Easter Sunday April 20 2025

Welcome to St. Laurence

Happy Easter! Join us for worship this week as we celebrate resurrection and new life in Christ. Our family friendly service includes the procession of the New Light, alleluias and baptisms, scripture reflection and glorious music.

The celebration continues after the service with an egg hunt, cake and juice (and mimosas) and, as always, community and good conversation.

To view our bulletin see here

Conversations

Join us each week in the Sunshine Room at 11:20 for reflection on theology, spirituality, and current events.

This week in Conversations: No Conversations

UPCOMING CONVERSATIONS

May 18, 2025

Rev. Adam Bedford presents on Deitrich Bonhoeffer, German theologian, witness, and martyr. To help prepare for Adam's sermon and talk, you are invited to read Christiane Dietz's biography, 'Theologian of Resistance', or one of Bonhoeffer own works such as 'The Cost of Discipleship' or 'Letters and Papers from Prison'.

If you are interested in a book study on Bonhoeffer's biography in May, let Jane know.

THIS WEEK IN THE PARISH

Thursday  10:00 am Contemplative Prayer

We are looking for a humidifier for a parishioner. If you have one that you are not using, and can donate, please let us know.

April is Parkinson Disease Awareness month. Several members of our parish have been touched by this disease. If you would like to know more about it or make a donation, click the link below. 

Fundraising Your Way: Denise Lawson

donate.parkinson.ca

Upcoming Women’s Lunches 11:30 am Pho Pham Restaurant

May 5

June 2

Upcoming Men's breakfast 9:00 am Wednesday April 30, Grey Eagle Casino.

To participate as a Scripture Reader, please sign up here or contact Kelly in the office.

The Flower roster chart is on the bulletin in the lobby for dedications to loved ones. The amount advised is $30.00,

Pastoral Care: If you or your loved ones are ill or desire pastoral care, please let Jane know at 403-324-1958

Prayer Ministry at St Laurence

If you have a prayer request, the best way is to email Ross or phone him at 403-606-2525.

Support the ministry of St. Jude’s Mission Church, Hawaii!

MJ and Keith are settled in at the rectory at St. Jude’s and renewing connections with parishioners. Donations have been delivered and graciously received by the congregation. Cash donations were given in Thanksgiving this past Sunday.

St Jude's will be our Easter Offering recipient for 2025. Financial Donations may be made to St. Laurence Anglican Church, with St. Jude’s in the memo line.

Donation envelopes in the lobby.

For more information about St Jude's, visit their website.

Yours in Christ and thanksgiving,

MJ+

St. Jude Episcopal Church Worship Service

If you wish to watch St. Jude's service it is at 1:30 pm MT on Sundays.

You can use the button below at that time only. You will need the following passcodes.

Meeting ID: 842 3858 1060

Passcode: Aloha

SOCIAL JUSTICE

Thanks to all who came to last Sunday’s very informative Conversations.

Lori Williams, Associate Professor at Mount Royal University, presented an overview of the current political situation in which we will be voting this year.

She has sent a digital copy of her presentation (without photos). If you would also like a copy, please send me an email: susanhimann@shaw.ca and I will forward it to you.

ALONGSIDE HOPE

Alongside Hope Appeal

Alongside Hope is seeking funds to help mitigate the reduction of all USAID by the Trump administration. This has affected many relief and development organizations across the world. Alongside Hope is our Canadian Anglican response to needs in the world. Alongside Hope continues to work with its partners to support those who are in need globally. Please consider making a donation to Alongside Hope to maintain our involvement with our partners around the globe and let those who are marginalized know that they are not forgotten. 

Canadian Food Grains Bank is another organization that Alongside Hope partners with. The Canadian Food Grains Bank is a valued partner on the world stage helping to promote food security in many areas of the world.  At this time of uncertainty, we can help provide aid to support world stability. 

Thank you for considering a donation to Alongside Hope or The Canadian Food Grains Bank.   

   alongsidehope.org         www.foodgrainsbank.ca

IN AND AROUND OUR COMMUNITY

Department of Classics and Religion

You are warmly invited to the upcoming Chair of Christian Thought Lecture



The Chair of Christian Thought lecture series occurs four times a year. This series facilitates an understanding of the place of religion in the past and/or present regarding ethics, education, spirituality, and urban concerns.

The Chair of Christian Thought, University of Calgary, in partnership with Grace Presbyterian Church, presents Dr. Norman Wirzba, The Chair of Christian Thought Swanson Lecture in Christian Spirituality:

Forget Optimism - Choose Hope: Creating a Life Worth Living 

Friday Apr 25, 2025

7:30 - 8:30 p.m. MST

Grace Presbyterian Church

1009 - 15 Ave SW 

Calgary, AB T2R 0S5

This event is free but you must register to attend.

Register here

Dr. Norman Wirzba (Duke University) explores the concept of hope in an era defined by multiple crises, posing the question: Is hope still possible? In his presentation, Dr Wirzba describes what a hopeful life looks like and why it matters. He shows that forms of optimism are actually an impediment to hope and so need to be resisted. He also demonstrates that hope is inextricably tied to the practices of love and forgiveness. When hope is active, people are engaged in the repair and healing of the world. 

Dr. Wirzba was raised in southern Alberta. He is currently the Gilbert T. Rowe Distinguished Professor of Theology and the Director of Research in the Office of Climate and Sustainability at Duke University in North Carolina. Dr Wirzba pursues research and teaching interests at the intersections of theology, philosophy, ecology, and agrarian and environmental studies. He is the author of multiple books, including Love’s Braided Dance: Hope in a Time of Crisis; Agrarian Spirit: Cultivating Faith, Community, and the Land; This Sacred Life: Humanity’s Place in a Wounded World; and Food and Faith: A Theology of Eating.

In addition to this free public lecture, Dr Wirzba will be running two workshops on Saturday, April 26 on Food Security and Justice. Workshop participants include Dr Pamela Farrell (University of Calgary) and Dr Olayemi Olabiyi (St Mary’s University).You can find out more about these workshops by clicking here. To watch previous Chair of Christian Thought lectures, click here. For further information or if you would like to be added to the Chair of Christian Thought mailing list, please contact Dr Carolyn Muessig, Chair of Christian Thought, University of Calgary (carolyn.muessig@ucalgary.ca).

Sign up here Promo code for 25 % off: AFFIRMING25

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ACORN

Are you curious about exploring a simple spiritual practice that will help you become more aware of God’s leading in your interactions with others?

ACORN is a simple daily practice that will grow with you the more you use it.

ACORN is an accessible stepping stone to grow your missional footprint.

Michael Harvey, creator of the Spiritual Practice of ACORN and author of the book “Unlocking the Growth”, is returning to the Anglican Diocese of Calgary.

During Michael’s visit he will be holding workshops at the following locations :

Tuesday, April 22 at 7 pm

All Saints Cochrane - “Unlocking the Growth”.

Wednesday, April 23 at 10am

St Andrew’s Calgary - Service of Morning Prayer & The Spiritual Practice of Acorn

Wednesday, April 23 at 7pm

St Luke's Red Deer - The Spiritual Practice of Acorn

Thursday, April 24 1:30pm - 3:30pm

St Benedict's High River - “Unlocking the Growth” & The Spiritual Practice of Acorn

Saturday, April 26 at 7pm

St James Calgary - The Spiritual Practice of Acorn

Sunday, April 27

St Augustine’s, Lethbridge -

10:00 am Service of Morning Prayer - Michael is preaching!

12:00pm -1:15pm - The Spiritual Practice of Acorn workshop

Sunday, April 27 at 4pm

Christ Church Calgary - The Spiritual Practice of Acorn

Anyone who is interested is invited to attend any of the events in the diocese.

Bring a friend!

If you have any questions Rev. Marcus Herrel (Herrelmarc@gmail.com) or Rev. Elizabeth Short (eshort@calgary.anglican.ca)

Looking Ahead!

The Citywide Pride Interfaith Service will be held again this summer during Pride week in Calgary. DATE: Sunday, August 24, at 7 p.m. This year the host church is Lutheran Church of the Cross, 10620 Elbow Dr SW, Calgary, AB T2W 1G4

Citywide Pride Parade: will be on Sunday August 31, 2025. Mark your Calendars! For further information please Contact MJ, mjlk@earthlink.net

PWRDF (ALONGSIDE HOPE)