From the Minister's Desk

I'm writing this piece early, as I'm about to journey off on some vacation time.

I have spent last evening and this morning at our regional church camp, facilitating a 'community conversation' at a family camp. What a wonderful sense of the Spirit, being at that property on the shores of Sylvan Lake! The beauty of the surroundings, coupled with the strong sense of community was enough to make me wish I didn't have to go home and back into the office so soon.

The conversation I shared with that community was one around the joys of discovering the spiritual gifts God gives us - those gifts and talents that enable us to reach out and share with others. The apostle Paul, in 1st Corinthians 12, writes of "the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good".

What gifts have you been given that help you contribute to the good of all? Are you open to sharing those gifts with those around you? How might your sharing help open others to experiencing the presence of the Spirit?

As you journey through the lazy, hazy days of summer, why not take some time to consider those questions, and to seek places where your gifts and talents might be offered in ways that help build the community of God. You might be surprised at the ways the gift keeps giving!

Blessings for the journey!

Blessings, Tammy (Reverend Tammy Allan)

From the Moderator

Last week I was at a Benedictine retreat centre on Vancouver Island, for a week of prayer. Among several concerns, I held in my heart the people of Palestine and Israel, praying for an end to violence, for the willingness of all parties to come to the table to talk peace and justice.

The centre (strangely enough, called "Bethlehem") has no WiFi, which makes sense when one is trying to be in silence and to listen carefully to the whispering of the Spirit. But it is also a challenge when you worry that the bombs and rockets continue to explode over Gaza and Israel. I kept wondering what was happening.

Now I am back in the "real" world. The violence increases, day by day, and hundreds of people have died. Real people, not statistics. People who happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time ... though is there any "right place" in Gaza? Or ever enough bomb shelters in Israel? Ordinary men, women, and children… children ... dead, because of a war that seems to never end.

And I want to cry out, "STOP! Stop this killing; stop the invasion; stop the rockets."

I want to cry out to Israel, "Why are you doing this? Yes, you have every right to demand security; to live without fear of teenagers being kidnapped and killed, of rockets falling on your cities. But do you really think this invasion, so overwhelming and destructive, so disproportionate, will bring peace and security? Do you not understand that non-combatants, civilians, real people, simply trying to live ordinary, everyday lives are being killed? And that this war is creating reservoirs of rage that will fuel nightmares of revenge?"

I want to cry out to the leaders of Hamas, "Why are you doing this? Do you really think that sending endless rockets into Israel and killing non-combatants, civilians, real people, simply trying to live ordinary lives, will bring peace to the people of Gaza?"

I want to cry out to the leaders of Israel, "Stop the occupation! Stop the blockade of Gaza! Dismantle the settlements. The West Bank is not your land, there for the taking. Yes, you need a country; but so do the Palestinians. And unless you discover how two peoples can live side by side then you will continue to bring destruction down on everyone. Why will you not recognize the right of Palestine to exist within internationally recognized borders?"

Continue Reading here

Dear People of Olds United Church

• Helping in the Sudan - Alarmed at the growing humanitarian crisis in South Sudan, the United Church of Canada is issuing a church-wide appeal. Donations will aid displaced persons with food, water, shelter and medicine. Mission & Service partners are already on the ground in refugee camps serving those in need. Contributions are urgently needed to mitigate the severe human suffering that threatens to worsen as the time of seasonal rains draws closer. To see how you can help out, visit www.united-church.ca.
• From the 120th Anniversary Planning Committee - Plans are underway for celebrations for the month of November 2014, with a variety of activities. Have you got anecdotes to share, or pictures that we can use for display purposes? Please bring those items to the church by June 1st, to allow the Anniversary Committee to scan/copy photos and compile stories into a format to be shared.

Church News & Events

JULY
Summer Worship Schedule
Everyone is welcome to participate in our Sunday morning worship, 10 am ... July 6, 13, 20, 27.

AUGUST
Summer Worship Schedule
Join with congregations in our surrounding communities this month: August 3, 17 & 31 - Olds United; August 10 - Didsbury United; August 24 - Bowden United. All at 10 am

AUGUST 30
Wedding Celebrations
Congratulations to the Harris and Rutschke families!

MORE EVENTS HERE

Daily Scripture Reading

John 16:33 - "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

Our church is always beautifully decorated. Visit our Photo Gallery to see our favourite pictures, or better yet, stop in for a personal visit sometime!

United Church of Canada Videos
The Moderator Thanks Presbyteries
Moderator Gary Paterson warmly thanks all Presbyteries and Districts across The United Church of Canada that are participating in the vibrant re-imagining of the church for the 21st century. For more information and resources: www.united-church.ca. To participate in the discussion, visit UnitedFuture.ca. Learn more by watching the video below.