Ralph Connor Memorial United Church Weekly
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Greetings! 

We hope to  see you at Church on Sunday March 24 , 2019

CONTRIBUTING TO SUNDAY 10:00 AM WORSHIP

LENT III

Greeters: Don Snesrud & Jim Ridley
Worship Leader: Donna Scott
Children's Church: Mary Shearer
Fellowship/Coffee Time: Mary Shearer
Musical Director: Tanya Sullivan
Administration: Sondy Szymanis - 403-678-5354 - office@ralphconnor.ca
In the Pulpit: Rev. Bill Millar - billmillar@ralphconnor.ca 

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ADMINISTRATOR -  SONDY SZYMANIS IS LEAVING 
 
Sondy is leaving her position as Administrator on April 19.  She has been with the Church since November 2014.   After living in the Bow Valley for 36 years it is time to move on to new adventures in the Sicamous area of BC with her partner Dave. Her son, Andrew, will graduate High School this spring.  

Sondy will attend Worship on Sunday April 14 to say a few words. 

M&P are making plans for a new Administrator 
once Greg returns and Sondy will assist in their training. 
ONE NIGHT BILLETS & MEAL HELP NEEDED 
 
Ralph Connor is hosting a group of young people from Winnipeg the night of Saturday. April 13.  

We need beds for about 14-16.  Could you help out?  They will be staying one night only, but will need to be met sometime on Sat. afternoon to pick them up at the church.  

They will be having supper at the church, participating in worship on Sunday, and then leaving Sunday afternoon.  The only meal you will need to feed them would be breakfast on the Sunday (Palm Sunday).  

Please contact Cathy Harrop at harropce@gmail.com or 403 678-7034.  We also need desserts and sandwiches made for their lunch after church.  Let Cathy know if you can help with that.    

OPEN OUT - WITH REV. BILL MILLAR

During March Bill will be continuing to explore the Open Out theme with a number of short, information conversations/explorations following worship. 

On Saturday, April 6 from 9;00 to 2:30 Bill will lead a retreat-style training session to provide folk with hands on skills and resources to open themselves and the church to people who think, act, believe, live differently....

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Check out the following documents for interesting facts on Diversity in Canmore's past and some demographics. 


Canmore Demographics (2014)
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CANMORE TRIVIA X 2

How many different ministers served this congregation during the 25 years between 1891 & 1916:
a) 4
b) 9
c) 17
d) 25
 
The last name Reinikka is associated with
a) A Canmore resident who played for the New York Rangers
b) A Finnish family who ran a sauna/bath house in Canmore
c) A romance blogger
d) All of the above

EMBRACING CHANGE AT CHINOOK WINDS REGION

Ralph Connor United Church requires one more representative to attend the first meeting of Chinook Winds Region.  

We are allowed two representatives.  It is important to have someone join Rev Greg Wooley and Mary Shearer at this first meeting.  

Many decisions will be made about how our Chinook Winds Region will operate. See Mary after church or call her if you want more information 403 609 0690.  
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 re-imaged 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 re-imaging of our building.  
 
We look forward to your participation in this process.
 
Your Heritage/ Building Committee


PREPARATION FOR PALM SUNDAY

Rock on!  

While you are out walking look for that "special" rock and bring it to Church on Palm Sunday, April 14.  Rocks will be part of our Lent Celebration. 

BYOR (Bring your own rock) 

CHURCH ALARM REMINDER

For those of you who hold a door code, please remember that the alarm sets itself at 11:00 pm sharp.  If you enter the building after this time the alarm goes off and is sent to the RCMP, the Alarm Company and our building managers. 
Please refrain from entering in the morning until after 7:00 am. 
Thanks from the Building Team

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.


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". 
  
THANK YOU 

The first PIE Day at Canmore was a great success - with wonderful pies and conversation that was at least as good! Thanks to the Affirm Team for organizing the event, to Shannon for leading the process and to all the wonderful PIE makers, they were very yummy. 

Over 40 people watched Pie Day video in last weeks newsletter.  

PIE = Public. Intentional. Explicit. 

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



CYAN - Canmore Young Adult Network


PASTA NIGHT -  CYAN had to cancel the pasta night on Tuesday March 19 due to lack of volunteers.  For the next Pasta Night on Tuesday, April 16, please consider volunteering and helping out to keep this fantastic initiative going.  

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CYAN YOGA NIGHT - Wednesdays 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm until May 29  at the Canmore Opera House
 
FUN WITH OUR REVEREND

WHICH IS THE REAL BILL?


1. Salem Goldworth Bland (1859-1950) was a Methodist theologian, Georgist, and one of Canada's most important Social Gospel thinkers.

2. The Real Bill Millar 

3. Tommy Chong -  Canadian-American actor, writer, director, musician, activist for  cannabis-rights  and comedian.

4. George Carlin - American stand-up comedian, actor, author, and social critic.
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!
JOHN BELL AT THE WISDOM CENTRE

Friday, March 22 at 7:30 pm. 

ANCIENT AND EVER NEW   ... an introduction to Celtic Spirituality
From the 5th century, there has been a distinctive spirituality developed in the Celtic nations by leading figures in religious movements and by lay people. Though allied to and part of the catholic church, the Celts had a greater fondness for the incarnation which they regarded as the key to how we relate to God, to each other and to the physical earth.

This lecture looks at some of the key insights with examples of ancient poems and prayers which speak with a vitality needed in today's world.

This lecture will be followed by a Q & A and a complimentary wine and cheese reception. This will be held at  St. Laurence Anglican Church , 5940 Lakeview Drive SW, Calgary. Tickets are available at the door $35.

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


Again in 2018 we have won the Constant Contact All Star Badge. 

What does this mean?

Our Congregation loves our newsletter! Each week an average of 55% or 143 people read this email. We also have an average of 15% or 39 people open or view the links in our newsletter. Thank you for such quality contacts and we hope you continue to enjoy the Thursday Enews!

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