Reflecting:
Already the season of Lent is upon us. We are mere days away from the time 40 days plus Sundays of walking a journey towards Easter. Getting closer to the mystery that surrounds this time of year. Leaning into the longer days and spring blossoms that show us, without doubt, that everything old becomes new again. This Lent season we have chosen a focus of Reflecting on Relationships.
By reflecting on what is, what we crave and what was, we have the opportunity to learn and grow both individually and in our connections with others. Our connections with God and our spirituality are deepened through reflection. We cannot learn and grow simply by having life experience. Continuous improvement is only possible if we reflect on what we have, have experienced and what we desire.
Each week we will offer space for reflection, contemplation, and connection to those around us. I wanted to take a second to highlight some ways you can join in the journey.
Starting tonight - Join us for a movie night. Deepening your connection with our community and reflecting on our impact on the planet. We will gather for a meal, for earth conscious activities and to watch the movie Wall - E. If you don't have a ticket already, come anyways! There is room and food for all!
Sunday Morning after worship - Outreach is presenting the short film "A Sacred Relationship" as well as a soup lunch. All are invited to stay for this presentation and reflect on the relationships we have with our resources and First Nations.
Sunday Evening - We will launch into the Lenten season with a pancake dinner at our Regenerate service. Regenerate is an all ages worship experience from 5:30-6:30 pm in the Lower Hall. This worship style has no barriers. All come together to share a meal, ponder scripture and move through stations of hands on exploration.
The staff have also created a Lenten Reflection Journal for you, available at the Church. This tool is created for you to guide some of your reflections through this season. In it are opportunities to reflect on our resources and support the Drop In Centre along the way.
Sunday mornings through Lent we will use the medium of film to enhance worship by connecting the moving and powerful story lines presented in award winning Pixar short films to scripture and message. Weekly together we will be reflecting on our relationship with other cultures, with the planet, with ourselves, with those before us and after us and our relationship with God.
My true belief is the closer we move towards God, the closer we move towards each other. Let this season of connecting and reflecting bring a depth to our lives that is both fulfilling and life giving.
Blessings,
Sheri
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Candle Lighter: Harlow S
Reader: Mary Jane H
Prayer Leader: Arnold I
Power Point: Betty C
Sound Tech: Steve C
Children’s Ministry: Cheryl-Anne S, Kim C, Allison M
Hospitality: Kim & Simon C,Rose G, Linda W,
Ron & Diane C, Barry & Kathryn K,
Kevin & Candace M, Michelle P,
Mike B and family
Count Team: Jocelyn H, Noreen W, Bob Y
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Congratulations to Nolan D - grandson of proudest Grandma in the World Noreen W - on his team's amazing Gold Medal win at last week's Alberta Winter Games in Airdrie! Well done Nolan! Congratulations to mom and coach, Penny, as well.
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Congratulations to Tom and Evelyn S on becoming Great-Grandparents this week! God's blessings to you and your expanding family.
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The Count Team is looking for a few more members. The team is made up of groups of 3-4 people (2 of whom must not be related). Groups are responsible for sorting and counting up the offering at the end of each service. This takes about 30-45 minutes after the service. Each group typically does this for a 3 week block, twice a year. If you can join the team either as a group member, or even to fill in once in awhile, we'd love to see you!' Please contact Kathleen at woodcliffcount@gmail.com
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We are currently looking for folks who would like to read Scripture, lead the prayers of the People and to assist with serving communion. The way in which you may sign up is through SignUp.com. Please see the instructions below:
To sign up for the Reader and Prayer Leader ministries, please click on the link below.
https://signup.com/go/dKZCuxi
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Regenerate is a new type of worship service to Woodcliff. It's a gathering of people who come together to share a meal, ponder scripture, and explore the stories of the Bible in a hands on way. This worship style has no barriers to experience. Families can worship together with their children. Young and old can come together in a safe space for all. This service will take place monthly in the Lower Hall on the last Sunday of the month from 5:30-6:30 pm.
In February, we will be looking at our theme for lent - Reflecting on Relationships. We will explore, through stories and stations, our relationships with others, the planet, and our selves. We will enter into the night with a traditional start of Lent meal - pancakes... plus a few modern comforts of breakfast for dinner.
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Council Summary for the Messenger - February 2020.
•Betty Crosby reported from the Duty of Care committee. They are appreciative of the use of the Behavioural Covenant by all committees. Emergency evacuation plan is underway and planned to be completed by early 2021. Fire drills will be scheduled and announced in the near future.
•Staff and Council Workshop debrief : The staff team and Council had a workshop to discuss core ministries of the church and how we can continue to live into what God is calling us to be in 2020 and beyond. There is a lot of momentum moving forward as we seek to minister to the world.
•Steve Crosby advised that we received a grant from the Flair Foundation, which will be moved to our Legacy Fund so that it may have an impact across generations. This is a faithful step in stewarding our ministry resources.
•Sylvia Teare of Nominations has advised that there are still opportunities for congregants to serve on committees and Council.
•Judy Lupart in Worship advised us of the updates of the membership to the Historic Roll.
•This was the last meeting for Steve Crosby, Deanna Main and Kevin Magnusson who have reached their term limit. We are grateful for their diligence and ministry of leadership at Woodcliff.
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TONIGHT!
As a kick off to Lent, Congregational Life will be hosting a movie and dinner night. The movie will be Wall-E, which has incredible messages for all about how to live with respect for creation. Some have said it's the most biblical Pixar film of all time. Many have said that even as an adult, the messaging will hit your heartstrings. There will be accessible earth friendly activities & crafts, thought provoking pondering and a waste free meal in honour of our world. All are invited. Tickets are $10 for individuals, $25 for families.
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All women are invited to join us Monday February 24 where we will have a chance to get acquainted!
You might be saying, "But many of us already know each other already!" We feel we do, but often we know "surface facts" and could get to know each other better! Please join us.
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Thank you to last week's meal service crew: Mary Jane H, Noreen W,
Arda S, June Kirk, Betty W, and Susan P. Great work team!
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An Evening of Learning about Writing-on-Stone/Áísínai’pi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Thu, 27 February 2020
7:00 PM – 8:00 PM MST
Fish Creek Environmental Learning Centre
13931 Woodpath Rd. SW
Calgary, Alberta T2W 5R6
Writing-on-Stone/Áísínai’pi is a continuous and sacred cultural landscape. The site was inscribed on July 6, 2019 as Canada’s 20th UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Blackfoot name for this sacred cultural landscape is Áísínai’pi (meaning, “it is pictured/it is written”) and refers to the abundance and diversity of rock art at this spectacular site, as well as the geological features and viewscapes that are imbedded with sacred oral traditions.
Many Indigenous traditions continue to be practiced at Writing-on-Stone/Áísínai’pi today, and the ancient tradition of knowledge transmission continues to connect people with the past and informs their future.
Join Aaron Domes and Saa’kokoto (Randy Bottle) to learn about the rich history and values that make Writing-on-Stone / Áísínai’pi special, and receive valuable insider knowledge to help you plan your trip!
Register on EventBrite Tickets are $10
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We will conclude our series of 'I Am' lessons this week.
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Sign up to volunteer for children's ministry or candle lighting here:
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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 March 3, 2020.
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: March 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.
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A CHICKEN FARM IN KENYA
Farmers learn best from one another. The Organization of African Instituted Churches (OAIC) supports farmer-to-farmer knowledge exchange through interactive model farms. OAIC is one of our long-standing Mission & Service–funded global partners. The farmer-to- farmer project would not exist without your gifts to Mission & Service.
The model farms in West Pokot, Kenya, give rural farmers opportunities to physically demonstrate and teach each other appropriate technologies and new methods. Depending on what’s being tested or showcased, the demonstration farm could have different types of crops and crop varieties, livestock or poultry breeds, fertilizer treatments, or technology such as drip irrigation.
The practical learning sites have proven popular with the younger generation, who want hands-on involvement in the changes. More primary schools are actively engaged with 4K clubs—clubs that teach children how to grow crops—in Vihiga County, Kenya.
One of OAIC’s initiatives is to promote chicken farming to farms that are subject to extreme weather or aren’t large enough to raise cattle. Women in particular have taken to raising chickens to boost their household income and also for the eggs, a good source of protein for their families.
Well-presented demonstrations enable farmers to see for themselves how the new technology works; small-scale farmers adopting new methods are taught how to cope with and manage ongoing agricultural challenges, climate change, and food insecurity.
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.
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McInnis and Holloway Funeral Homes and Heritage Funeral Services have been sponsoring Dr. Wolfelt to Calgary to share his “Companioning Philosophy” for many years. Through the wonderful feedback we receive from participants we are pleased to sponsor two sessions in April 2020.
Dr. Wolfelt’s compassionate approach of “companioning” versus “treating” mourners helps people to mourn well so they can live well and love well. His time with us will begin with an evening session for individuals and families who are grieving a loss. Dr. Wolfelt will help all of us understand how loss influences our lives, through storytelling and delicately expressed humour and hope.
The following morning Dr. Wolfelt will teach a workshop for our caregiving community, it will help anyone who wants to learn more about how to support those who have experienced loss.
Please join us for these complimentary seminars.
For any inquiries please contact us at 403-243-8200 or MHFH.com
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