Faith
Column
August 2017
Rendez-Vous 2017 comes to a close
By Aidan Legault
‘(We) don’t have the luxury of silence . . . We must speak boldly’
Feature
August 2017
United churches offer respite during British Columbia's weeks-long wildfire crisis
By Pieta Woolley
Feature
July 2017
2016 Press Awards
By Observer Staff
Six different organizations have honoured The United Church Observer with awards for editorial excellence this year. Here are some of the highlights.
Feature
June 2017
Roads to reconciliation
By Evie Ruddy
Dozens died at Red Deer’s residential school. A group of Albertans finds their graves and honours their spirits.
Feature
June 2017
Verbatim
By Sheima Benembarek
‘All of us have a responsibility to look after Creation.’
Feature
May 2017
In search of Rachel
By Byron Rempel-Burkholder
Approaching a biblical holy site on foot becomes a journey through the tangled reality of Israel and the occupied territories today
Feature
May 2017
The sound of silence
By Bertrand Marotte
Once a fixture of the aural landscape, the pealing of church bells may soon be a distant memory
Special Feature
April 2017
Dear Grandkids
By Various Writers
Six acclaimed Canadian authors write letters from the heart
Feature
April 2017
The fight for Qat’muk
By Pieta Woolley
A Supreme Court of Canada case pits a resort developer against B.C.’s Ktunaxa First Nation. At issue: does the development infringe on religious freedom?
Feature
March 2017
When neurons meet prayer
By Trisha Elliott
The writer volunteers for a study exploring how a week of spiritual contemplation alters the brain
Feature
March 2017
An enduring dialogue
By Mike Milne
Despite their failed merger in 1975, the United and Anglican churches are still keen to co-operate. Two small congregations in rural Quebec are proving it can be done.
Feature
February 2017
Roads to reconciliation
By Erin DeBooy
A travelling exhibit of images from the former residential school in Brandon, Man., is designed to educate and unite
Feature
February 2017
Emission control
By Mike Milne
United Church buildings produce as much carbon dioxide as 30,000 cars. Why are so few congregations cleaning up their act?
Feature
January 2017
Do they like it here? In a word: yes.
By May Tartoussy
For Syrian refugees, adapting to Canadian culture is hard. We asked a Syrian-born Arabic-speaking journalist to interview some of the United Church-sponsored newcomers about learning to live in a new land
Feature
January 2017
Achievements and challenges
By Colin Maclean
Last year, more than 35,000 Syrian refugees — many United Church-sponsored — began their adjustment to life in Canada. The Observer checks in on their progress.
Feature
January 2017
Roads to Reconciliation
By Meg Illman-White
When an Indigenous teen disappeared in Kenora, Ont., Knox United provided a space to gather — and to grieve
Feature
January 2017
The platitude trap
By Jonathan Orbell
Faced with senseless tragedy, many of us cling to religious clichés. But there's a different path.
Feature
December 2016
8 contemporary Canadian artists' compelling views of Christmas
By Trisha Elliott
Look closely and you’ll find that the images don’t just convey the old, old story.
Feature
December 2016
Holy doodles
By Sara Jewell
Scribbling in church isn’t always rude. It could be the key to a deeper spiritual experience.
Editorials
Editorials
The Observer has a bright future ahead
by Jocelyn Bell
Change is as vital to the publication's history as our founding Christian values are to our future, says editor and publisher Jocelyn Bell.
Video
Meet beloved church cats Mable and Mouse
by Observer Staff
They're a fixture of Kirk United Church Centre in Edmonton.
