Greetings in the name of our Lord - as the season of Lent marches on toward the holiest of weeks, I am conscious of the need to devote more and more time to prayer. This community of St. Michael is about to embark on an important indeed crucial journey. The journey of which I speak is the forming of the Selection Committee to meet with the Diocesan Archdeacon, the Ven. Pilar Gateman seeks to discern the person that God has placed a spiritual hand upon and has called to join the journey of faith here in the community of St. Michael.

Some of you have taken the prayer that was produced and distributed at the beginning of Lent. The purpose of the prayer was to encourage each of you to pray the prayer at any time during the day. 

I am reprising the prayer here so that all of our parish family can have the prayer and engage in continuous prayer during the remainder of the season of Lent, Holy Week and the celebration of our Lord's Resurrection - Easter Day.

Please add this prayer to your daily prayers and pray for those who have stepped up to serve with Chairperson Andrew Runciman on the Search Committee.

Lenten Blessings,

Bryan +

A Prayer for the Search for a new Incumbent 

Almighty God, you know the needs of your Church in every time and place: look graciously upon us, the people of St. Michael in Canmore, and grant us the guidance of your Holy Spirit as we seek a new Rector for this parish. Give us discernment, wisdom, and confidence in your timing. Guide the members of our Search Committee, as they labour to be faithful in seeking your will.
We pray for the life of our parish, that we may continue to be strengthened in our mission to be Jesus Christ’s heart, hands and feet to our neighbours no matter where they are on their journey of faith. Bless us with mutual trust and respect, courage, and foresight as you shepherd our community through this important journey. Grace us with continuous direction and inspire us toward genuine self-reflection. All this we ask as we walk in your ways to the glory of your name. Amen.

A reminder that time Springs Forward an hour this Sunday morning.

Mar 10, 2024 - Daylight Saving Time Starts.
Sunrise and sunset will be about 1 hour later on Mar 10, 2024 than the day before.
There will be more light in the evening. Also called Spring Forward, Summer Time, and Daylight Savings Time.

Join us for worship each Sunday in person at 10am 

celebrant: Rev. Bryan Beveridge

Readings:
Numbers 21: 4-9
Psalm 107: 1-3, 17-22
Ephesians 2: 1-10
John 3:14-21

Hymns:
Preservice Practice: May the Peoples Praise you 
Preservice Song: Come as You Are 
Opening: Power of Your Love 
Gradual: Amazing Grace/ My Chains are Gone 
Offertory: For a Thousand Tongues to Sing 
Communion: Here is Love 
Closing: May the Peoples Praise You  

CP refers to the Hymn Book - Common Praise

Reader: Theresa L 

Greeter: Liz

Pianist: Corina

Grace and peace to you all as we journey through the sacred season of Lent, drawing closer to the celebration of Easter. As we enter the fourth week of Lent, let us take a moment to reflect on our spiritual journey and find inspiration in the message of hope and transformation.

In the midst of Lenten reflections and repentance, the theme for this week is "Walking Towards the Light." The Gospel reminds us that Jesus is the light of the world, guiding us through the darkness of our own struggles and challenges.

"When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, 'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.'"

This week, let us sit with these words and consider how we can walk in the footsteps of Christ, bringing His light into our lives and the lives of those around us.

In the busyness of our daily routines, it's easy to become entangled in the shadows of doubt, fear, and distraction. However, Lent provides us with an opportunity to pause, reflect, and reorient ourselves towards the source of true light.

May the light of Christ shine brightly in your hearts as we navigate the fourth week of Lent together. Let us continue to support and uplift one another on this sacred journey, knowing that, ultimately, we are walking towards the joy of Easter morning.

Please join us this Lent for an in-depth exploration and conversation around the Temptation of Jesus in the Wilderness. After an initial exploration of the Biblical text in the first week, we will have five unique sessions focussing on how five different theologians and saints have approached Jesus’s Temptation, looking for their unique wisdom and insight to this event in Jesus’s life and ministry. We are excited, as well, to have each session led by a different person from the Diocese! Hopefully this study will enrich your Lenten journey. We’ll gather via Zoom on Thursday evenings through Lent, from 7:00 to 9:00 pm. Please contact Barbara Labrecque at the Diocesan Office to register for the study.

Schedule

March 7 – Rev. Chris Roth (Church Fathers)

March 14 – Rev. Br. Jason Carroll (Fyodor Dostoyevsky)

March 21 – Rev. Elizabeth Short (Deitrich Bonhoeffer) 

PLEASE NOTE: If you have registered and not heard back, please resend your request to blabrecque@calgary.anglican.ca

EMBRACING THE LENTEN JOURNEY:
This year, we have embarked on a meaningful Lenten journey together, a journey that invites us to examine our lives, deepen our faith, and grow in our relationship with Christ.
Through prayer, fasting, and acts of kindness, we have the chance to align our hearts with God's purpose for us.
Join us this Sunday March 10th at 10:00am. We want to provide a unique opportunity to engage in reflective worship, hear inspiring messages, and partake in the sacrament of Holy Communion. Let us come together as a community to support one another on this, our shared spiritual pilgrimage. 

ACTS OF KINDNESS AND SERVICE:
Use this season as an opportunity to engage in acts of kindness and service. Consider volunteering, supporting a charitable cause, or reaching out to those in need. By embodying Christ's love through our actions, we contribute to the flourishing of our community.

COMMUNITY CONNECTION:
Engage with the church community. participate in study groups, and share your spiritual journey with fellow believers.

PREPARE YOUR HEART FOR EASTER:
As we journey through Lent, let us remember that it is a time of preparation. By embracing this season with sincerity & devotion, we open our hearts to the joy and triumph of Easter, celebrating the resurrection of our Lord. 
May this time be a transformative & enriching experience for each one of us. Let us support & uplift one another as we seek to grow in faith, love, & grace. 

The Diocese of Calgary sends out a e-newsletter every two weeks. To view their most recent newsletter click the button below.

Tuesdays 3pm to 5 pm, and Wednesdays 4 pm to 6 pm.

Pop in to St Michaels Church for a moment of peace and tranquility. A time to pray, meditate, knit or read. A time to come and relax in your favourite pew and enjoy the beauty of the historic church.

All are welcome!

Should you wish to have assistance there are forms in the church office that you may take away and ponder over and hopefully fill out.
Should you decide to fill one out you may bring it to the church office. 
We will make a copy and give the original back to you. The copy will be stored in the secure  "Planned Funerals" file to assist the church community in planning your funeral  when that time arrives. 

-Rev. Bryan Beveridge +

This Monday March 4th, our guests started lining up at the door before 5:00PM and this continued right  through to 6:35PM. By the end of the evening we served a total of 404 meals... the most seen in the last 2 years!

The evening featured the return of 14 student volunteers, together with their teachers and Vice Principal from Our Lady of the Snows Catholic Academy. These volunteers did an extraordinary job in serving the high number of guests who arrived Monday night. Food and Friends is fortunate to have these student volunteers on a once a month basis till the end of the academic year in June. 

This assistance, together with that of Canmore Collegiate and the Rotary Club of Canmore, goes a long way in giving our regular, highly dedicated volunteers a bit of a break.

SignUpGenius has been updated: now posting on all dates up to the end of April 2024! 

There are lots of openings available. The Food and Friends program is a great way to contribute to a St. Michael’s outreach program and to the community. Consider signing up for one or more weeks by clicking the button.

Choose an open activity, hit Save, Continue, then enter your email address and phone number.

Cultivating Community: Food Justice in the Bow Valley and Beyond

What: Appetizers - Panel discussion - Q & A - Casual dinner

Where: Artsplace, Canmore

When: Wednesday March 20th, 2024, 4:00-6:00pm

Description: Have you ever wondered how we might create more ecologically and socially just food systems in the Bow Valley? If you’re interested in thinking about this question, please join our discussion at Artsplace on March 20th, 2024. The event features community-based organizers, academics, and food provisioners from Alberta and B.C. who will share their experiences working to change food systems. 

Speakers:  Dr. Tatenda Mambo, Melissa West Morrison, Avni Soma, Jun Cacayuran, and Dr. Charlie Spring.

Ebony is a most enthusiastic and informative speaker on behalf of all the programs and services our local “Y” has to offer. From Emergency Shelter to long term affordable housing, over 200 spaces are available to anyone in need. Providing free supportive, confidential counselling, the team aims to develop and maintain safe and healthy communities.

The need is great. They are always full. And There is so much more that can be done! A way to achieve this is to expand.

The YWCA has been blessed with a great property in Banff. With many renovations, additions and expansions, it’s still not enough.  They would love to come into Canmore, creating a purpose-built space, providing best practice facilities as a community hub for support and well being.

Canmore Town Council is in the process of acquiring the Palliser Lands from the Province and planning its development and usage by 2026. The “Y” needs our help to convince our town leaders that “Zone 7” be dedicated to promoting our community’s health with a YWCA facility. To voice your support, please reach out to Town Council Members, The Mayor or our Minister of Parliament.

Together we can make a huge difference in helping one another in these difficult times. Thanks be to God!

In the midst of our daily lives, it's crucial to pause and reflect on those experiencing homelessness. The issue reaches far beyond statistics; it touches the very essence of our shared humanity. Here are a few reasons why we should care about homelessness:

Human Dignity: Every individual, regardless of their circumstances, deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. Homelessness challenges this basic human right. Caring about homelessness means recognizing the worth and inherent value of every person
Community Well-Being: Homelessness affects not only those directly experiencing it but also the broader community. Addressing homelessness contributes to the overall well-being and safety of our neighborhoods. It is in our collective interest to create compassionate and inclusive communities. 
Social Justice: A just society is one that cares for its most vulnerable members. Homelessness often stems from systemic issues such as poverty, lack of affordable housing, and mental health challenges. By caring about homelessness, we advocate for systemic changes that promote equality and justice for all. 
Compassion in Action: Caring about homelessness is an opportunity to put our compassion into action. Simple acts of kindness, support for local shelters, and advocacy for policy changes can make a significant impact. By caring, we become part of the solution, working towards a more compassionate and equitable society. 
A Path to Empathy: Understanding the stories and struggles of those experiencing homelessness opens our hearts to empathy. It challenges stereotypes and prejudices, fostering a deeper understanding of the complexities individuals face. Through empathy, we build bridges and foster a more compassionate society. 

In essence, caring about homelessness is an expression of our shared humanity and a commitment to building a society that uplifts everyone. Let us unite in compassion, recognizing that by addressing homelessness, we contribute to the creation of a more just and caring world.