm

We’ve been asked some great questions over the summer, come and hear the answers! 👂👂👂

Some of the experts include Mark Laird, Executive Minister, Brenna Baker, Community of Faith Stewarship Support and hosted by Rev. Michelle Owens.

All welcome to attend on Zoom at this link https://united-church.zoom.us/j/7858382024!

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Supporting 2S-LGBTQIA+ People

Michele — Fri, 13 Sep 2024 15:03:14 +0000

Greetings Siblings in Christ,

It has come to our attention that across-Canada anti-2S-LGBTQIA+ protest marches are to be held on Friday, September 20, 2024. The organization responsible, Hands Off Our Kids (https://handsoffourkids.ca/) states their mission is to:“safeguard children from gender ideology teachings, sexual indoctrination, exposure to explicit sexual content, ensuring that parental consent remains paramount.” They also aim to “protect our children from thought control and will ensure their religious freedoms are protected.”

Their rhetoric has been strongly anti-2S-LGBTQIA+ and especially anti-Trans in the past. This group has worked to exert influence in school boards in Ontario and beyond, spreading harmful misinformation and opposing SOGI (Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity) education in schools, again with misinformation. For information about SOGI click HERE.

These marches are planned across Canada on September 20, including the following locations across our tri-regional councils:

WOW: Owen Sound, Meaford, Hanover, Orangeville and Kitchener

HF: Mississauga (2 locations), Oakville, Milton, Hamilton

ARW : London, Windsor

More details and updates can be found on their website: https://handsoffourkids.ca/resources/

A constantly updated list of in-person presence and counter-protests is available here. The private Facebook group 1 Million Voices for Inclusion, which also hosts community-specific chats and planning, is an excellent resource for ideas and support.

Christ calls us to be a peace-seeking, truth-speaking,
love-focused presence in the face of these movements.

How can you be active?

Faith-Filled Responses

Send letters of encouragement to school staff and to any student group or individuals who need support;
deliver homemade real church cookies to those groups/individuals;
use your church signage and lawn to send PIE messaging;
write letters to the editor;
learn about SOGI and what it really is, as opposed to the myths spread about it;
support school board candidates and members who are supportive of 2SLGBTQIA+ human rights.
Offer support to transgender, Two Spirit, and gender-diverse people who are being targeted by this movement.

Faith-Focussed responses:

Pray
Re-read all the radical bible verses about God’s all- encompassing love.
And be PIE— public, intentional, and explicit—about the fact that you’re people of faith supporting 2S-LGBTQIA+ people (using your best judgement about when and how, of course).

When we show up in a positive way, it is noticed!

When discussing with your congregation:

Know that it is possible that well-meaning people in your congregation may be supporting these movements. Leading with language of “hate” in this instance can alienate the well-meaning people that you wish to connect with.
While the “Hands Off Our Kids” and related movements are understood as hate movements, and that is an accurate description of the impact of these movements, not everyone who shows up in support of these marches is doing so out of hate.
Name and honour how this harms people in 2S-LGBTQIA+ communities without conveying an assumption that this harm was intended. Intentions and impacts are often very different, but a well-meaning intention does not erase hurtful and harmful impacts.
Offer grounded information to counteract harmful mis-information.

If you are making plans or have concerns, please contact me, Thérèse Samuel, Minister Right Relations and Social Justice, and my colleague John Egger, Minister, Social Justice.

Thanks to Northern Spirit Regional Council and clergy from Western Ontario Waterways Regional Council for sharing information that helped in the creation of parts of this resource.

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SAVE THE DATES: WOW Regional Council Fall Meeting November 16 & 17th

Michele — Wed, 21 Aug 2024 20:14:41 +0000

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Payroll Scams: Targeting Churches and Ministry Personnel

Michele — Wed, 21 Aug 2024 19:17:22 +0000

This summer we have become aware of a “payroll scam” targeting ministry personnel and other staff members of churches.

How the Payroll Scam works:

Scammers review websites of churches and learn the positions of each staff member to understand the staff structure in an attempt to steal staff’s salary.
After they get to know who the staff members are and what their role is within the church, they target a particular staff member(s) and create an email address that is very similar to the person’s real email address ie minister@butterflyuc.com to minister1@butterflyuc.com and then use that email to contact the treasurer or bookkeeper to have their payroll auto-deposit banking information changed.
Another way a scammer can get access to staff email address is by hacking into the churches email server and gain control over staff emails. Once they have this control they can send an email directly from the staff members real account to community members or other staff. These emails will only be detected if the staff member check their “sent” emails.
The outcome of the payroll scam is the targeted staff member is only alerted on pay day when their payroll is not deposited into their account and then contacts the church payroll administrator to find out a false request has been made to alter their payroll information. The payroll is deposited into the scammers account and will be a financial loss to the church.

How to avoid the Payroll Scam:

Ensure that the payroll administrator on your staff team whether they are the treasurer, bookkeeper or church administrator use extra precautions when processing changes to payroll details for staff members.
The best precaution is to respond in person or by telephone to verify any payroll information change requests.
Have the staff member fill out a payroll change form in the office with a witness.
Develop basic security protocols within the staff team and church council as an example, two staff members must approve financial transactions on behalf of the church ie cheque signing, payroll changes etc.
Install trustworthy web security systems on all church devices.

Stay alert and be safe online and on the phone.

[Photo: John Schnobrich via Unsplash]

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Managing Access to Online and Social Media Accounts

Michele — Fri, 02 Aug 2024 17:29:36 +0000

Did your Minister leave and run off with the sign in credentials to your church’s Facebook account? Did the volunteer on your communications team finish their term and didn’t give you access to your YouTube or Canva accounts? Is one of your staff members on leave and not accessible to retrieve passwords to your MailChimp or X accounts? Need to set up a meeting but don’t have the password to the Zoom account and your Church Administrator left abruptly.

You could be left out in the cold and shut out of your online church accounts like MailChimp, Facebook, Instagram, X, Canva, MailChimp, Constant Contact, YouTube, Vimeo etc.
The importance of setting up more than one administrator of your online church accounts has never been more important. The importance of having more than one leader, staff member or volunteer the ability to access your online accounts for church business has excelled as we move much of our messaging and communications online in digital formats.

Gone are the days where file folders of paper can be handed over to new staff or ministry personnel or committee members.

Two-Factor Authentication(2FA) or One Time Passcodes (OTP) are our new reality with bad actors coming up with new scams daily. Two-Factor Authentication and One Time Passcodes are important ways to verify your church’s identity and the user logging in. These 2FA or OTP notices should go to Communications or Administrative emails or phone numbers not to personal phone numbers for verification.

Best Practices:

Assign more than one administrator on accounts such as Facebook. Many online and social media platforms offer differing levels of permission to be assigned to administrators depending on their responsibilities, so it isn’t necessary to turn over full control of your accounts, but a person can be given permissions limited to posting and replying to posts, for example.
Make sure the Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) or One Time Passcodes (OTP) go to an accountable staff or volunteer person that is available to access where these authorizations land.
Separate personal and business emails when creating accounts for your community of faith. Church email accounts should be set up as an example “administrator[your church name or initials]@gmail.com”.
Create a secure password log to be held by your church treasurer or administrator
Set up a dedicated communications or media email account that can be accessed by more than one accountable staff or volunteer member to be used for online community of faith accounts.

Consider using a social media management platform where you can manage access to multiple platforms from one place. The General Council Office uses Hootsuite, and there are many others to choose from, such as Buffer.

[Photo Sara Kurfess via Unsplash]

Submitted by Michele Petick, Websites and Social Media Manager, Administrative Assistant
Antler River Watershed, Horseshoe Falls, Western Ontario Waterways Regional Councils.

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