Ralph Connor Memorial
United Church
Weekly
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Friday, September 11, 2020
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FOR THIS WEEK'S WORSHIP - Sunday September 13
Outdoor Worship at Millennium Park's Ball Diamond, 10:00 AM
An online service will be posted by 3:00 PM on our YouTube Channel,
The scripture for this Sunday is Psalm 95: 1-7 click here~.
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PLANS FOR OUTDOOR WORSHIP in SEPTEMBER
Join us at the ball diamond at the east end of Millennium Park (at the south end of 5th Avenue, just beyond 1st Street) for 10:00 AM outdoor Worship service on Sunday, September 13 and Sunday, September 27. Come between 9:30-9:50 AM to select your best viewing location.
Please Note
- Bring your own chair
- Apply 2 metre physical distancing between households
- Bring your own face mask and hand sanitizer (though we will have supplies available)
- Prepare to be "signed in", as we are expected to keep an attendance list
- Bring plenty of sunshine and cheer with you!... and... be prepared for the elements (sun screen and sun hat, and/or an umbrella and many layers of fleece!!)
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If you are feeling unwell, particularly with cold symptoms, or if you've been in recent direct contact with someone with COVID-19, or have been travelling out of the country in the past 14 days - please stay home & we'll see you next time
- Congregational singing is not allowed. However, the service we've planned will have music you can clap to, sway, move and hum along!!
- There will be the opportunity to drop off offering envelopes on-site
- We do have access to the public washrooms by the diamond, if needed
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One final note: There is no pressure on anyone to attend, if you do not yet feel ready for in-person gatherings… each of us will make these decisions based on our comfort level!!
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CHILDREN'S CHURCH
SPECIAL NOTICE
This Sunday at the Ball Diamond, free "Faith at Home" packages will be available for pickup. These autumn-themed kits have been developed by the United Church of Canada's Pacific Mountain Region (in BC), to help families share, engage, and create with the stories of the Bible. We hope that you will enjoy this resource!
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EVENSONG NEWS
Later this month, starting on Wednesday, September 23 at 7:15 PM, Evensong will be re-launching…for its TWENTIETH YEAR! The first service was held in the same week as “9-11”, in 2001. We honour Evensong’s great contribution to the life of this congregation, and its contribution to Christian contemplation with the Bow Valley. Thank you to Jan Tissandier and all the lay leaders who bring such depth to our Wednesday nights.
Watch this space for further information about the first Evensongs of the fall.
With Evensong in mind, our Sunday morning worship services in September will be shaped by the Contemplative practice known as the “Examen” – an opportunity to go deep into our spiritual connection with the Divine, and our deep connection with the world in which we live.
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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 (meeting next on September 11th), 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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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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The Three Sisters will be reaching out to you again — from a safe distance — for Pledgefest in October.
Watch the newsletter.
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An ongoing thank you to our "Care Contact" phoners and "Care Courier" errand/delivery team, for doing such wonderful outreach in keeping us connected to one another. These calls have truly been "the body of Christ" in action.
This program will wrap up soon, with ongoing care provided through our Pastoral Care Committee (which has been overseeing our Care Contact/Courier program).
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Ongoing Ministries
& Community Programs
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Canmore Young Adult Network - CYAN
CYAN’s upcoming events include:
- Wednesday night from 7:00-8:00 PM: yoga, with a maximum of 25 participants. (In the Church back yard until Sep 16 then, if all goes well, in the Opera House starting Sep 23)
Community Food & Friends
Until significant gatherings are allowed again, Food & Friends is operating a FREE dinner delivery service on Mondays, with meals prepared by The Iron Goat restaurant. Register for meals by email at foodandfriends2020@gmail.com. The final Thursday meal was on August 27th, thank you to everyone who helped expand this ministry in those weeks of greater need.
Climate Action in the Park
Officially launched Sunday, August 8th, and will continue each week until the end of September, weather permitting. Bow Valley Climate Action will be present Sundays from 5:00-7:00 PM at Riverside Park to discuss specific issues related to climate change with anyone who wishes to engage in the subject. All perspectives are welcome to the discussion, with a different focus each week.
LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
Living with a Post-despair Hope
An Interactive Talk with Futurist Ruben Nelson
Monday, September 14, 2020
11am to noon MDT
In a world as confusing and chaotic as ours, we need to talk. You are invited to join me in a conversation about the need for and sources of post-despair-hope—the kind of hope that enables us to face and face up to despair and the fear that drives it. I will begin with some remarks about:
(1) the differences between “optimism/pessimism” and “hope/hopelessness;”
(2) the “official optimism” of our modern techno-industrial cultures and how it soon collapses in the face of despair;
(3) the increasing evidence that there will be despair; that unavoidable experiences of despair are already baked into our future. For example, see here and here; and (4) my journey as a “hopeful-pessimist”; as one who has come to be able to face despair with a post-despair hope.
After my remarks you will be invited to silently reflect on the deepest impulses/insights that are stirring in you. Then, in a small group, you will be invited to listen to what is stirring in others and share what is stirring in you. A conversation with the whole group will follow.
Join using Zoom via this link:
Chinook Winds Region
In the coming week, September 15 to 17, your representatives to the Chinook Winds Region (Mary Shearer, Dave Somerville and Greg Wooley) will be participating in its Annual Meeting, via Zoom. This year’s event will feature presentations by Bishop Yvette Flunder; for more information about the Rev Dr Flunder, See here~.
ONGOING ADAPTATIONS
Canmore's COVID-19 Bylaw
Although the Church building is being used for very little at present, please note that the Town of Canmore’s COVID-19 bylaw, which took effect August 7th, explicitly includes Churches within the list of indoor public spaces where masks must be worn. https://canmore.ca/covid-19/coronavirus-covid-19-information-for-canmore/mandatory-mask-bylaw. This applies to any group or committee meeting in the Church as well. For those who don’t have a mask with them, we do have an ample supply of single-use disposable masks. |
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"Because of the uncertainty of the Covid-19, your golf committee has decided to cancel this year’s Nine and Dine golf tournament usually held in September.”
a Message from your Nine & Dine Host Joyce Chilcott
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Many thanks to Robin Slater for offering "Robin's Web" as a feature in our Newsletter, as part of our efforts to be a more broadly inclusive Community of Faith.
ROBIN'S WEB
CONNECTING DIVERSITY
September 11th - I always feel as if I’ve been sucker punched when I see that date. I remember hearing the first breaking news story and listening for hours trying to gauge what world reaction would be. In years to come, I will feel the same about March 11, 2020, the date the WHO made the assessment that COVID-19 could be characterized as a pandemic. We’re still waiting to ascertain what world reaction will be.
Both events brought people together, in disbelief, horror and grief. In 2001 we coalesced in terror and hatred against an unknown other; 6 months ago we hunkered down with our families with nothing to lash out at in anger, no place to direct our fears. The majority of the world gathered together trying to learn what steps we could take collectively to ward off this invader. With a few exceptions there wasn’t a repeat of the vitriolic chauvinism which has not made our world safer or more secure. We complied with the lessons about being stronger together and realized that knowing each other brings us together. The silver lining to physical distancing is that we are much closer technologically and have the ability to bring a worldful of strangers into our homes to provide us with knowledge and insight. We are still fighting but collectively and with more humility…….
The Northern Spirit Regional Council has issued a Statement: BLACK LIVES MATTER which could be used as a framework for all the outreach we do. If you want to end discrimination and racial violence (not just the physical) then your starting point is a commitment to stay silent no more…” click here~
We were tasked with building Indigenous Monuments by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and we haven’t. What doesn’t exist in Canada, for the most part, are statues and monuments highlighting great Indigenous leaders, or showing exactly which Indigenous groups live in a particular place and their contributions to Canadian life. Altho often forgotten, The Chiniki Elders Advisory Council and the Municipal District of Bighorn did erect 8 story-signs in 2017-2018 along the Trans-Canada highway, to explain our mutual history. What doesn’t exist is any coordinated national effort to create these monuments. Enough with John A. Macdonald! click here~
Buffalo Runners by Latasha Calf Robe is a Treaty 7, Indigenous podcast focused on sharing stories of education, reconciliation and prosperity building. In the Buffalo Runners metaphor, “Buffalo” refers both to learning and prosperity, whereas “Runners” refers to changemaking and action. click here~
AFFIRMING PRIDE 2020 VIDEO! A wonderful call to action based on love and understanding. click here~
My favourite way to bring people together is thru singing….this choir brings it all together: Angel City Chorale is a Los Angeles choir conducted by founder and artistic director Sue Fink. The group consists of 165 diverse and outstanding singers. It is recognized for its signature blend of musical styles and commitment to community, Angel City Chorale strives to give back to the L.A. community through song, donations, and volunteerism. My favourite is Africa check link here~ listen for the “rain”. My other favourite is Baba Yetu (By Christopher Tin), the Lord's Prayer in Swahili. I’ve had this on repeat since I found it! Greg pointed out a comment, celebrating the range of humanity: Composed by an American of Asian descent, sung in an African language, of a prayer from Palestine, with European musical instruments. click here~ watch for the “doves”. |
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OFFICE CONTACTS
The Church building remains closed, other than periodic office use. Emails and phone messages will be retrieved Tuesday-Thursday; if you have any questions about accessing the Church building, please contact Trish (see below).
If you would like to have a safe-distance get-together with Greg, please send him an email at minister@ralphconnor.ca and he’ll set up a time and place.
Note: You may still use letter mail via Canada Post, or drop mail off at the church side entrance. Mail is picked up and distributed regularly.
Administration: Trish Campney
Minister: Rev. Greg Wooley
Music Director: Tanya Sullivan
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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