Announcements
June 2
Sunday service
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Relay for Life
*Relay for Life is a walkathon supporting the fight against ALL cancer, show your support by donating here (Relay For Life – Relay For Life (cancer.ca)) which will support Isaac Burford in his walking fun or you can donate in person next week.
*Focus Your Lens – A weekend camp for All youth and friends, grades 6 to 12! – Young Adults, age 18 – 35!
Date: June 2nd-4th 2023
Location: Kasota East Camp, Sylvan Lake AB T4S 1S6 (Bus transportation provided from Calgary)
Cost: $225
Registration: Submit in person to Brenda McKellar or Simon Middleton, or email completed forms to b_mccook@icloud.com (You can request a registration form from Angela W)
Registration Deadline: May 15
Questions: Text or Call Brenda McKellar (403) 850-7874.
Card Ministry – If you think someone in the congregation might benefit from receiving a card from the church this week, contact Joyce Covey or Sheryl Page, our card ministers and ask them to send out a card. Please contact them at covster@shaw.ca for Joyce or pagecovey@hotmail.com for Sheryl.
AGM update
AGM April 23: Thanks to everyone who attended the AGM last Sunday and for your good questions and participation. We have a full board with 3 new members and some changes. The new Board is as follows:
| Board Chair | Ruth Unser |
| Secretary | Steven Burford |
| Treasurer | Hannah Walkes |
| Internal Affairs | Hazel Mountford |
| External Affairs | Michelle Kotelko |
| Ministry & Personnel | Joyce Covey |
| Property | Gary Astle |
| Member-at-large | Sheryl Page |
| Member-at-large | Brenda Astle |
| Youth Representative | Hannah Walkes |
| Region Representative | Ruth Unser |
Thanks to Andrew Wigglesworth, Clark Spencer and Paul Arnott for your service on the board as Chair, Property and Member at Large. We appreciate your hard work and efforts to keep the church running, as well as your wisdom and experience.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to call me at 403-289-2715. -Ruth Unser, Board Chair
Current News
- Thank you to everyone who has supported our outreach projects. For more info, to join the outreach team or to donate, please speak with Sheryl Page.
- 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.
- New start time: – 10:00am Sunday mornings
Income Tax Receipts – 2022 income tax receipts have been mailed out. If you have any issues or concerns, please contact Ruth Unser at runser@shaw.ca or (403) 289-2715.
Card Ministry – If you think someone in the congregation might benefit from receiving a card from the church this week, contact Joyce Covey or Sheryl Page, our card ministers and ask them to send out a card. Please contact them at covster@shaw.ca for Joyce or pagecovey@hotmail.com for Sheryl.
Financial Church Support
- If you want to financially support our church, there are four ways:
- Mail a cheque to Balzac United Church, 10076 TWP Rd 262, Balzac, AB T4B 2T3.
Mail is picked up on a regular basis. - 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.
- E – transfer funds directly to the church at our new email address for the treasurer treasurer@balzacunitedchurch.com
- Register for PAR (automatic monthly withdrawal from your bank account) by emailing Treasurer Support
- Mail a cheque to Balzac United Church, 10076 TWP Rd 262, Balzac, AB T4B 2T3.
Sunday School
Sunday school is Starting September 11 and registration is on now. You can download the form here and send it to Mrs. Angela or Mrs.Victoria
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.
Veterans Food Bank donations
The month of October is dedicated to supporting the Veterans Food Bank. Please donate food, Tim’s gift cards, socks or toiletries and we will drop off in Calgary before Remembrance Day. If you have any questions about this outreach program please contact Sheryl Page at pagecovey@hotmail.com
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
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Youth Group
Youth Night TBA
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:
- Go to the Pacific Mountain Regional Council donation page that is hosted on CanadaHelps.org
- 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. - 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).
- 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:
Christmas Cantata was held during the service on December 18th.
Christmas Eve service was held at 6 p.m. There will be no service on December 25th.
New Year’s Day service of readings and carols will be led by Dr. Alex Shawn. There will be no Sunday school this day.
Mission & service fair! – The Sunday school is thrilled to be bringing back our annual mission & service fair! Watch for upcoming details and be prepared to share in our joyous day of celebrations for this wonderful world.
Advent Craft night – We will be having an Advent craft night on Wednesday, November 23rd beginning at 7 p.m. If you are interested in attending, see Rev. Lynn for details.
½ day retreat -There will be a ½ day retreat on Saturday, December 3rd beginning at 10:30 and concluding by 2:00, lunch included.
The Balzac United Church Garage Sale
OCT. 22nd, 9-2 PM
Thank You to Joyce Covey, Sheryl Page and all the Volunteers!
The Balzac United Church Garage Sale raised $2448 this year!
Friday Night fire pit cancelled
❄❄❄😢 Sadly, with reports of 5-10 cm snow tomorrow; Angela, Zoe and I made the hard decision to cancel our Fire Pit/Pumpkin evening Friday, October 29.
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We hope to have more events coming up in the near future. We will keep you posted!!
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Have a lovely day tomorrow enjoy the beauty of snow and stay safe ❤
Victoria
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Youth Group Event
Hi everybody. We would like to invite you all to hang out with us at Nose Creek park in Airdrie this Saturday from 7-10 pm for an evening of games, roasting hot dogs over the fire and more.
What you need to bring:
-warm clothes for any kind of weather 🧤
-a camping chair
-a roasting stick
– a snack (if you don’t want hot dogs and chips)
– a blanket (optional)
– a water bottle
Please let us know if you plan on coming so we have the right amount of food.
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 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
April 7 – The Spiritual Practice of Pronouncing Blessing – Audio here
April 14 – The Spiritual Practice of Waking Up to God – Audio here
Video
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The Balzac United Church Garage Sale
OCT. 22nd, 9-2 PM
Thank You to Joyce Covey, Sheryl Page and all the Volunteers!
The Balzac United Church Garage Sale raised $2448 this year!
Coming up
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This Week
Recent Services:
Easter Sunday April 9
Service
Message
Good Friday April 7
Service
February 26
Service Highlight
December
Dec. 24
Service
April 16
Service
Message
April 25
Service
Message
November
Nov. 27
Service
Nov. 20
Service
Message
Nov. 6
Service
October 2022
Oct. 30
Service
Message
September 2022
Sept.25
Service
Message
Upcoming Events
There are no upcoming events at this time.
Grace United Church in LaxKw’alaams B.C.
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:
- Go to the Pacific Mountain Regional Council donation page that is hosted on CanadaHelps.org
- 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. - 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).
- 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
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
“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
