April 2025 Newsletter

PEACE NEWS

 Rooted in Grace; Free to Serve

 The City of Leduc is situated on Treaty 6 territory, the ancestral and traditional territory of the Cree, Blackfoot, Saulteaux, Nakota Sioux as well as the Métis people.

LEDUC MUSIC FESTIVAL will be holding various events at the church in April. April 7th will be vocal performances between 9:00 am and 4:00 pm and then between 6:00 pm and 9:00 pm. April 14th to 16th will be piano recitals between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm Monday and Wednesday and 8:00 am and 9:00 pm on Tuesday.

Vintage Strawberry Tea:

The Witness Committee is holding a Vintage Strawberry Tea at the church on April 26, 2025 from 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm. Tickets are $15 each and include tea, strawberry shortcake and a fashion show by Side Street Vintage store located in Leduc. Tickets are available at the church office, Side Street Vintage or from any Witness Committee member. All are welcome! Proceeds will go towards the future replacement of the fellowship hall tables and chairs. Sounds like a wonderful day out to support the Witness Committee and small business in Leduc.

April 17th is Maundy Thursday and will be held in conjunction with St. David’s church and St. Paul’s Anglican church, so we are hoping to have volunteers from those congregations, but if you’d like to help, please let the office know.

April 18th is Good Friday and will be held at St. David’s church.

Easter Sunday Breakfast will be held at 8:30 am before the service. There is a sign-up sheet on the bulletin board for anyone who can help supply some items and to help with the set up and clean up of the breakfast. Items include hot cross buns, muffins, fruit, cheese, jams, cookies and squares.

BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES FOR APRIL

April 1      Maddie Doherty

April 3      Betty Lawlor

                 Gilbert Magnan

April 6      Laurrette Magnan

                 David Perry

April 7      Sarah Chorzempa

                 Eli Stoyko

April 9      Brion Zutz

April 10    Gilbert & Laurrette Magnan’s 60th Anniversary

April 11    Jocelyn Wedman

April 14    Ryan Wiesener

April 15    Lachy and Ollie Doherty

April 17    Regina Abend

April 18    Ethan Covey

April 19    Carmen Pederson

April 20    Bill Casey

April 21    Wayne Pederson

April 24    Alyssa Covey-Abdelghany

MESSAGE FROM WITNESS AND SPECIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE

Beginning March 23rd, Fellowship will resume after the church service. Volunteers are needed for April 27th until June 22nd.  This requires making coffee, getting hot water ready for the tea, setting out cookies that are provided, setting up 2 or 3 tables, and then cleaning up and doing dishes. Please consider signing up. It doesn’t take too long to do and the more volunteers the better it turns out.

Easter Sunday:  We are looking for a choir to put together for Easter Sunday service. If you are interested in singing, or if you play an instrument and would like to join, please contact Pastor Matt or the church office.

 If you are wanting to join a song team, or wish there was a specific hymn or liturgy introduced to a service, please don’t hesitate to contact Pastor Matt or the church office.

NOTE FROM THE OFFICE:

HEY KIDS!

I’m looking to decorate my bulletin board in the office with new pictures! Draw or colour a picture of what Easter means to you. Make sure to put your name on the back. Hand it into the office by April 17th to be entered into a draw!

MESSAGE FROM CHURCH COUNCIL

 Did you know we have a number of committees you can belong to? There is a Communication Committee chaired by Mary Handwerker; a Financial Committee chaired by Colleen Zimmerman and she is looking for 1 or 2 members to join their committee; the Strategic Planning group chaired by Dorothy Gummer; the Witness Committee is headed by Linda Rivard; Dorcas Circle is led by Susan Boyle and the Altar Guild is led by Deloris Rahier and Susan Boyle. The Worship and Special Services Committee is chaired by Megan Tym and the Property Committee is led by Kevin Christenson and Barry Clark. It truly takes a village, so if you are interested in volunteering, you can speak to any of the aforementioned to find out more information.

We are always looking for help in different aspects of the church. From committees, to fellowship, to spring cleaning. We are planning a spring cleanup of the kitchen and yard. It will be held on May 24th (tentative date. A rainout date of May 31st).

 Dorothy Gummer is looking for volunteers to help give the kitchen a deep clean. She is also on the look out for a few people to help with cleaning the kitchen on a monthly basis. You can contact her at 780-986-6012 if you’d like to help with cleaning.

FEBRUARY FINANCIALS

Funds needed to run the church (per Budget) $ 15,840.00

Receipts for February $18,338.98

Disbursements for February ($16,271.38)

Receipts vs. Disbursements for February $2,067.60

Chequing Account Balance as of February 28, 2025

$ 15,059.60

NEWS FROM MULHURST

It is the 80th anniversary year for the camp. There will be a number of events happening this year.

 Save the dates for:

 Camp Sunday, May 4th at 1:00 pm for Worship and fellowship.

 Family Carnival Day, June 21st. There will be games, activities, a treasure hunt, storytelling, magic, food, singing, campfire, etc. More details to come.

 Pioneer Day, July 3rd from 10:30 to 3:30 will be hosted by the summer staff and will include coffee and tea, lawn games, a short program and a sit-down lunch. This day typically caters to the pioneers of Mulhurst Camp, but all are welcome!

 Summer 2025 Programming.  Summer programs have been happening for the last 80 years! Programs are suited for everyone including slip n’ sliding, canoeing and kayaking, collaborative team-based games, skits, songs, nature exploration, sports, crafting, campfires and more!

MESSAGE FROM BISHOP TRISH:

April 2025

Dear holy family,

Grace and peace to you,

With every waking moment of newsfeed and conversation being consumed with politics, it is easy to be swept along in the fervor, our thoughts evermore being centered on a singular topic. The gospel call however, is to a wide interest and to the many needs of Creation. As we continue through Lent and into the season of spring, we also find ourselves in the season of seeding and new life!

 Many of us have seen the bumper stickers that read, “I love [Alberta] beef,” or “If you ate today thank a farmer!” These cute reminders uplift the importance of those who work the land – and we pray for their wellbeing and safety. They also shine a light on our interdependence with Creation; we tend the land and animals, and they tend to us. This is God’s provision, care, and the interweaving of Creation that includes all that brings and sustains life.

 In the season of Lent we tend to focus a little more on those things that separate us from one another and from God. Might we consider too, our relationship with Creation? Might we seek healthier and intentional use of land, animals and other resources? This could look like careful planning to avoid wasting food. It might include learning to grow produce or cycling/walking for work or errands. Even simple things like carpooling or opening our windows instead of using air-conditioning are simple ways to care for this place we call home. We can also lean into our faith and advocate for restoration of lands and waterways that have been overused and damaged.

 I encourage you to raise awareness of our relationship with all that God has gifted. Let’s

teach our children to be good stewards and our communities to work together in peace.

Perhaps you might like to try this Creed in worship! And yes, let’s pray for our farmers,

foresters, geologists, oceanographers, and other scientists who work to keep us fed and

healthy!

 Lenten blessings,

Bishop Trish