Hillhurst United in the News
Public theology is a term you’ll often hear at Hillhurst. Theology simply means “to talk about God.” To do this publicly can look like commenting on issues of injustice in our city and around the world, and ministering to those beyond the walls of our church. From Earth Day bike blessings to fighting for an end to Conversion Therapy, below are some of the ways we strive to bring good religion into the public realm.
2024
The Calgary Stampede: Giving the gift of hospitality
Calgary Herald, July 12, 2024
Globe and Mail, May 9, 2024
Ash Wednesday and Valentine's Day provide opportunity to heal broken hearts
Calgary Herald, February 10, 2024
Faith: Epiphany is a time of enlightenment and bright ideas
Calgary Herald, January 26, 2024
2023
Calgary Herald, September 2, 2023
Alberta opens its arms to NWT wildfire evacuees
CTV News, August 20, 2023
Calgary rallies to support people fleeing wildfires in the Northwest Territories
CBC News, August 19, 2023
A little slice of kindness': Calgarians rally behind Yellowknife evacuees
Calgary Herald, August 18, 2023
Calgarians' kindness helping Ukrainian family settle
City News, March 24, 2023
How I helped one family say goodbye to their loved one with tears and laughter
Globe and Mail, February 9, 2023
2022
'He was loved': Calgary park dedicated for man who lived on Sunnyside streets
Calgary Herald, October 9, 2022
Hillhurst park named in honour of ‘lovable’ homeless Calgarian
CTV News, October 9, 2022
Thanksgiving provides opportunity to reflect, remember and recommit to life
Calgary Herald, October 7, 2022
Pentland: How about going from quiet quitting to enthusiastic engagement?
Calgary Herald, September 3, 2022
'It was almost surreal': Three local Indigenous leaders reflect on Pope's apology
CBC News, July 26, 2022
LGBTQ Ukrainian refugee couple finds acceptance with Alberta hosts
Global News, July 2, 2022
Volunteers worry about housing as Ukrainian refugees in Calgary find housing in homeless shelter
Global News, June 16, 2022
Calgary Indigenous Christian ministers call for action following Papal apology
Calgary Herald, April 3, 2022
Calgary churchgoers attend Sunday services and reflect on the Pope's apology
CTV News, April 3, 2022
Progressive clergyman Right Rev. Bill Phipps was devoted to social justice
The Globe and Mail, March 9, 2022
Calgary minister and social justice advocate Bill Phipps mourned
Calgary Herald, March 6, 2022
Calgarians mourn local minister who was a trailblazer for social justice issues
CBC News, March 5, 2022
Calgary pastor calls First Baptist’s plan to reject non-heterosexual members ‘hurtful’
Global News, February 7, 2022
Calgary Baptist Church votes in favour of motion to deny membership for LGBTQ2S+ community members
CTV News, February 4, 2022
2021
Calgary bishop says its important for faithful to gather at Christmas services during pandemic
Global News, December 24, 2021
Calgary church urges others to forgo in-person Christmas worship as Omicron surges
Calgary Herald, December 22, 2021
'Stay home': Omicron surge worries Calgary church over in-person services
CTV News, December 22, 2021
The sacred closet: Taking time to reflect on our family's past
Calgary Herald, December 21, 2021
Pentland: Let's call a collective timeout for Canada Day 2021
Calgary Herald, June 30, 2021
Calgary park dedicated to Paul Wilkinson, the 'king of Kensington' who lived on the streets
Calgary Herald, June 4, 2021
City of Calgary names N.W. park after community-loved homeless man
660 News, June 1, 2021
Church bells chime 215 times to mark lives of children discovered in unmarked burial sites
CTV News, June 1, 2021
'Each bell symbolizes a child’s life': Hillhurst Church to toll bells 215 times in memory of buried children
660 News, May 31, 2021
Calgarians encouraged to place teddy bear on front steps to commemorate 215 residential school victims
Calgary Herald, May 31, 2021
Hillhurst United to toll the bells 215 times Tuesday in memory of 215 Indigenous children
CTV News, May 31, 2021
Opinion: In these times of darkness, let’s remember the hopeful message of Easter
The Globe and Mail, April 2, 2021 - PDF version
Officials urge Albertans not to gather over Easter long weekend
CTV News, April 1, 2021
Calgarians mark second Easter and Passover during pandemic with innovative ways to connect
Calgary Herald, March 31, 2021
Harmony Week Delivers Virtual Interfaith Week
Calgary Herald, January 30, 2021
2020
Live and online, Christmas Eve church services still a go across the city
Calgary Herald, December 23, 2020
Calgary church adapting for Christmas Eve celebration
660 News, December 21, 2020
Calgary’s bishop advising faithful to make sacrifices for the common good this Christmas
Global News, December 20, 2020
Calgary churches adapt to COVID-19 restrictions as Advent season begins
Global News, November 28, 2020
Inside the United Church-led fight against conversion therapy
Broadview, June 10, 2020
'Church redefined:' Places of worship adapt to COVID-19 restrictions
CTV News, June 5, 2020
Opinion: 'I can't breathe' is a prophetic cry for real change
Calgary Herald, June 2, 2020
Churches in Calgary to reopen
660 News, May 30, 2020
Committee approves Calgary conversion therapy bylaw; now moves to city council
Livewire Calgary, May 14, 2020
Coronavirus turns Easter, Passover and Ramadan into long-distance occasions
MacLeans, April 9, 2020
Shepherd without a flock forced to improvise for online service in Calgary
CTV News, March 21, 2020
Opinion: Social distancing must not mean ignoring friends and neighbours
Calgary Herald, John Pentland, March 17, 2020
A Skip Driver Named Jesus Delivered To A Calgary Church & Their Reaction Is Everything
Narcity, March 6, 2020
Calgary council unanimously votes to draft bylaw banning LGBT conversion therapy
CBC News, February 3, 2020
2019
North American churches grapple with ‘personal spirituality’ as the new religion
Calgary Journal, November 26, 2019
‘Love is full spectrum’: Calgary’s Pride parade sees thousands line the streets of downtown core
The Star Calgary, September 1, 2019
Pride 2019: From church drag to condemning conversion therapy
City News, September 1, 2019
Opinion: With open arms Calgarians flock to inclusive, non-judgmental church
Winnipeg Free Press, August 24, 2019
Historic church west of Calgary gets government approval to restore and rebuild
Global News, June 25, 2019
2018
Two spirit activist speaks reconciliation at Calgary church
660 City News, October 28, 2018
Activist says recognition of two spirit identity a crucial part of reconciliation conversation
CBC News, October 28, 2018
Two spirit awareness the goal at weekend session
660 City News, October 26, 2018
Two spirit leader visiting Calgary
Global News Radio, October 26, 2018
Calgary church asks minister of border security to prevent sermons by visiting homophobic pastor
StarMetro, September 17, 2018
Calgary’s Pride Parade is an important symbol of solidarity
Calgary Herald, John Pentland, August 31, 2018
New Pride flag at Calgary church celebrates inclusion, representation
Global News, August 26, 2018
Calgary Church Unveils New Style for Pride Flag
CTV News, August 26, 2018
Using the Bible to justify America’s separation of families was ‘abhorrent’
Calgary Herald, John Pentland, June 21, 2018
Calgary church’s bells to toll 49 times for Orlando shooting victims
Calgary Herald, June 11, 2018
Every day is Earth Day
Calgary Herald, John Pentland, April 21, 2018
Calgary minister drafts plan to convert church gym into microbrewery
CTV News, April 6, 2018
Pastor’s Pilsner: Minister pitches microbrewery as social lubricant to connect with Calgarians
CBC News, April 4, 2018
Christians aren’t foolish for celebrating Easter
Calgary Herald, John Pentland, March 31, 2018
Oscars are an opportunity to ponder deeper questions
Calgary Herald, John Pentland, Februrary 17, 2018
2017
Christmas reminds us to reject complicity
Calgary Herald, John Pentland, Dec 23, 2017
Affirming Coordinator Pam Rocker wins Top 40 Under 40
Avenue Magazine, October 30, 2017
150 Ways to Reconcile
The Globe and Mail letters, John Pentland, August 14, 2017
Making Hillhurst United Church a sanctuary for LGBTQ worshippers
Swerve Magazine, April 28, 2017
Easter Reminds Us Death Has to Come for Resurrection to Happen
Calgary Herald, John Pentland, April 14, 2017
A Boy Named Paul
AM Newstalk 770, March 17, 2017
When it comes to Garland, we are called to forgive and remember
Calgary Herald, John Pentland, February 23, 2017
2016
Plenty to ponder at Christmas
Calgary Herald, John Pentland; Dec 24 2016
Biblical, evangelical and progressive
The Christian Century, Jason Byassee; Oct 28 2016
Olympics have a lot in common with faith
Calgary Herald, John Pentland; Aug 13 2016
Unexpected acts of compassion for fire victims
Calgary Herald, John Pentland; May 14 2016
2015
Photo Essay: The Hillhurst Effect – Inside a United Church Success Story
United Church Observer, November 2015
How a forward-thinking minister built a vibrant, growing and important community in Calgary
Calgary Herald, August 2015 (pdf)
Interfaith Conference Pushes for LGBTQ Inclusion
Calgary Herald, John Pentland, May 2015 (pdf)
Human RITES Conference Aims to Grow Relationship Between Religion and the LGBTQ Community
Global TV Calgary, May 2015
Coming Out In Faith Monologues bring new perspective to LGBTQ Showcase
Global TV Calgary, March 2015
Coming Out Monologues Comes Into Their Own
Gay Calgary, March 2015
Hillhurst United Church Aims for Relevance Through Reel Theology Series
Newscoop, February 2015 (pdf)
2014
Hillhurst United Church Hosts Architectural Contest
The Calgary Journal, December 2014
Alberta's Catholic Bishops Speak out on GSAs
Global News, December 2014 (pdf)
Restoring Balance
United Church Observer, November 2014 (pdf)
Sexism is Scary (Take Back Halloween event)
FFWD Weekly, October 2014 (pdf)
Calgary United Churches keen to 'affirm' support for LGBTQ
Calgary Metro, October 2014 (pdf)
Should Sunday School Teachers be Paid?
United Church Observer, September 2014 (pdf)
Silence a Key Spiritual Practice on the Spiritual Journey
Calgary Herald, July 2014 (pdf)
Sundrops Spreads its Sunshine to Hollywood
Calgary Herald, July 2014 (pdf)
Kensington Church Stars in Heritage Minute Shoot
Calgary Herald, May 2014 (pdf)
The Cross in the Closet - Author Timothy Kurek comes to Hillhurst United
Calgary Herald, April 2014 (pdf)
Lent Unplugged for Some Hillhurst United Church Members
Calgary Herald, March 2014 (pdf)
Vigil Supports Gay Olympians
Calgary Herald, Feb 2014 (pdf)
Mayor Naheed Nenshi and United Church Moderator Gary Paterson have each sent us a letter in support of the Vigil for Sochi.
Read them here: Naheed Nenshi (pdf) | Gary Paterson (pdf)
Pentland Urges: Join us on the Journey
Insight, January 2014 (pdf)
