Woodcliff Messenger October 5, 2018

OCTOBER 5, 2018

When we were growing up there were always pets in our home. From birds to hamsters, cats to dogs and even a rat for a brief while. It was never confirmed if it was an actual pet rat or a stray my brother had found… Pets make a house feel a little more like a home. Pets are forgiving, loving and they can be a friend when you’re feeling down in the dumps. Pets can be real blessings in our lives.

On October 4^th we had our first annual pet blessing at Woodcliff United Church. The pet blessing serves a few purposes. Firstly, it helps us to connect to the community and the dozens of humans and their fur babies that pass by every day. We get to show the community that we see them, and we want to get to know them (or you if you’re reading this message!) Secondly, we get to celebrate all the joy and laughs that pets give us. Just as we give thanks for food, health and family; we are now making an explicit effort to acknowledge the blessing that all sorts of pets are in our lives.

It is fitting that this celebration falls close to thanksgiving. We are giving thanks for our furry, slimy or scaly friends. It is an opportunity for us to life up the comfort and friendship they provide in our lives. In blessing pets bless some of God’s creatures that have more often than not been a God-send to us. Thank you for your support of the Pet Blessing Drop in. I look forward to seeing what we can do for/with pets next year!

Do you have a pet you’re thankful for? If so, can you remember a time where they were a blessing to you?
Rev. Eric

All of the new windows were delivered late last week, just in time for the onset of our first winter for 2018/19. Needless to say this put a damper on installation work. The crew is on site now and as of this update two windows in the choir room have been installed and work is proceeding on the other new north facing windows. The new double glazed north entrance and the new interior glass storefronts at the top of the main entrance stairs and at the entrance to the lower hall will be delivered this week. If all goes according to plan all the work, including a rebuild of the front entrance and maintenance on all retained windows should be complete by the end of the month; hopefully ahead of our second winter.

Congratulations and many thanks to our Woodcliff United Church Choir, our community artists, Alberta Porcelain Artists and the many members of our congregation that volunteered their time and energy in contributing to the high quality of our Art Show and Music Extravaganza on September 29th. Special thanks to Sandra Atkinson who organized and conducted the soloists, ensembles and choir members that shared selections from a variety of religious, musical theatre, spirituals and opera. There were many positive comments from visitors on the exceptional performances as well as the variety and quality of visual artwork!

A special thank you to Deanna Main, Donna Romano, Charlene Baker and Diane Carter for helping to coordinate a variety of vital tasks. Seventeen pieces of artwork were sold, and we appreciate the support of our congregation and community members who attended this special event. A total of $850.00 was raised in support of the Woodcliff music program.

REMEMBERING EDNA HUNTER

A circle gathering to remember Edna Hunter (1920 - 2018 ) will be held at Woodcliff United Church at 1:30 p.m. on October 24, 2018 with Rev. Bob Mutlow presiding. An open invitation is extended to all to come and honour Edna’s life and time among us for so many years. Refreshments to follow. All are welcome.

Yoga resumes on October 9.
Drop In participants are welcome!

Please use the following link to sign up as a volunteer for our Children's Ministry program. Thank you!

Children's Ministry Sign Up

WOODCLIFF DEMENTIA CAREGIVERS SUPPORT GROUP
Our caring circle meets on the first and third Tuesdays of each month, from 1:30 to 3:00 pm in the Edworthy Lounge here at Woodcliff. No professional referrals are required. If you are in need of a safe, confidential circle to share your experience, learn from others and support others in their journey, our Caregivers Support Group is for you and is open to all. If you have questions, please be in touch with the office. Next gathering is October 16, 2018
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WOODCLIFF PRAYER CHAIN
To have names placed on the confidential Prayer Chain List please contact the prayer chain at wucprayerchain@gmail.com Next Prayer Chain meeting is Sunday September 30 at 11:15 am.

PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY
Pick up a request form at the Church to arrange for a prayer shawl presentation.

CARD MINISTRY
Contact the church office to help us acknowledge the life situations of our congregants.

HEALING MINISTRY
The Healing Pathway Ministry team is available to give healing sessions upon request. To experience relaxation, and receive the gift of healing hands, please contact the church office at 403-249-3121.

GLOBAL FESTIVAL NEWS
This year’s Global Festival runs November 2 – 4. We need bakers! Sign up downstairs to provide one of the following:
9x13 carrot cakes
9x13 chocolate cakes
9x13 pans of Rice Krispie squares
fruit pies
Baking not your gift? There are sign up sheets for numerous other volunteer opportunities. Please take a look at the Global Festival table during coffee time and see where you might be able to help out.
Save the date!
Global Festival All Ages Event Friday November 2 - 7:00pm
Plan to join in this fun evening of intergenerational games and community building. Friends are welcome!

RIGHT RELATIONS
BOB JOSEPH, the author of 21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act, is speaking at Hillhurst United Church on Tuesday, October 23, 6:00 - 7:00 pm. For information: contact Brian Plesuk or right.relations@hillhurstunited.com

THANK YOU TO OUR MINISTERS

From the Rev. Bronwyn Corlett, Program Coordinator for Ministry Recruitment:

“Life is full of ups and downs that we have the privilege to share with our communities of faith.

“Thank you to our ministers who have answered God’s call to lead in our communities of faith and continue to answer God’s call again and again. Thank you for living out your call in The United Church of Canada. Thank you for being present in our big moments: baptisms and funerals, weddings and divorces, celebrations and crises. Thank you for visiting, witnessing, and walking with us. We appreciate your reminder that God is with us while we wrestle with life, faith, and love.

“Thank you for your various gifts and unique service. Thank you for putting your own problems and pains on hold while you hold ours. Thank you for the sermons, prayers, visits, theological reflections, and worship. Thank you for the times you leave your families to be with someone else’s. Thank you for your faithful leadership.

“Thanks to our gifts to Mission & Service, we support our ministers through training and continuing education at theological schools and education centres. Mission & Service also provides support through pastoral relations at presbytery and Conference.”

We sing thanksgiving for the commitment of those who minister to communities in times of joy and in times of crisis.

If Mission & Service is already a regular part of your giving, thank you so much! If you have not given for Mission & Service, please join me in making Mission & Service a regular part of your life of faith. In all our Mission & Service giving, with a willing heart, we sing thanksgiving to God!

For more Minutes for Mission resources, see our photo collection and video playlist.

CALGARY WEST CHRISTIAN WOMEN’S CLUB
Tuesday, October 9, 2018, 10:30 am – 12:00 pm at the Westgate Community Hall - 4943 – 8 Ave. SW. $8 bottomless coffee/goodies.
Invite friends/neighbours to Our Annual Fall Fair & Speaker.
Info? Lois 403-249-3994

SONSHINE COMMUNITY SERVICES
We are turning 40! Please join us for our anniversary celebration at the Carriage House Inn on Friday October 19, 2018. Reception: 6:00pm / Dinner and entertainment: 7:00pm. Get in the Friday Night Fever groove: polyester and platforms encouraged! To purchase your table/tickets, click the button below, or call 403-705-3485

5010 Spruce Drive SW T3C 3B2
403-249-3121
NEED AN ANNOUNCEMENT IN THE BULLETIN, MESSENGER OR POWERPOINT? email the office at
office@woodcliffunited.com
wucprayerchain@gmail.com
woodcliffkids@gmail.com
youthwuc@gmail.com

Please add us in your address book.
Find more information about the wider Church at:
Calgary Presbytery: www.calgaryunited.ca
Alberta & Northwest Conference: www.anwconf.com
The United Church of Canada: www.united-church.ca
Wondercafe2 http://wondercafe2.ca/index.php

© 2018 Woodcliff United Church, All rights reserved.

5010 Spruce Drive SW

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