For May 19, 2024
Dear Friends:
As I sat in church a few weeks back waiting for the service to begin, and enjoying the quiet space, some of the choir members came in and sat down. As I glanced their way, I began to think of them more deeply than usual. I thought of the things I knew and liked about them…how much I admired who they were and how they handled life - both the joys and the challenges. For some reason, I took that moment to see them “for real.”
There’s a woman who lives in my apartment building with her young son, who has many physical and mental disabilities. She often takes him out on his modified bike or his stroller. You can tell what a wonderful, caring mother she is and how well cared for her little boy is. Some would say, “Well, she is his mother.” Even so, it touches my heart when I really take the time to, “see her for real…” to “walk a mile in her shoes.”
So often we go through life not really noticing people or our surroundings…we take things for granted. Then suddenly, one day, we “see for real.” A brief example of what I mean by seeing for real comes from a 1954 Broadway production called “The Rainmaker,” written by playwright N. Richard Nash where Lizzie says, “I’m in the kitchen washing the dishes. And Pop’s playing poker with the boys. Well, I’ll watch him real close. And at first I’ll just see an ordinary middle-aged man—not very interesting to look at. And then minute by minute, I’ll see little things I never saw in him before. Good things and bad things—queer little habits I never noticed he had—and ways of talking I never paid any mind to. And suddenly I know who he is—and I love him so much I could cry! And I want to thank God I took the time to see him real.”
Perhaps those moments of “seeing real” are gifts of the Spirit and a lesson in and call to Christian action. I think it is also an invitation to find ways to let others know that they are seen and appreciated.
Blessings,
Sharon
ANNOUNCEMENTS
MEN'S CLUB: There will be no more Men's Club meetings or Breakfasts until the fall. Thanks to everyone who supported us throughout the year!
REMINDERS
REVEREND DEBORAH AWAY: REV. DEBORAH AWAY: Rev. Deborah will be away from Monday May 13 to Monday May 27 on Study Leave and Vacation. Pulpit Supply will be Rev. Sharon McRann on Sunday, May 19 and Terry Blois on Sunday, May 26. Thanks very much to both ladies for preparing and leading these services! In case of emergency requiring a Minister during Deborah’s absence, Pastor Anne Telford will be available May 13 to 20 and Rev. Bill Doyle from May 21 to 27. Please call Sue at the office for contact information.
BROADVIEW MAGAZINE: New subscriptions and renewals are due for this award winning magazine, the only one of its kind left in Canada. The group rate is $30 per year. Please renew or purchase your subscription by contacting the church office, by Sunday May 26, 2024; cash or cheque. Cheques should be made out to Stony Plain United Church with Broadview written in the memo line. Sample copies of Broadview are available at the church.
2023 PHOTO CONTEST RESULTS: It has been such a difficult task to decide from all the fabulous photos. The criteria was that no family could win two prizes and tried to select various types of pictures. So here goes....(Drum roll)….
1. White Pass Train
2. Swallowtail Butterfly on Weathered Wood
3. Weasel in the Wood Pile
4. Niagara Falls and River Scene
5. Aurora Borealis
6. Rock Creek
Congratulations to all the winners! Please see Sue in the Office to pick up your prize. Thanks very much to everyone who sent in entries. We aren’t planning to have any more photo contests in the near future, but you are welcome to send in photos which we can use in the power point or bulletins.
PENTECOST IS COMING – SUNDAY MAY 19! The choir will be in Mewassin in the morning of Pentecost, May 19, (service starts at 9 am). to help celebrate. Then we will be back in time for the 10:30 am service in Stony Plain.
REVISED ANNOUNCEMENT FROM CATERING RE: MAY 14, 15: Tuesday May 14 will be a first day of baking for the Street Market. On Wednesday, May 15, we will be doing a deep clean, scrub and inventory of the commercial kitchen, pantry and sub-storage room. We will start around 9 AM both days and helpers will get a hot lunch.
UCW JUNE LUNCHEON FRIDAY JUNE 7: June’s meeting will be a lunch at 11:30 AM on Friday June 7 (note change of day) at the Tea House at the Stony Plain Museum. Notify the church office of your intention to attend no later than June 6 to reserve your place at the table. Following lunch, the ladies will have the option to visit the Women's Pavilion. All ladies are welcome!
SUNDAY JUNE 9 NO SERVICE AT MEWASSIN: There will be NO SERVICE at Mewassin Sunday June 9. Folks are warmly invited to Devon United’s “Sunday in the Park” picnic service at 10 AM. They are also very welcome to attend the informal service at 10:30 AM at Stony Plain United.
STONY PLAIN STREET MARKET JUNE 15 FROM 9 AM to 3 PM: We will be participating in the Stony Plain Street Market again this year, with our table in the same location as last year – by the Town Hall Main Entrance. We will be accepting donations of gently used household items (please no furniture or electronics) but would like to focus on offering more baking and snacks this year (come out to the baking day (May 14) if you can). Please drop off items at the church during office hours (or we can possibly arrange for pick up on Wednesdays). You can also contribute by baking, donating groceries or grocery money, sorting, cleaning & pricing donated goods and taking a shift at our table and/or cleaning up on Market Day. Please contact the church office if you have any questions or would like to volunteer. Please tell your friends and plan to attend!
PASSING ON YOUR CONCERNS: If you know of anyone who would like a visit or needs a card, please call the Church Office (780 963-4745) or email
BIBLE STUDY: Currently Bible Study is on sabbatical. Another 3 week study will commence on May 30th, 2024 at 7 PM via Zoom. Keep your eyes and ears open for further information regarding the study. For those of you who have participated in previous Bible studies, the Zoom link remains the same. If you are interested in joining please contact the church office for the Zoom link and study materials closer to the start date.
MAY 21 CONGREGATIONAL CARE MEETING: The Congregational Care Committee will meet on Tuesday, May 21 at 10:30 am at the Church.
SUNDAY JUNE 9 PICNIC SERVICE AT DEVON: Devon United Church is hosting a picnic service at 10:00 am on June 9, 2024, in Devon at the Lyons' park. Stony Plain and Mewassin United Churches are invited. There will be an informal service in Stony Plain on that day, for those who will not be at the picnic. More details will follow later.
BRIDGE TO CARE OPEN HOUSE FRI. MAY 31: This non-profit Healthcare and Community Service group has recently moved its corporate office back to Stony Plain. You are invited for a blessing of their new space, a delicious meal, games, activities and fun on Fri. May 31 from 3 PM to 6 PM at 4902 50th Ave., Stony Plain. RSVP to Aysha Patterson at 780 591-1000 Ext 8 or
THURSDAY MAY 23 & FRIDAY MAY 24: ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training) 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM at Spruce Grove Community and Social Development, 414 King Street, Spruce Grove, AB. Information/Registration: sprucegrove.org/CSDPrograms or call 780 962-7618.
WEEKLY ACTIVITIES
Ukulele Group: Wednesdays, 6:15 PM
Choir: Wednesdays, 7:00 PM
Card Recreators: Thursdays, 10:00 AM
MEETINGS & SPECIAL EVENTS
Until Sunday, May 26 | Purchase or renew your Broadview subscription |
Sunday, May 19 | Pentecost - The Choir will be at Mewassin's 9:00 AM service! |
Tuesday, May 21 | 10:30 AM - Congregational Care meeting |
Thursday, May 30 | 7:00 PM - Bible Study resumes on Zoom |
Friday, June 7 | UCW: 11:30 AM Lunch at the Tea House (Pioneer Museum) |
Sunday, June 9 |
Mewassin - no service! Devon - Picnic service at 10:00 AM - our churches are invited! |
Saturday, June 15 |
SP: Street Market at 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM. SPUC will have a table! |