Thanks to those who have completed the survey about the possible renovation/expansion of our historic Church sanctuary and hall.

If you haven't completed a Survey, please consider doing so BEFORE Sunday June 30th as it will only be available online until that date. 
These big decisions need all your voices heard! 

Click  here  to complete the survey. 
Alternately, paper surveys are available at the Church Office  or 
at Sunday's Service.

Thanks for your participation, it means a lot!
Ralph Connor Memorial United Church Weekly
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Greetings! 

We hope to  see you at Church on  Sunday June 30, 2019


CONTRIBUTING TO SUNDAY JUNE 30 10:00 AM WORSHIP:

Greeters: Jim & Donna Smith
Worship Leader: Ian Schofield
Children's Church: Joan von Engelbrechten
Fellowship/Coffee Time: Barb Profitt & Allison Edwards
Summer Pianist: Chantalle Maundy
Administration: Dianne Deans - 403-678-5354 - office@ralphconnor.ca
In the Pulpit: Rev. Greg Wooley  minister@ralphconnor.ca

~~~  
Scripture Lesson:  Matthew 25: 31-40

heart_glossy_canada.jpg

For the change in seasons we've decided to do a Summer Newsletter! 
An abbreviated version of the Newsletter will be arriving in your email Inbox on Fridays, instead of Thursdays.

THE AFFIRM COMMITTEE 

Pride/Affirming Month draws to a close
Thank you to everyone who has participated in the "affirming discussions" each Sunday in the month of June.  In this Sunday's Worship service and after-service time, we'll report back on what we have heard in these discussions, and get some further input from you. 
 
We Affirm Gender Fluidity
In moving towards the "Affirming Ministry" designation, our hope is to publicly declare RCMUC as a safe and affirming space for people of all sexual orientations and gender identities.  Recent religious and political proclamations have devalued gender identities that do not conform to the usual "binary" (male/female), and that makes it all the more important to keep growing in our understanding of the full spectrum of sexual expression.
Here are a few resources: 
two websites where people who identify as Non-Binary, Gender Fluid and/or Gender Queer speak of their personal experiences.  Watch the video  or  Read the article  - and here is  a gentle introduction to various aspects of sexual orientation and gender identity.  
 
Affirm United 2019 Conference at Hillhurst
This year's annual gathering for Affirm United in is Calgary!  July 26-28, 2019.   Click to register.


 

SUMMER PIANIST PLAYING SUNDAY JUNE 30
piano

On Sunday June 30th  Chantalle Maundy will be playing her First Sunday Service.  She will be at the piano for the next eight Sundays. Please stop by to say hello to Chantalle, if time permits.

Wishing Tanya a joyful summer break!
MEMORIAL SERVICE -  JULY 19
The memorial service for the later Dr. Gerald "Jerry" Eaton will be held at Ralph Connor on Friday, July 19 at 1:30 PM.  Our sympathies are extended to Ann and all the family. 
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

Ralph Connor has been asked by the United Church Vancouver School of Theology and the Stoney Nakoda Nation to help with a summer program called   Teaching House.  

It is an opportunity for youth, young adults and Indigenous Student Ministers from Western Canada to learn about a unique area. This year the participants will learn about the UC history, indigenous spiritual practices and sacred places of the Bow Valley. We will provide about 50/60 dinners on  Tuesday July 23.  
Drivers for July 24th in the PM for small groups may also be needed.  

Watch for a chance to sign up.
NEW EXHIBIT AT LOUGHEED HOUSE, 
707 13th Avenue SW, Calgary
Ongoing for the whole summer
 
Metis-Exhibition
Our new summer exhibition explores Métis identity from a number of perspectives, both historical and contemporary.
Métis artists from around the province consider what it means to be Métis, while showcasing the internal diversity of the contemporary Métis Nation.

Lougheed House is a National & Provincial Historic site, Museum and gardens located in Calgary's Beltline community. This 14,000 sq.ft sandstone mansion was built in 1891 by Senator James Lougheed and his wife Lady Isabella Lougheed. Completely restored, today it is the Beltline community's hub of cultural happenings and programs offering preservation and interpretation of this home, the Lougheed family and early Calgary.
707-13 Avenue SW, Calgary, Alberta T2R 0K8, Canada

Interested in carpooling to the summer exhibition? If yes, please contact the Church Office. 
CHILDREN'S MINISTRY

Children's Church and Toddler care for Sunday Services are key ways that we support the faith development of children, and hospitality to young families.

This Sunday June 30 will be a Wind-Up for Children's Church with lots of fun activities planned.  Children's Church will return after our summer break.  Thank you to everyone who has helped with leading Children's Church this year... with a special thanks to Joan Von Engelbrechten who coordinates so much of what we do!
EVENSONG 
 
Evensong, our contemplative mid-week service is on hiatus for the summer.   Evensong will resume in September at the time of the Fall equinox.

Thank you to Jan Tissandier and the Evensong team for a wonderful year of contemplative worship!
SHARE YOUR MUSICAL GIFTS

During the Sundays in July and August, do YOU have musical gifts you would like to share to enhance our Worship experience?  If you play a musical instrument...or would like to share a vocal solo, duet, trio, quartet... or if you know someone willing to volunteer their gifts in this way...please contact either of the co-Chairs of our Worship Committee, Isabelle Ramsay or Janis Dougall .  Thank you!

HEALING PATHWAY 

This gentle healing ministry has  limited, as needed,  appointments available in July and August; 

The contact people for appointments if required will be: 
July ....  Shannon Mang - 403 607 8645 
August....  Marg Suurallik - 403 688 8357
ALPINE VOICES THRESHOLD CHOIR

Rehearses the second and fourth Monday of each month from 7:30 - 9:00 pm in the sanctuary. Threshold Choir singing is described as "kindness made audible."
  
CYAN - Canmore Young Adult Network

Free Yoga in Riverside Park with CYAN
Every Wednesday from 6:30-7:30 PM from Jun 5 - Aug 28

Visit the CYAN website  for more happenings & information.
HAVE YOU VOLUNTEERED AS A SUNDAY HELPER?

Help us weekly and contribute to our Sunday Service, it is easy!

Just sign up on the clipboard during Sunday Worship or after at Coffee time, then go to our website at  http://ralphconnor.ca/volunteering/ and view or download the duty sheet for the position you have selected for instructions.  


click on the image to go to the webpage

COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS community
THE WISDOM CENTRE & HILLHURST UNITED CHURCH

Are excited to welcome 
Brian McLaren on 
November 1-3, 2019.

REGISTER NOW AT 

Tickets are going fast!

 
HILLHURST UNITED CHURCH Friday November 1, 2019
9:30 A.M. - 3:30 P.M.

Speakers, Presenters:
David Gray, Tony Snow, Pam Rocker, Jeremy Duncan, Anna Greenwood-Lee, William Brook, Maren McLean Persaud, Mike Morrison, Hillary MacDonald, and Paul Douglas Walfall.

For details go to  wisdomcentre.ca  or  hillhurstunited.com

FAMILY GAMES DAY

WHO
All are welcome, young and old              alike.

WHAT
An old-fashioned sports day; free refreshments, races,and tours of the site. 

WHEN
Saturday, July 27 from 1-3:30PM

WHERE
McDougall Memorial Church, located 26kms west of Cochrane on 1A Highway. 
 


VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

THE UNITED CHURCH OF CANADA
 has a VBS "Caravan" that will be moving around to a number of locations around Calgary this summer.  The closest to us will be 
ST. ANDREW'S UNITED CHURCH in Cochrane  which will be hosting a VBS  July 29 - August 2.  


CHILDREN'S CAMP
 


NARAMATA CENTRE (United) in the Okanagan  - week-long programs, 
 
SORRENTO CENTRE (Anglican) on Shuswap Lake - week-long programs, 

CAMP KASOTA EAST on Sylvan Lake has a Family Camp,  

ST. STEPHEN'S COLLEGE (United) in Edmontonoffers a variety of summer and Fall courses.  Click here for more information and to register

VANCOUVER SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY (United/Anglican/Presbyterian) - offers a variety of summer courses.
July 8-12 and July 15-19.  Click here for more information and to register  
 
VST Indigenous Studies Program, 
STAY CONNECTED:

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 Phone: 403-678-5354 | Email: o ffice@ralphconnor.ca | w ww.ralphconnor.ca