Ralph Connor Memorial
United Church
Weekly
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Friday, December 18, 2020
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FOR THIS WEEK'S WORSHIP Sunday December 20
Fourth Sunday of Advent
the Sunday of Love
This week’s scripture reading, Luke 1:26-45 click here~.
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While there will be no in-person Christmas services this year, we have two wonderful online services planned for you! In both cases, once the service has been posted it will remain online so you can watch it at any time that is convenient for you. Or, watch it over and over again! Ralph Connor YouTube Channel link here~
The “Longest Night” service, Monday Dec 21 at 7:30 PM (or anytime thereafter) features lovely music and reflections, drawing us into the holy presence we meet in the long nights of winter;
Christmas Eve, Thursday Dec 24 at 12 noon (or anytime thereafter), features lots of music and a very "Canmore" pageant, filmed at various outdoor locations around town. Watch for a special guest star playing the role of Herod!!
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Christmas Concert
- Home for the Holidays
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The musicians at two Banff Churches – Aurora Claire Borin from Rundle Memorial United and Heather Jean Jordan from St. George’s Anglican – are leading a virtual Christmas Concert today, Friday December 18th at 6 pm. Details at https://www.homefortheholidays.live/
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Complimentary Nordic Walk |
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Would you be interested in a complimentary Nordic Walk? Mandy Johnson of "Active by Nature" is offering a select number of activities for local residents, for free (though a non-perishable food item for the Food Bank would be appreciated).
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Virtual Coffee and Conversation
In order to keep some face-to-face connection in this time of physical distancing, you are invited to a Zoom gathering on Tuesdays at 2:00 (think “Twos-Day”), a virtual time to see familiar faces and catch up…or get to know some folks in the Ralph Connor family! A Zoom link will be sent out by Rev Greg on Tuesday morning.
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A MESSAGE FROM THE BOW VALLEY REFUGEE PROJECT |
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As indicated last week, the Bow Valley Refugee Project (BVRP) is busily trying to furnish two basement apartments for our appreciative second group of Syrian families. We sincerely appreciate your generous support and we are delighted to report that our long list of needs (and nice to haves) is much smaller!
However, we are still missing several things.
Kitchen stuff including:
Pasta strainer, measuring cups, cutlery tray, storage baskets, counter top oven (no stove in the suite), microwave stand with storage, shelving units (kitchen storage)
Other:
A small heater for use in the bathroom, irons and ironing board (2), clothes drying racks, artificial plants, lamps, broom, carpet for living area and small rug
Furniture:
TV stand, small chest of drawers, shelving units, bedside tables, ottoman
And big stuff:
TV and TV stand, printer, outdoor table and 2 chairs
We also welcome cash donations. Please send (or drop into the locked mail box at the side door) cheques to Ralph Connor and specify that your donation is intended for BVRP.
Dana and Will and the Bow Valley Refugee project are very grateful for the wonderful and generous help from the people of Ralph Connor. Merry Christmas and many, many thanks.
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FUNDING OUR MISSION
a Message from your Stewardship Committee
The mission of Ralph Connor Memorial United Church is:
• to nurture the spiritual exploration and growth of all our members and adherents;
• to be an intentionally inviting Christian community that seeks, welcomes and embraces new members;
• to reach out and become an agent for social justice in our neighborhood and in the global community.
We are grateful for the generous donations to support our local church, and for donations to Mission & Service to reach out to others in our community and around the world.
You can donate by:
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Evensong is pleased to present the “Longest Night” service on Monday, December 21st, details above… and then resumes its Wednesday night 7:15 PM service (via Zoom) on
Wednesday, January 6, 2021, the festival of the Epiphany.
Note: There will be no Wednesday night Evensong
on Dec 23 or Dec 30.
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The Advent-Christmas "Faith at Home" packages developed by the United Church of Canada's Pacific Mountain Region have been mailed out to households-with-children.
It has been so nice to start our Advent services with in-the-home presentations on Hope, Peace, Joy and Love. Thank you to the families participating in this!
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I f you have a prayer concern to be shared in our Tuesday "Morning Prayer" or our Mon-Fri Healing Pathway Prayer Circle, please email Val Goodrow at v.goodrow@me.com and Rev. Greg Wooley at minister@ralphconnor.ca.
We request that the person gives consent to have their name mentioned in prayer as privacy/confidentiality is of utmost importance. We also would appreciate knowing when the situation changes and we can release them from our prayers or update the prayer to a changing need.
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Please note that for the duration of the Public Health Emergency, we will not be having in-person indoor Worship, and will not be accepting new rental bookings.
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UCC - Chinook Winds Region
Learning Opportunities
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Public, Intentional, Explicit Conversation
on Anti-Racism in the United Church
Join us as we examine the path forward in light of the United Church of Canada's declaration to become an Anti-Racist Denomination. Listen to our experts and church leaders as we begin to understand what the journey ahead will look like across the country.
Hosted by Tony Snow, Indigenous Lead, Chinook Winds Region and co-presented by Affirming Connections.
To Register for this Online event:
Special Guest Speaker:
Dec 20, 2pm MST ~ Rev. Dr. Bernice Saulteaux - National Elders Council, UCC
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BROADVIEW MAGAZINE
- Time to Subscribe or Renew
Subscriptions for Broadview Magazine, formerly known as The United Church Observer, are now due (December 31, 2020)!
For those who've not seen the new format, Broadview now covers stories of broader interest at the front of the magazine, followed by more "United Church" oriented items. It's a good read, with timely, relevant stories in both sections.
Barb Profitt will be happy to collect your $25 fee (a subsidized rate for groups), this year since we are not meeting in person
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send an eTransfer to bprofitt@shaw.ca
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mail a cheque made out to Barb Profitt addressed to RCMUC c/o Barb Profitt
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drop off cheque to secure mailbox at RCMUC side entrance made out to Barb Profitt
Need more information, contact Barb by email bprofitt@shaw.ca or by phone 403-609-8239
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Ongoing Ministries
& Community Programs
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Canmore Young Adult Network - CYAN
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Yoga via Facebook Live for our weekly yoga class! We will be offering a community class for everyone to enjoy from 7-8pm every Wednesday.
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If there is interest in an online "games night" on Tue Dec 22 that is more than possible - just let CYAN know if you would be willing to host!
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Three Communities...One Valley
The number of friends and neighbors in isolation due to Covid are growing exponentially every day in the Bow Valley. Many people want to help, and many people need some support. A few volunteers from across the Valley have gathered together with the help of Roam Transit to create the beginnings of a human chain from Canmore to Banff to Lake Louise so we can ensure people across the valley can get their necessities.
Will you help as a volunteer? Do you need support? Either way, please email bowvalleyisolations@gmail.com Or text 403-679-3340 and we will get you signed up to help, or will do what we can to get you what you need.
Coordinators: Brenda Stanton (Canmore) - Aurora Borin (Banff) - Danielle Morine (Lake Louise)
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Community Food & Friends
Every Monday from 5 PM to 7 PM, Food & Friends operates from St. Michael's Hall (709-7th Street) for TAKE-OUT only. If you are symptom free, bring your mask and takeout container and come get dinner to take with you. We will be practicing safe distancing and requiring everyone to wear a mask and sanitize your hands upon entry. If you don't have a take out container then we have some. There will no longer be any deliveries. If you can't get to Food & Friends yourself, then please arrange someone to pick-up your dinner for you and bring it to you.
Canmore Stone Soup
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For Orders and Enquiries Please Email
The Coast is working in partnership with Family and Community Support Services (FCSS).
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Canmore Food Recovery Barn
The Food Recovery Barn, housed at the Lutheran Church (by Canmore Hospital), is a community initiative that provides affordable food while also reducing the amount of foodstuffs that end up in compost or landfill. Due to COVID regulations, they have returned to a bag pick-up system. Pre-filled bags will be available for those who have booked a pick-up time. A $5 per bag donation is appreciated. Pickup times are Tuesday and Thursday, 5:30, 5:45 or 6:00 PM, sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080f44afad22a2f85-food
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Our gratitude to Robin Slater for offering the following feature in our weekly Newsletter, as part of our efforts to be a more broadly inclusive, and affirming, Community of Faith.
ROBIN'S WEB
CONNECTING DIVERSITY
Living thru a global pandemic has pulled back the curtain on inequities and entrenched pre- (or mis-) conceptions, and with both COVID and Christmas, the branding is a bit off kilter; we are NOT all in this together. While the world embraces the Christmas ideals of Hope for the Future and Peace on Earth, differences in circumstances and resources threaten to divide us.
It is quite remarkable how drastically our lives have changed this year. Though we’ve all been in the same storm these many months, we certainly haven’t been in the same boat. Click here~.
We Are All Related, The Lakota Holy Man Black Elk’s Vision for Peace on Earth This central concept in Lakota culture remained important to the holy man Black Elk after his baptism into the Catholic faith. Nathan Beacom asks how can we fulfill Black Elk's dream of solidarity? Altho this is an “American” article, remember that settlers divided this land and created borders. Click here~.
The Indigenous Ministries and Justice Circle of The United Church of Canada would like to share with you a reflection from the National Indigenous Council: In this very different Christmas season, we are reminded that Creator is with us, so let us fear not. Click here~. Dec. 20, 7 pm The Seven Stars from the Smalleyes Indigenous Music, Dance & Storytelling In consideration for the safety of artists, staff & community, changes have been made to the traditional scheduling, so there will be a screening of The Seven Stars, in lieu of a live stream of A Stoney Christmas. Recorded live at artsPlace, The Seven Stars is directed and performed by the Smalleyes Family of Stoney First Nation. Click here~.
Giant dreamcatchers light up Timiskaming First Nation for the holidays. Made by Janice Wabie and her family, a giant dreamcatcher adorned with hundreds of Christmas lights stands on the front lawn of Wabie's aunt and uncle's house in Timiskaming First Nation, an Algonquin community in the Abitibi-Témiscamingue region of Quebec. With about a 3.5 metre diameter, it features over 900 lights. Click here~.
Everyone has a claim on The Holy Land and conflict between its inhabitants didn’t end when Jesus was born. Palestinian-Canadian Dr Izzeldin Abuelaish promotes a Christmas message of hope and forgiveness. /canadianimmigrant.ca/uncategorized/gaza-born-doctor-and-public-health-expert-is-a-strong-advocate-for-peace
December 20, 7:00 p.m. Deep Winter Song: Celebrating the Mystery of the Winter Solstice. This is an "acoustic" musical presentation exploring and celebrating Winter Solstice, Christmas, and this wondrous dark season of winter. The night will include traditional and modern songs of winter, inspiring stories and poetry, beautiful projections, a time of Sacred Sound Journey, and a Solstice Fire Ritual. Being held virtually, one can attend from anywhere in the world! Click here~.
December 23, 8pm CHRISTMAS PHILOSOPHY 101 CBC-IDEAS, Radio ONE Producer Matthew Lazin-Ryder explores the philosophical quandaries that come up during Christmastime, such as: is it okay to lie to your kids so they believe in Santa?
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OFFICE CONTACTS
Note:
- The church offices are closed in compliance with Alberta Covid mandatory office workers Work At Home restriction. The mail, email and phone messages will be picked up regularly between Tuesday to Thursdays.
- The Church Administrator will be off from Fri Dec 18 2020 through to Tue Jan 4 2021.
- The Minister will be off from Wed Dec 23 through to Tue Dec 29, but will be available for emergency pastoral care.
Administration: Trish Campney
Minister: Rev. Greg Wooley
Music Director: Tanya Sullivan
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Ralph Connor Memorial United Church
617 Main Street, Canmore, Alberta, T1W 2B1
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