Good Afternoon!
I hope that you are enjoying the warmth in the air today. My life outside of work is buzzing in many different directions as I prepare to move houses and go on vacation. In the office, things are actually pretty quiet right now over my last working days, so if there is something you have been hoping to talk with me about, please contact me to set up a good time. I have some time available for you.
My remaining working days are
Sunday June 11,
Tuesday June 13,
Wednesday June 14,
Friday June 16,
Saturday June 17,
Sunday June 18.
As you may remember from Larry’s leave taking, there are some rules I will have to follow in my departure in order to support the congregation’s leadership here and to be fully present in my new position. I should not be in contact with you for one year. I will adjust my Facebook settings so that you will see little of me.
I know that this feels like a time of endings. It is my hope that it is also a time of new beginning for Spirit West as you find a sustainable way to be the church going forward. Sometimes I have heard some of you say that you are old. This week’s scripture (Genesis 12:1-9) is the first time we hear about Abram, and he is 75 already. He and his family and their staff and their livestock take off for a new country. If I’m feeling scattered trying to move 130 blocks within Edmonton and I’m only 45, what must Sarai have thought?
God was doing something new – brand new, and decided to use an elder couple to do it.
Speaking of new things, our lesson from the life and teachings of Jesus (Matthew 9:9-26) also talks about new things – and about how we do not put new wine in old wineskins or use new fabric to repair old fabric. Perhaps consider what that passage could mean about Spirit West entering a new time of being the church together while you are facing the current challenges. In our 17 verses from Matthew’s gospel we call a new disciple, debate about fasting and feasting, heal a person with a hemorrhage and raise a child from the dead. It stands in strange contrast to the Hebrew scriptures this week where we hear but one example of several of God making this promise to Abram and Sarai. It is not finally fulfilled until he is 99 years old.
God isn’t finished with you yet.
The children’s time this week will celebrate our amazing children’s ministry and their talented leadership.
A Kindergarten teacher was observing her classroom as the children drew pictures. The teacher would occasionally walk around and see each child’s artwork. As she approached one little girl who was working especially hard, she asked what the drawing was. The little girl told her: “I’m drawing God!”
“But sweety,” the teacher replied, “no one actually knows what God looks like.”
Automatically, the little girl continued drawing and said: “well, they certainly will in a minute!”
(Rev) Eli Carter-Morgan (they/them)
Spirit West United Church
Proud to share the land through Treaty 6
CHURCH PICNIC this SUNDAY, June 11 after the worship service. Outside weather permitting, otherwise, in the sanctuary.
Come for Food, Games, Fellowship, Fun! Everyone welcome! Please bring a lawn chair, if possible.
Free will donations will be gratefully accepted to help cover the cost.
Congregational Meeting re FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES- Sunday, June 25 – At the Congregational Meeting on May 28, we received additional information that we are now pursuing. Therefore the vote on the direction of Spirit West will be held on June 25 after the worship service.
FLOWER BASKETS – we are going to have blossoms beautifying the front porch of the church again this summer. This is a wonderful place for plants to grow. However, they do need to be watered. We are hoping that someone will consider giving them a good drink once or twice a week in JULY or AUGUST depending on the weather. If you could do this, please sign up on the sheet at the back or call or email Norma at the church office.
LEADERS for June 11
LEADERS for June 18
DATES TO REMEMBER
EVENTS Happening in the CHURCH – June 12-17
OUTSIDE ACTIVITIES
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
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
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
I hope that you are enjoying the warmth in the air today. My life outside of work is buzzing in many different directions as I prepare to move houses and go on vacation. In the office, things are actually pretty quiet right now over my last working days, so if there is something you have been hoping to talk with me about, please contact me to set up a good time. I have some time available for you.
My remaining working days are
Sunday June 11,
Tuesday June 13,
Wednesday June 14,
Friday June 16,
Saturday June 17,
Sunday June 18.
As you may remember from Larry’s leave taking, there are some rules I will have to follow in my departure in order to support the congregation’s leadership here and to be fully present in my new position. I should not be in contact with you for one year. I will adjust my Facebook settings so that you will see little of me.
I know that this feels like a time of endings. It is my hope that it is also a time of new beginning for Spirit West as you find a sustainable way to be the church going forward. Sometimes I have heard some of you say that you are old. This week’s scripture (Genesis 12:1-9) is the first time we hear about Abram, and he is 75 already. He and his family and their staff and their livestock take off for a new country. If I’m feeling scattered trying to move 130 blocks within Edmonton and I’m only 45, what must Sarai have thought?
God was doing something new – brand new, and decided to use an elder couple to do it.
Speaking of new things, our lesson from the life and teachings of Jesus (Matthew 9:9-26) also talks about new things – and about how we do not put new wine in old wineskins or use new fabric to repair old fabric. Perhaps consider what that passage could mean about Spirit West entering a new time of being the church together while you are facing the current challenges. In our 17 verses from Matthew’s gospel we call a new disciple, debate about fasting and feasting, heal a person with a hemorrhage and raise a child from the dead. It stands in strange contrast to the Hebrew scriptures this week where we hear but one example of several of God making this promise to Abram and Sarai. It is not finally fulfilled until he is 99 years old.
God isn’t finished with you yet.
The children’s time this week will celebrate our amazing children’s ministry and their talented leadership.
A Kindergarten teacher was observing her classroom as the children drew pictures. The teacher would occasionally walk around and see each child’s artwork. As she approached one little girl who was working especially hard, she asked what the drawing was. The little girl told her: “I’m drawing God!”
“But sweety,” the teacher replied, “no one actually knows what God looks like.”
Automatically, the little girl continued drawing and said: “well, they certainly will in a minute!”
(Rev) Eli Carter-Morgan (they/them)
Spirit West United Church
Proud to share the land through Treaty 6
CHURCH PICNIC this SUNDAY, June 11 after the worship service. Outside weather permitting, otherwise, in the sanctuary.
Come for Food, Games, Fellowship, Fun! Everyone welcome! Please bring a lawn chair, if possible.
Free will donations will be gratefully accepted to help cover the cost.
Congregational Meeting re FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES- Sunday, June 25 – At the Congregational Meeting on May 28, we received additional information that we are now pursuing. Therefore the vote on the direction of Spirit West will be held on June 25 after the worship service.
FLOWER BASKETS – we are going to have blossoms beautifying the front porch of the church again this summer. This is a wonderful place for plants to grow. However, they do need to be watered. We are hoping that someone will consider giving them a good drink once or twice a week in JULY or AUGUST depending on the weather. If you could do this, please sign up on the sheet at the back or call or email Norma at the church office.
LEADERS for June 11
- Hospitality Team – Callas – Carol & Bill C, Sue & Gerry M
- Scripture Reader – Peter K
- Projectionist – Bruce C
LEADERS for June 18
- Hospitality Team – Ludlow – Diane L, Norma B, Carol & Bruce S
- Scripture Reader – Sheila H
- Projectionist – Norma B
DATES TO REMEMBER
- Sunday School Picnic – Sun, June 11
- Eli’s last Sunday preaching – June 18
- Congregational Meeting – Sun, June 25
EVENTS Happening in the CHURCH – June 12-17
- Mon, June 12, 6:15-8:00pm - Embers
- Tues, June 13, 6-7pm – set up for Church of Christ service
- Wed, June 14, 6-9pm – Church of Christ service
- Wed, June 14, 7pm via zoom – Board Meeting
- Thurs, June 15, 7-8:30pm – choir practice
- Fri, June 16, 6-9pm - set up for Church of Christ service
- Sat, June 17, 7am - noon – Church of Christ service
OUTSIDE ACTIVITIES
- St. Stephen's College Fundraising Gala - Friday, June 16, 5-10pm, JW Marriott Ice District - 10344 102 St NW, Edmonton. Featuring live painting by Giselle Denis, live entertainment, guest speakers & silent auction - $250 per person, or $2000 per table of 8. A deductible charitable tax receipt will be issued for a portion of the ticket price after the event
- Community & Connection – 2SLGBTQ1A+ and Advocacy Conference, June 22-24, Robertson-Wesley UC, 10209-123 St. Bringing together those who do work in the 2SLGBTQIA+ community to share their challenges and experiences with each other and the greater community. More information at www.communityandconnection.com
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
- PAR - Pre-Authorized Remittance is a direct debit program run by the United Church of Canada. It allows people to support their church through an automatic monthly withdrawal from their bank account. It follows the giver's wishes (give to local, M&S, etc.). If you wish to go on PAR, please the fill out the form on the literature carousel and give the form and a cheque marked “void” to the church office. We will do the rest! If you wish to change your PAR amount, contact the office and we will make the change for you.
- 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) or even if you are , you can 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.)
- 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
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
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