Ralph Connor Memorial United Church Weekly
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Greetings! 

We hope to  see you at Church on Sunday March 10 , 2019

Sacrament of Communion and Benevolent Offering

A feast on the Barren-lands.  This Sunday we celebrate communion, sharing food and drink, pain and joy - a symbol of how our lives hold these two realities in tension: "Love is that liquour, sweet and most divine/ which my God feels as blood, but I as wine" (George Herbert, 1633)

CONTRIBUTING TO SUNDAY 10:00 AM WORSHIP

Greeters: Linda Bolen & Marg Suurallik
Worship Leader: Bob MacDonell
Communion Servers: Ellen Andersen, Vicky Connoy & Barb Profitt
Children's Church: IN NEED
Fellowship/Coffee Time: Diane & Gus Campbell
Musical Director: Tanya Sullivan
Administration: Sondy Szymanis - 403-678-5354 - office@ralphconnor.ca
In the Pulpit: Rev. Bill Millar

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Lent, the 40 day time of preparation for Easter, has begun! Our Lenten theme this year will focus on Rock/Stones... This Sunday, Jesus, after a 40 day fast, alone on the barren, stony desert/wilderness is faced the the temptation of turning a stone into bread, exchanging the hardship of truth for the comfort of denial, a temptation we all face.  This happened at the beginning of his three year journey of wandering/wondering and engaging, and it marks the beginning of our own Lenten journey, our own period of wander/wondering and engaging. 
LENT

Lent started yesterday on Wednesday March 6th. 

Moderator Richard Bott's Lenten message for 2019
Moderator Richard Bott's Lenten message for 2019

In his Lenten message, Moderator Richard Bott reminds us that this season is a time to think, deeply, about our relationship with God. He asks us each to consider meeting with another disciple of Jesus, and exploring the question, "How is it with your soul?"
TIME CHANGE THIS SUNDAY

Don't forget to change your clocks on Saturday Night!


BOW VALLEY SYRIA REFUGEE PROJECT UPDATE

One of Our Own Gets Married

Photos from Sevan and Leon's wedding last weekend. Sevan Kajkejian, one of the refugees we helped sponsor to come to the Bow Valley, married Leon Gower. The beautiful ceremony and reception were full of symbolism, thanksgiving and celebration. In her remarks, Sevan expressed her thankfulness to RCMUC for their love and support. We wish Sevan and Leon all the best in this new life they are forming together.






RE-IMAGINING OUR BUILDING

As promised at the AGM, we are excited to post the building plans that were presented.   
 
These plans are the culmination of programming and planning by Transept Architecture.  They represent  what our building could become to better meet the needs of our existing missions.  
 
We know where are.  But, do we know where collectively we want to go?  And once we collectively answer that question, how are we going to get there?  And could a reimaged building be part of that journey.   
 
Over the next month or so, please stay posted as we participate in small group discussions, complete confidential surveys and reflect on possibilities to answer these fundamental questions, which will impact the reimaging of our building.  
 
We look forward to your participation in this process.
 
Your Heritage/ Building Committee

CHECK OUT THE DRAWINGS HERE or click on the image above

OPEN OUT - WITH REV. BILL MILLAR

Next Steps: Over the next few weeks Bill will lead brief (30 - 45 minute) conversations following worship, exploring this theme in the context of Canmore community.  

A retreat-style event is being planned for Saturday, April 6 from morning until mid-afternoon. The brief conversations will help shape that day as well. 
 

EVENSONG 
 
Evensong, our contemplative mid-week service. Join us each
Wednesday at 7:15 for this contemplative service. 

CHILDREN'S MINISTRY

Children's Church and Toddler care for Sunday Services are key ways that we support the faith development of children, and hospitality to young families.

Children may go to Children's Church after the first hymn and return later in the service in time for the anthem.  We are making a couple of adjustments to the Sunday service to give a bit more time for the Children's Church lesson, and a bit less back-in-the service time.

Easy to lead lessons are ready for use, in the upstairs cupboard. 

Please sign up on the Sunday clipboard to help!

CHOIR REHEARSAL

Choir rehearsal each Thursday at 7:30 pm.  

New members are welcome to join us!  

Give Tanya an email at  music@ralphconnor.ca
HEALING PATHWAY 

To book a session or inquire about this gentle healing ministry p lease contact: Isabelle Ramsay or Vicky Connoy for an appointment.
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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". 
  
CYAN - Canmore Young Adult Network

MOVE MOUNTAINS FESTIVAL 

The Canmore Young Adult Network (CYAN) aims to create an inclusive Canmore where young adults are given the opportunity to build relationships and play an active role in creating their community. In an effort to do so, we are hosting our second Move Mountains Festival (MMF) on 
Friday, March 15th 2019.

For more info on Move Mountains or to Volunteer for any CYAN Event visit  http://cyancanmore.ca/ 

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PASTA NIGHT -  Tuesday March 19 from 6:00 - 7:30 pm.  Our team of volunteers are back at it again preparing a delicious and nutritious meal of Fresh Pasta, salad & garlic toast all served with fresh tea! We can cater to vegan & gluten free diets upon request.

Come out and connect with your community without having to worry about cooking or cleaning up after yourself!

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CYAN YOGA NIGHT - Wednesdays 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm until May 29  at the Canmore Opera House
 
THE AFFIRM GROUP IS HOSTING "PIE" LUNCHEON ...

All are welcome to join the Affirm Group on T hursday, March 14 from noon - 2:00 pm in the Gordon Hall for International Pi Day.  

PIE = Public. Intentional. Explicit. 

These are the standards we hold ourselves and our welcome to as we become Affirming, Welcoming, and Inclusive!

We invite you to enjoy some pie and help us roll out the PIE in our ministry.  This is your chance to celebrate and honour the full inclusion of LGBTQ2SIA+ people in faith communities and beyond, with everyone across Canada!

Please RSVP on or before March 10th to Donna Scott
donnacanmore@gmail.com or 403-609-9174

 

Affirming PIE Video, Affirm United, Affirming Connections

Welcome to the brand new Affirming PIE Video!

Brought to you by Affirming Connections and Affirm United/S'affirmer Ensemble.

Join our pie-loving hosts Stéphane and Pam as they introduce us to PIE and as five Affirming ministries tell their stories about their Public, Intentional, and Explicit work and welcome for the LGBTQ2SIA+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Two Spirit, Intersex, Asexual, +) community.

Reflect on your own recipes and possibilities for further LGBTQ2SIA+ inclusion in your community!


HAVE YOU VOLUNTEERED AS A SUNDAY HELPER?

Help us weekly and contribute to our Sunday Service, it is easy!

Just sign up on the clipboard during Sunday Worship or after at Coffee time, then go to our website at  http://ralphconnor.ca/volunteering/ and view or download the duty sheet for the position you have selected for instructions.  


click on the image to go to the webpage

COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS community
UKULELE

Join the players at  5:00 pm tonight in the Sanctuary.  

Beginner or Pro all players are welcome!
THE UC OBSERVER GETS A NEW NAME


KITCHEN TABLE TALKS



LIVESTREAM 

From March 28-31, Greg and Shannon will be in Albuquerque NM for a Conference titled "The Universal Christ - another name for every thing."  

Theme speakers include Richard Rohr, John Dominic Crossan, and Jacqui Lewis.  Many of you will be familiar with J.D.Crossan's work, as he co-authored several books with Marcus Borg, and a number of Ralph Connor folks receive the daily emails from Richard Rohr and the Center for Action and Contemplation. 
 
If anyone - or a group? - in Canmore was interested in live-streaming this event, check out the event page here
CAMP KASOTA WEST

Located at Half Moon Bay on Sylvan Lake, Camp Kasota is now taking registrations for summer 2019.  Children and Youth Camps, Sailing Camp and Councilor in Training. For Children Grade 1 - 11. 

Save $40 until March 23. 
 
For more information on summer camps visit  https://campkasotawest.com/ 
 
STAY CONNECTED:

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 Phone: 403-678-5354 | Email: o ffice@ralphconnor.ca | w ww.ralphconnor.ca