Woodcliff Messenger December 13, 2019

Friends,

On December 15^th we will have the joy of listening to the choir perform in the Cantata. This is a welcome announcement for me for two reasons. 1) I don’t have to bring up an embarrassing family story for a sermon image. 2) Our choir is AMAZING. On this Sunday your joy will not come from my youthful blunders; but in the form of the musical gift of the Cantata. One of the main sources of joy for many folks is the opportunity to listen to music. It is in this listening where our souls are lifted up and our hearts become full. I look forward to listening along with you as we joyfully experience the gifts of the choir and the fellowship of this community.

Joyfully yours,
Rev. Eric

Candle Lighters:                      Lindskog Family
Prayer Leader:                        Myrl E
Power Point:                           Betty C
Sound Tech:                         Steve C
Count:                                     Rick D, Allan M
Hospitality:                              Cliff & Joanne D, Barb T,
                                                Frankie M, Mickie M,
                                                Karen S, Noreen W,
                                                Marilyn W, Trudy S

Nativity walk
Did you know the first Nativity display was created in 1223 by St Francis of Assisi to bring the emphasis of Christmas back to the birth of baby Jesus. Many of us display this scene in small or large displays now in our homes. There is no end to the variety of options available and we would love to learn the story of yours. Maybe you have a family heirloom, maybe you have a homemade one, maybe you have more than one? You are invited...wait encouraged to bring yours with you to Church this Sunday. Cards will be available for you to label your set. You may also bring along a story to go with yours. Drop off in the lower hall Sunday Dec. 15th between 9:00-10:00. Then after Church, join us for Cider, cookies and time together learning, admiring and celebrating the story of Christmas that brings us together. Also, please don't forget - the Donkey will be here!

Woodcliff’s Journey for Common Ground
Information to increase our knowledge of Indigenous Peoples

Opening December 14: The Indigenous Languages Resource Centre
2019 was declared the International Year of Indigenous Languages by the United Nations. Thanks to support from the Government of Alberta, the Library was able to mark this year in a special way. We are excited to announce the opening of an Indigenous Languages Resource Centre in Central Library. Visit this space to meet with Indigenous Elders, share stories under a night sky light installation, view traditional items, and learn the languages of Treaty 7 nations.

Introducing New Indigenous Books and Art
Indigenous languages have long been underrepresented in literature – especially in children's books. This year the Library worked with aspiring Treaty 7 writers to start changing that. In the Indigenous Writers Workshop, participants worked with author Richard Van Camp to create children's books in their traditional languages. Join us on December 14 as we share these exciting new works and the process of making them. Plus, stop by Central Library on December 12 to learn about new Indigenous Placemaking installations coming to three Library locations.

For all sorts of happenings and information check out Hillhurst's latest Right Relations newsletter:
https://mailchi.mp/67dc0e76bb86/right-relations-resource-volume-3-issue-5-september-26-2019

YOUTH GROUP ALUMNI
Prior to last Sunday’s worship, a gentleman walked into church and “confessed”! Hal L indicated that some fifty or so years ago he was a participant in Woodcliff’s Youth Group and upon occasion, snitched the odd cookie. In making amends, Hal brought with him several boxes of seasonal cookies for coffee and fellowship following worship. A joy (this week’s advent theme) to have you back Hal.

Do you have extra board games at home you are not using anymore or you have outgrown? Our Children and Youth Ministry leaders are looking for some games to add to our growing library. If you have one or two to part with you can bring them to church and leave them in the middle office or talk to Sheri or Nicole.

This week in Sunday School

Children and youth are invited to worship wit their parents in this Sundays intergenerational service celebrating the story of Christmas in song with the Choir's annual presentation of the Cantata.

There will be opportunities for the children to sing along with the choir and also the children will get to respond to the story of Christmas through art.

Remember to join us after church to welcome Sonney the donkey and see the wide variety of Nativity displays in our congregation.

Rehearsals for Christmas eve continue with a short after church rehearsal both this week and next.

Ask your child: I wonder who is most important in this Christmas story and why? Share your thoughts together.

https://signup.com/go/mebfoxR

WOODCLIFF DEMENTIA CAREGIVERS SUPPORT GROUP
If you are a caregiver for someone suffering memory loss and need a safe, confidential circle to share your experiences and obtain information, our support group is for you. We meet on the first and third Tuesdays of the month from 1:30 to 3:00 pm at Woodcliff United Church. Open to all, no charge, no registration required.
For more information, please contact the church office. Next gathering is December 17, 2019 when we will meet at 12:30 for a potluck get together before our 1:30 meeting time.

WOODCLIFF PRAYER CHAIN
To have names placed on the confidential Prayer Chain List please contact the prayer chain at wucprayerchain@gmail.com or 403-246-9384. Next meeting: December 15 after worship.

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.

MISSION & SERVICE IN CHANGING TIMES

In these times of change, people are asking, “What’s happening with the Mission & Service of the church?”

Our congregational and our Mission & Service revenues are both declining quite slowly at this point—two to three percent a year—so we have time to make changes, and we have time to do things differently.

The good news is that together we are making important changes, and we are taking the time to do things differently.

We are restructuring the four courts of the church to three so that we live within our means.
We are clarifying funding, so that assessments will be funding governance and shared services, and Mission & Service donations will be funding purely mission and ministry.
We are continuing to keep decisions about the funding of local mission and ministry in local hands, so that regions will be deciding what mission and ministry will be funded in that region, and by that region.
We are focusing on finding and trying out new models of being church by funding innovation in congregations through Mission & Service programs such as Embracing the Spirit, the New Ministries Fund, EDGE, and the granting programs of The United Church of Canada Foundation.

These changes will support the capacity for Mission & Service donations to continue to provide core funding to so much great work that’s been going on across Canada and around the world.

If Mission & Service giving is already a regular part of your life, thank you so much! If you have not given, please join me in making Mission & Service giving a regular part of your life of faith. Loving our neighbour is at the heart of our Mission & Service.

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

CANTARE CHILDREN'S CHOIR
MAGNIFICAT on December 14 and THE STARS POINT THE WAY on December 21.

Kim Andre Arnesen's setting of the MAGNIFICAT approaches the familiar text from Mary's viewpoint, emphasising her sense of wonderment, humility and devotion. The tone of the work is luscious as the music is cast at a predominantly prayerful, slow pace. The opening is especially haunting.
We are thrilled to feature soprano soloist and Cantare alumna, Lauren Woods is this performance. We are also thrilled to welcome a wonderful string ensemble to accompany this glorious music which will be sung, by candlelight, in the intimate setting of Lutheran Church of the Cross [10620 Elbow Drive SW]. The performance starts at 7:30pm. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased online at
https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/4450807 or at the door.

THE STARS POINT THE WAY is Cantaré Children's Choir’s most cherished concert of the year. The glow of candles warms the heart as the angelic sound of children’s voices uplift the spirit. Treasured carols and newly composed works bring the cheer of Christmas and the solace of winter to you. The concert features all of our choirs accompanied by a professional string ensemble. This concert takes place on Saturday December 21 at 7:30pm at K at Knox United Church [506 – 4 Street SW]. Tickets are $25-$30 and can be purchased online at https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/4361381. This concert always sells out so we encourage you to get your tickets today!

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:
Chinook Winds Region: https://albertanorthwestconference.ca/
Alberta & Northwest Conference: www.anwconf.com
The United Church of Canada: www.united-church.ca
Wondercafe2 http://wondercafe2.ca/index.php

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5010 Spruce Drive SW

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Woodcliff United Church · 5010 Spruce Drive SW · Calgary, AB T3C 3B2 · Canada