Topics That United Church People and Preachers Avoid (What Is Yours?) and Other Upcoming Themes
Submit contributions through GatheringWorship.ca by March 1, 2026 or directly to @email
Topics That United Church People and Preachers Avoid
Gathering Advent/Christmas/Epiphany 2026–27
Submit contributions through GatheringWorship.ca by March 1, 2026
Eschatology, predestination, the Book of Revelation, end times, Christ’s return, evangelism. What area of theology or the Bible or Christian conversation would you rather avoid? Which topics may disturb you? Which are just baffling? Which term has been co-opted by other parts of the Christian church in a way that makes you want to avoid using it? Which would you love to explore but don’t feel you have support from your community of faith to do so?
Or are there topics or areas of theology that you feel the United Church really does need to explore that it now tends to avoid?
In one or two paragraphs (about 100–150 words), share with the Gathering community the topic you or your congregation tend to avoid or the one you wish we wouldn’t avoid as a denomination and a few of your reasons (or a rant).
Shared Ministries and Lay-Led Ministries
Gathering Lent/Easter 2027
Submit contributions through GatheringWorship.ca by June 1, 2026
Many communities of faith are part of shared ministries with other denominations. Some have worked with others to create an intentional interdenominational church. Some have partnerships that involve sharing buildings with other denominations or community partners. Some communities of faith are committed to lay-led ministry with no intention of calling an ordained or diaconal minister. We invite you to share your experiences and your learnings as a community of faith.
The Gospel
Gathering Pentecost 1 2027
Submit contributions through GatheringWorship.ca by September 1, 2026
The word gospel literally means “good news.” Yet, there are many nuances to how the word is understood and used. Jesus explains that “those who lose their life…for the sake of the gospel will save it” (Mark 8:35).The apostle Paul declares that he is a servant of the gospel, set apart for the gospel of God (Romans 1:1). Paul describes the gospel in many ways—the gospel of peace, the gospel of salvation, the gospel of grace, the gospel of Jesus Christ—and devotes himself to “make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel” (Ephesians 6:19).
What does the word gospel mean to you? When you share the gospel message in your congregation, what is the message you are sharing? What does it mean to be a servant of the gospel? How do you make sure the gospel message is proclaimed in each service? We invite you to share your answers, understandings, prayers, and poetry with the Gathering community.
We can’t create Gathering without you! We invite you to take time today to submit your prayers, worship materials, worship sparks and ideas, hymns, and reflections. The more you send us, the better it makes our Gathering resource! Don’t worry about editing ahead of time. We will edit according to the United Church and Gathering style-guides.
Blessings to each and every one of you who care for worship in your communities of faith!
Susan Lukey, Editor
