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Ralph Connor Memorial United Church Weekly
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NEW NEWSLETTER FORMAT
We are rearranging the newsletter for easy reading. The following headers will link to that section. Just click on a header and it will take you there.
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Greetings!
We hope to
see you at Church on May 20
, 2018
Pentecost Sunday!
CONTRIBUTING TO SUNDAY 10:00 AM WORSHIP
Greeters: Cathy Harrop & Jim Ridley
Worship Leader: Donna Smith
Children's Church: Joan VonEngelbrechten
Fellowship/Coffee Time: Sue & Randy Nichols
Musical Director: Tanya Sullivan
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NEWS & COMING EVENTS
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SPRING CLEAN UP
Thank you to everyone that came and helped out with the Spring Clean up last week. It was a beautiful day and is a beautiful building.
Well Done Everyone!!!
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CONGRATULATIONS MARY SHEARER
Mary Shearer has been elected as one of the 27 Commissioners from Alberta Northwest Conference, to the General Council of the United Church of Canada, this summer in Oshawa, Ont.
Congratulations, Mary - an excellent choice to work through some momentous changes being undertaken by our denomination.
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TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION SPEAKER SERIES
RECONCILIATION: A TREND OR HERE TO STAY?
This monthly speaker series invites Bow Valley residents to engage in relevant topics, local discussions, and learn more about Indigenous culture, history, and knowledge.
At the Whyte Museum in Banff TODAY: Thursday May 17 at 7:00 pm join
Elizabeth Logue, for her perspective on Reconciliation.
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UNISON FESTIVAL
Going to be in Calgary the next few days?
Mount Royal College is hosting the "Unison Festival", a gathering of LGBTQ choirs from
May 18-21.
This event was started in Edmonton in 1998 and features an excellent line-up.
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CYAN - WINGS WITH WESTHEAD
On May 23, we invite the young adults in town to join CYAN in sitting down withCanmore's MLA, Cam Westhead for some casual conversation on wildlife, conservation and environment. plus, we've got a deal for $7 wings for all participants!
Cam was recently appointed to chair position on the endangered species commission, and is an expert on the topic. He is our MLA for the provincial riding of Banff-Cochrane and a member of the NDP party.
We understand that the political world can oftentimes be quite intimidating, but we strongly believe that young adult voices deserve to be heard. We would like to offer you the opportunity to get involved in the most relaxed setting possible. Whether you want to raise serious concerns, have questions on specific projects, or just want to be in the loop on what's happening around town, we encourage you to drop by the Rose & Crown from 7-10 pm.
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SPRING TEA
Please feel free to bring a friend (of ANY age) to this event for tea, dessert and entertainment. In past years we had many attendees from the wider community but in the past couple of years it has become more of an "in-house" event...and we'd like to open it back up!
If you need a ride, or could provide a ride, please contact the Church office and the Pastoral Care committee will get you connected!
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KENNEDY ADMINISTRATION CONCERT
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WHERE WE ARE AND WHERE WE ARE GOING
There will be a gathering after worship on Sunday, June 3, from 11:30 to 1:00, to do two things:
(1) the "Ministry Site Self-Assessment" that all congregations in Foothills Presbytery are being asked to complete, and
(2) to receive the initial "Building Needs Assessment" report, which will help us to think about how our building can best meet the needs of the community of Canmore. Questions and discussion on this report will be held at a later date.
Sandwiches will be provided!
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MODERATOR OF THE UNITED CHURCH - UPDATE
To date, there are 8 nominees for Moderator of the United Church... including
Rev Dr Catherine MacLean! Catherine served in team ministry at RCMUC with her husband, Rev Earl Reaburn, from 1996 to 2003. The voting will take place at General Council 43, this summer in Oshawa, Ontario.
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HEALING PATHWAY
To book a session or inquire about this gentle healing ministry by appointment.
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Each Wednesday night at 7:15, we gather for holy silence, chant, song, reflective words, and experience the gentle nudging of the Spirit.
Sometimes we will also incorporate poetry, or art, or physical movement.
If you have friends, neighbours, young adult children, or anyone else you could invite to a worship experience that is lay-led, contemplative, non-doctrinal, with a broad, inclusive spirituality... or if you've never been to Evensong to discover this mid-week spiritual oasis for yourself...please come some Wednesday night, to "come and find the quiet centre".
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Meet
this Friday, May 18 at 1:00 pm in the Gordon Hall.
Come on down and and knit while sharing good company and conversation.
Everyone Welcome!!!
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Each Friday at 4:30 pm at Margaret Lumsden's.
Please contact her if you plan to attend at 403-609-8191
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CHOIR REHEARSAL
Join the choir every Thursday,
at 7:30 pm in the Sanctuary.
New singers are always welcome!
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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".
New members welcome!
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CHILDREN'S MINISTRY
Sign up for a Sunday on the Clipboard. We have a multitude of Sunday lesson packages in the upstairs cupboard.
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!
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COMMUNITY OUTREACH
In order to spend more time out-and-about in the community rather than being stranded in the office, on Wednesday mornings you won't find Greg at his office...
but you will find him at 10 AM at the Good Earth Cafe!
Feel free to come by for a chat. If you'd ever like to set up a time for a home or office visit, don't hesitate to call his cell phone at 403-493-4923 or email him at
minister@ralphconnor.ca
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COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
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TELLING OUR STORIES
Our Stoney Nakoda neighbours are hosting a series of Blessing Ceremonies for their "Telling Our Stories" story signs.
There are 8 signs to be blessed at various locations, on June 6, 7 and 8, including the Travel Alberta Visitor Centre in Canmore (June 7 at 12 noon).
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CELEBRATION AND RENEWAL DAY FOR HEALERS
Saturday, June 9th at
High River United Church from
9:00 am to 4:15 pm.
Cost: $50 Lunch and snacks included.
Please register early by:
e-mailing
hruc@telus.net
or phone: 403-652-3168.
Come join us in celebrating 21 years of healing ministry at High River United Church,
with our guest, Rochelle Graham, founder of the Healing Pathway.
Hear Rochelle share her story of the Pathway and her journey with healing ministry.
Share stories, joys and challenges with other healing practitioners.
Rochelle will also offer a session on the history and cultural use of healing oils.
And, everyone is welcome to join in Sunday, June 10th worship at High River United,
which will include an anointing and (re)dedication ceremony for those involved in any aspect of healing ministry.
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A camp for LGBTQ2 youth aged 14-24, is looking for individuals to volunteer with their Campers by leading morning, afternoon, or evening workshops.
Workshop presentations provide a whole range of content, whether it is queer identities, social justice, navigating systems, understanding oppression or building community.
The camp will be at Camp Chief Hector from
June 30 to July 3.
If you are interested in leading a workshop, go to:
To register:
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ROOTS N WINGS
Our upstairs user group Roots n Wings is a a music, movement, play, nature and arts-based program for 2-4 year olds in this historic church on Mondays (morning) and Wednesdays (morning and afternoon). Please see the note below from the Leaders of this group.
Dear Ralph Connor community,
Happy spring! What better time to get outdoors and feel the sun on our faces, hear the bird song, and...get muddy!? Well, do I have an opportunity for you! It's time for "nature therapy" in our own backyard.
My name is Adrienne Lawlor and I am a community member, parent and occupational therapist. Together with Corina Strim, we facilitate Roots n Wings.
Since September 2017, we have enjoyed the space upstairs for our program, fully appreciating the support we have received from the church as well as our contact downstairs with our "grandfriends" in the Alberta Health Services' ADSP. What a rich environment for everyone!
We would like to enhance our nature-inspired experiences by designing and creating a space in the church yard which will be inspired, therapeutic and engaging for all.
I am sending out a call to all those who would like to join us as we re-imagine what this space could become over time, seeking to build this together with input and help from the children, elders and any others who will enjoy it.
Please see the photos below as inspiration and letthechildrenplay.net for further ideas and theory supporting this project.
If you would like to become involved, in any capacity, from gardening to carpentry, we need all the help we can get! Please contact me at adriennelawlor@shaw.ca or 403-688-0534 and we can discuss our next steps.
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Spring and Summer registration is now open.
Open to people of all ages, Naramata Centre is a place of inclusive, welcoming place to connect and deepen in mind, body and spirit. Situated on the east shore of Lake Okanagan, the Centre provides a peaceful oasis for children, teens, adults, families and elders to play, relax, grow and be authentically themselves, supported in community. Founded as a United Church of Canada educational centre, Naramata has provided a place for spiritual engagement since 1948.
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STAY CONNECTED:
Follow us on Facebook
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Phone: 403-678-5354 | Email:
o
ffice@ralphconnor.ca |
w
ww.ralphconnor.ca
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