A Message from Rev. Linda Hunter Opening Doors ~ Opening Hearts Summer was starting to fade and fall was on the horizon, the staffing team and a group of lay leaders from Central gathered at the FCJ Retreat Centre in August to begin planning for the 2019 2020 church year. The question before us was this: WHY do we gather as a community every Sunday? What compells us to trek downtown, in the swirling winds and icy temperatures of winter, to cross the threshold of the church? And when people make the trek, what can we offer to them in the way of message, music and miracle that may transform their lives? Here are some of the things we came up with in trying to answer those questions: COMMUNITY: A sense of belonging, without judgement, to a group of people who love us unconditionally, in spite of our failings and our foibles. We are seen as beloved children of God. MUSIC: The gift of voice and instr ument that expresses faith beyond the spoken word. MESSAGE: Even though the Bible cover s a span of time that tells stories from thousands of years ago, it still speaks to us today, in new and fresh ways. We want to experience those new and fresh ways for our 21st Century living. HOPE: In a wor ld that often feels hopeless and overwhelmed by violence, war, human tragedy and injustice, we seek to be uplifted by stories of courage and inspiration, so that we might continue to walk in our world with hope for the blessing of peace that God intends for us.
Our planning team came up with an overarching theme for our programming and mission in the coming church year: OPENING DOORS – OPENING HEARTS. For us this means opening our doors wide to ALL who cross our threshold, offering a radical welcome. Opening our doors and ultimately opening our hearts to new learning, to new ways of interacting, to new ways of being God’s people in the world. OpenING doors and openING hearts says to us that we are actively walking a path of reconciliation and hope; that we are seeking recovery; that we are on a journey that is always unfolding, never static, revealing new vistas and visions of God’s plan for our ministry at Central. So, with that before us, the planning team has committed itself to opening doors to new possibilities as a community of faith. This will include deep conversations on a variety of topics and, of course, grappling with what the Bible is offering us as we enter into these conversations. We hope you will “open the door and open your heart” to all that awaits!
Central United Church 131 7th Avenue SW, Calgary AB T2P 0W5
403-269-3701 info@centralchurch.ca
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SUNDAY WORSHIP TIMES Spirited Traditional Gathering
10:30 AM Celebrate Life Recovery Gathering
6:00 PM
Welcome our new Interim Music Director Oksana Krasnozhen I was born in 1981 in the Eastern part of Russia, then travelled across the country to reside in Moscow. I lived in Moscow and Yerevan (Armenia), but most of my life has been spent in the Ukraine. I began conducting choirs at the age of 16 and it has become my passion and my inspiration. I graduated from the Ukrainian National Academy of Music as a Choir Conductor.
WANT TO JOIN THE CHOIR? Central Choir Rehearsals Wednesday Nights @ 7:00 PM If you are interested in joining our choir and are 13 years of age and over, we welcome you. No previous experience is needed. We will teach you. If you are interested, please talk to our Interim Music Director, Oksana Krasnozhen after the service for more information or email her at
okrasnozhen@centralchurch.ca
I have worked in several European countries (Montenegro, Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary and Turkey) as a conductor, voice and piano teacher, Musical Director and professional singer. I have also conducted many famous choirs, including the Ukrainian Boys Choir (named by P. Revutsky); the Children’s Choir “Shchedryk” (Ukraine); Capella “Slavutich”; the professional orthodox choir “Znamenie” and the Orthodox Church of All Saints Choir
(Calgary, Canada). I have also worked at the Kyiv Technical College as Deputy Director for Education and Teacher of Religions; in Kyiv Slavonic University as Head of the Educational Department, Concert Director; Choir Conductor and soloist; in the Slavonic-Greek Collegiums College (Ukraine) as teacher of Christian History; in the British International School as music teacher, director, music theory, music history, tuition and instrumental tuition on piano and violin. I have taken part in musical productions such as “Heroes and Villians” (Calgary). As a Musical Director, I have directed more than
Recovery Team Leader Peter Sheridan Each month we will feature a staff member from our Recovery Team. This month we feature Peter Sheridan, Recovery Team Leader. Peter is a Case Manager with Calgary Drug Treatment Court. He is also a Canadian Certified Addictions Counsellor. Peter is celebrating 27 years in recovery this year and has been associated with Central United Church and the Recovery Ministry for the past 17 years. Peter has headed up the Calgary Young Offenders Centre and the Calgary Remand Centre working with inmates, and making them feel welcome here at Central, on their release. Peter took over the leadership of it in June of 2017.
does addictions counseling, grief counseling for our parishioners as well as life coaching. Peter’s goal with the Recovery Service is to make it a safe place for everyone from all walks of life, all lifestyles, all faiths to come and learn about God’s unconditional love and acceptance for everyone. Come for the music - stay for the message. Hugs are an additional benefit!
Peter has sat on the Board of Central, was instrumental in starting the Sunday 4:00 p.m. Alcoholic's Anonymous group and chaired it for eight years. Peter has organized the Men’s Retreat for the past ten years, with the help of others, and also the Stampede Pancake Breakfast. Peter also
Sincere thanks to Vivian S. and David S. for stepping up and being members of the Church’s new Property Team. This Team is responsible for the overall general maintenance and upkeep of the building.
Contact Information Recovery Team Leaders Peter Sheridan Email: psheridan@centralchurch.ca Bill Moore Email: bmoore@centralchurch.ca Confidential Prayer Line: 403-269-3701 ext. 234 General Inquiries: 403-269-3701
In August, the Property Team asked for general help to assist in making repairs and renovations to the church building. The Team was looking for electricians, carpenters, carpet and tile layers and general handy persons. They are indeed grateful for the response as there were several who volunteered. Many thanks to Darcy F. and Paul H. for stepping up to assist on Sunday nights. Darcy is working with the Tech Team and Paul is assisting with the building security needs. The staff truly appreciates the contributions that both of you are making! A special thanks to Lynn T. for her long service as a volunteer. Our Chapel is full of plants (even a tree) and her weekly care of them is greatly appreciated.
Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it
On Sunday, September 15, during our morning worship service Liana Maria Madlangbayan was baptised. She is the daughter of Melvin & Mary-Jo Madlangbayan.
Our Children’s Ministry Mary Lansdell Getting ready for Sunday School is such a busy time! Cleaning the class rooms and purging the extra “stuff”; Disinfecting the equipment; Organizing the activities and crafts; Researching for new ideas; Getting the paper work ready; Attending planning meetings; Emailing families; Shopping for supplies. Then, on the first day of Sunday School the business continues with a Time Of Honoring Children's Service message, followed by a trip to the Gym to proudly sing the Welcoming song. Then it’s time to head downstairs to explore a Bible Story, create a fun craft, have a munch on a great snack and read a book about God’s beautiful creatures.
Ending with fond farewells and many hugs. Then comes the clean up and while we were cleaning I said to my daughter, Maegan, "Wow, that was a busy time. I hope the children enjoyed themselves." and Maegan says to me, "Mom, look at the chalk board! It says it all!" There on the chalk board, written by one of the wonderful Sunday School children, it said, "CHURCH IS LOVE!" A very pleased smile perked on my face and joy filled my heart. A simple, yet eloquent message from a child reminding us all to not make Church too complicated and to always remember that Church is love!
We are needing Volunteers to help with our Sunday School and Teen and Youth Program. For more information please talk to Mary Lansdell, our Children’s Ministry Coordinator. Contact the church at 403-269-3701 or email Mary: mlansdell @centralchurch.ca
On Sunday, September 15, we also had a covenanting ceremony for our Teen & Youth Leaders and Volunteers as they start their new year. Those who work with our Teens and Youth are Marivic Dela Cerna, Rina Tugade, Luz Tugade, Hannah-Jane Abugan, and volunteer with our children, Heather AndersonCortis.
Congregational Care Ministry Lorraine Anderson It is an exciting time for Central as we venture forward as a congregation. There are many opportunities to serve within our church community. Congregational Care is one that offers a variety of ministries to become actively involved in. We offer Visitation, Email Prayer Chain, Flower Ministry, Care Calls, Birthday Calls, Funeral Receptions, Baptism preparation, and a Care Card Ministry. We meet once a month so that we might begin to grow together and support each other in our various areas of ministry within Congregational Care. This month, I would like to highlight our Flower Ministry. Our Coordinator June St. Lewis br ings 2 bouquets of flower s each week. She also invites people in our faith community to sign up to bring a bouquet as well. The flowers grace our sanctuary and are then delivered to people from our
congregation. At the moment, we have Colleen Whelan who has volunteer ed to deliver flowers. June also delivers them when she can. Perhaps you would like to join her team. Check out our Sign up sheet at the Connection Corner in the Hospitality Lounge to bring flowers and/or deliver them. Much gratitude to June and her team. This one ministry has shown to be an amazing, tangible way to demonstrate God's love. Peacing life together Lorraine Anderson Designated Lay Minster (DLM) in Congregational Care
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