
Things are quieting down now for the summer, but certainly not stopping.
THIS SUNDAY
This Sunday is Father’s Day, and in the United Church Calendar it is Aboriginal Sunday. Wednesday, June 21 is Aboriginal Day in Canada. And the United Church of Canada set aside the closest Sunday to June 21 as Aboriginal Sunday. The purposes of both Aboriginal Day and Aboriginal Sunday are to highlight the contributions to society of people of the Aboriginal Community, and to recognize the ways in which this community has hurt over the years, not the least of which has been the legacy of the Residential School Program. Since I do not feel confident speaking to this significant topic for our country and our church, I have invited Dr. Lewis Cardinal to speak. Dr. Cardinal has spent most of his professional life in public service. His long track record of public service includes his involvement with many, many, Human Rights and Social Advocacy Boards. He recently received Canada’s highest Aboriginal recognition award the National Aboriginal Achievement Award for Public Service, as well as receiving the Distinguished Alumni Award from Grant Mac Ewan University, the Anti-Racism Award from the Centre for Race and Culture, and the Alberta Centennial Medal for his work in Human Rights and Diversity. Dr. Cardinal was recently awarded the honourary degree of Doctor of Sacred Letters from St. Stephens College in Edmonton
I chose the readings for Sunday, they are not the Lectionary readings for the day. The reading from 2 Corinthians (2 Corinthians 13:5-13) is a call to self-examination in the light of Christ’s presence, and the reading from the Gospel (Matthew 5:21-24) is a call to reconciliation. During the Time for All Ages, I will be talking about testing yourself, “It’s a Test.” Dr. Cardinal will speak on “Reconciliation, Repatriation and Reciprocity.”
MEN’S BREAKFAST – June 17
The Men of Spirit West will this Saturday, June 17 at 8:00 am in the Lower Hall. Breakfast is open to any man who wants to come out for a great breakfast. As a note, each man usually put in $10 dollars, this covers the breakfast supplies and the surplus is put into a fund that offsets the cost of minor repairs around the church. Over breakfast this Saturday, we will be planning the details of the Edmonton Presbytery Barbeque which will be hosted by Spirit West on Tuesday, June 20.
PRAYER CIRCLE
There is now a Spirit West Prayer Circle. We gather at the church on Thursday mornings at 10:30. We share a reading, share our stories or concerns, and pray. There is no “sign-up” for this, just come as you feel the need. If you are interested, join us on Thursdays.
CHALLENGES TO MOBILITY?
Spirit West has a Walker (Evolution Xpresso Lite) that is available for use at the church. The walker can also be borrowed by those whose mobility is temporarily challenged. For more information about the Walker, please contact the Church office (780-481-1406).
RIDE TO CHURCH?
From time to time we encounter people who would like to come to church at Spirit West, but are unable to because they do not have means of transportation. Can you give a ride? If you would be willing to make yourself available to provide a ride to church please call the church office. Do you need a ride? Would you like to come to church at Spirit West, but are unable to because you have no ride, please call the church office. (780-481-1406)
Spirit West Prayer Chain
The Spirit West Prayer Chain is a group of people who have committed to continue our prayers of concern from Sunday through the week. To be part of this ministry, email your request to spiritwest.prayerchain@gmail.com . You may also email a request for prayer to the same email address. If you would prefer to talk to someone, you can call the church or call Edina T. at 780-481-3508
SPIRIT WEST ONLINE!
Our Website is at www.spiritwest.org .
Our Facebook page is https://www.facebook.com/SpirtWestUnitedChurch
Office hours
- Monday to Friday 9:30 – 2:30
- Norma => 11:00 am to 4:00 pm, Monday to Thursday for June
- Larry => 9:30 am to 2:30 pm, Tuesday to Friday
Larry
(Rev.) Larry K. Wright, CD, BA, MDiv
Minister
Spirit West United Church
780-481-1406
Spiritwest.minister@telus.net
Spiritwest.org