Faith
Feature
November 2017
For United churches, sharing space helps pay the bills — and advance mission objectives
By Ian Coutts
Community ‘hubs’ bring a variety of organizations under one roof
Feature
November 2017
Involuntary pilgrim: A 20-year journey with cancer
By David Giuliano
The return of a tumour sets David Giuliano on a path he calls his ‘Camino de Cancer’
Feature
November 2017
Is consciousness just a function of the brain — or something more?
By Trisha Elliott
Theories of consciousness cut to the quick of what it means to be alive.
Feature
November 2017
New museum for an old story
By Sheima Benembarek
Washington, D.C., has no shortage of museums. But its latest addition aims to stand out. Opening this month, the new Museum of the Bible has an ambitious goal: to be the most technologically advanced museum in the world.
Special Feature
October 2017
Don Hume was a minister nearing retirement. Then he tried crack cocaine.
By Justin Dallaire
At first, he used the drug about once a month. Then it was every few weeks. Then every few days. Before he knew it, addiction had a grip on him.
Feature
October 2017
A tale of two cancers
By Catherine Gordon
One year after the writer discovered she had breast cancer, her sister in California received the same diagnosis. They both recovered, but their experiences were worlds apart.
Feature
October 2017
Martin Luther is a complicated icon
By Paul Knowles
As Protestants celebrate a milestone anniversary, the writer ventures to Germany in search of the real man.
Feature
September 2017
Restless longing is core to being human. What happens when it leads us off course?
By Jane Dawson
"Understanding what our spirit is trying to tell us in these unforeseen detours is often the work of a lifetime."
Feature
September 2017
Roads to reconciliation
By Trisha Elliott
At the largest blanket exercise ever, 800 Canadians learn about stolen land and other effects of colonization
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
26-year-old ordained United Church minister on what drew her to ministry
By Mario Toneguzzi
"Even in high school, I started thinking about ministry. At that time, I couldn’t see myself writing sermons every week."
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
Interview with a mom about her child’s transition from Nora to Noah
By Michelle Sparrow
‘We told him we loved him and would support him.’
Feature
May 2017
Navigating the checkpoints in the holy city of Jerusalem
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 pealing of church bells may soon be a distant memory
By Bertrand Marotte
"It had great meaning culturally and socially, and I personally think it’s a little bit sad that we don’t have these aural community markers anymore in ways that we used to."
Special Feature
April 2017
6 acclaimed Canadian authors write letters from the heart to their grandkids
By Various Writers
Sally Armstrong, Margaret Atwood, David Suzuki and others share incredible wisdom and love.
Feature
April 2017
Ktunaxa First Nation fights a ski resort to protect sacred land
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
April 2017
Jordan Cantwell shares 3 of her encounters with grace
By Jordan Cantwell
An Easter message from the moderator.
Feature
March 2017
How a week of spiritual contemplation alters the brain
By Trisha Elliott
The writer volunteers for a study that looks at how neurons meet prayer.
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.
Columns
Cormorants aren't the devil
by Douglas Hunter
Ontario's proposed new measures amount to a slaughter of an entire native bird species for no scientifically compelling reason, says this writer
Editorials
The new name of 'The Observer' revealed!
by Jocelyn Bell
"United Church" will no longer be on the cover, but our commitment to sharing denominational news and perspectives remains the same
Video
Meet beloved church cats Mable and Mouse
by Observer Staff
They're a fixture of Kirk United Church Centre in Edmonton.
