October 3

Truth and Reconciliation Day

From Tony Snow, Indigenous Minister, Chinook Winds Region:

Thursday, September 30

Truth and Reconciliation Day was established in Canada this year in response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission to commemorate the history and legacy of residential schools and honour the survivors, their families, and communities.

Regional Commemorative Service. Noon.
You’ll be able to access this online service on the Chinook Winds YouTube Channel HERE.

Online Panel with Ecumenical Indigenous Clergy for
Truth and Reconciliation Day 7 pm MDT

We gather a distinguished panel of ecumenical Indigenous Clergy voices from various denominations and spaces to discuss the history of residential schools, the impact of intergenerational trauma, the recovery of children’s bodies and the ongoing role of Indigenous ministry in the church’s dialogue about reconciliation today. Representatives from The United Church of Canada, the Anglican Church of Canada, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Calgary and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada among others will join us to discuss the efforts and challenges of reconciliation in their own contexts. Via zoom. Everyone Invited! Register HERE

Other Ways to Mark Truth and Reconciliation Day:

• Individuals and Communities of Faith may want to spend time reading again The United Church of Canada’s 1986 Apology to Indigenous People, the 1988 response and the 1998 Apology to students of United Church Indian Residential Schools and their families and communities. Download the Apologies and Response HERE

Sunday School

Rev. Rita

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

Financial Church Support

• Thank you to everyone for your continued financial donations.

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.

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

Youth Group

Youth Night  TBA

Rita’s Tweets

Check out “Rita’s Tweets” a photoblog of Rita and Frog’s adventures while on sabbatical in 2019! See the link here

Sunday worship services in the church are cancelled until further notice

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

Lax Kw’alaams Grace United Church

Weeks ago, Hugh and Levica Markides shared the news that Grace United Church in LaxKw’alaams B.C. (north west of Port Rupert) burned down on Saturday Jan 30th. When Hugh was a park ranger, he sometimes attended meetings in that community. The 147 year old building was completely destroyed. I know that our hearts go out to those folk who have lost an essential part of who they are.  Your prayers are needed to help this faith community to persevere and recover as they rebuild. At times like these, even being well-insured, means that there will be additional expenses Financial donations are also appreciated.

Here are links on the side panel to donate and attached information from Treena Duncan who is the executive minister of our Chinook Winds Region and Pacific Mountain Region.

Stay well. Stay connected.

If you are called to and able to offer a financial donation to Lax Kw’alaams Grace United Church, please follow these steps:

1. Go to the Pacific Mountain Regional Council donation page that is hosted on CanadaHelps.org
2. In the first section called “ Donation Details” you need to designate the fund you wish your donation to go to:
   Under AMOUNT
   Select the frequency of your donation.
   Set the amount of your donation.Under FUND
   Change the drop-down option from “General” to “Grace United Church – Lax Kw’alaams Rebuilding Fund” to designate your donation to this specific effort.
3. Then complete the rest of the form. Note: you’ll be prompted to make a one-time donation to the organization that hosts our donation page (CanadaHelps.org).
4. After submitting your donation, you will see confirmation page and number on the website, and you will receive an email with tax receipt (if applicable) to the email address you used on the donation page.

We are hearing many expressions of desire to help, and the Pacific Mountain Regional Council office and staff will continue to bridge the community of Lax Kw’alaams with the wider Indigenous and Non-Indigenous communities of faith, as needed by the Grace United community.
With gratitude and blessings,

Treena Duncan, Executive Minister, Pacific Mountain Regional Council.
United Church of Canada

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