What do you want me to do for you?” asks Jesus.  What is the deepest desire of our hearts?  Do we even know?  Can we entrust the Lord with our longing?  What will it take to have faith in the one who makes the blind see?

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Worship, Church School and Special Studies/Events: Oct 27 - Nov 3
PLUS LINKS to our Team/Group Meetings and Monthly Calendar!

Last Friday evening, the Rainbow Team hosted a film viewing and discussion night, led by Deanne Barrett. Together we watched the documentary titled Fish Out of Water (2009) by Ky Dickens, followed by small and larger group discussions about the film.  We are grateful to Deanne for her capable and gentle leadership; thankful to all 24 who came out and participated; and blessed by the positive engagement and encouragement from the congregation.  Thank you!   ~ The Rainbow Team

St. Andrew’s Vision:   “Growing. Life. Together. With God.”
Mission:  “Woven into the neighbourhood, growing disciples who love like Jesus.”
Our strategic plan led to identifying areas that the congregation had some passion for.  At our Session Retreat on October 4th and 5th we reviewed all of these things and celebrated some accomplishments and changes in the past 2 years.

Considering where the congregation has put most of their energy, reflecting the movement and call of the Spirit, Session has confirmed the following priorities for St. Andrew’s to continue to grow:

Indigenous Relations
Inclusion
Youth
Seniors

What’s next? 
We invite you to consider where you are being called to engage!  Where are the gaps in these areas?  What good ideas do you have that need some support to bring to life?  We have a mission team whose role is to help launch good ideas in these areas through a project, a pilot, an experiment, a trial – call it what you will!  Good ideas need an engaged community to birth them!  If you have a question, comment, dream, or even a suggestion/wider community connection, please contact mission team coordinator Rev. Peter Coutts; the office; Rev. Laurie McKay or any elder to bring others into the conversation and pondering.  The Spirit moves through the people.  We all have been given gifts to offer.  What new thing is arising?  How are you being urged to engage?

We are in the process of electing 6 elders to a 6 year term. The session has reviewed the nominations and those asked to stand are in the process of prayerfully considering whether to let their name stand on the ballot. Please pray for these people – that there may be a sense of God’s call and the right time for them to serve in this leadership role. Those who will be stepping away from Session are: Dolly Forcade, Loran McVittie, Cathy Millar, Inge Murray, Christine Pepper, and Rhonda Wishart. Please pray for them too. We will miss their wisdom on the session but are thankful for their continued leadership with St. Andrew’s.  Ballots will be ready for the congregation on Nov. 3rd and 10th . More information will be available next week. The results of the vote will be available shortly after Nov. 10th’s count. May the Spirit guide and confirm the engagement of leaders in this congregation!

When:    Saturday October 26, 2024 from 5:30 – 8 pm in KEL
What:    Children get a night (150 minutes) at the church including dinner and lots of fun, games and activities.
Children are welcome to come dressed up!
Who:      Children from grades 1-6.
Children are encouraged to bring a friend.
Parents & Grandparents get a night (150 minutes) to themselves too (think date night, dinner with friends, shopping).
Cost: Free!
Please sign up through the church office at  office@standrewscalgary.ca or call  403.255.0001

Please be aware that we will have a fire drill on October 27th near the end of our worship service.  Please follow the directions of the fire drill shepherds who will be wearing orange safety vests.  BELOW is a link to complete instructions.  ~ Dolly Forcade

This coming Sunday, Oct 27th, we’ll be starting a new study on a book called CONTEXT by Josh Scott. We’ll dig into some familiar passages and stories that have been separated from their context in our interpretation for about as long as we can remember.  We’ll discover the importance of keeping the contents of Scripture in their place.  They were created by people who lived in a real time and place, and who experienced real pressures and struggles, and who were trying to sort through the big questions of life.  Sounds a lot like us, doesn’t it?  By seeking to ground our interpretations of the Bible in the context of those who created it is the most honoring and loving way we can approach Scripture.  It also unlocks a depth and meaning that we previously might have missed. 

This is the final week to RSVP for a table for your Ministry Team/Group to LaurenRoseCole4@Gmail.com
Please respond by Sunday, October 27, 2024 to ensure that a table is reserved for your group!

If you are not on a team or you are just wanting to see what all the amazing groups and activities are that happen here, we are excited to have you come down to Trinity Hall following the Sunday service on November 3rd. 
There will be coffee, refreshments and a DOOR PRIZE! 

The Aboriginal Friendship Center will be hosting a Halloween Party on October 30th here at St. Andrew’s for their community families.  We need 10 volunteers to help with set up, serving hotdogs and helping with games and pumpkin carving.  Please speak with Laurie or call the office at 403.255.0001 if you are able to help out on October 30th from 5:00 - 8:00 pm.

Everyone is invited to the Heritage Seniors’ Luncheon on  Monday, November 4th at Noon.  Following lunch, The Calgary Police will be speaking about Cyber Security, a very timely topic!!

Tickets are $17.00 and must be purchased by October 31st.  For tickets, call :  Maureen @ 403.256.5937

Come to Trinity Hall Saturday at 9:30 on November 2nd to hear Peter Coutts talk about his time in the Canadian Navy.  Everyone is welcome: children, men and women.   The deadline to sign up is Oct. 30.  The cost is $5.00 for adults, and children less than 12 years of age are free. Refreshments will be here when you arrive!

VIEW OUR POSTER BY CLICKING HERE

This year, St. Andrew’s will have opportunities to give to those in need ~ and indeed ~  to show our love and concern for those within our own community.  As we each consider how we might participate in the upcoming ‘Season of Giving’, click the button below to read about the upcoming opportunities to brighten the lives of our neighbours.

Proposed Development Sign:  If you have noticed, there is a large sign as you come into the parking lot for a proposed development on the neighbouring lot (previously known as the YMCA lot).  The developer is GF MGMT Corporation and the proposal is for 100 rental units  (2 bedrooms).  Construction of the 6 stories on Heritage Drive, moving to 4 stories closer to the laneway would likely commence late 2025.  This will impact our available parking by approximately 25 spots.  An “Impact Team” is currently researching how to reconfigure our lot and adapt to this change.

St. Andrew’s Sign:  We are planning to replace the current sign in front of the church with a highly visible, electronic sign that would be easy to change.  Part of the permit process is for the city to alert the community about the proposal – thus another sign. The permit application is in, and the process has started to replace our ageing and not so user friendly analog sign.

Change is afoot!  Stay tuned for further updates!   ~ Rev. Laurie & Craig Murray

Harry Eisenhauer, a long time members of St. Andrew’s, died Sunday, October 20th.  Information about a funeral service will be shared when known.

With the new Vendor Market we are looking for more tables to meet our need for all our venues.
The Ladies Guild are looking for additional 6 foot foldout tables, similar to the one pictured above.  If you can loan a table or two  that can be used over the Bazaar weekend (Friday, Nov 15 through to Sunday, Nov 17), please call Elaine Cantlon @ 403.519.2270  as soon as possible so we know in advance of the bazaar.
We would ask that you make sure your name and phone number are on the table.   We would like them to be delivered to the church during office hours between 10:00 to 3:00p during the week of the Bazaar. If you can’t deliver to the church, we will try and make pick-up arrangements.
The Ladies Guild thank you for helping us with your loan and in making our Christmas Bazaar a success!
~  Elaine Cantlon

Oct 27th:  10:00 am

Greeter: Carma Cornea & Donna Cornea    
Ushers: Brian Hawco & Ian Judd
Coffee Hosts: NO COFFEE - FIRE DRILL SUNDAY
Shepherd: Duane Tritter

The EDGE After School Youth Drop In Program  - CLICK HERE
GriefShare - CLICK HERE
Growing Generous Life Brochure - CLICK HERE
Sunday Morning Bible Study - CLICK HERE
Youth Group 2024 Schedule - CLICK HERE

The COMPASS program for caregivers is devoted to connecting caregivers with other caregivers, while hearing stories from people who have been there. They offer a variety of programs, including one-on-one coaching (free) and online courses (nominal fee). Here is a video link explaining the program. At this link you can find information about the various programs that are available for caregivers.  

Many printable resources are available here. Check out the Caregiver Well-Being Checklist.  

Caregiver connections is a program that is devoted to connecting caregivers who are helping family members or friends with mental health issues. 

Caring and connecting means sharing tools that equip us for whatever life offers us.
 ~  Geoffrey

On November 5, from 7:00 to 8:30 pm Westminster will be hosting Sandra Hayes-Gardiner speaking to her account of growing up alongside a Cree nation in The Pas, Manitoba. In her book, Crossing the River: An unsettling memoir, Sandra takes one on a journey of personal reconciliation towards understanding racism and prejudice within her own community. As a social worker she honestly confronts her own responsibility for removing children from their families who were considered "at-risk" by the federal government. After living in and relating with elders, knowledge keepers and colleagues from two Indigenous communities, one near Williams Lake B.C., she shares her learnings and needed "unlearnings".  Join her as she asks herself and us - "what kind of Canada do you want and how will you be a part of that unfolding story?"