Hello! God invites us to “rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.” (Romans 12:15) Today I would like to invite you to rejoice with Peter Poohkay as he celebrates his 100th birthday on March 15th. A few years ago, Peter and Norma moved to Lethbridge to be closer to family. Sadly, Norma passed away on Dec 27 2020. If you would like to send a birthday card to Peter, his address is:   Room 205 2687 Garry Dr W Lethbridge, AB T1J 5A3

A few 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

BUC community news – February

February Dates to Remember:
February is black history month. Read all about it in the next issue of our BUC coffee & chat newsletter.
February 2: Groundhog Day
Feb 12: Chinese New Year
February 14: Valentine’s Day
Feb 15: Family Day; Louis Riel Day
Feb 16: Shrove Tuesday (*Get your favourite pancake recipe ready!)
Feb 17: Ash Wednesday

Below, you will find some of my favourite lesser known days, worth celebrating this February.
∙ February 4: National Homemade Soup Day
∙ February 7: National Bubble Gum Day
∙ February 8: Read in the Bathtub Day
∙ February 11: International Day of Women and Girls in Science
∙ February 16: Do a Grouch a Favour Day
∙ February 20: National Love Your Pet Day
∙ February 26: Tell a Fairy Tale Day
∙ February 27: International Polar Bear Day

January 21st. Thanks everybody for a really fun youth group to start 2021.

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 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)

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.