Connecting Meota!

/

Dear Meota,

Click here to read Connecting Meota!

Questions .........

On this coming Sunday are there services at St. George's and Christ Church?

Is Ven Alan going to ask us what the Advent candle is for this coming Sunday? 

On Sunday Dec 17 is there ONE Service for the Lessons and Carols?

Is there COMPLINE Service on Zoom every Thursday in December starting tomorrow?

Is there a PRAYER VIGIL FOR WORLD PEACE on December 20th?

CHRISTMAS EVE  is on a Sunday? When are all the services?

Is there a Course on GRIEF in January put on by the Diocese? 

ANSWERS to  these questions and all the details can be found in this week's Connecting Meota.  Plus, there are so many great cartoons at Christmas that there will be double the amount for December.

Don't miss out! Read your Connecting Meota!!

Ambrose Day of Prayer Feb 6 2024

/

Dear partner congregations of Ambrose University,
 
The Board of Governors of the university has designated Tuesday, February 6, 2024 as the Ambrose Day of Prayer. And, as in previous years, we are writing to invite you to join us in prayer on, and prior to, this day as we ask for God’s providential care and blessing upon the life, mission, and student body of Ambrose University.
 
There will be several prayer events and gatherings throughout the day led by members of the Ambrose community; our board of governors will also meet together for a time of focused prayer. We have also built in an opportunity for those of you who have students at Ambrose to gather with them over lunch so that you can bless them by praying with them and for them.
 
We would be very pleased if you would keep us in mind that day. Starting in the New Year we will be posting regular updates on our website leading up to February 6 noting particular items that could be included in your prayers.
 

The Ambrose Day of Prayer

Additionally, please consider including Ambrose in the Pastoral Prayer or Prayers of the People on Sunday, February 4. In mid-January, we will send out an “Ambrose Day of Prayer” resource that you may find helpful. Again, in the New Year, you can reference our website for a list of those items for which we are asking for God’s blessing and provision.

Warmly in Christ, 

Gordon T. Smith, President

Ric Strangway, Associate Professor of Pastoral Theology

Diamond Valley Community Food Drive a smashing success!

/

The team at Oilfields Food Bank is so appreciative of the passion & determination shown by everyone involved in this annual event. Firefighters from Diamond Valley & Longview went door-to-door on November 13 & 14 collecting the items many of you had ready for them to pick up.

Our heartfelt thanks to the:

Firefighters for your dedication to the betterment of our communityResidents of Diamond Valley & Longview for your generosity & kindnessScouts for your strong backs, boundless energy & hard workGranny’s Pizza for donating pizzas (even opening on your day off) to make sure the gang was fedEvent volunteers for your efficiency sorting this tremendous amount of foodRegular weekly volunteers for your continued behind-the-scenes organization & graciousness

We are honoured you chose to help us carry out our mission. Each of you has ensured our food bank will continue to run smoothly & that anyone who needs food, gets it.

THANK YOU! WELL DONE ALL!

Connecting Meota!

/

Dear Meota,

Click here to read Connecting Meota!

Several announcements about upcoming events.  Don't forget that Peace and Praise awaits you at St George's Thursday Nov 23, 7 pm.  There is a shoebox packing party after the Nov 19th service at Christ Church.  There are opportunities in Okotoks and Strathmore to fellowship with our Metis and First nations neighbours.  Check out the regular features of prayers, puzzles and cartoons.

Enjoy and have a great week!

Shoeboxes, National Collection Week Nov 13-19

/

Today, hundreds of Operation Christmas Child drop-off locations open across Canada for National Collection Week! It's time to bring in your prayerfully packed gift-filled shoeboxes. Each box is a tangible expression of God's love and an opportunity to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with a child, their family, and community!

Find Your Drop-off Location

Elizabeth lives with her single mom in a remote village in Kenya. When her parents separated, she became sad and withdrawn. A friend invited her to a festive outreach event where she received a gift-filled shoebox. Elizabeth was overjoyed with the gifts and felt God's love. She then attended The Greatest Journey where she learned how Jesus gave His life for her. The Gospel message she heard was so powerful that Elizabeth gave her life to Christ and started regularly attending church. Soon, she invited her mom to come with her, and she also gave her life to the Lord! Now, mother and daughter are actively involved in their church and are no longer isolated from their community.

If you haven't started packing yet, there's still time. Need gift ideas? Check out our How to Pack a Shoebox page for some creative suggestions. You can also Pack a Shoebox Online.

Ways to Give

Declare His glory among the nations!
Psalm 96:3

Connecting Meota!

/

Dear Meota,

Click here to read Connecting Meota!

So much is going on in our churches! Hooray! 

Wednesday Nov 1st is a prayer vigil for world peace at St George's 7 pm.

The world needs all the prayer we can give it!!

Nov 5 at Christ Church is the dedication of the Ash Garden.

November 12 is ONE SERVICE at St George's in honour of Remembrance Day.

And there is so much more.

Check it out and have a blessed week!

October 2023 Oilfields Food Bank E-News

/

FIREFIGHTER COMMUNITY FOOD DRIVE
 

YAY!  It’s back!  Our steadfast & faithful firefighters will be going door-to-door to collect food & deliver it to Oilfields Food Bank in November.  Nov. 13th they will be covering Diamond Valley West (formerly Turner Valley) and the Town of Longview (still the Town of Longview!).  They’ll be knocking on doors in Diamond Valley East (formerly Black Diamond) on Nov. 14th.  They’ll head out about 6pm & will wind it down around 9pm.

This food drive will fill our rather empty shelves & help sustain us for a few months.  Times are tough & demand is not slowing.  As we head into the winter cold & utility bills rise it will increase the pressure on already tight budgets. 

We know when this food drive is announced everyone wonders, “What should I give; what is the best choice?” Here’s an answer:

Are there items we really need?  You betcha!  They are canned soup, chilli & stew,  tinned meat & fruit,  peanut butter & jam, baking supplies & coffee.

Are there items we really don’t need?  You betcha!  We currently have 43 cases of spaghetti, 26 cases of kidney beans & 54 cases of chickpeas. 

Please know that we are tremendously grateful for every donated item…even more chickpeas!

JACKET RACKET
 

United Church In The Valley has once again spearheaded this important community event which will run until January 2024.  Anyone in need of warm winter outerwear is welcome to look through the racks of coats, snowpants, boots, hats & mittens.  We have items for both kids & adults. 

Everything is set up in the Food Bank.  Browsing hours are:Every Tuesday between 11 & 3pmTuesday Nov 21st 6-8pmThursday Dec 21st 10-3pmIf you have clean items to donate you may drop them off at the Alberta Treasury Branch, Sheep River Library & Diamond Valley Town Office.

THANKSGIVING HAMPERS were given out on October 3rd
 

Thank you to the Diamond Valley community & surrounding area for continuing to support Oilfields Food Bank.  We were able to provide 60 Thanksgiving Hampers which fed a total of 186 people.  Demand was up over last year.

A huge thank you to our hard-working, dedicated volunteers who have been working extremely long hours to make sure we have enough inventory on hand to complete every single hamper request.  Whew.  Well done.

CHRISTMAS HAMPERS
 

Again this year we are offering Christmas Hampers. We include a turkey, chicken or ham & all the fixings for 3 meals on Christmas Day…from breakfast right through to dinner.

Hamper pick-up day will take place Thursday December 21st.  This hamper is an extra & not part of our regular hamper schedule.

Pre-registration is required.  We are now accepting requests.  You may submit your request using the online form or by phoning 403-612-1291.  This year we ask you to submit your request sooner than later so we can get an idea of how many we’ll be preparing.

It will be a drive thru event & you will be contacted with your pick-up time closer to the event date.
 

INTERESTED IN DONATING TO THE CHRISTMAS HAMPERS? 

We would certainly appreciate it. If you’re planning on collecting food donations/gift cards/gas cards please arrange to drop them off by Dec. 12th for inclusion in our Holiday Hampers.  Check out our website donation page for more ways to give.

THANK YOU, once again, to our sharing, caring community. Our volunteers acknowledge your support, generosity & kindness. Whether you’re young or old or somewhere in between, we couldn’t do it without you.
 

Website Facebook Instagram

Copyright © 2023 Oilfields Food Bank, All rights reserved.

Franklin Graham Update: October 2023 Never Underestimate the Power of a Simple Gift

/

Christmas will be here before you know it. Next month, Samaritan’s Purse will be collecting Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts that we’ll deliver to millions of children around the world—many in areas where few people have ever heard the Name of Jesus, including the Philippines.

Your shoebox gifts go to hard-to-reach places where children hear the Gospel for the first time.

Never underestimate the power of sending a simple gift all across the globe. Decades ago, a 13-year-old boy named Manar in a Middle Eastern country opened a shoebox and could not believe how many gifts were packed inside. “The toy store came to me!” he said. “I felt the love of Jesus throughout the shoebox. …

Read and See More

Sincerely,

Franklin Graham
President, Samaritan's Purse
 

O God of our salvation, the hope of all the ends of the earth.
Psalm 65:5 (ESV)

DONATE TO
Samaritan's Purse Canada

Your gift provides physical and spiritual aid in Jesus' Name.

Give Today 

© 2023 Samaritan's Purse Canada
20 Hopewell Way NE | Calgary AB T3J 5H5 | 1-800-663-6500

Connecting Meota!

/

Dear Meota,

Click here to read Connecting Meota!

Coming up is Fifth Sunday. There are five Sundays in October.  When we have five Sundays in any given month, we all gather at one location for a joint service and a potluck! 

This coming Sunday, we will all meet at Christ Church at 10:30 for worship, to be followed by a potluck. Christ Church is responsible for the main course and St. George's is responsible for salad or dessert. It will be wonderful to get together again!!

This Thursday is Prayer and Praise.  Don't miss it and fill your soul with music!

There are the usual, timely articles, the Sunday Readings and subject  specific cartoons. 

Enjoy our newsletter and have a great week! 

Connecting Meota!

/

Dear Meota,

Click here to read Connecting Meota!

Check out this week's Upcoming Events. Hint - Meota has the best cooks!!

Ven. Alan encourages us to share our faith; I found an article that has simple tips.

We are in tricky times when you listen to the news; a prayer for peace is included this week.  

Finally the Readings and cartoons are on the story of the israelites- this week it's the story of the golden calf.

Have a great week!

Connecting Meota!

/

Dear Meota,

Click here to read Connecting Meota!

Well FOLKS! 

See the posters, the community announcements and a crossword puzzle. 
And...there are two big topics this week: Thanksgiving and our scripture reading includes the Ten Commandments!  I have included cute children's graces for Thanksgiving and I have been saving Moses cartoons for just this week! Giggle and Enjoy!!!

National Day for Truth and Reconcilliation

/