Ralph Connor Memorial United Church Weekly
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Greetings! 

We hope to  see you at Church on Sunday October 7 , 2018
Worldwide Communion &
Thanksgiving Sunday

CONTRIBUTING TO SUNDAY 10:00 AM WORSHIP

Greeters: Marg Suurallik & Donna Egglestone
Worship Leader: John Cranston
Children's Church: Joy McMann & Joan VonEngelbrechten
Communion Servers: Mary & John Cranston
Fellowship/Coffee Time: Joy & Cam McMann
Musical Director: Tanya Sullivan
Administration: Sondy Szymanis - 403-678-5354 - office@ralphconnor.ca
In the Pulpit: Rev. Greg Wooley - 403-493-4923 - minister@ralphconnor.ca

~~~  

NEWS & COMING EVENTS news
The Affirming Ministry group presents... PAM ROCKER!  

Pam is on staff at McDougall United Church in Calgary, and works to strengthen LGBTQ connections in Calgary Presbytery and surrounding area.  

She was recently named one of Calgary's "top 40 under 40." 

Pam will be preaching at Ralph Connor on Sunday, October 21st.  See www.pamrocker.com for more info. 

NEW MEMBERS AND TRANSFERS

We will be receiving new members on an upcoming Sunday.  

If you would like to have your membership transferred, or have never joined a Church and are interested in doing so now,  please contact Greg at minister@ralphconnor.ca and we will make the necessary arrangements.  

CROSS-BORDER BOOK STUDY!
  
Is full with participants.  Those who signed up do not forget to mark your calendars for  Tuesday nights starting October 9th at 6 pm  in Gordon Hall. 

RCMUC is joining with three other congregations - Living Spirit United Church in Calgary, and two United Church of Christ congregations in Wisconsin, USA,  to study the same book and discuss it by Skype.  

The book is " Why Christian Words Have Lost Their Meaning and Power - and how they can be Restored" by Marcus Borg, which should be a great starting point for sharing thoughts on life and faith in our different contexts. 

EVENSONG - with guest harpist Olivia Ritchey on October 10th 
 
Each Wednesday night at 7:15, we gather for holy silence, chant, song, reflective words, and experience the gentle nudging of the Spirit. 

In this season of giving thanks, come (and bring your friends) for an evening of gratitude for music with harpist Olivia Ritchey. An accomplished professional musician, Olivia also brings a deep understanding of the sacred to her playing. Bask in the sounds of harp and words of poetry at Evensong, Wednesday, October 10, at 7:15pm.

HEALING PATHWAY 

To book a session or inquire about this gentle healing ministry p lease contact: Sue Nichols at iamsue@telus.net  or call her at 403-678-4536

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". 

If you would like to learn more about the practice of bedside singing, visit thresholdchoir.org , or contact Jan Tissandier, jan.tissandier@gmail.com  

New members welcome!  
CHOIR REHEARSAL

Choir rehearsal each Thursday at 7:30 pm.  

New members are welcome to join us!  

Give Tanya an email at 

CHILDREN'S MINISTRY

Children's Church and Toddler care for Sunday Services have resumed.
Children may go to Children's Church in the first hymn and return later in the service. 

This is one of our key Ministries - faith development for children, and hospitality for families.  Please sign up on the Sunday clipboard to help!
COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS community
Wondering what's up with youth ministry in the Bow Valley?  

An invitation has been received from the Youth Group at Trinity Bible Church, who share programming with Bow Valley Baptist Church in Cochrane.  

More info is available from the Office office@ralphconnor.ca or 

A BENEFIT FOR HELPING HANDS SOCIETY

St. Andrews United Church (located at 128 1st St, Cochrane) is hosting a benefit concert for Helping Hands Society on Saturday, October 13 at 7:00 pm.  Featuring Lucas Chaisson, There will be a silent auction and concession.  Tickets can be purchased at standys.bpt.me
Ukulele


The Ukulele Group will be starting up again weekly on   Thursday October 18. Newbies welcome, no experience needed.

Newbie Group starts at 5:00 pm in the Sanctuary with  Vets at 6:00 pm.

Come for the start and stay for the finish, have fun and rock on!
THRIVE HEALTH AND WELLNESS FESTIVAL

Bringing Canmore's vibrant health and wellness community together for a World-Class celebration! October 25 - 28

Thrive Festival is an exciting new 4-day festival celebrating health and wellness in Canmore, Alberta. Nourish your body, mind and spirit in the serenity and splendor of the Rocky Mountains from the moment you arrive. From the opening celebration featuring Dr. David Hepburn, Jason Watkin, Marin McCue and Angela Ditch to the closing Incredible Life Quest adventure, you create your own experience from an array of amazing fitness and Yoga classes, experiential activities, educational workshops, and enlightening presentations. 

Prepare to be inspired, empowered and elevated!

For more information go to  https://www.thrivefestivalcanmore.com/ 

For $50 off tickets until October 15th use this link: https://thrive-health-and-wellness-festival-2018.eventbrite.ca?discount=Thrive2018 

UNITED CHURCH OF CANADA UPDATES

Much is changing in the structure of the United Church of Canada. 

and https://foothillspresbyteryunitedchurchofcanada.wordpress.com/about/foothills-presbytery-minutes/   for the most recent "Region 3" (south Alberta) updates. 

APPEAL FOR HOUSING

As most of you will already know, our minister Greg will be going on sabbatical leave for the months of Feb. March, and April 2019. (and returning in May!!)
 
A committee of Ian Schofield, Joy McMann and myself Donna Kennedy was set up to look for candidates for the position.   There were 4 in total who applied for the position and we spent many hours interviewing each one either face to face or through skype. We are close to making a recommendation on the candidate and then we of course hope the candidate will accept.
 
Meanwhile, we are starting to look for full time housing for the minister, even though this is a half time position.   We really want the successful candidate to have a stand alone accommodation during that period.

So we are inviting congregation members who are planning on being away sometime this winter to consider offering their homes for any part or all of this time period.

Of course it would be awesome to find one home for this period of time however, we have already advised the candidate that they possible may have to do some "house surfing" during the three months.
 
If you are going to be away and are willing to consider opening your home to Greg's sabbatical replacement please talk to Ian, Joy or Donna K.
 
Thanks!

ARISE - WOMAN'S ONE DAY EVENT

Women uniting to uplift each other and pursue the heart of Jesus. Featuring: Voice for Israel - Hannah Nesher, Loving Your Way to Financial Freedom God's Way - Irene Bryant, Together for Life - Denise Mountenay, Safe 4 Life, Personal Safety Training - Lorna Selig, Courageous Self Care - Christina Marlett

Full day, lunch included - Saturday, October 13 at St. Mary's Roman Catholic Parish in Banff.

To get tickets contact the office. Donate what you can (a $60 value). Proceeds go to the Benevolent Fund.

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