Grande Cache United Church Newsletter

February 2004                                                             Volume 3

 

It’s February, I cannot believe it!  Time is passing so quickly and before we know it, spring will be arriving on horseback.  Although the past few days it has felt as if spring is here already.  When we start to see the signs of Easter in stores, we may feel as if spring is near. 

According to the church year, we are beginning the time of Lent.  It is the 40 days before Easter that is usually marked by fasting, prayer, and repentance. The Lenten season began even before Christmas was recognized as a holiday.  It runs from Ash Wednesday that is the day after Pancake or Shrove Tuesday until the Saturday before Easter.  You might not realize that Sundays do not count, as each Sunday is considered a little Easter.

Lent is traditionally a time when we give something up, preferably something that we will really miss.  One year I gave up meat in at attempt to try living as a vegetarian.  It didn’t convince me since my body didn’t really like the idea very much.  Other people I know have given up chocolate or coffee, neither one of which appeals to me. You wouldn’t like me if I gave up caffeine since I get realllllly grumpy.

Perhaps we could consider giving up something such as negativity or judgment or comparison? An attitude change might help us to live more positively in the world.  Lent can be used as a time when we look at ourselves more deeply.  What can we learn and what can we change?  It can be a time when we look at our faith in order to grow more deeply in it.  Lent can be a time when we give ourselves permission to slow down, to enter a “wilderness” time and reflect, pray and focus upon God. To that end, I am offering a Lenten Study that will begin on Saturday, March 6th from 10:00 until noon.  For five consecutive Saturdays we will look at a variety of ways to raise our spiritual awareness.  The first Saturday we will look at prayer.  On Saturday, March 13th we will be looking at the Labyrinth.  Saturday March 20th, Dolores Coutu and Sharyn Dew will help us to look at Yoga.  Then Saturday, March 28th, Sharyn Dew will help us look at Meditation.  On the final Saturday, April 3rd, we will conclude our discussions

You are welcome to attend one or all of the Saturdays. 

 

As Easter quickly approaches, I realize that so does my departure from Grande Cache.  Although I try to live in the present moment as much as possible, I also need to prepare myself for leaving.  It will not be easy.  There have been many good-byes in my life, as there probably have been for you as well.  Life is full of good-byes and often at the other end there is a hello waiting to happen.

It is the circle of life.  I have learned a lot from walking this journey with you.

Being in ministry with you has affirmed my call and my hope is that this step will lead to another and eventually to ordination.  God is calling me to something in the church and I await the next sign to point me in the direction I need to travel next.  God will also show you what lies ahead for this congregation and will send someone else to walk with you on the next part of the journey.  There are many people to thank and if I tried to name them all, I would certainly miss some.  So a big THANK YOU to the congregation and the community of Grande Cache.  As much as there have been many changes over the years and there will be more, on that we can count, all of you are carried in the blessed arms of God.  Thank you for sharing this part of my life and you will have a special place in my heart.  Blessings, Nancy

 

Up and coming events:

First Sunday in Lent – February 29th

World Day of Prayer Service – Thursday, March 4th, 7:00 p.m. (Catholic Church)

Saturday, March 6th – Lenten Study begins 10:00 – 12:00 – Prayer

Sunday, March 7th – pre-Baptism service (Family Service) and Potluck Lunch

Friday March 12th – Chocolate reading group gathering at the home of Grace Morey, potluck supper – 6:30 p.m.

Saturday, March 13th – second Lenten Study – 10:00-12:00 – theme - Labyrinth

Sunday, March 14th – Baptism and Communion Service

Saturday, March 20th – third Lenten Study – 10:00-12:00 – theme – Yoga, led by Dolores Coutu and Sharyn Dew

Sunday, March 21st – Nancy away, lay-lead service

Saturday, March 27th – fourth Lenten Study – theme – Meditation, led by Sharyn Dew.

Sunday, March 28th – usual worship

Saturday, April 3rd – final Lenten Study – theme – wrapping it all up or Native Spirituality?

Sunday, April 4th – Palm Sunday – family service

Thursday, April 8th – Maundy Thursday

Friday, April 9th – Good Friday

Sunday, April 11th – Easter Sunday- sunrise service? 

Sunday, April 18th – regular worship

Sunday, April 25th – Celebrating Earth Day or Camping Sunday   

Sunday, May 2nd – Nancy’s last service.