Life of the Church: Joy’s and Concerns (October 2024)
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
October News
Brenda Fawkes: A Pastoral Letter - This was originally sent out in the Chinook Region newsletter, you can see it here. Many of you may have seen Brenda at the Chinook Region Annual Meeting that was held at McDougall in May. Dear friends, It’s been 5 days since we learned that Brenda Fawkes had been killed in an accident. I’m sure most of us met this news with shock. As much as we in the church are used to death and dying and loss, when someone who is far too young, who is so integral to the life of our denomination dies in such a way, it hits us differently. Continue reading on website.
Library - New Books - Here are the latest additions for your fall reading pleasure. Once again many thanks for the new donations and also for returning borrowed books within a month or two since we only have one copy of each book. Continue reading on website.
Family & Community Minister Second Quadrimestre Report (May – August 2024) - Below is a brief summary of activities from May to August, including a period of vacation. This report is meant to provide an outline and welcomes questions from any McDougall congregants. Continue reading on website.
We are in "Hello Acadia" Check out the latest edition of "Hello Acadia", our upcoming November 1st fundraiser is featured on page 5. You can see it here.
Inter-Gen is coming back and looking for Seniors - Our popular Friday afternoon multiple generation group is back starting on November 1st. This group is in partnership with Lord Beaverbrook High School and brings high school students together with seniors to build relationships. Continue reading and see sign up options on website.
Book Study: Carol Off’s book “At a Loss for Words: Conversation in an Age of Rage.” - After Thanksgiving we will be starting a book study and sermon series based on Carol Off’s book “At a Loss for Words: Conversation in an Age of Rage.” We will go chapter by chapter during Bible Study, Tuesdays at 11 at McDougall, and Wednesday Evenings on Zoom starting at 7 pm until 8:30. If you would like to join the zoom conversation, please contact the office to get the zoom link.
Sound and Soul - On Thursday, October 3rd guests were invited to Red Deer Lake to participate in the first ever Sound and Soul. This event will happen on the first Thursday of each month. You can hear the Spotify playlist on the RDLUC AV Spotify account. Here's the link: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7LScouFrPlLOVQS366rAop?si=-h7jkaBNTX6IDghwuVtBVQ&pi=xt9INaKISs2pq
Fall Artisan Market Thank You!!!!!! A huge thank you to everyone who attended our Fall Artisan Market on October 5th. Thank to our vendors who put their faith in us, everyone who shared their gifts of baking, gave us their time as volunteers and who donated prizes. A huge thank you goes out to the Fall Artisan Market planning team, this event would not have happened without you; Penny Bailey, June Clarke, Jean MacEachern, Sarah Reuangrith, Paula Sangster, Pat Shea, Dianne Wilkinson.
Reflections by Rev. Joanne Anquist - I don’t know much about farming. I think that’s why Thanksgiving is so important for me and others who don’t give much thought to how we get our food as we wander through the grocery store. My relationship to farming comes through my ancestors. My great-grandparents on my Dad’s side were homesteaders in Alberta in the early 1900’s – in a place called Amisk, a mostly Swedish community in East Central Alberta. Continue reading on website.
November 1st Fundraising Dinner: Performance Line Up - We hope that you will join us for a catered Turkey dinner, variety show and silent auction on All Saints Day, Friday, November 1st. Our team has been hard at work organizing the event and are pleased to announce our performance line up for the show. Continue reading on website.
Second Quadrimester Report Ministry and Personnel - Gift cards ordered as a thank you to staff for the extra time and effort they put in for hosting Chinook Winds Annual meeting, Helped with interviewing for Bookkeeper position continue reading on website
Stewardship Campaign - Package pick up starts Sunday: McDougall’s stewardship packages are available for pickup after the services on October 20th and 27th. Any not picked up will be mailed. We encourage you to help us save postage by picking up your package as well as those of your neighbors. Thank you so much for your generosity! 2025 Stewardship Team To learn more about Stewardship, please visit the Stewardship webpage.
Gift Card Winner: Congratulations Ron! Ron H was the big winner of our Back to School Gift Card Challenge. He won a Tim Horton's Gift card. Congratulations Ron and thank you so much for your support of our Gift Card Program. Ron is pictured below with gift card organizer Frank K. You can learn more about our gift card program here. This challenge was run by the Marketing and Fundraising Group, you can learn more here.
Last chance to attend our live podcase recording - There is still a chance to be a part of history and attend the inaugural live podcast recording that is happening tonight, October 18th at McDougall. The event will be in the basement, a lift is available, with doors opening at 6 pm. In our pilot episode: Raging Waters: Rocking the Boat Without Drowning the Dialogue, Rev. Bill Weaver, Rev. Joanne Anquist, and Ricardo De Menezes will discuss why conversations around deconstruction matter in a, “go woke, go broke” world. Continue reading on website.
Silent Auction Preview On Sunday, October 20th we were treated to a silent auction preview. This auction is part of our November 1st Turkey Dinner, Silent Auction and Variety Show. All the money raised supports the church. The auction will be set up again this Sunday. Sunday, October 27th marks the last day to purchase tickets, we hope that you will consider coming. You can learn more about the November 1st event here.
Ogden Fall Supper - On October 20th Ogden United hosted their Fall Supper at the new Ogden Hub. McDougall members showed their support by showing up and enjoying the delicious Roast Beef Dinner cooked by Rev. Danah Cox and volunteers. What a wonderful evening, welcome back Ogden!
Reflections by Rev. Joanne Anquist - Monday saw our first real snow of the season. Winter is officially here! We all ventured forth, forgetting how to drive on ice, making appointments to switch our tires over to winter grade, passing more than one car that had spun out when the accelerator was still in summer mode! It won’t stay, yet – but it’s a reminder of what is to come! Continue reading on website.
Last day to purchase tickets to our November 1st Turkey Dinner, Variety Show and Silent Auction is Sunday, October 27th We hope that you will be able to join us for our All Saints day dinner on Friday, November 1st. This fundraiser for the church includes a delicious catered Turkey Dinner, a silent auction full of amazing items (you can see a list of silent auction donators on the event listing) and a variety show featuring a “Very Large Quartet” from Acapela Road and a combo from Hippocratic Oath Big Band. You can choose to join us for the whole event or part of it. The last day to get tickets is Sunday, October 27th. You can purchase tickets on our website, through the office or we will be set up after the service on Sunday. You can learn more and purchase tickets on our website.
Pumpkin Carving at Red Deer Lake - On October 26th families enjoyed a pumpkin carving at Red Deer Lake. Check out the amazing pumpkins that resulted from the afternoon.
2025 Stewardship Campaign: Testimonial 1, Marsha - During our 2025 Stewardship Campaign we will be sharing Testimonials from some of our members. We hope that you enjoy them! Continue reading on website.
McDougall Financial Forecast - With the generous contributions of our church community and the diligent attention by the McDougall Ministry working groups to reducing expenses, the financial forecast is not as bleak as predicted by the 2024 budget approved in June. Continue reading on website.
Notice of Passing: Shauna Kennedy - It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Shauna Kennedy on October 28th, after the progression of her cancer diagnosis. See Shauna’s Candle Memorial here.
Joint Choir set to Perform on December 15 at Red Deer Lake - You are ALL invited to join us Thursdays, starting November 7, from 6:00-7:45 pm at McDougall United Church for rehearsals as we prepare for a joint advent service that will be held on Sunday December 15, at Red Deer Lake United Church. This project will consist of working on 5-6 pieces that will feature scripture and spoken word interspersed throughout. Everyone is welcome to take part in this joyous opportunity! Please contact the office for more information, or simply come to rehearsal on November 7th.
Reflections by Rev. Joanne Anquist - What Scares You – such an appropriate theme this close to Hallowe’en. That’s the time when all the ghouls and goblins are supposed to come out and haunt us from the other side of the grave. It’s interesting to note that Hallowe’en is actually called All Hallows Eve on the Church Calendar. November 1st is All Saints Day, where the most faithful servants are remembered. Continue reading on website.
This list will continue to be updated as they are provided. Make sure you send in your news!
See what happened in September here.
