NEWS FROM THE PEWS · NFTP Issue #7 St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church February 2016 1 Newsletter Publication of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church 703 Heritage Dr. SW Calgary, Alberta

NFTP Issue #7 St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church February 2016

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Newsletter Publication of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church703 Heritage Dr. SW

Calgary, Alberta T2V 2W4403-255-0001 [email protected]

standrewscalgary.ca Tiny.cc/stA-FB

NEWS FROM THE PEWS

February Issue

In this Issue: • Lenten Season • Send-off Party for Ben Kroeker • Remembering our Friends • Birth Announcement • Annual Congregational Meeting • Heritage Seniors’ Christmas Project • Getting to Know Our Friends - Roxy • Coldest Night of the Year • Youth Group at Norquay

2016

Editorial Team of NFTP: Rhonda Mullan, Brent Harding, Norah Finlay, Fran Koenders, Terry Zimmer, Douglas Henrichsen, Judie Coleman, Rev. Kevin Lee Articles may be submitted in the mailbox in the Karl English Lounge or emailed to [email protected] NFTP Editorial Team may edit your submissions due to space limitations

Annual Congregational Meeting will be held on Sunday, February 28, 2016. Pictured here are two of our Elders, Lynn Judd and Cathy Millar, at the Congregational Meeting in October.

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http://standrewscalgary.ca


http://standrewscalgary.ca




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Remembering Our Friends…

Fred Post 1929 – 2015

Fred Post grew up in the Netherlands, the oldest son and the middle child of eight siblings. When Fred was eight, he was already helping his father look aCer the windmill close by their home. He was 10 years old at the start of World War II. The family went through many hardships. Later, as a teenager, Fred carried messages for the underground. He would play up the fact that he was “just a kid”. He felt that his blond hair and blue eyes helped him to stay safe and under the radar. In 1949, Fred immigrated to Canada. Here he met and married Audrey van der Linden, and a few months later moved to Calgary, where they worked with another couple in a doughnut business called Sputniks. He also worked at the NaPonal System of Baking, the Calgary Co-‐op Bakery, and the Empress/Lucerne Bakery. His skills and work ethic were well known and respected in the industry. Fred worked hard, but he was also very fun-‐loving. He loved being a dad, and enjoyed spending Pme with his children growing up. He made them a skaPng rink in their back yard, and was always ready to teach new skills, somePmes learning alongside them. The Post family were among those who came from the St. Andrew’s Inglewood congregaPon to the Heritage Drive locaPon. When Audrey and daughter Janie led an “Explorers” group at St. Andrew’s, Fred was always there supporPng them in their endeavours. In the last few years, Fred found joy in volunteering at the Side by Side fellowship. He found ways to contribute, and he had deep appreciaPon for the kindness and caring of all the volunteers. Fred had a profound capacity for appreciaPng the simple joys in life. He was a gregarious and gentle person who gathered friends around him wherever he went. His life was guided by a quiet, deep-‐rooted faith and a strong sense of integrity. When it first became clear that the doctors did not have an answer for his medical concerns, his response was a statement of faith: “God’s grace is sufficient. It always has been,

and it always will be.”

Lenten Season Journey to the Cross

Following the church year, somePmes referred to as the ‘Liturgical Calendar’, is a way that ChrisPans around the world commit themselves to le]ng the Christ-‐story shape their lives, parPcularly their worship -‐ It is a discipling tool for ongoing spiritual formaPon.

In Lent, we journey with Christ in a season focused around the way of the cross -‐ It begins in ashes on Ash Wednesday with two notable symbols of “ashes” and “sackcloth”. Ashes reminds us that we are ruined, since ashes are the remains of a process where something is burned and charred beyond recogniPon. Wearing sackcloth reminds us of our humble idenPty and an expression of our impoverished state and sorrow.

Lent is a 40-‐day journey towards Easter, and it begins with these symbols to remind us what Jesus’ Death and ResurrecPon means for us — Jesus removes the ashes of our own ruin by removing the cause,

our sin. In the ResurrecPon, He removes our sackcloth, then clothes us in royal robes and calls us as His own -‐ The children of God.

Come and join us for Ash Wednesday, Good Friday and Easter Services;

Pancake Supper Wednesday, February 10, 5:45 pm

Ash Wednesday Service Wednesday, February 10, 7:30 pm

Maundy Thursday Service Thursday, March 24, 7:30 pm

Good Friday Service Friday, March 25, 10:30 am

Easter Services Sunday, March 27, 9:30 & 11:15 am


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Heritage Seniors’ Christmas Project… Christmas Gifts to the Children of Claire Building Heritage Seniors not only organize programs for the seniors, they are acPvely involved in serving the needs of others our community. In December 2015 was no excepPon as they, in partnership with the Mission Team, collected and distributed Christmas presents for the children living at the Claire Building just a few blocks away from our church. The Mission Team collected the giCs donated by the Seniors and distributed them to the delighted boys and girls at the Christmas Party held at the Claire Building. Santa Clause this year was our very own Roger Cole, and the children’s story was read by Marlene LaMontagne. Christmas hampers were also prepared by the Mission Team and given to all of the households living in the building. The children sent a beauPful thank you poster to the Seniors. (The poster is pictured below in the center. Top leC, Jan Kozbial and John Young. Bojom leC, two members of the Heritage Seniors. Bojom right, Sheena Barclay)


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Birth Announcement

CongratulaPons to Anne and George Thomson who became proud great grand parents with the arrival of Ellyana Hazel Kemp on January 19th, in Farnham, England.

Remembering Our Friends…

Bill Inman 1920 – 2015

Bill Inman was one of those quiet souls who preferred not to call ajenPon to themselves. His rePcence belied a patrioPc and acPve past. Born in Milton, Ontario in 1920, Bill served in the Royal Canadian Air Force in WWII, and graduated from the University of Toronto in 1949, going on to an engineering and management career. He raised his family in Montreal and New Jersey, moving to Calgary with Horton CBI in 1981. In rePrement Bill remained acPve in the community, starPng a support group for unemployed professionals in the early 1980’s and volunteering with the Aerospace Museum of Calgary. Bill kept up his Air Force exercise regimen almost to the end, passing away in Calgary on November 18 at the age of 95. (Bill, pictured here with his daughter,

Annual Congregational Meeting Session to propose a reduced budget for 2016 With the annual congregaPonal meePng drawing near, members of St. Andrew’s will find themselves facing some of the most interesPng budgetary challenges the church has faced in years. Session’s Stewardship and Planning Team has been working on the 2016 draC budget proposal, recently endorsed by Session to be presented for approval by the CongregaPon. The proposed budget is consistent with a financial plan introduced during the meePng last October that forecasted budget requirements for operaPons for the

next five years. Most significant for 2016 is the launch of the South of Fish Creek ministry, coming out of the amalgamaPon of Trinity Presbyterian in Midnapore with St. Andrew’s. Session has reviewed two budgets, one for St. Andrew’s Heritage Drive operaPons and the second for the South of Fish Creek ministry. SPpend, benefits and related expenses of the South of Fish Creek ministry will be allocated to its fund whereas St. Andrew’s family ministry to St. Andrew’s budget. The second aspect of the

challenge is all around us — the state of the local economy. In what may be a first, Session reviewed budget reducPons in all areas of the budget. Ministers and staff salaries will not be increased. The Maintenance and OperaPons budget will be reduced 21.66%. CongregaPonal teams will see a 10% reducPon in 2016. Another outcome of the amalgamaPon was an allocaPon to the St. Andrew’s planned giving program, the Legacy Fund. In 2016, interest from this fund along with the Memorial Fund will each contribute $15,000 to church operaPonal expenses. The draC proposed budget asks for a 2% increase in general offerings. The congregaPon will see the proposed budget in advance of the annual congregaPonal meePng on February 28 when the membership will finalize the 2016 budget.

Annual CongregaIonal MeeIng February, 28, 2016 Following Sunday Service at 10:30 am

Soup Lunch will be served aRer the Service


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Celebrating Youth Ministry… Big Send-off for Ben Kroeker

December was a Pme for more than religious celebraPon. As St. Andrew’s prepared for a new year, it was Pme for a big send-‐off for youth director Ben Kroeker. Some 20 young people, along with a fair share of adults, gathered for fun and munchies; oh, and to wish Ben well as he moves on to new challenges. (One suspects that some of those adults were other than parents, and were present having heard about the good Pmes in the youth group during Ben’s ministry.)

Ben was Youth Director at St. Andrew’s for five years beginning in August, 2010 aCer graduaPng from Ambrose University College in Calgary. Talent spojer Rev. Peter Coujs became aware of Ben, and he was recruited to take over the youth ministry posiPon at St. Andrew’s aCer several years of turnover among program directors.

As Ben likes to say, “one of my favorite acPviPes is laughing.” Laughter became as important aspect of youth group gatherings that included outdoor acPviPes such as expediPons into the backcountry of the Rocky Mountains.

With young people a considerable

challenge is guiding them through what can seem like a spiritual maze. That was a significant aspect of Ben’s ministry and included events like a hot-‐seat session with the then —-‐newly engaged — Rev. Kevin Lee.

Ben took a back-‐seat in the grilling; then, near the end of the lively session, helped to put the discussion into a context the young people understood.

As Ben moves on to other challenges, and St. Andrew’s launches its youth and family ministry with Rev. Jared Miller, members of St. Andrew’s, young and adult, can look back at

an important and lively Pme for an important segment of the congregaPon. Five years of growth, new experiences, learning, and oh, the laughter! Submi&ed by Brent Harding


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Potluck Supper Dance the winter blues away…

"Fabulous 50's to the Swingin' 70's" Potluck Supper InvitaIon

Saturday, February 27th Everyone, young and old, is invited to the Fabulous 50's to the Swingin' 70's Potluck Supper being held in Trinity Hall on Saturday February 27th from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Bring your enPre family along with a salad, main dish, or dessert for a delicious meal and an entertaining and fun evening. A delicious, shared supper will be followed by a Pme of humour, a 50's to 70's trivia challenge, a special presentaPon of 1950's to 1970's music by the Noteables, and a group sing-‐a-‐long. There is no cost, but please pre-‐register at the sign-‐up centre in the Narthex. Please join us on February 27th for an entertaining evening of food, fellowship, and fun. See you there! Welcome & Fellowship Team

Welcome and Fellowship team… would like to recognize and thank George Amos, Ed Braun, Brad Chalmers, Michael Henry, Ron Horwood, Don Koch, Loran McVi]e, and Bob Shaw for their help in

se]ng up and/or taking down the naPvity scene and angels which were on display on the front lawn during Advent. Your assistance was greatly appreciated. Thank you!

Rhonda Mullan… I would like to thank everyone who took a moment out of their day to send healing wishes to me during my Pme away from St. Andrew's. Thank you so much for the cards, calls, flowers and especially your prayers. They were very much appreciated. Thank you!

Inn From The Cold St. Andrew’s volunteers…

St. Andrew’s volunteers hosts the Inn From the Cold program at Southwood United Church in the months where there are 5 Sundays. We need many volunteers to host 15 clients from Sunday evening to Monday morning. Here are some of the ways volunteers help to make this vital ministry and service possible.

• 6 people to prepare supper for the Clients and Volunteers (3 hrs.)

• 2 people to prepare take away lunches (2 Hrs.) • 6 people to Set up the Beds and Linens (3hrs.) • bake two dozen cookies and squares

• 2 people for overnight supervision (8:45 pm -‐ 1 am) • 2 people for overnight supervision (1:00 am to 5 am) • 5 people to prepare breakfast (5:00 am -‐ 7:30 am)

• 5 people for clean-‐up (6:00 am -‐ 7:30 am) • 8 people to do two bags of laundry (2 hrs.) Pictured below are some of the people who volunteered on January 31. Our next opportunity to serve is on Sunday, May 29th to Monday, May 30th. If you’d like to serve please speak to Val Hall or contact the office.


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Saturday, March 19th 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm

Trinity Hall Volunteers are needed:

Set-up/Table Setting - Baking/Cooking/Kitchen Prep Clean-up/Dishwashing

If you can help with any of these activities, please contact

Bob Fuenning. Sign-up sheet in the Foyer.

Saying Goodbye…We say goodbye to our long-‐Pme friends here at St. Andrew’s who passed away in January. We will have their stories in the future ediPons of the News From the Pews. Grant Huber -‐ January 21, 2016 Roy Arrell -‐ January 22, 2016 Chris Groundwater -‐ January 24, 2016 Bob Merchant -‐ January 29, 2016

Our Prayers and Sympathy also go out to: Merrill Blenman, on the passing of his Mother, Colleen on January 2, 2016. Velda Harris’ whose Sister died on January 5, 2016 Marlyn Townsend, who lost her Father on January 6, 2016. Our thoughts and prayers go with all those who’ve lost their loved ones.

Getting to Know Our Friends Roxy Hope-Ross Winter leC late in the Spring of 1923 in the prairie town of SwiC Current, Saskatchewan. My Mom, Violet Reid, was house-‐bound, barely able to keep things together. Both daughters, Annabelle and Nelda were very ill with rheumaPc fever. Arnold, a young boy himself, did what chores he could to help his Mom. Her husband, Jim, a civil engineer, was away building roads to feed his growing family. Vi was eight months pregnant with their fourth child. There came a knock on the door one morning just before noon. Vi answered it. There stood a well-‐dressed and coiffed lady, who introduced herself as Roxy Grove. She was an American musical performer on tour, singing and playing piano. She had heard of Mrs. Reid’s plight and offered to help. She stayed a fortnight and pitched in wherever she could. She’d perform at night and help nurse the sick girls and sit with Arnold and cook and clean during the day. Then, as the weather improved, the girls were much bejer and, as Easter approached, she took her leave — almost as suddenly as she had arrived. Upon her departure, she placed a small, blue velvet box in Mrs. Reid’s hand. It contained a perfectly formed stone cross on a fine gold chain — a giC for the baby-‐to-‐come. Miss Grove explained the history of the stone. It, and others like it, had been quarried in the hills of Virginia. They came out of the ground just as this one was — a perfect crystal of rock in the shape of the cross. Legend had it that the crosses were tears shed by the angels upon the crucifixion of Christ. Mrs. Reid vowed that if the new baby were a girl, she would name her aCer her “angel of mercy”, Roxy. Hence my name! Roxy Grove returned to the Southern U.S. and went on to a highly successful musical career as a performer and as a teacher. Roxy Grove Hall at Baylor University is also named aCer her. Crystal crosses may sPll be found in Virginia, protected in a designated park. Roxy Hope-‐Ross


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Coldest Night of the Year St. Andrew’s Team -‐ “Happy Souls”

Walk in solidarity with our brothers and sisters experiencing homelessness by joining CNOY on February 20, 2016. We are walking to support Acadia Place, Feed the Hungry and exciPng new partner The Mustard Seed.

Acadia Place is an affordable housing complex with 57 units housing a blend of single adults, couples and families who were previously homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.

Feed the Hungry is a Sunday Night dinner program offering a sit down meal for 500 guests in St. Mary’s Hall in downtown Calgary.

The Mustard Seed is a is non-‐denominaPonal ChrisPan charity that builds community, grows hope and supports change The organizaPon provides food, clothing and shelter, and helps clients find homes and jobs and improve their overall health.

JOIN ST. ANDREW’S TEAM “HAPPY SOULS” for this walk adventure in support of these great programs.

If you’d like to walk, you can register online at www.coldestnightoCheyear.org and look for “Happy Souls” to join the team.

You can also make pledges online, or pledge sheets will be available to make your contribuPons.

For informaPon on St. Andrew’s parPcipaPon in 2016, please speak with Rev. Lee or the office.

Youth Event Tubing at Norquay On Sunday aCernoon, the youth had the opportunity for awesome fellowship and recreaPonal tubing down Alberta mountain, as they welcomed Beth and Jared to St. Andrew’s. Pictured above are Beth Miller, Lauren Cole, Rev. Jared Miller, and Shelby Cole. Pictured below are Simon TF and Carl Murray. Here are some future events;

Feb 5 -‐ Outdoor Snow Sports Feb 12 -‐ PYMC City-‐Wide Event

Feb 19 -‐ Hot Seat with Jared Miller Feb 26 -‐ DVD Study; Book of James

For more informaPon about the youth group, please speak to Shona or Carl Murray, or one of the ministers.

http://www.coldestnightoftheyear.org

http://www.coldestnightoftheyear.org

Documents

NEWS FROM THE PEWS · NFTP Issue #7 St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church February 2016 1 Newsletter Publication of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church 703 Heritage Dr. SW Calgary, Alberta