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May 9

Sunday Service

Fundraising projects

Enjoy Fresh locally grown produce from:
Shirley’s Greenhouse.

Update information in bold font.

Help support Balzac United Church and spoil yourself with freshly picked greenhouse grown, pesticide free produce from Shirley’s Greenhouse.

Simply go to: https://www.shirleysgreenhouse.com/

Click on the shop local button to see the selection of fresh tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, lettuces and much more for purchase online.

Shirley’s Greenhouse will share a portion of all sales that are arranged for

pick up at: Balzac United Church
On: Wednesday May 19th
Pick up time is: 4pm until 6pm

COVID protocols will be followed during pick – up

Deadline to order is Sunday May 16th
Help Support Local Growers. Help Support Balzac United Church.

 

Two of our Sunday School members have fund raising projects that they would like to share with you:

  • Gwendolyn Burford is selling Girl Guide cookies, the Chocolate/Vanilla kind.  They will be available for pick up on Tuesday.  If you have placed an order with Angela Burford, she will get in touch with you to arrange pick up/delivery.  If you haven’t yet placed an order, please contact Angela at angelaburford@outlook.com or call her at403-980-4428.
  • Katie Harrison is also selling Girl Guide cookies.  If you are interested please contact her mom, Kirsten Harrison at k.h.harrison83@gmail.com or call her at 403-801-5010.
  • Gwendolyn is fund raising for an exciting train trip that her Girl Guide group will be taking in 2022 and also for their year end party.

The information from Angela on these events is below as well as the order forms attached:

Kernels form

Fundraising Brochure for First Aid Kits

 

“Upcoming Fundraisers for 3rd Airdrie Guides

  1. Cookies – Chocolate/ Vanilla available April 12th. Also Mint ones still available
  2. First Aid kits Now-May 15 delivery should by mid June
  3. Kernels Popcorn Now until end of April. This will guarantee them here by May long weekend
  4. In person bottle drive May 8th- Covid restrictions permitting (we will schedule shifts closer to the date).
  5. Contactless Bottle drive – ongoing. Take your bottles to either of the two Airdrie Bottle depots and tell them you wish to donate them to 3rd Airdrie Guides. They will count them and add the funds to the guides account.”

Rev. Rita

Hello! I am back from a ‘stay at home & mostly offline’ week of continuing education. I spent time reading and reflecting as well as ‘retreating’ with the guidance of an online prayer retreat. Today I am sharing with you a quote I discovered last week….. something to think about…. something to pray about.

If I am very aware that I do not love much,
the way is not to try to love more,
so much as to spend more time
in trying to open myself
to receive the love of God.

— Damaris Parker-Rhodes in Plain Living by Catherine Whitmire

 

BUC community news – April

April Dates to Remember:
April 1: April Fool’s Day
April 2: Good Friday
April 4: Easter Sunday
April 7: World Health Day
April 12: Ramadan begins for our Muslim brothers and sisters
April 22: Earth Day; Camping Sunday

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

Minutes for Mission personal prayer

O God,

My thought have power.
My words have power.
My actions have power.
My interactions have power.
I have power, O God.
Help me to use it wisely.

Amen

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.

Youth Group

Thanks Chad for leading us in a really fun youth group session.  The movie theme was creative and we had lots of fun with the game you chose.

Great job!
Thanks to everyone who joined in tonight!
Next youth group: May 13
Next youth group leader: Isaac

Miss Victoria and Miss Angela

Virtual Senior Clubhouse and Youth night

Every other week we will have a youth meeting, Thursday nights at 7 pm. 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.

Youth Night May 13 at 7 pm

Sunday May 16, 2021  – Virtual Sunday school 10 am

Youth Night May 27 at 7 pm

Sunday May 30, 2021  – Virtual Sunday school 10 am

Youth Night June 10 at 7 pm

Sunday June 13, 2021  – Virtual Sunday school 10 am

Youth Night  TBA

Sunday June 27, 2021  – TBA

 

Sunday School Zoom meetings

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.
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

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

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

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.

 

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

PAST EVENTS:

Sunday school Valentine’s Day party

Thursday February 18th 6:30 – 8:00. Games and crafts. Details of the party will be emailed to the parents!

Balzac’s Groundhog Day event

Balzac Billy is taking his season-predicting talents online this year. Due to gathering restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic, Blue Grass Ltd. Nursery, Sod & Garden Centre’s annual Groundhog Day celebration will be held virtually in 2021.

Read the full article here

“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

 

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.

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)

March 10 – The Spiritual Practice of Getting Lost
March 17 – The Spiritual Practice of Being Grounded – Audio here
March 24 – The Spiritual Practice of Physical Labor – Audio here
March 31 – The Spiritual Practice of Saying “No” – Audio here
April 7 – The Spiritual Practice of Pronouncing Blessing – Audio here
April 14 – The Spiritual Practice of Waking Up to God – Audio here

Service for Allan Fraser

Allan Fraser passed away on Saturday January 25th 2020. 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

Grant Shuttleworth

It is with a heavy heart that we let you know Grant Shuttleworth has passed away March 21, 2020. Please pass on your thoughts and prayers for Kathy and her family at this difficult time. It would be much appreciated. Grant Shuttleworth’s  Obituary

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!

June is National Aboriginal History Month

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.

 

Video

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

Donate
Attached info

Upcoming Events

The External Affairs committee sent 70  handmade Easter cards to residents at Bethany.

Soap for Hope YYC

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!

Audio posts

April 2021
Easter Sunday April 4
Good Friday April 2

March 2021
March 28
March 21
March 14
March 7

February 2021

February 28
February 21
February 14
February 7

January 2021
January 31
January 24
January 17
January 10


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

BUC Audio page here


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“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