Welcome to St. Laurence

Join us this Sunday

as we celebrate the season of Creation,

and join us after the service to celebrate our life together.

For more information on how you may participate in this service,

and about this week's Conversations, see below.

See bulletin here

CONVERSATIONS

Conversations this week: Guest Speaker: Jared Blustein

Executive Director, Calgary Climate Hub

Jared will be with us for the 10:00 am service and for Conversations.

Sunday, September 20

Guest Speaker: Jared Blustein

Executive Director, Calgary Climate Hub

Biography

Jared will be with us for the 10:00 am service and for Conversations.

At the 10 am service, Jared will speak on

Maintaining Hope During Interesting Times:

Each day seems to bring new stories of rising precarity, ecological harm, war, and injustice. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Yet, it is precisely in these moments that we must pause, look around, and remember that we are not alone. There are many around us who care deeply about our world and are ready to act. Growing community power and collective action might be the most important thing we can do today. Indeed, it is only by coming together that we can create the world we wish to live in. 

As the 19th century French writer and Nobel laureate Romain Rolland affirmed, we must have ‘pessimism of the intellect, and optimism of the will’. This simple aphorism can truly help guide us through these ‘interesting times’. This brief talk will move between hope and hopelessness, affirming the former as the only path forward, and will finish with a quick overview of some of the structural, cultural, and self-care actions we can take today.

Conversations: Building Community Power, Knowledge, and Connections in the Anthropocene

This talk begins with a brief overview of the work, intentions, and impacts of the Calgary Climate Hub (CCH). This will then be connected to a broader discussion exploring methods for addressing inequity and expanding community power today, using 2 major framings (structural engagements, and social care). 

Drawing on Archbishop Desmond Tutu’s famous "river" parable, we will explore the importance of reactive actions aimed at saving people from immediate dangers, and the methods to move towards proactive engagements aimed at addressing the root causes of these very same dangers. Both are necessary in our world, but only one can be transformative. Join us for a lively discussion exploring the problems and solutions that we face today, and into the future.

https://www.calgaryclimatehub.ca/

Conversations September 27^th - Neurodiversity: An introduction into spicy brains and how to support them". The focus will be on ADHD and Autism. Led by Christopher Brodie-Smith



 For more information on Christopher's work, go to https://www.brainbeacon.ca/ 

Are you looking for ways to support the ministry of St Laurence?



• Join the Stewardship team to help plan and share our upcoming Stewardship Campaign. The campaign begins in mid-October. Speak to Emily or Jane to learn more.

• St Francis Blessing of the Animals on Saturday October 3: share flyers, help with set up and hospitality. Speak to Jane or email priest@stlaurence.ca

• Treats on the Street, Saturday October 31. Dress up and help us hand out goodies, make hot chocolate, act as onsite guide for those needing to use our washrooms, and more. Email Jane at priest@stlaurence.ca to get your name on the volunteer list.

SEASON OF CREATION 2026

September 4 - October 4

The Season of Creation is an international and ecumenical time to renew our relationship with our Creator and all creation through celebration, action, and commitment together. The season starts 1 September, the Day of Prayer for Creation, and ends 4 October, the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of ecology beloved by many Christian denominations.On October 3, we will continue our (new) tradition of Blessing the Animals.

During the Season of Creation, we join our sisters and brothers in the ecumenical family in prayer and action for our common home. (Curious about how this new season evolved? Go to seasonofcreation.org)

ST. LAURENCE

This Week in Parish

Thursday 10:00 am: Centering Prayer

Announcements

Conversations September 27th "Neurodiversity: An introduction into spicy brains and how to support them". The focus will be on ADHD and Autism. Led by Christopher Brodie-Smith For more information on Christopher's work, go to https://www.brainbeacon.ca/ 

Garrison Woods Services (Marda Loop) is on the Second Monday of the month

at 11:00 am

Garrison Green Services (Near Mount Royal College) is on the 4th Monday of the month at 11:00 am

Reading spots are open until December, please sign up online or contact Kelly in the office.

2026 Women's Lunches Pho Pham Restaurant

October 5

November 2

December 7

Men's Breakfast Sept 30 8:30 am Grey Eagle Casino

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.

Please pray for our brothers and sisters caught up in the current war in the Middle East.

Anglicans in Cyprus and the Gulf, caught in Iran war’s crossfire, nurture hope in troubled time – Episcopal News Service

St Francis Day

Blessing of the Animals

Saturday, October 3, 10:00 am

Bring your furry, scaly, or feathered friends

to the front garden at St Laurence for a blessing!

Unable to bring your pet? Bring a photo, object or toy that represents them.

Please ensure pets are leashed or crated for safety.

In case of inclement weather, we will meet inside.

Invite your Friends and Neighbours!

An Invitation to be involved in Interfaith Dialogue

In 2027 the Calgary Interfaith Council is celebrating its 10th anniversary, and is hosting a COUNCIL Gathering on Oct 5.

Rev. Jane is the representative for the Anglican Diocese of Calgary, and is putting together a team to participate in this Council.

• Representatives from member organizations and individual members will meet in person two or three times a year to discuss questions of common concern, discovery and celebration.
• Each gathering will include a panel on timely topics with 3 - 4 representatives from our member organizations, so that we are always getting to know each other better.
• There will be opportunities for small and large group conversations.

These gatherings will support the mission of the CIC to build a more just and respectful Calgary through:

• Deepening relationships across faith traditions
• Celebrating diversity
• Learning from and about each other

COUNCIL Gathering

Monday October 5, 6:30 - 8:30 pm 

Heritage Room, Hillhurst United Church, 1227 Kensington Close NW 

If you are interested in participating in this important work, email or speak with Jane at priest@stlaurence.ca

ALONGSIDE HOPE

Light for St. Luke's

Light for St. Luke’s: Every watt counts

We’d like to tell you about St. Luke’s Hospital in Nablus (the West Bank). Unreliable and costly power sources make health care a challenge during the best of times, or a crisis during the worst of times. 

That’s where solar power comes in. Solar energy helps keep the lights on, keeps medical equipment working, and helps doctors care for patients safely.

Alongside Hope is partnering with the Diocese of Jerusalem to purchase and install solar panels for the roof of the hospital. Learn about the many ways to support and donate to this campaign at alongsidehope.org/light-for-st-lukes. Together, we will keep the light shining.

SOCIAL JUSTICE

About the Upcoming Referendum:

Speaking to Others: As part of the Vote For the Common Good campaign, the Calgary Alliance for the Common Good is asking us to speak with others about the October referendum questions. The CACG website has an excellent educational guide for chatting with family and friends and others about the referendum. Check it out here for some great suggestions: https://www.calgarycommongood.org/alberta_referendum_vote_for_the_common_good 

IN OUR COMMUNITY

The Church of the Good Shepherd is launching an Affordable Counselling Ministry for those who may not qualify for mental health services or have insurance coverage for counselling. This ministry is designed to have volunteer Counsellors come alongside people with compassionate, affordable support in seasons of relationship difficulty, grief, loss, anxiety, and vocational or career uncertainty.

If you are interested in learning more about volunteering with this program there are brochures in the lobby. You can also visit the website here for more information: https://www.anglicangoodshepherd.ca/news/volunteers-needed-for-counselling-ministry

DIOCESAN EVENTS

YOUNG ADULT MINISTRY