Life of the Church: Joy’s and Concerns (April 2023)
Here is what our members had to share with us this month. To learn more about this please go here.
To share something with us, please send an email to: prayers@mcdunited.com
April News
During lent Rev. Danah and Rev Joanne hosted Eat, Think, Play. This happened over 6 weeks and wrapped up on March 31. Below are some pictures that Peggy J sent in. To learn more about Eat, Think, Play you can read about the event here.
This month the Acadia Pantry has their annual fundraiser, you can learn more about it here.
On April 2, 2023 the Acadia Food Pantry team hosted a fundraiser lunch as a way to express appreciation to the members of McDougall United Church for their support of the Pantry and to kick off the Pantry’s 2023 Fund Drive. You can read more about it here.
There are some updates to Rev. Joanne Anquists pastoral care hours, you can learn all about them here.
On April 6th Ogden hosted a Maundy Thursday meal in Hospitality Hall.
April 7th a Good Friday service happened. If you missed it, you can watch it here.
On Holy Saturday the labyrinth was open for walking from 3:00 – 3:30 followed by a service of the Stations of the Cross using the art of Timothy Radcliffe. The labyrinth was also available for contemplative walk following the service.
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Art Hironaka peacefully on April 8 surrounded by family at the age of 88. You can see Art’s Candle on our Candle Memorial here.
Read the first quarter update from the Scholarship Committee here.
Travel update from Marjorie M: Michael and I went on a bird watching expedition for 12 days to Colombia. We had limited experience spotting small birds in tall trees so it was often challenging to spot them. However we had a great guide who was a big help. The group was a friendly lot, mainly from Ontario, who had been birdwatchers and naturalists for decades. I saw a lot of interesting plants with the help of the professional botanist in the group. Colombia is a very beautiful country and I hope the people now will have peace after decades of civil war. The trip was not relaxing as we were up every morning at 5:30 and on the road in the van shortly after 6. Birds do not sleep in. Pictured below: our travel group, we were in the Eastern Andes and roads were hilly and bumpy, Hummingbirds are very aggressive towards each other, striated manakin, sparking violeteer hummingbird and two male greater anis.
Read the first quarter update from the Operations Committee here.
Scholarship Application is open for 2023. Closes May 19, 2023. Learn more here.
Learn more about what the Youth were up to in March from youth leader Nik in this post.
Leadership Council’s first quarter report can be read here.
On April 13th Taste & Try happened. This is proving to be a very popular monthly program that McDougall is putting on in partnership with carya. Thank you to Peggy J for sending in the below photo. To learn more about Taste & Try please visit the carya webpage.
Learn more about Leadership Council Co-Chair Daren by reading this post.
Testimonials from our Feb 14th Indigenous Ribbon Skirt Workshop are now available to be read.
Read the first quarter property report here.
On April 16th rehearsals started for “It’s Cool in the Furnace” which will be performed on June 4 during the service. Learn more about it here.
It is with sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Betty Fox at the age of 89 years on April 19, 2023. You can see her candle memorial here.
It is with much sadness that we announce the passing of Ron Burns late in the afternoon on April 20, 2023 in palliative care in Okotoks. You can see his candle memorial here.
On April 25th the Pastoral Care team hosted a Seniors Luncheon.
Happy Anniversary! Verna and Frank Arnold will celebrate their 70th Wedding Anniversary on Tuesday, April 25th.
Learn more about Barrie Clayton by reading his introduction as we continue our Meet Your Leadership Council series.
Learn more about the Outreach and Social Justice activities that are happening by reading the first quarter report from Social Outreach.
Message from Pat, Cynthia, Brent, Neil Hironaka and families: Thank you so very much for the outpouring of love and support we have received from our McDougall family! The condolences and kind words we have received following the passing of Art have brought our family much comfort in a very difficult time. We want to extend our gratitude for your presence at the service and we thank you for the many cards, phone calls, hugs, and other notes we have received. A special thanks to Joanne and Danah for their compassion and leadership and to all of you who played a role in making the service so special for us.
On April 27th the Opera Buddies program wrapped up their “Macbeth” season.
Learn more about Phil Edwards - McDougall Foundation Chair as part of our Meet Your Leadership Council series.
Thank you Volunteers, a thank you was issued to all our volunteers here.
On April 29th a “Ratatouille” movie afternoon was hosted through Open Table.
Read the first quarter report from the Trustees here.
Learn more about Peggy Jorgensen – Ministry and Personnel Lead as part of our Meet Your Leadership Council Series.
On May 30th the first painting session happened for the Reconciliation Mural.
There are some exciting plans for the youth in May, you can read all about them here.
This list will continue to be updated as they are provided. It will be shared with the congregation at the beginning of May.
See what happened in March here.
