May 31st, 2026 – Trinity Sunday
Trinity Sunday is a special Sunday in the church year, it has been celebrated since 1334 when Pope John XXII fixed it as the Sunday after Pentecost. It is a Sunday which is not tied to any special event. We don't have to remember any special events or rituals. Instead it is about a day when we remember and celebrate the mystery and broadness of God.
The Bible never uses the word Trinity; it is something that we have invented to explain the way in which we think of God. The Trinity is an example of unity in diversity which is surely something which we must learn about in our ecumenical relationships.
Orchestras rely upon different instruments playing different parts and we must question the idea that unity will bring about a sameness lacking in colour and vibrancy.
The trinity knot, or triquetra, is an enduring Celtic symbol that has captivated us for centuries. What is the trinity knot? It’s a series of three-pointed loops drawn seamlessly in a triangular shape, and its meaning has been interpreted in various ways.
The ancient Celts likely viewed it as spiritual, representing the three stages of life – youth, adulthood, and old age. Christians have also used it to represent the Holy Trinity of the Father/Creator, the Son/Redeemer, and the Holy Spirit/Sustainer. Its three points represent the three virtues of faith, hope, and love, or the three planes of existence – earth, water, and sky. No matter the belief system, the trinity knot is a timeless symbol of connection and continuity between past, present and future generations. Its never ending loops represent the unbroken line that links one generation to the next.
In our family it is a reminder that we are all interconnected through our shared experiences, our combined histories and in the relationships we have formed. These connections go beyond blood ties as we have learned to share our lives and welcome others into our circle, ever expanding the circle and constantly evolving.
So, it is with our relationship with the Holy and the Sacred. After 40 years in ministry, I can still be surprised by the reasons individuals reach out wanting to explore their life experiences in correlation to their faith. And I am once again reminded that everyone’s faith journey is different and unique. And yet, we remain interconnected as we share this amazing planet and its vast diversity.
Rev. Deborah
Image by jette55 from Pixabay
Some material taken from https://www.claddaghrings.com/trinity-knot-meaning/ as well as http://www.thisischurch.com/christian_teaching/trinity.htm
ANNOUNCEMENTS
WHISPERING WATERS WED. JUNE 3, 7:15 PM: Please join us for the monthly Communion
Service at Whispering Waters on Wed. June 3 at 7:15 pm. The choir will attend and then come to the church for the rest of their practice.
NATIONAL INDIGENOUS HISTORY MONTH: An information board, featuring Local Placenames with their Indigenous origins, will be displayed in the Narthex throughout the month of June to celebrate National Indigenous History Month. Every Sunday over the next few weeks there will be one or two Alberta placenames with their meanings and/or related stories included in the bulletin. Special thanks to St. Andrew's United Church for creating the info board and giving it to our church!
SUNDAY JUNE 7: June 7 is Pride Sunday. Please wear rainbow colours.
UCW MEETING WED JUNE 10:. The UCW has changed their regular meeting date to the second Wednesday of the month. Thus, we will meet next on June 10 at Rotary Park for our "picnic in the park'. Bring your bag lunch, beverage, lawn chair, sun hat etc. Arrive at 11:30 AM to secure a good location. If the weather doesn't cooperate, the picnic will be in the church.
REMINDERS
SP BREAKFAST – MEN’S CLUB: There will be no Sunday Morning Breakfast until the fall. Thanks to the Men’s club for all the delicious breakfasts this year!
SUNDAY, MAY 31 MEWASSIN: We will be having a planning meeting for our 100th anniversary (August 15, 2026) after church on Sun. May 31.
TUESDAY JUNE 16 SP COUNCIL MEETING: The Stony Plain Council will meet on Tuesday, June 16 at 7:00 pm in the Board Room or on Zoom.
SUNDAY, JUNE 21 DEVON PICNIC AND SERVICE: Our congregations are invited to join Devon United Church for their Sunday service in the Park on June 21! The service will begin at 10:00 a.m. with games and then picnic lunch to follow. A reminder to bring lawn chairs is on the invitation. We have lots of kites for the children to decorate and fly after the service, and the parachute games were a hit last year, so that is on the games agenda again Potluck items are welcome if people wish: salads or dessert/fruit or finger foods. There is a sign-up sheet available – please add your name if you’d like to attend– we need to RSVP with our numbers of attendees by June 7.
.PASSING ON YOUR CONCERNS: If you know of anyone who would like a visit or needs a card, please contact the Care Committee, Rev. Deborah or call the Church Office (780 963-4745) or email
REV DEBORAH’S SCHEDULE FOR UPCOMING SUNDAYS:
Sun. May 31, 2026 Trinity Sunday: Rev. Deborah in person at MEW and SP
Sun. June 7, 2026 Rev. Deborah in person at Devon UC
Sun. June 14, 2026 Communion Rev. Deborah in person at MEW and SP
Sun. June 21, 2026 Rev. Deborah in person at Devon UC for their picnic service.
Mew & SP are invited. More info re services at Mew & SP to follow. Sun. June 28, 2026 Rev. Deborah in person at MEW and SP
WEEKLY ACTIVITIES
Ukuleles & Choir: Wednesdays: Ukes 6:00, Choir 7:00 pm
Card Recreators: Thursdays, 10 am
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MEETINGS & SPECIAL EVENTS |
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Sun. May 31 |
MEW: Planning meeting after Church for 100th Anniversary |
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Wed. June 3 |
7:15 pm Whispering Waters Service |
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Tues. June 16 |
SP 7 pm Council Meeting |
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Sun. June 21 |
Devon Picnic and Service – SP and MEW are invited! |
FROM OTHER UNITED CHURCHES AND THE COMMUNITY
(Posters on the Bulletin Board and on the table in the Narthex)
Town of Stony Plain Community and Social Development: Several programs are being offered in the next couple of months, including Mental Health Week Events, Sketch Book Club, Women’s Support Group, and many more.
July 1st - The Stony Plain Canada Day Car Show
- Breakfast from 8 to 10:30 AM
- Lunch from 11 AM to 1 PM
- and Concession - Ice Cream, drinks, chips from 10:30 AM to 3 PM.