Ralph Connor Memorial United Church
Weekly
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Friday, September 10, 2021
by Thursday at 11:00 AM
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OUTDOOR WORSHIP
~THIS SUNDAY~
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Sunday, September 12, 2021
at 11:00 AM (note time!!)
at the Millennium Park Ball Diamond
Bring a lawn chair, a water bottle, and dress for the elements! If you wouldn’t mind bringing a toonie along, that would help defray the costs of renting the diamond. We hope to have our Church greeting cards available for sale, as well as information about “Orange Shirt Day” at the end of September. We also have a box of Ruth Oltmann's books, "Ruthie's Trails: A Lifetime of Adventure" for free give-away. Some of you may know Ruth from the trails of K-Country!
We realize that not everyone will have the same comfort level at gathering, and hope to provide a respectful environment for all, regardless of comfort level. We will have masks and hand sanitizer available, but in an outdoor environment are not requiring either of these. For those who would like “a little more distance” from their neighbours, we suggest setting up your chair more in the 2nd base/centre field direction, while those who don’t mind being closer together could set up closer to the 3rd base line. (Ah, the joys of being on a ball diamond! – GW)
On September 12th we celebrate the Twentieth Anniversary of Evensong, which gathered for the first time on September 12th, 2001… one day after “9-11”. Our outdoor service will include worship elements from Evensong, which so beautifully melds contemplative spirituality, Christian rootedness, and a deep respect for the sacredness of nature.
Please note that the September 19th Worship service will be online only; on September 26th we are planning to be outdoors again at the Diamond!
Helpers still needed for September 12th Outdoor Service
Volunteers are needed on September 12th for a wide range of tasks – if you can help, please contact Greg, [email protected]
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At it's September 1st meeting, RCMUC Council revisited our COVID Guidelines for building usage. The current version is posted here.
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a Message from your Stewardship Committee
The mission of Ralph Connor Memorial United Church is:
• to nurture the spiritual exploration and growth of all our members and adherents;
• to be an intentionally inviting Christian community that seeks, welcomes and embraces new members;
• to reach out and become an agent for social justice in our neighborhood and in the global community.
THANK YOU to all who brought donations to the Outdoor Services!
We are grateful for the generous donations to support our local church, and for donations to Mission & Service to reach out to others in our community and around the world.
You can donate by:
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For several weeks, our Friday newsletter has featured calls of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. We will resume this practice in the fall, and in the meantime would like to announce the following initiative... |
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Orange Shirt Giveaway: Monday 13 September
Indigenous Ministries and Justice has purchased a bunch of orange shirts (with a portion of proceeds going to the Orange Shirt Society) and we’ll be giving them away by size group through the day.
All you have to do is wait for the Facebook post featuring your size and comment on the post. The first five-twelve comments received in each category will receive a shirt!
We start with Youth XSmall at 2:00 p.m. ET and end with Adult XXXLarge at 5:00 p.m. ET. You gotta be there and speak up to win!
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Join the Orange Shirt Day Team
On the Sept 4 and 5, 2021 we engaged with 350 people at the Orange Shirt Day Booth. Most were from Alberta, a few from BC and even people from Europe and NZ. A few Indigenous people stopped to tell us their stories. Many of the Alberta children knew more than their parents. The teachers are doing a good job. We will be there the next three Sunday afternoons so drop by to say hello.
If you can help at a booth, with set up, hosting or take down, or if you can prepare orange ribbons to give away, please contact Mary Shearer at [email protected].
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18th Annual Sisters in Spirit Vigil:
October 4, 2021
The Awo Taan Healing Lodge invites you to come march with them on Monday, October 4th, 2021 for our 18th Annual Sisters In Spirit March.
We march to honor, raise awareness, and demand justice for all of the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. We march for our grandmothers, mothers, daughters, sisters, aunties, and loved ones who have been taken from us.
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We have two prayer groups at RCMUC: The Healing Pathway Prayer which meets on Wednesdays and Fridays, and Tuesday's “Morning Prayer” group.
We request that the person gives consent to have their name mentioned in prayer as privacy/confidentiality is of utmost importance. We also would appreciate knowing when the situation changes and we can release them from our prayers or update the prayer to a changing need.
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Pastoral Care Committee Benevolent Fundraiser |
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Thank you photographers for submitting many beautiful images! The first five images have been selected and printed.
The balance of the "Members Only Trial" packets will be available for purchase at the September 12th outdoor service. Bring your $10 cash and go home with five notecards. Proceeds to Benevolent Fund. If you miss out we will accept orders and print more of this first series.
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CYAN has lots of great events planned for the young adults of Canmore and environs. Their main website is under repair at the moment, so check https://www.facebook.com/canmorecyan/ for coming events! |
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EARTH JAM - and GREEN EXODUS - are initiatives linking our concern for this planet with our spirituality. Ralph Connor is pleased to be one of the partner organizations in Canmore, Calgary and Lethbridge who are bringing the EARTH JAM event to our communities.
Due to concerns regarding indoor, in-person gatherings at this time, EARTH JAM has moved to being an online-only event. There will still be weekend retreats (now on Zoom rather than in-person) as well as daily contemplative "sits" and discussion times throughout September and early October.
Take a look at greenexodus.ca – you will find that Sarah Arthurs and her team (from Calgary, Canmore, Lethbridge and elsewhere) have worked hard to develop a range of online offerings, from retreats to contemplative “sits.” Please register here and check here for the full schedule of events and registration links!
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New in 2021: Canmore Pride! |
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The Bow Valley now has multiple Pride festivals: Morley (last weekend), Banff-Lake Louise (October 3-10) and… Canmore! (September 16-19). Canmore’s Pride Festivals include two events related to the book, “Our Past Matters” by Kevin Allen. The history of the Affirming Group will be part of this presentation.
Online event, 4:00-5:30 P.M. on September 16: click here for details~. For this event, please register (scroll down the Canmore museum event page, the registration link is on the lower left hand side).
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Our gratitude to Robin Slater for offering the following feature in our weekly Newsletter, as part of our efforts to be a more broadly inclusive, and affirming, Community of Faith.
ROBIN'S WEB
CONNECTING DIVERSITY
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Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world:
indeed it’s the only thing that ever has.
~ Margaret Mead
UN Climate Change Conference 2021: October 31 – November 12, 2021 Glasgow - The United Church of Canada and For the Love of Creation are forming an ecumenical virtual delegation for the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 26). Delegates will participate, learn, and advocate at COP and share to the wider church and beyond to bring attention to and grow support for climate justice. The deadline to apply is **September 13, 2021** Click here for details and to apply.
40 Days of Engagement on Anti-Racism: Continue the journey towards becoming an anti-racist church with this brand new 40-day program of learning, reflection, activities, advocacy, and action for you or your congregation. Each day from Tuesday, October 12 to Friday, November 26 (with the exception of Sundays) there will be a new reflection on anti-racism, as well as activities suitable for adults and children. These activities can be done alone, as a family, or in groups. Click here for details~.
How to Be a Christian Activist: September 29, October 6, October 13, 2021. 5:00-7:30 p.m. MST Rev. Dr. Cheri DiNovo will give us some advice on what works and what doesn’t when we try to influence government and have politicians listen to what we say. Rev. DiNovo was a provincial politician in Ontario for 12 years, and brings a wealth of experience about how government works, how to turn your passion for change into something tangible, how to navigate the political arena to get your voice heard. Click here for details~.
Racism and the need for a national integration commission. We need to break down the silos among Canadians by doing an in-depth and independent enquiry that addresses the discomfort behind diversity. Click here for details~.
Bridging Poverty and Privilege: Wednesdays October 13 to November 17, 2021. 11:00-1:00 p.m. MST What if our response to poverty went beyond charity? Can RCMUC start a ministry that will make a tangible impact on poverty in Canmore? What if we grew intentional friendships with neighbours living in poverty? Click here for more.
Church as Sanctuary and Shelter - Aiding Asylum Seekers in El Paso Christians who opened their lives and churches to these suffering people. Philoxenia is the opposite of fear of the stranger; it is the basis of hospitality. It is love. In the Bible, it is a character trait that accompanies those who know God and understand his deliverance and salvation. Click here for more.
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Your support is urgently needed to help Afghans
fleeing for safety.
Escalating violence has forced hundreds of thousands of Afghans from their homes, and more are being forced to flee every day. People are leaving with nothing in search of safety.
Now, fifty percent of the population requires critical, lifesaving humanitarian assistance and support.
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Ralph Connor Memorial
United Church (RCMUC)
CONTACTS
Administration: Trish Campney
Trish is on vacation from August 27-September 20, though friendly volunteers will fill in when they can
Minister: Rev. Greg Wooley
Music Director: Tanya Sullivan
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Please also note: if you are sending letter mail to RCMUC, please include “Box 8901” in the address to make things easier for the folks at Canada Post.
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Rundle Memorial
United Church (RMUC) Contacts
The mail, email and phone messages will be picked up regularly.
Administration: Nancy Murray
Mailing address: P.O. Box 1086
Street address: 102 Banff Ave
Banff, Alberta, Canada T1L 1B1
RMUC Website: http://rundleunited.ca/
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Ralph Connor Memorial United Church
Mailing address: P.O. Box 8901
Street Address: 617 Main Street
Canmore, Alberta, T1W 2B1
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