Ralph Connor Memorial United Church Weekly
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Greetings! 

We hope to  see you at Church on Sunday September 30 , 2018


CONTRIBUTING TO SUNDAY 10:00 AM WORSHIP

Greeters: Cindy & Gary McKay
Worship Leader: Donna Smith
Children's Church: Joan VonEngelbrechten
Fellowship/Coffee Time: Donna Scott & Emily
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

~~~  

The Story of Esther  - a retelling by Wood Lake Books - this Sunday
NEWS & COMING EVENTS news
ORANGE SHIRT DAY

THIS SUNDAY- September 30th - is Orange Shirt Day: Everyone is invited to wear an orange shirt to remember and honour all the Indigenous children who went to Residential School and those children who died at school.

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.  

This Saturday 
RICK ANDERSON TURNS 70 AND YOU ARE INVITED

When: Saturday, September 29, 7:30 - 10:30 pm
Where: Creekside Hall, Canmore Seniors Centre

Faye is hosting a party to celebrate Rick's 70th birthday.  They would like to show their appreciation for this community that has embraced them so warmly since their retirement here 4 years ago.

Moldy Fig Fusion will be playing. Expect some line dancing, some couples dancing, some folks just listening, some snacking & sipping & chatting
Light snacks and beverages will be provided. Cash bar proceeds will go to Canmore Food and Friends. No Gifts please

Please RSVP to fayefa@shaw.ca so that we can have enough food and beverages for all.

CROSS-BORDER BOOK STUDY!
  
What is this Cross Border Book Study all about?  

On Tuesday nights starting October 9th, 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.  

Sign up at Church, or email Greg at minister@ralphconnor.ca

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. 

EVENSONG 
 
Each Wednesday night at 7:15, we gather for holy silence, chant, song, reflective words, and experience the gentle nudging of the Spirit. 
 
Sometimes we will also incorporate poetry, or art, or physical movement. Join us on Wednesday and discover the gift of this mid-week Spritual Oasis...and tell and bring your friends!

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. 


COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS community

THANK YOU to everyone that helped with our hosting of the Foothills Presbytery meeting this past Tuesday.  Good work everyone!!!

NINE AND DINE


Many thanks to all that attended and contributed prizes to this year's Nine & Dine.  A crazy time was had by all. And best wishes to the winners whom get to host next years event. 

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 

OUR OWN TARA KOENIG (CYAN) HAS SKILLS


Tara is on the cover and has a great article in the fall issue of Rockies Health Magazine. . Congratulations Tara! 

Rockies Health is published by Rocky Mountain Outlook.  You can pick this up at  around town or click on the image above for the full magazine and article. 
Photos Aryn Toombs

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
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.
 
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 replacement please talk to Ian, Joy or Donna K.
 
Thanks!

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