*** UPDATE: In-person services held at 10:30 am at St Georges and Christ Church. ***
Giving Tuesday!
/A request from Bishop John Stevens was sent out last week regarding prayers for the flooded communities of southern BC.
The rains continue to affect the lives and livelihoods of these communities.
On this Giving Tuesday, if you are able, please consider making a donation. As Anglicans, we endorse the PWRDF for directing donations to relief efforts. Why? PWRDF mobilizes quickly, and asks the affected people what they need, rather than deciding what they need. Charity-wise, they are also responsible with their money.
Here is the link for the PWRDF: https://pwrdf.org/pwrdf-accepting-donations-for-b-c/
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From the PWRDF website:
The Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund is now accepting donations towards an emergency response in British Columbia. The news of the destructive floods, especially after a particularly devastating fire season in the province, are moving Anglicans to reach out to offer support.
Since the floods began last week, PWRDF’s Humanitarian Relief Coordinator Naba Gurung has been monitoring the situation. Executive Director Will Postma has been in contact with the Primate, Archbishop Linda Nicholls, who herself has reached out to the bishops in the Diocese of New Westminster and Kootenay, and leadership in the Territory of the People.
As with most in-Canada emergencies, the need for funds will grow in the weeks and months ahead as the flood waters recede and people begin the work of rebuilding, restoring and healing. “We know from past experience working in the region that the needs are great long after the urgent crisis is over,” says Gurung. PWRDF will continue conversations with the Dioceses and Territory as to how funds will be best used.
Please consider a donation to this worthy cause.
Blessings!
Celebrating Advent At Home
/Please see the link below for a guide and prayers for celebrating Advent at Home:
Disaster Relief Units Headed to B.C.
/Two Samaritan’s Purse Disaster Relief Units have left Calgary bound for flood-ravaged regions of B.C.. The first of these specialized tractor trailers arrived in Abbotsford on Thursday. The second departed for Merritt this morning.
Each relief unit is loaded with flood recovery gear to equip volunteer teams as they prepare to help hundreds of families clean out their flooded homes. Your support continues to be vital.
“Our hearts go out to the people of these communities; many of them are coming home to find their possessions and basements soaked with muddy water,” said Brent Davis, Samaritan’s Purse’s director of Canadian ministry projects.
“The need is great, especially with more bad weather predicted for the near future. That’s why we’re going to Abbotsford and Merritt, to help in Jesus’ Name.”
Many volunteers are urgently needed. If you, your church, or someone you know has the capacity to serve in B.C., visit SamaritansPurse.ca/Volunteer to learn how you can join our teams.
Thank you for your generous partnership that is making this response possible. Please keep praying for families across southern British Columbia and our staff and volunteers serving on the ground.
Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
Galatians 6:2
DONATE TO Samaritan's Purse Canada
Your gift provides physical and spiritual aid in Jesus' Name.
© 2021 Samaritan's Purse Canada
20 Hopewell Way NE | Calgary AB T3J 5H5 | 1-800-663-6500
Advent Devotional
/With one week to go to the start of Advent, we would like to share an Advent resource which offers a daily reading from Sunday, November 28 to Friday, December 24. Written by clergy and lay people throughout our Anglican community, these short devotionals will help us to focus our thoughts as we journey through Advent. From our own Diocese, there is a selection from The Rev. Dr. Dane Neufeld.
Please feel free to pass this resource on to others.
Click here for the devotional.
Rushing to Help British Columbia Families
/The extreme rainfall and destruction in British Columbia have been devastating. As terrible floods and landslides put communities underwater and force thousands from their homes, a Samaritan’s Purse team is on its way to help.
Your prayers and support will make a critical difference in Jesus’ Name.
At the request of the city of Abbotsford, our relief team will be setting up and operating a 200-bed evacuation shelter for residents fleeing the rising water.
“The scope and suddenness of this disaster have been shocking. Our hearts go out to the thousands of people who are seeing their homes and businesses flooded or destroyed,” said Brent Davis, director of Canadian ministry projects. “We want to do all we can to help.”
Additional teams with specialized flood-recovery equipment and disaster relief vehicles are mobilizing to travel to the flooded region. They will begin to help homeowners as they return home and communities reopen. Most importantly, they will be there to share the hope that only Jesus Christ can give.
Please be in prayer for the thousands of evacuated families and for first responders rescuing the stranded. Ask God for reduced water levels and to help local churches and our teams be beacons of His love during this challenging winter response.
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Psalm 46:1
DONATE TO Samaritan's Purse Canada
Your gift provides physical and spiritual aid in Jesus' Name.
© 2021 Samaritan's Purse Canada
20 Hopewell Way NE | Calgary AB T3J 5H5 | 1-800-663-6500 Not displaying correctly? See it here
Evening of Prayer and Praise Tomorrow (Nov 18) 7:00pm
/We hope you can join us in person tomorrow night 7:00pm at Christ Church, Millarville.
Time to Drop Off Your Shoeboxes!
/National Collection Week (Nov. 15-21) is here! It’s time to send your shoebox gifts on a journey to reach boys and girls—and entire communities—around the world with the Good News of Jesus Christ. Hundreds of drop-off locations are now open across the country—find one near you!
Recently in Burkina Faso, shoeboxes were given out in a so-called “no-go zone for the Gospel,” an area known to be hostile to Christianity. But local parents were delighted when gifts were given to their children and they experienced God’s love in a tangible way. When the Gospel was presented, many of the children, along with their parents, prayed to receive Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, and a new church was started. “Through Operation Christmas Child, God visited the village,” a shoebox volunteer said. “This no-go zone is now a go zone for the Gospel!”
If you haven’t already packed Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes, it’s not too late! Check out our gift suggestions and find the nearest drop-off location where you can take your boxes.
Above all, please pray for the children who will receive your gifts that their hearts would be open to the Gospel and they would realize how much God loves them.
Finally, check out other Ways to Give online—including donating $10 per shoebox to cover the cost of processing, shipping, and Gospel materials—that support what God is doing through Operation Christmas Child.
Declare His glory among the nations!
Psalm 96:3
Operation Christmas Child® is a project of Samaritan's Purse®.
Franklin Graham, President© 2021 Samaritan's Purse Canada
20 Hopewell Way NE, Calgary, AB T3J 5H5
1-800-663-6500
SamaritansPurse.ca
Privacy
Pastoral Care Training January 2022
/Offering of Pastoral Care training for January 2022.
Do you have an interest, calling or are just curious about Pastoral Care? Maybe you want to be better equipped to support your church community, or friends or even your own family. We are all called to care and care deeply, as we are able, with one another. Maybe this is a “brush up” opportunity or time for skill refreshing; this is an invitation to join us.
Perhaps you know of someone in your church community that has taken this course or other pastoral training. Ask them about what they thought, what they learned; how things changed pastorally for them.
The Zoom course dates are set for Tuesday evenings, January 18 – March 1, 2022. The time is 6:30 pm – 8:45 pm. There will be some reading and/or reflecting as preparation for each of the evenings. Learning will be discovered through new information, sharing and skill development. The course requires a minimum of 6 people to run and will have a limit of 15 people. Deadline to register will be December 14, 2021or a full class. Please register with Rev. Tracey at pastoralcare@calgary.anglican.ca. Questions are also welcome.
Have a wonderful day.
Tracey
Inductive Bible Study Nov 10 10:00am-Noon
/The "Inductive Bible Study" on “1st Samuel” will start on Wednesday, November 10th, 2021 at 10:00 am to approx. 12:00 noon at the Sheep River Library in Turner Valley.
The weekly sessions will carry on for a total of 9 lessons.
There is a Cost of $10.00 for the "Precept Upon Precept" Workbook published by Precepts Ministires International.
Jan Burney will be Instructing.
All are welcomed!
Teen Challenge Alberta Expansion Update/Fall Gala Invite
/Greetings from your Teen Challenge Family!!
I wanted to start out by thanking you personally on behalf of all the staff, students, their families and the communities we serve. It’s truly because of Supporters like you that have stood in the gap to make the expansion of our new centre possible!! I also wanted to take this opportunity to give you a bit of an update on the expansion and let you know about our Fall Virtual National Gala.
Fall Gala
On Thursday Nov 18 at 7pm will be hosting a Fall National “Virtual” Gala featuring our National Men and Women’s Choir, testimonies of Students and Grads from across Canada, a word from our CEO and Director of Development. Tickets are $25 to watch from the comfort of your own home or you can join us at one of our host venue sites. The benefit of joining us at a host site will also allow you to hear a bit of a local update from your local Centre.
Host Venue Sites
Calgary – Bonavista Evangelical Missionary Church
Lethbridge – College Drive Church
Edmonton – Christcity Church
Here is a link with more info: https://www.teenchallenge.ca/virtual-national-gala21
Expansion Update: (Please see attached for most recent photos)
The recent expansion is part of our response to the surge of people wrestling with addiction and desperately seeking help in Alberta. Communities across Canada are awakening to the growing epidemic of drug use and the inevitable crisis of addiction that follows. Opioid related overdoses have increased by at least 40% in Alberta. A recent article shows overdose rate up by 153% in January/February of 2021 alone. Covid-19 has contributed to a worsening addictions crisis, including an increasingly toxic drug supply, deepening feelings of isolation and stress, and the restricted availability of treatment services. Tragically, 1705 people died of opioid toxicity between July and September 2020, a 5-year high in deaths per quarter.
To combat that, we are excited to share an update on the expansion. I was hoping to send this update out last month but we ran into a issue with the water system. Initially when started the expansion our water system was approved, but there was some regulation changes that changed and put us back a couple months. Once we got that completed, we then ran into an issue with the global supply chain as we waited for 2 special UV lights to complete the water system. All this to say we are well under way now with that all behind us.
Occupancy Permit Application:
Couple of key inspections completed this week, plumbing and health. Both went very well, the water system passed and the water sample passed the test as well. Just working on final sign-offs with our Engineering firm. Should be able to apply for occupancy next week. If all goes well we should be moving over in the next couple weeks. Please see attached for some most recent photos.
Below is a short message from one of our recent graduates…
“The program at Teen Challenge far exceeded any expectation of any treatment facility that I could imagine, proving there is hope and help out there and that anything is possible. Restoration and wholeness have happened in all areas of my life giving me hope and a purpose to carry on. I think the program as it stands is a very good path towards total recovery and healing….”
In closing I wanted to send this update out ahead of our Fall Gala to personally invite you out for our Fall Gala for you to see first hand the work the Lord is doing through you to make this program possible!! I also wanted to take this opportunity to invite you out for a personal tour, again for you to see first hand the vital work you have supported to make this expansion possible!! If that interests you, please reach out as I would be honored to host you!!
Sincerely,
David Tait (08 Graduate)
David Tait CPPA, AMVIC
Senior Development Officer | Teen Challenge Canada
C 403.870.8157|O 403.931.3501 ext 7412 | David.Tait@teenchallenge.ca
“Hope Lives Here; Freedom is found here; Changed lives leave here”
Don Wilkerson
Samaritan's Purse Shoebox National Collection Week, Nov. 15-21
/It's Almost Time!
National Collection Week is only two weeks away! That's when hundreds of drop-off locations across Canada will be open to receive Operation Christmas Child gift-filled shoeboxes—each one representing an opportunity to share the Gospel.
Packing 100 shoeboxes is the way Mason Mulligan chose to celebrate his 19th birthday this month. Last year, he packed 77 boxes with help from family and friends to commemorate his 18th birthday. This would be quite an accomplishment for any high school student, but this amazing teen lives with Down syndrome. Mason said he packs shoeboxes “to give children what they like to have and make them happy.” But, even more importantly, so “they’ll know about God.”
Will you join Mason to give a child in need a tangible expression of God's love? If you want suggestions on what to pack, our How to Pack a Shoebox page has lots of wonderful ideas! Once you've filled your shoebox gift and prayed for the child who will receive it, find a drop-off location near you. Unable to pack in person this year? You can Pack a Shoebox Online.
Don't forget to donate $10 to cover the cost of processing, shipping, and Gospel materials. Giving online is quick and easy.
National Collection Week, Nov. 15-21
Declare His glory among the nations!
Psalm 96:3
Operation Christmas Child® is a project of Samaritan's Purse®.
Franklin Graham, President© 2021 Samaritan's Purse Canada
20 Hopewell Way NE, Calgary, AB T3J 5H5
1-800-663-6500
SamaritansPurse.ca
Oilfields Food Bank Fill The Bins Food Dropoff and Christmas Donation
/~ eNews ~
Fill The Bins!
We’re trying something new, something we’ve never done before… a drive-thru drop-off food donation event on Thursday Nov. 25th from 3-8pm. With your support & generosity we know we can FILL THE BINS!
Bins will be set up along the driveway & cars can enter from Royal Ave., drop donations & exit thru the alley. It’s a way we can come together “pandemic-style” & achieve a common goal:
Let’s Make Christmas Merry & Bright for Everyone.
Please help spread the word if you can & let our community know about this first-of-its-kind opportunity. We’ll also have a cash donation bucket for anyone who wants to make a drop in the bucket!
Year-round donation drop-off bins are located at AG Foods in Black Diamond & the Sheep River Library in Turner Valley & the firefighters will be picking up & delivering this to the Food Bank every week until the end of December.
Support Our Christmas Hamper Project
We are expecting to hand out at least 100 hampers at Christmas again this year. Each 1-2 person hamper contains about $300 worth of food.
We’re listening & we’ve heard what you have to say.
Many of you want an opportunity to specifically support our Christmas Hamper Project with a cash donation. Generosity is a big part of who this community is & we recognize the strong sense of purpose & deep commitment you show to everyone around you.
To that end, we have added Christmas Hamper giving options to our donation page.
We've also left room for you to anonymously pass along a message if you would like. We'll include them in our client Christmas cards this year.A Caring, Sharing Community, that’s what you are.
Thank you
Christmas Hampers
A reminder that we are providing a Christmas Hamper & are now accepting requests. Pre-registration is required. You may submit using the online form on the Need A Hamper page or phone 403-612-1291.Hampers will be distributed on Friday, December 17th & will be a drive-thru pick-up. You will be contacted with your drop-by time closer to the day.
Copyright © 2021 Oilfields Food Bank, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you are a member of the Oilfields Food Bank or you subscribed through our link.
Our mailing address is:
Oilfields Food BankBox 1318125 Royal AvenueTurner Valley, AB T0L 2A0Canada
