Departures. Arrivals. Soon to Come. Blessings for All. First Third Ministry Staffing Update!

11/14/2023

Dear Friends,

Since being formed in 2019, enduring the intensity of the pandemic, and now living into the curious space of experiencing a new way to be the Church, the staff composite of the First Third Ministry team is, too, naturally shifting. We all - regions, communities of faith, and people - continue to be shaped and lead by the Spirit. I am grateful.

More news will indeed be shared in the coming weeks as positions are filled, reflections such as Sarah and Lindsay's (below) are received, and as the Christian New Year approaches, leading us delightfully into the Mystery of Christmas.

As always, know that we pray for you - children, youth, young adults, families, and those in leadership, we notice your ministry and love of young people. We give God thanks for all you do.

~ We Bless and Celebrate Those Who are Leaving ~

Please join me in celebrating the important contributions of these First Third Ministry team members, as they leave their regional council positions to move to new, exciting areas on their life's journey.

Rev. Tim Nethercott, Chinook Winds Campus Ministry, Calgary
Tim retires at the end of 2023, and a party to honour his over-20 years of service to the YYC campuses will be Thursday, December 14. All are welcome to attend (more details below).

Daniel Martin, Pacific Mountain Campus Ministry Animator
Daniel resigned in September 2023 to continue his education and candidacy steps to becoming ordained in the United Church of Canada.

Lindsay Veenstra, First Third Ministry Animator
Sarah Prestwich, First Third Ministry Animator
Lindsay and Sarah finished their work at the end of September and end of October 2023, respectively to each pursue further education. Lindsay entered University of Victoria law school, and Sarah entered the Vancouver Island University baccalaureate education program to become an elementary school teacher.

With some sadness with your leaving, our regional councils hold deep joy and great appreciation for you:
Tim, Daniel, Lindsay, and Sarah,
We have been blessed by your ministry and commitment to First Third Ministry!
We wish you the best in your new endeavours.

~ We Are Thrilled to Welcome Those Who Are Joining ~

Alexandra Barr, First Third Ministry Administrator and Communications
Alexandra is leaving her role as Pacific Mountain Regional Council Receptionist and Program Support to Indigeous Ministry and Justice Ministry Network, to take up the newly-designed First Third Ministry position that coordinates administration, registration, and communication for each focus area within First Third Ministry.

Reverend Lydia Ruenzel, Campus Minister Simon Fraser University
Lydia begins her role as SFU Campus Minister on December 1, 2023, after serving the congregation of Ladner United Church for the past 4 years.

~ We Are Excited For Who Else May Come ~

We encourage applications to these First Third Ministry positions:

First Third Ministry Animator, Pacific Mountain Chinook Winds
Calgary Campus Minister, Chinook Winds

(Click the titles to open the job postings.)

First Third Ministry's vision to innovate, adapt, and create places of connection and formation is a blessing, as is the work of serving communities of faith and young people across Chinook Winds and Pacific Mountain Regional councils. We look forward to this next chapter in our collective ministry with those in the first-third of life's journey.

From Sarah and Linsday, In Their Own Words

I have had the privilege to work for the Pacific Mountain Regional Council within the First Third Ministry for the last 4 years now and it has been such a lovely journey of learning, joy, patience, and a lot of fun! I am very grateful to the amazing team I have gotten to work with these past few years and can’t thank them enough for all the laughs and good times we have had together. During my time with the First Third Ministry, I have had the opportunity to lead and organize Children and Youth retreats, Children and Youth programs at Regional General Meetings, Family Camps for Church families, attending seminars and conferences, and much more.
And now I am embarking upon a new journey this Fall, as I am going back to School to become a teacher. I have always loved helping to educate Children, Youth, and their families with their Faith and Spiritual Journeys and now I get the opportunity to educate children’s minds with many other subjects! I am grateful for God’s ever constant presence in my life which has led me to this new career path which I am excited to embark upon.
Blessings in Christ,
Sarah Prestwich

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I have worked with the First Third Ministry team at the region since March 2021. Since then, I am so grateful to have been working with and for those in the First Third of life and their leaders, including those in rural and Indigenous communities across the region. I was lucky enough to travel with Camp Spirit staff to support day camp programs in partnership with communities from Port Hardy to Gistegukla to Salmon Arm. Other highlights from my time at First Third include supporting First Third participants attending the Regional Gatherings of Pacific Mountain Region and Chinook Winds Region, co-facilitating events like Family Retreat and YouthTREK, and occasionally developing content for the Faith@Home magazines. I have been blessed to work with the dedicated, skilled, and caring people who make up the First Third Ministry team, the Pacific Mountain Regional staff, and the ministry and lay leaders I encountered in communities of faith.
One of my most recent highlights has been to serve as a staff support for the newly formed joint Chinooks Winds and Pacific Mountain Regional Youth Council. It has been such a privilege to work with such an incredible team of youth from across both regions. Their passion for governance and their care for their communities is something that has touched me deeply. I cannot wait to see how these youth continue to lead our communities.
I have left my position as an Animator with First Third Ministry in order to attend law school at the University of Victoria. Among the excitement of a new program and a new city, I look forward to continuing to serve the First Third community and the United Church as a whole in new ways.

Lindsay Veenstra

An Invitation from Chinook Winds Newsletter

Let’s celebrate Tim’s ministry and bless him on his way into retirement. With great creativity and devotion, Tim has served as chaplain at the University of Calgary, Mount Royal University and the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology for more than 20 years. There will be snacks, refreshments and some speeches. Please RSVP via this Jotform by Monday, December 11, 2023.
You can contribute to Tim’s retirement gift by e-transfer to David Blackadar at [email protected] or call David to set up another way to contribute at 403-239-5854.

Blessings,
Pamela

Pamela Evans, Team Lead
FirstThirdMinistry.ca
Including: CampSpirit.ca | CampusMinistry.ca | Chinook Winds Camps | Pacific Mountain Camping