April 5

Sunday worship services will be cancelled until further notice

Financial Church Support

Some church folk have asked how they continue to financially support our church. At this time, there is two ways:
1) Mail a cheque to Balzac United Church, 10076 TWP Rd 262, Balzac, AB T4B 2T3. Mail is picked up on a regular basis.
2) Using a credit card, you can donate via www.canadahelps.org The national office of our United Church Canada does approve of this online donation method. Balzac will receive your donation less 4% for a processing fee. Your income tax receipt will be issued from Canada Helps.
At this time e-transfers are not a possibility but will update if that changes.

Sunday worship services will be cancelled until further notice

Beginning this Sunday (March 15, 2020), Sunday worship services will be cancelled until further notice. At Balzac United Church, we will not take unnecessary risks when it comes to the health and welfare of our community. We are choosing to be proactive in our response to slow the spread of this virus. Rev Rita and the church board have not taken this decision lightly.

The Lent Countdown daily emails will continue as well as other emails to help keep us connected during this time. Rev Rita is available to provide support and answer any questions or concerns by phoning or texting 403-560-5197 or email cattellr@shaw.ca. Audio recordings of past worship services are available on our website balzacunitedchurch.com

Grant Shuttleworth

It is with a heavy heart that we let you know Grant Shuttleworth has passed away. Please pass on your thoughts and prayers for Kathy and her family at this difficult time. It would be much appreciated.

Postponed

Because of health concerns we are postponing the movie/lunch and the west Edmonton trip. We will keep you posted when we have a new date.

Balzac United Church Update: Coronavirus Preventive Measure

At Balzac United Church, we intend to be cautious and we intend to stay connected with each other. If you are feeling anxious about the coronavirus situation, have questions, or have suggestions about what we should be doing, I want to encourage you to phone or text me (403-560-5197) or email me at cattellr@shaw.ca If you find yourself in self-isolation, please let me know. We will keep you in our prayers and we can lend a hand if you need shopping done or errands completed. If a worship service is cancelled, we will send out an email and leave a message on the church phone (403-226-5844). Of course, if you feel unwell, please do not come to church. Keep doing a great job of washing your hands at church and everywhere else.

As of Thursday March 12, the following preventive measures will be taken for Sunday morning worship service on March 15th
-we will greet one another without handshakes or hugs- there will be no ‘formal’ greet one another time
-hand sanitizer will be available – we welcome donations of hand sanitizer and kleenex
-coffee hour and other events such as movie and a lunch are cancelled
-offering plates will be placed on stands to receive your offering rather than passed around
-celebration of communion postponed
I want to thank everyone for their cooperation. I also want to thank the Balzac board members for their leadership at this time.
-Rev Rita Cattell

Easter Music Workshop March 14

Cancelled

Airdrie Music Festival

Cancelled due to health concerns.

Family movie March 29

Postponed. In honour of March madness we will feature “Hoosiers” (rated PG), starring Gene Hackman, Barbara Hershey and Dennis Hopper; and a baked potato bar with all the fixings. Everyone welcome. (a movie for the younger kids will be playing in the upper room)

Balzac Book club

Balzac Book club will be studying “Seven Fallen Feathers” by Tanya Talaga in the spring. Date to be announced. Led by Rev Rita. Please join us. This study is part of external affairs committee work on Truth and Reconciliation with Indigenous persons.

“Walking with Jesus”

As we walk with Jesus from Galilee to Jerusalem, many interesting conversations happen.Listen to the rest of Rev. Rita Cattell’s sermons here on our website

January 12 Neighbour
January 19 Prayer
January 26 Carefree
February 2 The Times
February 9   Topsy Turvy
February 16 Lost and Found

Upcoming Dates

Sunday March 29: Family movie after the service. In honour of March madness we will feature “Hoosiers”, and a baked potato bar with all the fixings. Everyone welcome.
Friday, April 10: Good Friday worship service @ 9:30 am
Sunday April 12: Easter Sunday worship service & children’s Easter egg hunt during the service. Service begins at 9:30 am.

Soap for Hope YYC

Soap for Hope YYC needs large empty, clean shampoo, conditioner, or soap bottles. Donations can be left in the Soap for Hope donation box in the church entrance way.

Rendez-vous-2020

August 11 – 14, 2020
University of Calgary
Calgary, AB

Visit uccrendezvous.ca for more details

Pack your bags and get ready to live a once (or maybe twice, or maybe three times) in a lifetime experience. Rendez-vous is coming to Calgary in 2020!

Rendez-vous brings together youth (entering grade 9 and up to any age), young adults, and their leaders from across the country for a celebration of vibrant music, inspiring speakers, and dancing like there is no tomorrow. At this exciting three-day event you will

celebrate the bold faith of The United Church of Canada with hundreds of your new best friends
explore how brave space creates opportunities to learn, to share, and to celebrate new relationships
experience the brazen grace of a living community of hope and inclusion
We’re busy working behind the scenes getting everything ready, so start packing and get ready to experience your faith gone wild!

Sunday Snacks

We seem to work up a big appetite worshiping together. Thank you to everyone who brings cookies & snacks. Keep up the delicious work!

Thank You!:

Thank you & welcome to Michelle Edgar from Soap for Hope, and Madi Hopkins, our graffiti artist-in-residence, for sharing your gifts with us February 23

Thank you to Joyce Covey and all of the Pancake supper volunteers on Ash Wednesday.

Rita’s Tweets

Check out “Rita’s Tweets” a photoblog of Rita and Frog’s adventures while on sabbatical! See the link here

Lenten Sermon Series

(This series is based on the books: An Altar in the World: A Geography of Faith by Barbara Brown Taylor and Deepening the Colors: Life Inside the Story of God by Syd Hielema as well as the worship themes created by New Life Christian Reformed Church in Guelph, Ontario and published in Reform Worship Magazine No 130)

Soap For Hope

Soap For Hope YYC is an Airdrie based non-profit group who provide basic hygiene kits to individuals and families. Soap for Hope YYC welcomes donations of soap. Soap For Hope YYC is in need of clean, empty shampoo, conditioner, body lotion, & body wash bottles with lids. High demand items include: razors, shave cream, feminine products. Always needed are 1 litre bottles of dish soap and laundry soap as well as diapers, wipes, nail clippers, and Kleenex. Donation box is in the entrance way.

More Details are on the Outreach page. Donation box is in the church entry way. The new Address for Soap For Hope YYC is 5120 6th NE just off Deerfoot and McKnight. We hope to be open to the public by next week. Can’t wait to see you. New phone number is 587-352-9500

Veterans’ Food Bank

This month we are collecting donations for the Veterans’ Food Bank. In addition to non-perishable items, socks, toques, and personal hygiene items are always needed.

Airdrie food bank

Go to the Outreach page to see what is needed at the Airdrie food bank.
Did you know that for every $1 that the Airdrie Food Bank receives they can purchase $3 worth of food items? If you choose to support them in this way, please mark your donation clearly, and BUC will submit all monies received, to the Food Bank.

Donna Watt

Donna Watt sends cards to our BUC church family. If you know someone who is ill, is celebrating a birthday, is grieving, or just needs a thank you or a bit of encouragement, please email Donna at donnamwatt34@gmail.com

Veterans Food Bank donations

At this time of year, we support the Veterans Food Bank run by the Calgary Poppy Fund that assists veterans, ex-service, widows & dependents in Calgary & area. Donations of food, socks, mittens, gloves, & toques are needed & can be left in the church food bank bin in the entranceway.

Service for Allan Fraser

Allan Fraser passed away on Saturday January 25th. He had recently been diagnosed with extensive cancer.

On Saturday February 8th at 1pm we will gather at the Crossfield Community Hall  with Nancy and her family to celebrate the life of Allan Fraser. We know that those of you who are unable to attend will be there in spirit. 

Allan Fraser’s Obituary

PAST EVENTS:

Ash Wednesday Pancake Supper and Worship Service

Our annual Ash Wednesday Pancake Supper and Worship Service will be on Wednesday, February 26th. Pancakes will be served from 5:30pm to 6:30pm. Cost is by donation. As per Ash Wednesday tradition, we will burn the palm leaves from the year before at 6:30pm  followed by a brief worship service at 7:00pm. Please join us as we begin the season of Lent in preparation for Easter.

BUC Annual General Meeting March 1, 2020

Our annual general meeting is scheduled for Sunday, March 1, 2020 after the church service.

Please join us and provide your input to the selection of new board members for open positions and approval of the budget for 2020.  After the “hard work” at the meeting, we will share time together as a community with a potluck lunch.

Lunch & Movie

Sunday January 26  following the service, Lunch & Movie featuring
Ice Age”. Hot dog lunch with ice cream sundaes.
Everyone welcome.

Breakfast With Santa

Breakfast With Santa is on Sat Dec 7 starting at 9am. Come enjoy a pancake breakfast & get a pic with Santa. All ages welcome. Cost is $10.00 per family.  5.00 per single. It runs from 9:00 – 11:00

Blue Christmas Service 

Dec. 8 at 1:00pm

This quiet service is for those coping with the loss and change as well as an opportunity to remember loved ones who are no longer with us. For more info contact Rev. Rita at cattelr@shaw.ca or ph (403) 560-5197.

Balzac Christmas Market

Balzac Christmas Market is on Nov 16 @ the Balzac Community Hall. We will have a bake table & would welcome baking. Last year we sold out early so all donations welcome.

Lunch & Movie

Sunday November 17 following the service, Lunch & Movie featuring
“The Adventures of Tintin.” With a luncheon of British chips & curry

Veterans Food Bank

Veterans Food Bank donations are needed: non-perishable food, personal hygiene items as well as new socks, underwear, toques, mittens, and gloves for both women and men. Please leave your donations in the Food Bank bin in the entrance. If you wish to donate money, please make your cheque to Balzac United Church and clearly mark that it is for the Veterans Food Bank

Fundraiser @ Cross Iron Mills Chapters

Come & do some Christmas shopping. 15% of all eligible sales on Sun Nov 3 from noon to 3pm and on Thursday Nov 7 from 6 to 9pm will go to Balzac United Church. All you have to do is shop & tell the cashier that you in support of Balzac United Church.  Please let your friends and family know about this fundraising event.

Rural churches

Rev Tammy Allan is the minister at Olds-Sundre and is currently on sabbatical researching thriving/flourishing rural churches. On Oct 20th she will be attending worship at Balzac and would like to chat with a group of  BUC people after worship. Please consider joining the conversation.

Christmas Music Workshop

Saturday October 26: Christmas Music Workshop- beginning at 9:30am. Bring a bag lunch. Lee and the choir would like to invite you to join them to prepare for the Christmas music and sing with them in December on Sundays and Christmas Eve. No experience necessary.

Amazing Race

Amazing Race was Sunday October 20!!

Congrats to all the teams that participated in Sunday’s BUC Amazing Race!

Team Green – Madeline and Hannah

Team Purple – Malin, Isaac and Douglas

Team Pink – Heidi and Gwendolyn

A special thanks to our

Volunteers- Angela, Andrew, Susan, Sheryl, Kirsten, and Katie

BUC Garage Sale

Thank you to Joyce Covey and all who donated items or volunteered at the annual garage sale.The Annual Balzac United Church Garage Sale was be held on Saturday Oct. 5, 2019 at the Balzac Community Hall from 9 A M to 2 PM. The Garage sale raised $3642.90

Fall harvest potluck – October 6

On October 6 the Sunday school would like to invite the congregation to celebrate the harvest with a harvest potluck lunch following the service. Please bring a potluck item that you have grown, canned, or bought locally to share in the abundance. Everyone is welcome to join us at the Calgary corn maze following lunch for an afternoon of fun.

Family Lunch and Movie

Family movie & hot dog lunch following

the service, featuring “The Lion, the witch & the Wardrobe.”

Rev. Rita sabbatical

Rev Rita will be on study sabbatical from April 22 to September 4th. When a United Church minister has continuously served a congregation for 5 years, they are to take step away from their everyday congregational duties and spend time renewing their ministry skills.
Rev Rita has continuously served Balzac for 10 years and this is her second sabbatical. Her research project will explore the following question: What are simple, manageable, and cost effective strategies that will help Balzac United Church sustain longevity as a community of faith?
She will be attending conferences, online conversations, webinars and reading research data and books.

During her absence, you are asked not to contact her. Hazel Mountford and the Worship Committee as well as Angela Burford and the Ministry and Personnel committee have organized Sunday Worship services and pastoral care coverage during her absence. If you require the help of a minister, please contact Pat Koosey or any board member.

Congregational Meeting
July 21, 2019
after the service.

The board has reviewed the options and information on the water problem that we had in April.  They will be putting forward a motion to install our own water system at this congregational meeting (to get the approval of congregation to proceed with the expense of this option.)  Details on the proposal will be provided in the coming weeks for your review prior to the meeting.  Please mark this date on your calendar and plan to attend.  The board would appreciate your feedback and support.

Pancake Breakfast – Western Heritage Sunday

In case you haven’t got your fill of Stampede pancake breakfasts, we will be having a pancake breakfast after the worship service on July 14, 2019. This is our yearly Western Sunday with Larry Bilben leading the service with an emphasis on our heritage. Please join us for this fun occasion at 9:30 am next Sunday.

Trivia Night

Balzac United Church
Saturday June 1st, 2019
Trivia Night was a close battle between 5 teams, but the team “Jesus is coming, look busy!” came out on top! Trivia Night was a great success thanks to all the volunteers! see the Instagram link

Airdrie Music Festival

You are all invited to come to the Airdrie Music Festival, Tuesday, March 26th, at the Bert Church Theatre between 6 and 9pm. Please see the bulletin board for the schedule. Hope to see you there!

Michelle will be singing 4 songs:

• Non Giova il Sospirar
• Music, when Soft Voices Die
• Si Mes Vers Avaient Des Ailes
• ‘Cross the wide Missouri

‘A n L Show’

Do you like Dinner Theatres?? Want to see Kirsten’s husband Grant make a fool out of himself on stage? Grant is Andi in the Play this year. It’s very similar to Monty Python type humour and then ACTS then returns the money back into the Community Hall for upgrades and renovations in Crossfield. Tickets are still available for ‘Not Suitable for Primetime’. For the ‘A n L Show’ on Friday 90 tickets are left and 2 Randoms on Saturday. Shows are on Friday March 29th & Saturday March 30th after 6 pm. Tickets are $50 per person (adults only) and it includes your meal, dessert, coffee or tea. Drinks are extra (cash only).