YouTube Videos Worship Services – August 14 – in person worship service
To watch online, you will need to go to YouTube and google “Spirit West United Church”. This action will bring you to the Spirit West United Church YouTube page.
Sunday, August 14, 2022 – the Tenth Sunday after Pentecost
What values are most important to you?
When does standing up for what is right become more important than keeping the peace?
This week’s scripture addresses the situation when families become divided.
The way of Jesus can and does lead to tensions in our relationships.
Jesus knew that standing up for the oppressed would upset the powerful.
We have been taught that good Christians keep the peace, but sometimes, like Jesus, it is time to take a stand, even at personal risk.
Last Saturday, a drag queen named Felicia Bonée read the books “Sparkle Boy” and “The Hips on the Drag Queens Go Swish, Swish, Swish” at the downtown library branch. My children have enjoyed “Story Time with a Drag Queen” since they were very young. These drag artists are like princesses to the children, and teach them that it is OK to be yourself. For some people this is their ‘line in the sand’, and they believe libraries should not host these events.
Lines are drawn, and protesters and counter protesters arrived at the scene. The counter protestors supporting diversity and inclusion far outnumbered the protestors, and between them and the parents, the children were protected from their hateful speech.
This Saturday, Felicia is coming to our Callingwood Lois Hole library branch. I hope that she is met with a warm welcome. I intend to be there to shield our community’s children from any hatred that might appear.
This Sunday I’ll be reading ‘Giraffes Can’t Dance” for everyone to enjoy – even though I am no where near as gorgeous as a drag queen, I’ll try to make it enjoyable for all.https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/765148.Giraffes_Can_t_Dance
Our scriptures are Hebrews 12:1-2 and Luke 12:49-56.
Minister on the Porch
I’m going to continue with Ministry from the porch, this week, Friday from 10—1 and Saturday, 1-4
I’m also hoping to meet more of you for get to know you chats and pastoral visits.
I’m available anytime for emergencies, and
9AM – 9 PM, Wednesday- Sunday otherwise.
I am not always in the church building, so please call or text 780-298-4363 to set up a good time and place for you.
If you want me to visit in a hospital or nursing home, I need to be specifically invited, and I am happy to come.
(Rev) Eli Carter-Morgan (they/them)
Proud to share the land through Treaty 6
DRIVERS NEEDED
We have several people in our congregation who would love to come back to in-person worship but can no longer drive so are unable to get here easily. If you need a ride or if you can offer a ride to someone, please email the church or, if you prefer, call the office (noon to 5pm, Monday to Thursday).
GARAGE SALE – Save the Date – September 24
We will be holding our first garage sale, since the pandemic, on September 24! Start saving your items now and bring them to the church during the week before the sale. Please save plastic and paper bags too. We will be looking for volunteers to help run the sale soon. More information will be available soon.
SPIRIT WEST PRAYER CHAIN
Prayer is important. We know that people face challenges and difficulties and we cannot forget them. Our Prayer Chain continues to be active. If you have a prayer request, please send it to spiritwest.prayerchain@gmail.com. These requests will be shared regularly with the prayer chain and may form part of the Prayers of the People in our Sunday Worship.
Please remember to have people removed from the prayer chain if the prayers are no longer needed.
YOUR BOTTLES FOR THE CHURCH
You may have bottles piling up for recycling. You can bring them to the church (or you can call for pick up). If you want to bring your bottles (and any other recyclable beverage containers) in during our office hours and put them directly in the Bottle Shed (by the garage), give us a call, and we can have the shed open for you. All money raised from the return of bottles goes towards paying down the principal and interest on our mortgage.
FINANCIAL SUPPORT
We can accept donations by eTransfer. The contact name for the eTransfer is Spirit West United Church, and the email address is spiritw@telus.net . If you include a security question with your eTransfer, please notify Norma at the church office by phone or email of the answer.
- And remember that if you are not on PAR(Pre-Authorized Remittance), you can also mail in cheques to the church office (Spirit West United Church, 7003 – 199 St. NW Edmonton, AB T5T 3A8, include your envelope number if you have one.)
- The church office is open and you can drop off your offering/donation in the offering plate just inside the front doors or place it in the mailbox.
- You can also donate online by checking out the online donation option on our website spiritwest.org and click on the Donate tab in the navigation bar.
SPIRIT WEST ONLINE!
Website: www.spiritwest.org
Facebook: Spirit West United Church and Friends of Spirit West Outreach
Instagram: spiritwestyeg
YouTube: Spirt West United Church, Edmonton
CHURCH OFFICE
The Spirit West Church office is open.
- Norma => Noon to 5:00pm, Monday to Thursday
Thank you,
Norma Balcombe
Office Administrator
Spirit West United Church
7003 - 199st.NW Edmonton, AB T5T 3A8
phone: (780) 481-1406
email: spiritw@telus.net
website: www.spiritwest.org