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 are 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
SECTIONS top 

Greetings! 

We hope to  see you at Church on I ndigenous Peoples Sunday June 23, 2019

We encourage everyone to attend the Indigenous Peoples Day events in Canmore on June 21st.  Many thanks to Gloria Snow, Ken Levae and Elder Glenda Crawler for their leadership at our June 19th Evensong. 

CONTRIBUTING TO SUNDAY JUNE 23 10:00 AM WORSHIP:

Greeters: Cindy & Gary McKay
Worship Leader: Rick Hester
Children's Church: Joan von Engelbrechten
Fellowship/Coffee Time: Anne & Rick Hester
Musical Director: Tanya Sullivan
Administration: Dianne Deans - 403-678-5354 - office@ralphconnor.ca
In the Pulpit: Rev. Greg Wooley  minister@ralphconnor.ca

~~~  
Scripture Lesson:  Isaiah 25: 6-10


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 - JUNE PLANS

Each Sunday in the month of June, the Worship service will focus on a different aspect of what it means to be a radically inclusive congregation - including, but not limited to, inclusion of the LGBTQ2 community.  A discussion time in the sanctuary will follow each Sunday's service, for folks in the congregation to meet with members of the Affirming Committee, to share thoughts, feelings and experiences.   At the end of the month, a brief survey will help to determine our next steps in the process toward being designated as an Affirming Ministry.
 
What does the Affirming Committee envision, if Ralph Connor Memorial United Church (RCMUC) were to become an Affirming Ministry?  By becoming an Affirming Ministry of the United Church of Canada,
  •  We affirm Christ's desire to reach out in love toward people who feel marginalized in our community.
    • o   We acknowledge that many populations feel marginalized, and wish to learn how to be more explicitly welcoming and supportive of them.   We want to address a variety of areas including ageism, sexism, racism, and classism and in particular to the Affirming Ministry, the issues of sexual orientation and gender identity.  Since LGBTQ2 persons have been, and continue to be, specifically denigrated and excluded by many Churches, we overtly and specifically include them in our affirming words and actions.
  • We affirm the spirit of the present RCMUC Mission Statement, and the heart for inclusion that is already demonstrated in this place.
    • o   We celebrate that this statement shapes the choices and priorities of this congregation, committing us to spiritual growth and exploration, to practices of intentional invitation, and to become agents of social justice.   These commitments are essential for a thriving, healthy Affirming Ministry.
  • We affirm the importance of connecting with other communities of faith who have also demonstrated a heart for inclusion, namely, the over 130 communities of faith who have already been declared Affirming Ministries.
    • o   We understand that becoming designated as an "Affirming Ministry" does not mean that we have completed the journey toward inclusiveness.  This designation will commit ourselves to be a community that will continue to listen to and learn from those who experience marginalization, and will continue to engage in study, education and dialogue through workshops, events and partnerships as we continue our journey
For more information, please see http://ralphconnor.ca/inclusion/ - and do come to Worship in June!


Registration is now open for The Affirm United Ensemble Annual Conference is July 26-28, 2019 in Calgary, in partnership with Hillhurst United Church and Affirming Connections . This annual event can happen anywhere in Canada, so this is a great opportunity for us to attend!!

SASKATCHEWAN FIRST NATION 

Saskatchewan First Nation to host two-spirit powwow: 'This needs to happen,' the organizer says.

Last year's two spirit powwow at the University of Saskatchewan attracted more than 700 people. This year it will be at Beardy's and Okemasis' Cree Nation, to show First Nations 'they can do this in their own spaces,' not just urban centres.

Read the article in 
The Star Phoenix  newspaper. 
 
SUMMER PIANIST SUCCESSFULLY HIRED
piano

We are pleased to announce that Chantalle Maundy has accepted the position of Summer Pianist!  Chantalle is a U of C Engineering student with a strong piano and Church background.  Her first Sunday will be June 30th.  

Thank you to Tanya and everyone involved in the interview process! 
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.

Children may go to Children's Church after the first hymn and return later in the service.  June 30 will be the final Sunday for Children's Church until we take a break for the summer. 
EVENSONG 
 
Evensong, our contemplative mid-week service is done 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 remaining Sundays in June...and 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 

To book a session or inquire about this gentle healing ministry please contact: Sue Nichols or Vicky Connoy for an appointment until the end of June.

Healing pathway will be taking a summer break in July and August but sessions will be on a limited as needed basis. 
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

Wednesday June 26th:  Join Bow Valley Young Adult Coalition, AHS and CYAN for an evening of learning about 
the drug Fentanyl.  Meet at 8 pm at Communitea, for a brief presentation, question period and Naloxone Kit demonstration. Free to attend and everyone is welcome to join!

Visit the CYAN website for more 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 WITNESS BLANKET
ART EXHIBITION : CLOSING JUNE 23, 2019

The Witness Blanket is a monument that recognizes the atrocities of the Indian residential school era, honours the children and symbolizes ongoing reconciliation.

This powerful Art installation is on exhibit at the Red Dee r Museum  from May 4 to June 23, 2019.  
THE WISDOM CENTRE & HILLHURST UNITED CHURCH

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

REGISTER NOW AT 



 
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.   Click here for more information and to register


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