Hello! Does it feel like a new year? Or does it feel like more of last year? This week, the Rev Dr Marcia McFee who created the Worship Design Studio, reminded me that life is a series of exclamations from “Oh No!” to “Help!” to “Oh Yeah!” and that we can swing between disappointment, helplessness, and gratitude on a daily basis. I would add that sometimes it is on an hourly basis. The Book of Psalms knows all about this. Written over a span of time from exile and isolation to the rebuilding of the community, the poetry of the Psalms will accompany us for four Sundays, reminding us that through it all, we can trust that God is holding our lives.
Stay well. Stay connected.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Peter Poohkay and family as they grieve the passing of Norma who passed away at the age of 93 on December 27. If you wish to send your condolences to Peter, his address is: Peter Poohkay, Room 212 West Highlands Good Samaritan, 2687 Garry Dr W, West Lethbridge, AB T1J 5A3.
We wish Pat Koosey blessings for a speedy recovery from a broken ankle. Chalking doors is a Christian tradition that happens on January 6th when we remember the Magi visit to the Christ child. It is a way to mark that event as well as bless our homes as we begin a New Year. It is an invitation for Jesus to be our daily guest in our homes.
This year, Sunday school is offering “takeout church”, with kids and teachers meeting via zoom every second Sunday morning for a chat, lesson and prayers; then, on alternating weeks (Thursdays at 7pm) we are holding a youth group zoom hangout (grades 7-young adults). Each youth group meeting, a different youth will be hosting and planning a fun activity and a prayer with the help of the leaders. Our next Sunday school zoom session is November 29 and our next youth group session is November 26. If you would like to be added to the Sunday school email list please call Angela Wigglesworth at 587-229-3878 or send an email to
balzacunitedchurch@gmail.com.
If you have news you’d like to share in the next newsletter please email the details to Angela at balzacunitedchurch@gmail.com or call her at 587-229-3878
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.
January 7th. Thanks everybody for a really fun youth group to start 2021.
Miss Victoria and Miss Angela
Virtual Senior Clubhouse and Youth night
Every other week we will have a youth meeting, Thursday nights at 7pm. Each online youth meeting, a different youth will be hosting it! planning a fun activity and a prayer with the help of one of us.
Sunday Jan. 10, 2021 – Virtual Sunday school 10 am
Youth Night January 21 at 7 pm led by Issac
Sunday Jan.24, 2021 – Virtual Sunday school 10 am
Youth Night February 4 at 7 pm
Sunday Feb. 7, 2021 – Virtual Sunday school 10 am
Youth Night February 18 at 7 pm
Sunday Feb. 21, 2021 – Virtual Sunday school 10 am
Youth Night March 4 at 7 pm
Sunday Mar. 7, 2021 – Virtual Sunday school 10 am
Youth Night March 18 at 7 pm
Sunday Mar. 21, 2021 – Virtual Sunday school 10 am
Youth Night April 1 at 7 pm
Sunday Apr. 4, 2021 – Virtual Sunday school 10 am
Youth Night April 15 at 7 pm
Sunday Apr. 18, 2021 – Virtual Sunday school 10 am
Hello Sunday school! I want to send a schedule out you!
There has been interest within zoom meetings so I thought that we could do them and have a lot of fun!
Let me know if you would also like packages as well. I will keep you all posted as much as I can and make these zoom meetings something we all enjoy.
This is for the junior Sunday school classes on Sunday mornings at 9:30am.
Jan 24
Feb 7
Feb 21
March 7- to be determined
March 21
April 4
April 18
May 2
May 16
May 30
June 13
I will let you know if there are classes after June 13. And I believe we are having an all ages virtual valentines party (tba) more Details to come!!!
Zoe Walkes
Since Sunday (March 15, 2020), Sunday worship services in the church are 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.
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 here on the side column or on our Audio page
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
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.
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.
Check out “Rita’s Tweets” a photoblog of Rita and Frog’s adventures while on sabbatical! See the link here
(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 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
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.
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 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
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.
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.
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.
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!
This was first proclaimed in 2009 in the House of Commons. Canadians celebrate National Indigenous History Month to honor the history, heritage and diversity of Indigenous peoples. It is also an opportunity to recognize the strength of present-day Indigenous communities. June 21 is National Indigenous Peoples Day.
National Indigenous History Month is a time for learning about, appreciating and acknowledging the contributions First Nations, Inuit and Métis people have made in shaping Canada.
The United Church of Canada proclaims that Indigenous spirituality, leadership, and participation are vital to the life of the United Church.
In 1994 the United Church established The Healing Fund which is a grant supporting healing initiatives in Indigenous communities to address the ongoing impacts of the residential school system. More information at https://www.united-church.ca/community-faith/being-community/healing-fund. Grants are determined by the Working Group of Indigenous persons from across Canada.
In this video : Indigenous Peoples Day- a History “, John Snow talks about Aboriginal history and positive steps to right relations. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BE8SE8fF2Ds&t=172s
Tony Snow, Coordinator for Indigenous Right Relations, Chinook Winds Region, has been hosting a series of talks on Indigenous Spirituality every Sunday at 2 PM in June.
Today we celebrate the birthday of the Christian church. It is Pentecost… you can read the whole story in the Bible – New Testament- Book of Acts- Chapter 2. The Holy Spirit is sometimes described as a dove, a migihty wind, and flames.
Today the Sunday School & Youth Group met via Google Meet and to learn about Pentecost. They remembered the Holy Spirit as a mighty wind and talked about paper airplanes and kites.
I want to thank Angela Wigglesworth for her Pentecost Prayer (attached). Our BUC tradition is to wear red – the color of Pentecost.
Stay well. Stay connected.
Rev Rita ph/text 403-560-5197
Michelle Edgar from soap for hope YYC @soapforhopeyyc visited us Sunday February 23, 2020.
Listen to her talk here
Soap for Hope is located
5120 6th Street NE, Calgary, Alberta Calgary, Alberta T2K 4W5 phone (587) 352-9500 or drop by if you would like to volunteer!
December 2020
December 27
December 24
December 20
December 13
December. 06
November 2020
November 29
November 15
November 8
November 1
October 2020
October 25
October 18
October 11
October 4
September 2020
September 27
September 20
September 13
May 2020
May 24 Message
May 3 Message
March 2020
March 8 service sermon Minute for mission
M.Johnston performing “God So Loved the World”
March 1 service sermon
February 2020
February 26 Ash Wedneday service
February 23 service sermon, Ron Beagle performing “I know who holds tomorrow”
February 16 service sermon, Ron Beagle performing “the Nighty and Nine’
February 9 service sermon Minute for mission, Choir performing “Lead Me On”
February 2 service sermon
January 2020
February 2 service sermon
January 26 service sermon
January 19 service sermon Choir performing Down By the Riverside / Standing in the Need of Prayer
January 12 service, sermon
January 5 service, sermon
December 2019
December 29 service
Christmas Eve service Choir performing four selections “Angels Among Us” Michelle Johnston performing “O Holy Night”
December 22 service, sermon, Choir performing “Angels Was A-Shoutin’ on Christmas Morn”
December 15 service, sermon, Choir performing “Can You Hear the Angels?”
December 8 service, sermon, Choir performing “Angels Keep Rejoicing”
December 1 service, sermon, Choir performing “Angels Among Us”
November 2019
November 24 service sermon
November 17 service sermon, Zoe Walkes performing “Hounds of Spring”
November 10, service, sermon, Poem
November 3, service, sermon
October 2019
October 27, service, sermon, Minute for mission,
Michelle Johnston performing “Simple Gifts”
October 20, service, sermon
October 13 service, sermon, Minute for mission, Choir performing “We Rejoice”
October 6 service, sermon
September 2019
September 29 service, sermon, Choir “Go Ye Into all the World”
September 22 service, sermon, Minute for mission
September 15 service, sermon, Ron Beagle performing “His Eye Is On the Sparrow”
September 8 service, sermon
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
