Office Hours
Check out new items – Nativity Study, Christmas Carol fund-raiser, Women’s Group Supper & Gift Exchange!
Greetings
Sunday, November 20, 2022 – Reign of Christ Sunday
What would the world be like if Jesus were king?
That is the question that surrounds “Reign of Christ” or “Christ the King” Sunday. Image a world where all the ideas Jesus teaches and preaches about are a reality – captives are liberated, the truth is freely spoken and sought after, the last and least have a place of honour – the Kingdom of heaven.
November the 20th is also Grey Cup Sunday. Imagine your own perfect idea of a Grey Cup party. Mine has all the snacks, a TV far away for other people to watch the game, and a bunch of knitters and board games. Whatever you imagine, that gathering of people where everyone feels welcome and has a genuine good time is an example of living out God’s dream in our own way.
Unfortunately, there are people who are left out of the parties and the feasts, and Jesus just won’t give up on them. Who are the ones who make us feel the most uncomfortable? Who wouldn’t feel at home at your Grey Cup party? (Except Argos fans – if there are any 😉)
November 20th is also Trans Day of Remembrance. Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) was started in 1999 by transgender advocate Gwendolyn Ann Smith as a vigil to honor the memory of Rita Hester, a transgender woman who was killed in 1998. The vigil commemorated all the transgender people lost to violence since Rita Hester's death, and began an important tradition that has become the annual Transgender Day of Remembrance. https://www.glaad.org/tdor
Every year that Christmas falls on a Sunday, Trans Day of Remembrance falls on Christ the King Sunday. The kind of violent hatred expressed particularly towards trans women of colour is the type of hatred that Jesus interrupted. By standing up for those most hated in his own society, Jesus suffered their fate – humiliating death.
We too are called to the margins of our own lives to find, befriend, learn about and advocate alongside those whom society kicks to the curb. We can start small. Sit beside someone you don’t know very well at a Grey Cup or Christmas Party, and follow up with your own research about something new you learned. See where Jesus is ready to meet you at the margins.
The gospel lesson this Sunday is Jesus on the Cross, Luke 23:33-43. From the letters of the early church, a hymn of praise to Jesus who brings us all together Colossians 1:13-20
I will talk with the children about a Different Kind of Kingdom.
(Rev) Eli Carter-Morgan (they/them)
Spirit West United Church
Proud to share the land through Treaty 6
LIVING NATIVITY - A four week Advent small group study. Take a closer look at the figures in your Nativity Set and draw closer to the Mystery of the Incarnation. Join just once or for all four sessions. Each will be offered twice – Wednesday afternoon at 2 and Saturday Morning at 10. Coffee and snack provided. Please allow 90 minutes so we can enjoy our time together.
Session 1 – Approaching the Creche Wed. Nov 30, Sat. Nov 27
Session 2 – Feet on the Ground Wed. Dec. 7 Sat. Dec 3
Session 3 - At the Edge of the Creche Wed., Dec 14 Sat. Dec 10
Session 4 – Is Everybody Here? Wed. Dec 21, Sat. Dec. 17
CHRISTMAS CAROLS - Would you like your favourite Christmas Carol sung at church during the Advent/Christmas Season? The Choir is sponsoring a fund raising event whereby individuals can choose a carol and indicate a dollar amount in hopes that their carol is chosen! As many people who want a given carol can contribute towards it, and the carols with the largest donations will be sung during Advent. Check at the back of the sanctuary for sign-up sheets or call / email the church your choice and bid! Help make this a successful fund raiser!
MEN’S BREAKFAST, 8:30 am, Sat, Nov 19
Gather with other men of the congregation in the Lower Hall for fellowship and a breakfast of pancakes, sausages and eggs. Come a few minutes early and help cook if you would like. All men welcome!
FALL SUPPER and SILENT AUCTION, Saturday, Nov. 19
There are no more tickets available for the dinner. For those of you who are attending - We have a lot of wonderful items for the Silent Auction. Be sure to come ready to bid! A great way to start (finish) your Christmas shopping!
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 this Sunday, 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
LADIES’ GROUP CHRISTMAS PARTY
will be held Sat, Dec 3 at 5:30 pm in the Lower Hall of Spirit West Church. The dinner will cost $20.00per person to be paid that night. All women are welcome - feel free to bring a friend! We will have laughs, games and a wacky gift exchange. For those who want to participate in the gift exchange, bring a wrapped gift with an approximate value of $15.00. Sign up on the sheet at the back or phone or email the office. Please indicate any food restrictions and sign up by Nov. 28.
DATES TO REMEMBER:
LEADERS FOR Nov 20
YouTube Videos Worship Services – November 20 – also, 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 => Eli working Hours – Wed-Thurs. 1-9, Fri-Sun 9-5 – 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 each week.
Check out new items – Nativity Study, Christmas Carol fund-raiser, Women’s Group Supper & Gift Exchange!
Greetings
Sunday, November 20, 2022 – Reign of Christ Sunday
What would the world be like if Jesus were king?
That is the question that surrounds “Reign of Christ” or “Christ the King” Sunday. Image a world where all the ideas Jesus teaches and preaches about are a reality – captives are liberated, the truth is freely spoken and sought after, the last and least have a place of honour – the Kingdom of heaven.
November the 20th is also Grey Cup Sunday. Imagine your own perfect idea of a Grey Cup party. Mine has all the snacks, a TV far away for other people to watch the game, and a bunch of knitters and board games. Whatever you imagine, that gathering of people where everyone feels welcome and has a genuine good time is an example of living out God’s dream in our own way.
Unfortunately, there are people who are left out of the parties and the feasts, and Jesus just won’t give up on them. Who are the ones who make us feel the most uncomfortable? Who wouldn’t feel at home at your Grey Cup party? (Except Argos fans – if there are any 😉)
November 20th is also Trans Day of Remembrance. Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) was started in 1999 by transgender advocate Gwendolyn Ann Smith as a vigil to honor the memory of Rita Hester, a transgender woman who was killed in 1998. The vigil commemorated all the transgender people lost to violence since Rita Hester's death, and began an important tradition that has become the annual Transgender Day of Remembrance. https://www.glaad.org/tdor
Every year that Christmas falls on a Sunday, Trans Day of Remembrance falls on Christ the King Sunday. The kind of violent hatred expressed particularly towards trans women of colour is the type of hatred that Jesus interrupted. By standing up for those most hated in his own society, Jesus suffered their fate – humiliating death.
We too are called to the margins of our own lives to find, befriend, learn about and advocate alongside those whom society kicks to the curb. We can start small. Sit beside someone you don’t know very well at a Grey Cup or Christmas Party, and follow up with your own research about something new you learned. See where Jesus is ready to meet you at the margins.
The gospel lesson this Sunday is Jesus on the Cross, Luke 23:33-43. From the letters of the early church, a hymn of praise to Jesus who brings us all together Colossians 1:13-20
I will talk with the children about a Different Kind of Kingdom.
(Rev) Eli Carter-Morgan (they/them)
Spirit West United Church
Proud to share the land through Treaty 6
LIVING NATIVITY - A four week Advent small group study. Take a closer look at the figures in your Nativity Set and draw closer to the Mystery of the Incarnation. Join just once or for all four sessions. Each will be offered twice – Wednesday afternoon at 2 and Saturday Morning at 10. Coffee and snack provided. Please allow 90 minutes so we can enjoy our time together.
Session 1 – Approaching the Creche Wed. Nov 30, Sat. Nov 27
Session 2 – Feet on the Ground Wed. Dec. 7 Sat. Dec 3
Session 3 - At the Edge of the Creche Wed., Dec 14 Sat. Dec 10
Session 4 – Is Everybody Here? Wed. Dec 21, Sat. Dec. 17
CHRISTMAS CAROLS - Would you like your favourite Christmas Carol sung at church during the Advent/Christmas Season? The Choir is sponsoring a fund raising event whereby individuals can choose a carol and indicate a dollar amount in hopes that their carol is chosen! As many people who want a given carol can contribute towards it, and the carols with the largest donations will be sung during Advent. Check at the back of the sanctuary for sign-up sheets or call / email the church your choice and bid! Help make this a successful fund raiser!
MEN’S BREAKFAST, 8:30 am, Sat, Nov 19
Gather with other men of the congregation in the Lower Hall for fellowship and a breakfast of pancakes, sausages and eggs. Come a few minutes early and help cook if you would like. All men welcome!
FALL SUPPER and SILENT AUCTION, Saturday, Nov. 19
There are no more tickets available for the dinner. For those of you who are attending - We have a lot of wonderful items for the Silent Auction. Be sure to come ready to bid! A great way to start (finish) your Christmas shopping!
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 this Sunday, 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
LADIES’ GROUP CHRISTMAS PARTY
will be held Sat, Dec 3 at 5:30 pm in the Lower Hall of Spirit West Church. The dinner will cost $20.00per person to be paid that night. All women are welcome - feel free to bring a friend! We will have laughs, games and a wacky gift exchange. For those who want to participate in the gift exchange, bring a wrapped gift with an approximate value of $15.00. Sign up on the sheet at the back or phone or email the office. Please indicate any food restrictions and sign up by Nov. 28.
DATES TO REMEMBER:
- Men’s Breakfast – 8:30 am, Sat, Nov 19
- Fall Supper & Silent Auction – Saturday, Nov 19
- Fall Congregational Meeting – Sunday, Nov. 20 after worship – we will get you out in plenty of time to enjoy Grey Cup festivities
- Board Meeting – Wednesday, Nov 23
- Ladies Group Christmas Dinner – Saturday, Dec 3
- Croissant & Cinnamon Bun packaging day – Wednesday, Dec 7
LEADERS FOR Nov 20
- Scripture Reader – Colleen Fox
- Projectionist – Norma Balcombe
- Hospitality Team – Doyle – Don & Daphne, Tony
YouTube Videos Worship Services – November 20 – also, 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
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