Board Update for the Congregation – At the AGM on March 3rd, the board committed to communicating more information to the congregation on a regular basis. We will be sending out the board meeting minutes, the associated reports submitted by the board members and the financial statement. There is a delay in sending out this information to the congregation since the board has to approve the minutes before they can be distributed. Attached to this email is the information from the meeting held on March 19th and approved at the April 16th meeting. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me by email me at runser@shaw.ca or phone at 403-289-2715 or check with any of the other board members. A list of the current board members and their contact information is attached for your reference. Ruth Unser, Board Chair.

May 5th Worship Service – We will not be having our regular worship service on May 5th. We have chosen instead to join the Chinook Winds Region Meeting Celebration of Ministry Worship service so that we can participate in the ordination of Kelly Grittner. This service is being held at McDougall United Church at 10:30 am and is being live-streamed on Chinook Winds YouTube Channel. Please join us at the church where we will be set up to watch the service together on the screen at the front. The church will be open at the usual time if you want to come and visit prior to joining the broadcast service. The coffee will be on. If you prefer to watch from home use the link above. We are grateful for the opportunity to celebrate this wonderful occasion with Kelly as he becomes Rev. Kelly Grittner.

Quilt Fundraiser – Each ticket for the BUC Quilt fundraiser will be $5, and all proceeds go to BUC. The winning ticket will be chosen within a raffle – Please stay tuned for more information. Please wait until further notice for ticket availability. Please see Victoria Walkes with any questions.

Plant Fundraiser – Thinking of getting plants this year? BUC has a new fundraiser with Bluegrass Garden Centre starting on April 21st. There are hanging planters, deck pots, and mixed annual flats for sale with part of the proceeds going to BUC. Please see the posters for more details and talk with Victoria Walkes or Joyce Covey for more information.

• Zoom – A general reminder that Zoom is always available each Sunday if you wish to join in for our Sunday worship service virtually.
• Minister Contact Information – If you want to talk to Kelly Grittner, call him at 403-219-3535.

THIS YEAR IN 2024: Rural Ministry Network comes to Alberta – June 2024. For More Info on any of these events please see Zoe Walkes for more information via email. posted information available on multiple announcement boards around the church.

● Updated form Community Links: Different resources available for all, Take a look at the pin boards within the

church or talk with Zoe Walkes, to see the upcoming awareness, training, and support happening soon.

● Greeting cards sent out from BUC: A general reminder that if you know someone that needs a card sent out

from the church because of celebration, concern or illness, to please let Joyce Covey know as soon as you can.

Our church community is always connected and we have love and light filled to the top at our church, so please help us stay connected.

• Income Tax Receipts – Income tax receipts for 2023 donations have been mailed out. If you have any questions or concerns about your income tax receipt, please contact Ruth Unser at runser@shaw.ca or call at 403-289-2715. Ruth is acting Envelope Secretary in the absence of Michelle Kotelko.
• New Development Info: In the discussion at the AGM I mentioned that I would send out the link for the map of the new development in Airdrie, Goldwyn Prairie Estates. Here is the link if people were interested in looking at it: https://liveingoldwyn.com/lot-map/ . – Ruth Unser
• Minister Contact Information: If you want to talk to Kelly Grittner, call him at 403-219-3535.

Other information that you might be interested in:

Choir – Rehearsals are after the morning service and start from 11:30 am for an hour. We are always looking for new members.
If you would be interested in joining, we would be delighted to see you. If you have questions about the choir, contact Lee by email at ladyleedow@shaw.ca  or call her at 403-818-9592.

Volunteers needed – Please consider volunteering for the following opportunities to help out at the church.   There will be sign up sheets at the front table and even it you can commit to one Sunday occasionally or maybe once a month that would be very helpful.

Greeters – A friendly face at the door is needed to welcome people and provide help.  It’s a good way to get to know people and check in with old friends.

Coffee Time Volunteers – Coffee will be served after the service but we need some volunteers to make the coffee ahead of the service and clean up afterward.  Please consider helping out in this area even if it is only occasionally or for 1 Sunday a month.

Christmas Cantata was held during the service on December 17th 2023.
Listen Here

Getting to Know our Neighbours

The United Churches of Balzac, Airdrie and Irricana are planning three joint worship services as part of a getting to know our neighbour program. This involves each church hosting a joint worship service over the next three months.

Sunday April 14, 2024 Irricana and Airdrie United congregations will be travelling to Balzac United Church for worship at 10:00 am.

On February 11, 2024  Balzac and Airdrie United Church congregations travelled to Irricana United Church to join them for worship at 10:00 am.

On March 10, 2024 Balzac and Irricana United Churches travelled to Airdrie United Church to join them for worship at 10:30 am.

Our neighbouring churches will have activities planned for our Sunday School children. Both churches have invited our choir members to join their choirs. A service bulletin will be available in advance for each of the services.

Joint Worship Food and Snacks – To prepare for our Joint worship after service snacks, there is a sign-up sheet for snacks to bring on April 14th 2024 on the pin board on the left side of the fridge. Please sign up if you can!

• . March 29th – Good Friday Service with special music from the choir. March 31st – Easter Sunday Service and special music by the choir. Hope to see you all in body or spirit!
• Confirmation – On March 31st 2024, there will be a Confirmation Celebration for Hannah Walkes. Furthermore if there is anyone who would like to affirm or transfer their membership to BUC formally, March 31st is an invitation to anyone who would like this for themselves to happen. Please contact Minister Kelly Grittner 403-219-3535 for further information and interest.
• Getting to Know our Neighbours Continues:

Here is the schedule for the upcoming worship service sharing after our visit to Irricana and Airdrie recently.

April 14, 2024 at 10:00 am – Irricana and Airdrie United congregations will be travelling to Balzac United Church for worship.