Office Hours for week of Nov 7-11
Greetings
Sunday, November 6, 2022 - Remembrance Sunday
Remember the cost of war– and work for peace
This week is Remembrance Sunday. In Canada we maintain an active and reserve group of people who are ready to go where we need them to go, and do what we ask them to do. In the height of the pandemic, it meant going into long term care facilities and caring for the basic needs of medically fragile people, knowing they might become ill themselves. They help out during and after natural and human caused disasters, sometimes at the cost of their lives. They have even been known to shovel snow in Toronto. When we have asked, they have put their very lives between us and those who would wish us harm. We will pause this Sunday in church, and next Friday in public ceremonies to give thanks.
We pause to recognize how our lives are better because of the risks and losses of others. It is also important that we continue to recognize and to dream how life can be even better still. Our Hebrew Scripture reading for this week comes from the prophet Haggai 1:15b-2:9. The people of Judah had returned from their 70 years in exile and built homes for themselves, but the temple remained in ruins. Haggai encourages them to put God first, and that would be demonstrated by focusing on the outward sign of God’s presence, the temple. We too are asked to examine our lives and work on making things better.
Many institutions in our country, from sport to the military to religious organizations have gotten a wakeup call in the past few years about how we can do better to transform our culture into one that respects all people equally. Hockey Canada, the armed forces, the churches (including our own) that ran residential schools are all coming to terms with the ways we have built a culture that too quickly ignores the signs of abusive behaviour and treats accusers with suspicion while giving the accused the benefit of the doubt. We can imagine a better, safer world where we create safety for everyone. Transforming the culture of an organization or a society takes time and patience. We can learn from the dedication of serving military personnel how to work hard and keep learning and practicing so we can create safety around us.
The easy dehumanization of the widow in this week’s gospel – Luke 20:27-38 by religious leaders trying to trap Jesus in a legal argument reflects the same cultural values we are learning how to dismantle today. We can all work together for a better world.
Many people wear poppies for Remembrance Day. With the children we will talk about how easy it is to lose a poppy, and how important it is that we not lose the just peace that has been created for us at great personal cost.
(Rev) Eli Carter-Morgan (they/them)
Spirit West United Church
Proud to share the land through Treaty 6
LADIES GROUP CRAFT NIGHT, 7pm, Tuesday, Nov 8
The craft night is being held in the sanctuary. The cost is $2 to be paid on craft night. We need 3 volunteers to bring a snacks or baking. A sign-up sheet and an example of the craft are on the table by the office.
FALL SUPPER and SILENT AUCTION, Saturday, Nov. 19
The Spirt West Fall Supper and Silent Auction is back! Invite your family and friends to join us for a delectable catered Fall Supper!
Tickets are available now and are $35 for adults; $25 for youth 13-18; free for children12 and under. You can get your tickets from Lori W 780-221-7729 and the church office during office hours. Tickets are limited to 80 people so get yours early! Tables of 8 people can be reserved.
Doors open at 5:00 pm for drinks and the start of silent auction. Dinner starts at 6 pm.
Volunteers are needed to set up and cleanup. Signup sheets will be available soon.
CROISSANT and CINNAMON BUNS
Delicious cinnamon buns and croissants are once again being sold as a fundraiser for the Ladies Group. Croissants are $8 per dozen and cinnamon buns are $8 per ½ dozen. Order forms are on the table by the church office. Orders are to be returned by Nov 20. Packaging and pick-up will occur on Dec 7. Please contact Diane 780-444-0284 or Carol 780-481-2662 for more information
DATES TO REMEMBER:
LEADERS FOR Nov 6
YouTube Videos Worship Services – November 6 – 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.
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.
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
- Norma => Mon, Tues & Wed – noon to 5pm; Thurs 7:30am to 12:30pm
- Eli => Wed: 1-4, Thurs 1-4, Friday Visiting, Sat 10-2 – Eli is trying to get to know members of the congregation and they would love to meet with you in your homes, their office, or a favourite coffee shop. They are hoping to meet with a few of you on Thursday and Friday, or another time that is convenient for you.
Greetings
Sunday, November 6, 2022 - Remembrance Sunday
Remember the cost of war– and work for peace
This week is Remembrance Sunday. In Canada we maintain an active and reserve group of people who are ready to go where we need them to go, and do what we ask them to do. In the height of the pandemic, it meant going into long term care facilities and caring for the basic needs of medically fragile people, knowing they might become ill themselves. They help out during and after natural and human caused disasters, sometimes at the cost of their lives. They have even been known to shovel snow in Toronto. When we have asked, they have put their very lives between us and those who would wish us harm. We will pause this Sunday in church, and next Friday in public ceremonies to give thanks.
We pause to recognize how our lives are better because of the risks and losses of others. It is also important that we continue to recognize and to dream how life can be even better still. Our Hebrew Scripture reading for this week comes from the prophet Haggai 1:15b-2:9. The people of Judah had returned from their 70 years in exile and built homes for themselves, but the temple remained in ruins. Haggai encourages them to put God first, and that would be demonstrated by focusing on the outward sign of God’s presence, the temple. We too are asked to examine our lives and work on making things better.
Many institutions in our country, from sport to the military to religious organizations have gotten a wakeup call in the past few years about how we can do better to transform our culture into one that respects all people equally. Hockey Canada, the armed forces, the churches (including our own) that ran residential schools are all coming to terms with the ways we have built a culture that too quickly ignores the signs of abusive behaviour and treats accusers with suspicion while giving the accused the benefit of the doubt. We can imagine a better, safer world where we create safety for everyone. Transforming the culture of an organization or a society takes time and patience. We can learn from the dedication of serving military personnel how to work hard and keep learning and practicing so we can create safety around us.
The easy dehumanization of the widow in this week’s gospel – Luke 20:27-38 by religious leaders trying to trap Jesus in a legal argument reflects the same cultural values we are learning how to dismantle today. We can all work together for a better world.
Many people wear poppies for Remembrance Day. With the children we will talk about how easy it is to lose a poppy, and how important it is that we not lose the just peace that has been created for us at great personal cost.
(Rev) Eli Carter-Morgan (they/them)
Spirit West United Church
Proud to share the land through Treaty 6
LADIES GROUP CRAFT NIGHT, 7pm, Tuesday, Nov 8
The craft night is being held in the sanctuary. The cost is $2 to be paid on craft night. We need 3 volunteers to bring a snacks or baking. A sign-up sheet and an example of the craft are on the table by the office.
FALL SUPPER and SILENT AUCTION, Saturday, Nov. 19
The Spirt West Fall Supper and Silent Auction is back! Invite your family and friends to join us for a delectable catered Fall Supper!
Tickets are available now and are $35 for adults; $25 for youth 13-18; free for children12 and under. You can get your tickets from Lori W 780-221-7729 and the church office during office hours. Tickets are limited to 80 people so get yours early! Tables of 8 people can be reserved.
Doors open at 5:00 pm for drinks and the start of silent auction. Dinner starts at 6 pm.
Volunteers are needed to set up and cleanup. Signup sheets will be available soon.
CROISSANT and CINNAMON BUNS
Delicious cinnamon buns and croissants are once again being sold as a fundraiser for the Ladies Group. Croissants are $8 per dozen and cinnamon buns are $8 per ½ dozen. Order forms are on the table by the church office. Orders are to be returned by Nov 20. Packaging and pick-up will occur on Dec 7. Please contact Diane 780-444-0284 or Carol 780-481-2662 for more information
DATES TO REMEMBER:
- Daylight Savings Time ends – Nov 6 – clocks fall back 1 hour
- Ladies Group Craft Night – Tuesday, Nov 8
- Fall Supper & Silent Auction – Saturday, Nov 19
- Fall Congregational Meeting – Sunday, Nov. 20
- Board Meeting – Wednesday, Nov 23
- Croissant & Cinnamon Bun packaging day – Wednesday, Dec 7
LEADERS FOR Nov 6
- Scripture Reader – Bill Callas
- Projectionist – Norma Balcombe
- Hospitality Team – Callas – Bill & Carol, Gerry & Sue
YouTube Videos Worship Services – November 6 – 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.
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) 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
RSS Feed
