Ralph Connor Memorial United Church Weekly
Greetings! 

We hope to  see you at Church on Sunday, February 18, 2018 -  Lent I  

CONTRIBUTING TO SUNDAY 10:00 AM WORSHIP

Greeters: Samara McMann & Adam Draper-Millan
Worship Leader: Ian Schofield
Children's Church and Toddler Care: Marilese & Bob MacDonell
Fellowship/Coffee Time: Donna & Marsh Kennedy
Musical Director: Tanya Sullivan
Administration: Sondy Szymanis - 403-678-5354 - office@ralphconnor.ca
Minister: Rev. Greg Wooley - 403-493-4923 - minister@ralphconnor.ca

~~~  


For a Lenten video message from the Moderator of the United Church of Canada, the Rt. Rev. Jordan Cantwell, click here. 
HEALING PATHWAY


To book a session or inquire about this gentle healing ministry by appointment. 
Please contact: Vicky Connoy at vconnoy@hotmail.com  
or call her at 403-609-2428.


EVENSONG
 
Lent 2018 began on February 14th...
and Easter is on April 1st.    What might Evensong make of these two special dates and how they relate to the season of Lent? 

Join us on Wednesday nights at Evensong, Contemplative Worship from
7:15 - 8:00 PM, and find out!


DID YOU SEE THE "HEAL" VIDEO ON FEBRUARY 4TH?
 
Next Tuesday, February 20th, the Healing Pathway group 
invites you to join them in the Sanctuary from 3:30-5:30 for 
a time to revisit and discuss some of the concepts
presented in the video. 


CHOIR REHEARSAL

Join the choir every Thursday,  at 7:30 pm in the Sanctuary.
 
New singers are always welcome! 

ALPINE VOICES THRESHOLD CHOIR

Rehearses the second and fourth Monday of each month from 7:30 - 9:00 pm in the sanctuary. Threshold Choir singing is described as "kindness made audible". 

If you would like to learn more about the practice of bedside singing, visit thresholdchoir.org , or contact Jan Tissandier, jan.tissandier@gmail.com  

New members welcome!
CHILDREN'S MINISTRY

NEEDED:
Leaders needed on Feb 25 and throughout the month of March.  Please contact the office or sign up on the Sunday clipboard.  Children's Church (ages 4 and up) and Nursery/Toddler care are both available as the first hymn is being sung. 

For Toddler Care, join the caregivers in Gordon Hall for a moment to apprise them of your child's needs.  
Please bring a snack if your child may need one, and advise if your child has any allergies.  Water or juice will be provided if needed.  

For  Children's Church , our teachers will take the children upstairs for their lesson.  All children will return to the sanctuary prior to the anthem.  We look forward to meeting your children!
AFFIRMING MINISTRIES: THE BASICS

After worship this Sunday: "Affirming Ministries: The Basics,"  a workshop led by Rev. Shannon Mang.
 
Thank you to everyone who filled out the on-line "Affirming Ministry" congregation survey. (If you have not yet done so, the link is found in the next item of today's newsletter).  You have told us that this congregation already has a heart to be welcoming and inclusive of all of God's children. The Affirming Process focuses on the inclusion of sexual minorities into all aspects of our church's life, and it will help this church family build the skills to be radically inclusive of all people. 

Despite profound changes in cultural attitudes to the LGTBQ2 community in recent years, right here in the Bow Valley there are few defined places of support for the LGTBQ2 community.  As a congregation, we can help to change this. 

This Sunday, February 18th we will offer an introduction to the Affirming Process -  and what it would look like if Ralph Connor were to choose to become an Affirming Ministry - and provide an opportunity for "conversations of the heart" to begin.

RCMUC AFFIRMING MINISTRY CONGREGATION SURVEY

As  RCMUC moves towards becoming another " Affirming " church in Canada - welcoming of all, including folks who identify as LGBTQ - we ask that all members of our congregation fill out this brief 8 question survey to help the Affirm committee chart our course going forward. Our goal is to holding a final vote on approving the Affirm designation by the end of 2018.

THANK YOU to those who have already completed the survey!!  




WHY I BELIEVE
Daily Devotions on Faith & Discipleship

Lent 2018 began on February 14th.  Lent provides us with a great opportunity to "go deep" in our spiritual journey, and many books and online guides can help us with that task.  In this year's United Church Lenten devotional, a variety of members and friends of the church tell their personal journeys. 

Daily devotions included a scripture passage, personal reflection, hymn suggestions, reflections question, and prayer.  Study guide included.

Available at the UCRDstore.ca

Paperback: $12.95 or  Ebook: $7.95

IN MEMORY OF JEAN MARGARET SHAFTO

Jean Margaret Shafto passed away on January 21st. Jean was residing in West Vancouver. 

A Memorial service will be held this  Friday, February 16 at 3:00 PM at Rundle Memorial United Church in Banff.  
2017 DONATION RECEIPTS

Were sent out in January.  If you did not get yours via email please contact Mona or Sondy at the office and we will get it to you right away. 


DID YOU KNOW?

If you miss a Sunday... or would like to re-read a sermon... just go to the website, ralphconnor.ca , then pick "Worship" and "Sunday Sermons."  

Greg posts his sermons on Sunday afternoon, each week. 

TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION SPEAKER SERIES

TONIGHT: February 15, 7:00-9:00 pm  
(venue change)
Buffalo Nations Luxton Museum
1 Birch Avenue, Banff, AB

Reconciliation and Indigenous Worldview

Leroy Little Bear is a member of the Blood Tribe of the Blackfoot Confederacy. Leroy is the former Director of the American Indian Program at Harvard University and professor emeritus of Native Studies at the University of Lethbridge where he was department chair for 25 years. 
He has served as a legal and constitutional advisor to the Assembly of First Nations and has served on many influential committees, commissions, and boards dealing with First Nations issues. He has written several articles and co-edited three books including Pathways to Self-Determination: Canadian Indians and the Canadian State (1984), Quest for Justice: Aboriginal Peoples and Aboriginal Rights (1985), and Governments in Conflict and Indian Nations in Canada (1988). He is also contributor to Reclaiming Indigenous Voice and Vision (UBC Press, 2000). He is recognized as a leader in the advancement of North American Indian philosophy.
 

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