Greetings – I am happy to write this little item for St. Michael’s Messenger. I hope that this will be another in a line of scribblings that might get your attention and perhaps move you to action as a disciple of Jesus.
This past weekend, I was privileged to journey to Ottawa and then ‘up the valley’ to a tiny hamlet called Antrim. As you may have guessed this is a community that was originally settled by Irish immigrants who were searching for a better future. They settled in this part of the Ottawa Valley and soon were moved to build a house of Worship and establish a visible sign of their faith community. I was there as one of their former Rectors to celebrate with them 150 years of worship and witness. I believe I was also there to speak words of encouragement to those still a part of that
faith community and to greet people who had welcomed a ‘green’ Deacon into their community 47 years ago. It was a wonderful albeit too brief a time to renew friendships and be updated on their ‘faith journey’.
As a result of my travel several things I had wanted to accomplish here at St. Michaels were not completed. Among those tasks was the creation and distribution of our Annual Stewardship material. Titled “Taking the Next Faithful Step” it will first offer you the opportunity to disclose those personal skills that perhaps you had heretofore ‘hidden under a bushel basket’ by filling out the ‘Interest and Skills’ Sheet.
The second opportunity the material offers is the opportunity to share with leadership at St. Michaels (Wardens & Parish Council), what financial support you believe you are called to contribute to the ongoing life and ministry of St. Michaels in 2024. Both of these responses from you and perhaps from your partner are crucial to our task of planning for the future. It is vital that we in positions of leadership know the multiplicity of skills that are present and might be utilized in our mission and ministry. We need to identify your specific interest and skills so as to craft our program offerings in Advent (December) and into 2024. We also need to know what the financials of St. Michaels will look like in 2024 as we plan and prepare for the search for our next Incumbent.
The above material will (D.V.) be mailed out to you this week. We ask you to prayerfully consider the material and respond as soon as possible. You may mail or hand deliver your completed material to the church. Please make it a priority. In advance of that may I thank you for your warm and enthusiastic welcome of Rita and me back to St. Michaels. I look forward to the balance of our journey together.

In Christ,
Bryan +

Join us on Sunday at 10 am for the season after Pentecost while we explore and celebrate how the gift of the Holy Spirit is working through our lives and the church.

Celebrant:

The Rev. Bryan Beveridge.

Readings:

Deuteronomy 8:7-18 (page 132 Pew Bible)

Ps 65 (BAS P.785)

2 Corinthians 9:6-15 (Page 820 Pew Bible)

Luke 20:9-18 (Page 744 Pew Bible)

Hymns:

CP 416  - All things Bright and Beautiful - Link

Shout To The Lord - Link

Oh, How Good It Is Link

CP 258 - We Plough The Fields And Scatter - Link

CP 399 - Now Thank We All Our God - Link

When Its All Been Said and Done - Link

CP 619 - Fairest Lord Jesus - Link

CP 379 - Rejoice the Lord is King! - Link

Reader: Marlis

Greeter:  Anne

Pianist: Yun-Chu

Edward was born in 1003. He was the last Saxon king to rule (for more than a few months) in England. He is called "Edward the Confessor" to distinguish him from another King of England, Edward the Martyr (c962-979), who was assassinated (presumably by someone who wished to place Edward's younger half-brother on the throne), and who came to be regarded, on doubtful grounds, as a martyr for the faith. In Christian biographies, the term "confessor" is often used to denote someone who has born witness to the faith by his life, but who did not die as a martyr. Edward was the son of King Ethelred the Unready. This does not mean that he was unprepared, but rather that he was stubborn and wilful, and would not accept "rede," meaning advice or counsel.

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

Starting October 16th Parish Office Hours will be Monday to Tuesday 10am to 2pm. 

Time to Be is back!

What is Time to Be? A time during the week when you are welcome to 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.

Volunteers will work in pairs to provide the opportunity for the old church to be open to both parishioners and the public during the week, outside of service times. Beginning September 6th,  we have two scheduled shifts:
Tuesdays 3pm to 5 pm, and Wednesdays 4 pm to 6 pm.

This ministry was first begun in 2015 by Sean Krausert. A daily schedule of three 2-hour shifts allowed St Michaels to open its doors during the week.
Time to Be remained available until the pandemic forced us to close down the program. Our statistics showed that when we had a complement of 16 volunteers during our first 6 month time period, we had nearly 400 shifts completed and 220 individuals popped in, both parishioners and visitors to the church and town. What an opportunity for ministry and outreach!

If anyone is interested in joining our volunteer crew for a shift of 2 hours per week, please contact Susan Sagert at sesagert@gmail.com
<mailto:sesagert@gmail.com>  or 403 978 5817.

Food and Friends has a new way to sign up as a volunteer. Opportunities are listed through July 31.

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 and Continue and enter your email address and phone number.