Knox Blog

From the Calgary Presbytery for May and June 2013

May 16, 2013 By Editor

Campus Ministry needs Volunteers

The Campus Ministry needs volunteers and donors, particularly to support young adults in the drumming program, and also to help host their annual fund-raising dinner in May 2013.

Contact Tim Nethercott if you can help: netherco@ucalgary.ca or 403-220-3896.

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Wisdom on the Journey

Wisdom on the Journey: Walking to a Sacred Place, Fri. June 7 & Sat. June 8

To be a bridge among aboriginal and non-aboriginal people, in preparation for the Truth & Reconciliation event. Varsity Acres Presbyterian Church, 4612 Varsity Drive NW.

For more info contact: info@wisdomonthejourney.ca or call 403-69802523

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You are invited to a church-wide conversation about our church’s future that is being led by the Comprehensive Review Task Group.

The task group believes God is at work in the world and is calling our church to the threshold of something new. Where do you see that happening? What new models, structures, and processes would nurture our vitality as communities of faith?

If you are not yet engaged in these important conversations, please explore this link for more details: Click here

The task group would like to hear from as many faith communities in as many places in our church as possible, and before the end of June.

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Filed Under: Presbytery

Music Visioning Committee Update

May 9, 2013 By Editor

In late 2012 this committee was created to address the upcoming vacancy in the principal position of organist/music director for 2013. You may recall our questionnaires in November seeking your input regarding the music direction at Knox, the role of the current music ministry program, how music can inspire our spiritual development for Sunday worship, and how we as a congregation could support and develop a changing music outreach within the Calgary community.

Your participation and assistance was instrumental in drafting the new job description for an incoming organist/music director.

A position that can focus on choral development among all ages, and bring diverse musical styles to fulfill our faith needs with meaningful worship services. An individual that can create associations with Calgary’s various musical communities and encourage the development of small group and instrumental performance. A mentor that can bring an understanding of the role of music as it relates to Christian worship in a United Church, in both traditional and contemporary styles.

This job description has been approved by the Unified Board, and has been submitted to the Royal Canadian College of Organists for advertisement within the Canadian organist community. Additional ads are being reviewed for distribution within the various national music associations and publications.

Respectfully submitted,

Tim Bell, Knox Music Visioning Committee

Filed Under: Music

Equiknox sings Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah

May 8, 2013 By Editor

Our Equiknox group sang Leonard Cohen’s popular “Hallelujah” as the prelude to the April 21st Sunday service.

If you missed it or would like to enjoy it again, watch the video below.

Aura and the Knox Women’s choir also provided worship music for the service. The piano and organ postlude was performed by Bronwyn Schumann and Glenn Potter.

The audio is a bit rough. Sorry about that, I’m still learning all this video production stuff. ~Marlene Hielema

Please subscribe to our KnoxCalgary YouTube channel here: youtube.com/KnoxCalgary

Equiknox music group

Filed Under: Special Church Services Tagged With: Equiknox, music

Healing Touch Ministry – Open for Business

May 7, 2013 By Editor

We have noticed that we haven’t had many requests for treatments over the past few months, so we want you to talk to us about experiencing Healing Touch.

One of our long-time faithful “clients”, Edna Poffenroth, had a treatment on May 5th.

When asked how she would describe her response, she said,

“It relaxes my mind, and then my body can relax too. I am so glad you are here!”

Approach us at coffee time or wherever you might encounter one of us.

Here are our members in alphabetical order: Dave Burgoyne, Doreen Orman, Elizabeth Campbell, Ellen Lang, Gladys Walters, Margaret Miyagishima, Maureen Johnson, Sharon Montgomery, Shirley Chandler. Dave and Shirley will be especially keen as they just completed their Level 3 course.

If you would prefer to make contact by phone, our new phone person is Maureen Johnson, 403-210-5123. Or you can email the church office at kuoffice@knoxunited.ab.ca and they will forward your information to us. There is no charge for this service but donations are welcome.

Filed Under: Knox Community Tagged With: healing touch

Oh, what a morning!

May 2, 2013 By Editor

by Elizabeth Campbell

OH, WHAT A MORNING! The service on Sunday, April 28th, hit all the notes for me. It opened with my favourite hymn, Great is Thy Faithfulness, the organ and choir in full voice, including descant. Then Trish Johnson’s wonderful solo, O Lord Be Merciful, touched my heart, readying it for Grant’s sermon, Self-Righteous Justice.

Young people’s time started us off with some points to ponder

He prepared the stage masterfully in Young People’s time, where he demonstrated with Olivia Meyer, the effects of reacting from a self-righteous place. There were so many points to ponder, such as how satisfying it is when an irritating dangerous driver is caught. But how often do I consider or confess to my own shortcomings, in King James’ terms, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”. Those words were translated in a more pointed way in the reading from The Authentic Letters of Paul;” I have messed up”. I must examine and forgive myself in order to forgive another, to take out the plank in my eye before considering or criticizing another’s eye plank. I cannot do justice to all that was said. Get the podcast here!

As always we were left with the words of Grace that we are loved and forgiven, and not alone on our journey, even though sometimes it takes us through a Lonesome Valley. This was the anthem with soloists, Lexus Bird and Olivia Meyer.

The final hymn sent me on my way with a full heart, rejoicing that I live in God’s world as we sang, Dear God, Who Loves All Humankind. The last verse reads:

Breathe through the heats of our desire thy coolness and thy balm,

Let sense be dumb, let flesh retire, speak through the earthquake wind and fire,

O still small voice of calm

PS

Living in God’s world means that we have a responsibility to care for others who may need a hand or a bit to eat. After church a group of volunteers made 28 loaves of sandwiches for the Drop In Centre. Sandwich Sunday is traditionally Sandwich Sunday, but this took it to a new level.

Filed Under: Knox Community

One small drip

April 30, 2013 By Editor

Last week one of the Knox caretakers noticed a small leak in one of the valves in the water pipes. He tried to tighten the valve to stop the leak. This caused the 100 year old pipe to weaken and burst causing the full force of water pressure to come pouring in to the lower theatre.

The plumber was called to shut off the water, but the shut off valve was buried in a wall so there was a bit of destruction involved to find it.

This pipe would have weakened and burst anyhow, so really it was a good thing that this happened during the week when people were around.

And here is the aftermath. Baby waterbots cleaning up the mess.

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Filed Under: Knox Community

Rob Dalgleish (The Edge) is coming to Foothills Presbytery

April 26, 2013 By Editor

On behalf of Foothills Presbytery, the Division of Congregation and Mission Development, I am extending a formal invitation to members of Calgary and South Alberta Presbyteries to join us on Monday, June 3 as we invite Rob Dalgleish (The Edge) to share with us on how we might use technology in new and exciting ways to connect with our congregations.

This includes “out of the box” opportunities that may be available to resource our ministries. This is of particular interest to those congregations and their leadership:

who are struggling to maintain their ministry
who are considering redefining their pastoral boundaries and relationships
who are looking for alternative approaches to amalgamation
who are choosing to be on the cutting “edge” of technology designed to support us and them in new, exciting and potentially more efficient ways.
who are interested in what is happening in other parts of Canada and elsewhere regarding the trends in emerging ministry.

This event will be held at St. Andrew’s United Church in Cochrane, 4:00 pm -9:00 pm. Supper is included, pre-registration will be mandatory, with a cost of $20/person.

Specific promotional and registration details will be forwarded next week. We encourage you to save the date. This is open to anyone. We will look forward to seeing you there.

Sent in by: Brenda Watt, Co-Chair, Congregation and Mission Development and Chair Elect, Foothills Presbytery Crossfield United Church www.crossfieldunited.com

Filed Under: Presbytery

Service of Healing and Renewal – April 14, 2013

April 17, 2013 By Editor

By Elizabeth Campbell

A Service of Healing and Renewal has been held once or twice a year for the past 8 – 10 years.

The one held on Sunday, April 14 was quite different due to the enthusiastic leadership of Glenn Potter, our Interim Music Director. He and his wife had attended a Taize service in San Diego while they were on holiday earlier this year, and he thought what he learned there could add richness to our service. Shirley Chandler and Elizabeth Campbell were also aware of the Taize style of worship, and they worked with Glenn and Rev. Dr. Grant Dawson to plan the service.

Although what was experienced on Sunday was only partially a “Taize Service”, there were elements that made it special.

First was the music. Glenn chose to begin with the Kyrie, with soloist Shawn Dawson singing from the east balcony. The chants used throughout were chosen to bring a sense of opening oneself to God, to healing, renewal and joy. Musicians added to the ambience; Lauren Eselson, flute and Chris Rawlyck, guitar. The choir, piano, flute and guitar were especially appreciated during the time of anointing and blessing.

Second was the silence. In order that silence was encouraged, people were directed to enter only by the 4th Street entrance, sit toward the front of the church, lighting was subdued. Short times of silence were observed during the service. Helping to create the sense of expansion in the silence was Edna Poffenroth’s reading of the Scripture from the balcony.

Third was the cross. In Taize services a cross lies flat on the floor at the front of the congregation and chairs are placed close by to allow worshipers to meditate. We used our Easter cross upright in front of the communion table. Our reverend Grant Dawson affirmed the theological rightness of this placement when he observed that we must go through the cross to get to the table where we are fed, anointed, and blessed.

This service is always a highlight for members of the Healing Touch Ministry.

It is a privilege to anoint with oil in Jesus’ name, a sign of the healing power of God, and to offer the Blessing: May the renewing power of the Holy Spirit make you whole in body, mind, and spirit.

The music, the lighting of candles, the silence, Grant’s words, and the anointing and blessing all worked together to make it a memorable and meaningful service, a source of renewal and healing for all of us.

Filed Under: Special Church Services

An Easter Alleluia

April 11, 2013 By Editor

Choral Fanfare with choirs and brass under the direction of Glenn Potter

“An Easter Alleluia”

Richard Scholz, Trumpet; Kathy Van Lare, Trumpet; Laurie Matiation, French Horn, Paul Toutant, Trombone; Shawn Dawson, Tympani; Bronwyn Schuman, piano.

Jesus Christ is risen today, hallelujah!
our triumphant holy day, hallelujah!
who did once upon the cross, hallelujah!
suffer to redeem deem our loss. Hallelujah!

Hymns of praise then let us sing, hallelujah!
unto Christ, our heavenly King, hallelujah!
who endured the cross and grave, hallelujah!
sinners to redeem and save. Hallelujah!

Sing we to our God above, hallelujah!
praise eternal as God’s love; hallelujah!
praise our God, ye heavenly host, hallelujah!
Praise the Son and Holy Ghost. Hallelujah!