Ralph Connor Memorial
United Church
Weekly
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Friday, December 11, 2020
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FOR THIS WEEK'S WORSHIP Sunday December 13
Third Sunday of Advent
the Sunday of Joy
This week’s scripture reading, Luke 1:5-25 click here~,
Elizabeth and Mary, John and Jesus, Zechariah and Joseph.
Please note that this year's Christmas Eve service will be a virtual/online service, featuring 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!! This service will be posted to our "Ralph Connor Canmore" YouTube channel on December 24th.
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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.
This Tuesday, December 15th: bring along a Christmas decoration or other Christmas-themed item that has special significance for you.
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A MESSAGE FROM THE BOW VALLEY REFUGEE PROJECT
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The Bow Valley Refugee Project is now busily trying to furnish two basement apartments for our appreciative second group of Syrian families. We have a long list of needs (and nice to haves). If you can donate any of the following items we would love to hear from you! Please contact our housing coordinators Patty and Donna at patty.raina@shaw.ca and donna@matrix-planning.com.
Kitchen Stuff including:
A set of dishes or soup bowls, salad dishes, small plates, dinner plates, kitchen knives, mixing bowls, cutlery tray, dish drying rack, strainer, drainer for pasta, can opener, canisters or medium jars, baskets, and boxes for kitchen storage, decorative artificial plants (to make the place cozy), a blender, and a microwave, and kitchen shelving and place to hold a microwave
Other:
Irons and iron boards, drying racks for clothes, clothes hangers, a broom, rug, pillows, blankets (queen), large living room carpet, and a small heater for the bathroom, and extension cords
And big stuff:
A laptop or computer (for photo processing and design work), a printer, a TV
Furniture:
Table and chairs, small bedside tables and small chests of drawers (small rooms), armchair, ottomans, coffee table, a desk chair, shelving units able to hold a TV or kitchen type ones for storage and a microwave, outdoor table and chairs
We also welcome cash donations. Please mail (or drop into the locked mail box at the RCMUC side door) cheques to Ralph Connor, specifying that you are donating to BVRP.
Dana and Will and the Bow Valley Refugee Project are very grateful for the wonderful and generous help from the Ralph Connor people. Many, many thanks!
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FUNDING OUR MISSION
a Message from your Stewardship Committee
Ralph Connor Memorial United Church's Mission as a Church Community 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.
A heartfelt thank you to RCMUC friends for your generosity during these challenging times. We continue to receive an outpouring of kindnesses and generosity for our local needs and Mission & Service, which helps us to pay our ongoing expenses, and to reach out to others in our community and around the world.
As always, donations may be made by letter mail, by eTransfer to office@ralphconnor.ca, or by the “donate now” button on the RCMUC website, or by Pre-Authorized Remittance (links for “Donate Now” and PAR are found at the bottom of this Newsletter).
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Evensong continues its 20th year, Wednesday night at 7:15 PM.
The weekly Evensong email invitation will include the Zoom link for this week's Evensong. If you are not on the Evensong email list, and would like to be, please send a note to jan.tissandier@gmail.com.
Please note that this year’s “Longest Night” service will be happening as a virtual/online event on Dec 21st!! Further details in next week’s Newsletter.
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The Advent-Christmas "Faith at Home" packages developed by the United Church of Canada's Pacific Mountain Region are being 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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It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Jean Maria Clipperton, on Fri Nov 27, 2020.
Jean was beloved wife of Jack, mother, and friend to all whose lives she touched. Read more~.
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We have received word that the Memorial Celebration for Marj Hughes will be held this Saturday afternoon at 3:00 PM Mountain Time (2:00 PM Pacific) on Zoom:
For further information about this Zoom gathering for Marj: Read more~.
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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 Speakers:
Dec 17, 7:30pm MST ~ Rev. Murray Pruden - Executive Minister, Indigenous Ministries and Justice ~ Spirit River Striped Wolf - Student Association Mount Royal University President
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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Nakiska Ski Day - Tuesday, December 15
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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.
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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
We were exploding with questions in March, as the virus exploded, looking at a black hole of uncertainty before us. As the skies lighten, and we are more able to see into the future, there are even more questions now about whom we will become and how we will emerge from the darkness.
During the holiday season and beyond, how can we improve our generosity? Even tho the examples in this article are mostly American, the principles of giving are universal. For example: Pick charities with research-based strategies. If you want to maximize your donation’s impact, you're going to want to give abroad. If you do give locally, study the impact. Don't give to a big charity; large organizations tend to be less transparent about where their money goes and also likelier to direct money to less cost-effective projects. Maybe just give money directly to poor people because giving poor people money is a great cure for poverty. Give what you can. Get into the habit of donating; going from not giving to giving a little, regularly, is a huge positive step. Read here~
If we choose to give of our time rather than giving money we should still ask questions: click here~
How will we teach the values which have recently become more important? Raffi thinks the one goal of music is to try and help kids understand difficult things, without scaring them. “For All You Do", Raffi's New Tribute to Essential Workers, is a Must-Listen for All Kids of all ages. Listen here~
See how Inuit parents teach kids to control their anger. There's no question we are in angry times, it's in our politics, our schools and homes. Anger can be a destructive emotion, but it can also be a positive force. Read here~
How can we look at the world differently? New lenses are so important in all of our work. Learn from a technology guru about agile methodology and how change makers and social justice champions can use these tools. The language emphasizing relationships, people and collaborating will surprise you. Click here~
Where will we find hope that will carry us past the vaccine euphoria? Click here~
What will we listen to that won’t remind us of pandemic gloom? Singer, Children’s Author, and Actress Carsen Gray has a newly released Christmas EP in the Haida Skidegate language. Her rendition of Silent Night is mesmerizing. Carsen is aiming to make Christmas Merry and Bright for those in her community, and beyond its shores this holiday season. Listen here~
Reminders (For more information or to purchase tickets, click here~. You can check out the trailer here: view trailer here~.): Mass Hysterical, a Comedic Cantata, on December 15, 6:00 pm MST; Anti-Racism in the United Church on Dec 17, 7:30 pm MST with Rev. Murray Pruden and Dec 20, 2:00 pm MST with Rev. Dr. Bernice Saulteaux.
My final question is where will Jason Kenney and Justin Trudeau take their places in the line for a vaccination? Two self-proclaimed religious adherents will lead by example!
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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.
Administration: Trish Campney
Minister: Rev. Greg Wooley
Music Director: Tanya Sullivan
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To print a
Preauthorized Remittance Form
To make a donation to RCMUC through the
"Canada Helps" organization
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Ralph Connor Memorial United Church
617 Main Street, Canmore, Alberta, T1W 2B1
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