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We have entered the season of Advent. The time of waiting and as we remember the birth of Jesus. The theme for this Advent season is “Searching”. Each Sunday we will hear from a congregant who will tell us where they have found the themes of hope, peace, joy and love in their lives. Through this we will learn more about our friends and also about the varieties of experiences that lead us to feel hope, peace, joy and love.  If these stories movie, or rather, when these stories inspire you, I would encourage you to share with a friend or family member the moments where you discovered the themes of Advent.
 
I hope that you may find the peace of mind that comes with the joy of celebrating love during this Advent season.
 
Blessings,
Rev. Eric
Candle Lighters:                      Bolitho Family
Reader:                                   Eloise W
Prayer Leader:                        Lorna R-P
Power Point:                           Shane W
Sound Tech:                           Stephen C
Children’s Ministry:                 Eleanor L, Allison M
Communion Servers:              Troy & Sophia M, Myrl E,
                                                Greta T, Mary Anne C
Count:                                     Leighton & Jean M, Denise L,
                                                Susanne L
Hospitality:                              Troy & Heather M & family,
                                               Sean & Dianne S & family,
                                               Cathy L & John M & family, Mary Anne C,
                                               Shane & Lisa W
We had a wonderful evening at the Sonshine Shower on Monday.  A huge thanks to the ladies of Outreach for arranging the shower, for bringing Alma, our guest speaker, to us and for the delicious food at the shower.
Also, a big thank you to everyone who attended and for the many shower gifts and donations. We collected $635.00 in monetary donations and several tables full of items. Thank you for your generosity. Sonshine is beyond grateful.
Woodcliff’s Journey for Common Ground
Information to increase our knowledge of Indigenous Peoples
 
Opening December 14: The Indigenous Languages Resource Centre
2019 was declared the International Year of Indigenous Languages by the United Nations. Thanks to support from the Government of Alberta, the Library was able to mark this year in a special way. We are excited to announce the opening of an Indigenous Languages Resource Centre in Central Library. Visit this space to meet with Indigenous Elders, share stories under a night sky light installation, view traditional items, and learn the languages of Treaty 7 nations.
 
Introducing New Indigenous Books and Art
Indigenous languages have long been underrepresented in literature – especially in children's books. This year the Library worked with aspiring Treaty 7 writers to start changing that. In the Indigenous Writers Workshop, participants worked with author Richard Van Camp to create children's books in their traditional languages. Join us on December 14 as we share these exciting new works and the process of making them. Plus, stop by Central Library on December 12 to learn about new Indigenous Placemaking installations coming to three Library locations.
 
For all sorts of happenings and information check out Hillhurst's latest Right Relations newsletter:  
https://mailchi.mp/67dc0e76bb86/right-relations-resource-volume-3-issue-5-september-26-2019
Plans are underway for a great year! 
Sheri and Nicole are gearing up for our Church school season,
Registration is ongoing and  forms can be filled out both this Sunday and next. Forms need to be updated annually, so please complete a new one so we can keep our records up to date. If you have any questions about the Children's program at Woodcliff Please contact Sheri. If you have any questions about the youth program, please contact Nicole. We look forward to welcoming you for the first time, the first time in a long time or again after our summer adventures.

This week in Sunday School:
Advent begins!
Sign up to volunteer for children's ministry or candle lighting here:
WOODCLIFF DEMENTIA CAREGIVERS SUPPORT GROUP
If you are a caregiver for someone suffering memory loss and need a safe, confidential circle to share your experiences and obtain information, our support group is for you.  We meet on the first and third Tuesdays of the month from 1:30 to 3:00 pm at Woodcliff United Church. Open to all, no charge, no registration required.
For more information, please contact the church office. Next gathering is December 3, 2019 .

WOODCLIFF PRAYER CHAIN
To have names placed on the confidential Prayer Chain List please contact the prayer chain at wucprayerchain@gmail.com or 403-246-9384. Next meeting: December 15 after worship.

PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY
Pick up a request form at the Church to arrange for a prayer shawl presentation.

CARD MINISTRY
Contact the church office to help us acknowledge the life situations of our congregants.
 

SPIRITUAL CARE
Paul said, “I’m going to die on February 23rd at 10:30 a.m.”

Paul has cancer. He was given three months to live but he has already surpassed that timeline by a month. In the meantime, his body continues to waste away and he is in constant pain. Here is a story from a United Church hospital chaplain about Paul. “I have been visiting Paul for several weeks in the palliative care unit of the hospital. He has called me in on this particular day to tell me that he has requested medical assistance in dying, and the date and time for the procedure are set.

“I sit and listen while he talks about the decision he has made, how he came to it, and how his family members are reacting to it. Our conversation that afternoon is heartfelt and real. There is no place for pretense or false bravado in the presence of imminent death. It is a sacred moment. We say a prayer together. My eyes tear up as we say our goodbyes. I know it will be the last time I see him.”

A hospital is not only a place for physical care; it is very much a place for spiritual care. It is here that difficult decisions, life and death decisions, are made on a daily basis. Illness can turn lives upside down. Hospital chaplains are specifically trained to help patients and their families find ways to cope spiritually and emotionally in such times of personal crisis and upheaval.

“My name is Val Cottrill and I work with the South Saskatchewan Hospital Chaplaincy of The United Church of Canada helping to bring spiritual care into the hospitals of Regina. This essential ministry could not happen without the generous giving of members and adherents through Mission & Service. Thank you for being a part of our ministry.”

If Mission & Service giving is already a regular part of your life, thank you so much! If you have not given, please join me in making Mission & Service giving a regular part of your life of faith. Loving our neighbour is at the heart of our Mission & Service.

For more Minutes for Mission resources, see our photo collection and video playlist.
86 WOODCLIFF SCOUTS COFFEE
First off, thanks to everyone for the amazing Community support this fall (and, really, always...).  
 
The Mighty 86th Woodcliff Cubs will be at the Christmas market this weekend with a batch of our locally roasted, custom Trailblazer coffee. This was really popular last year so we had our amazing friends at Devil's Head Coffee roast us up another batch for this year, just in time for Christmas.
 
Buying a bag (or two) of Trailblazer:
Supports a great local roaster run by a wonderful young family
Supports our local Scouting Group as they continue to find adventures while always doing their best to give back to the community
 $18 for 3/4lb.  
 If you can't make the market and want a bag of these delicious beans, please text me (Jamie), 403.975.6147 AFTER Sunday (the older Scouts and I will be out in the woods of the Elbow Valley at our first ever Christmas Camp!).  I'll happily deliver the beans to your home.
Thanks again for all your support
 
Jamie McIlroy
Mediocre at Knots, Tone Deaf Campfire Singer
Group Commissioner
86th Woodcliff Scouts

CALGARY WEST CHRISTIAN WOMEN’S CLUB
Tuesday, December 10, 2019 - 10:30 am – 12:00 pm
Westgate Community Hall 4943 – 8 Ave. SW
Festive Music by Calgary Christian High School Choir
Speaker – Dorothy Sessa of Calgary
$8 for bottomless coffee and goodies - Info Call Lois Tetley 403 249 3994

CALGARY MEALS ON WHEELS
Calgary Meals on Wheels and our volunteers will be the Elves of Cookie Kitchen at Southcentre Mall once again this Holiday Season. To make this possible, we are still in need of volunteers to fill  over 100 spots number during the 6 weeks to ensure the kitchen is open for business!
This volunteer opportunity is all about engaging with kids, having fun and embracing the Christmas Spirit. You will be a part of providing a welcoming experience for the guests and their kids by greeting, assisting, and providing them with cookies (pre-made), icing and decorations. There will also be other tasks, such as tidying up and restocking required throughout the day. Support will be provided by the Southcentre Holiday Team, located close by.
If you are interested in volunteering, please click here. https://signup.com/go/FxmEKkZ    There are a variety of day, evening and weekend shift; something for everyone!  Thank you for helping us sprinkle good cheer to all!
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5010 Spruce Drive SW T3C 3B2
403-249-3121
NEED AN ANNOUNCEMENT IN THE BULLETIN, MESSENGER OR POWERPOINT? email the office at 
office@woodcliffunited.com
wucprayerchain@gmail.com
woodcliffkids@gmail.com
youthwuc@gmail.com

Please add us in your address book.
Find more information about the wider Church at:
Chinook Winds Region: https://albertanorthwestconference.ca/
Alberta & Northwest Conference: www.anwconf.com
The United Church of Canada: www.united-church.ca
Wondercafe2 http://wondercafe2.ca/index.php

© 2019 WOODCLIFF UNITED, All rights reserved.

Our mailing address is:
5010 Spruce Drive SW

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You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.
 
Facebook
Twitter
Link
Website
5010 Spruce Drive SW T3C 3B2
403-249-3121
NEED AN ANNOUNCEMENT IN THE BULLETIN, MESSENGER OR POWERPOINT? email the office at 
office@woodcliffunited.com
wucprayerchain@gmail.com
woodcliffkids@gmail.com
youthwuc@gmail.com

Please add us in your address book.
Find more information about the wider Church at:
Chinook Winds Region: https://albertanorthwestconference.ca/
Alberta & Northwest Conference: www.anwconf.com
The United Church of Canada: www.united-church.ca
Wondercafe2 http://wondercafe2.ca/index.php

© 2019 WOODCLIFF UNITED, All rights reserved.

Our mailing address is:
5010 Spruce Drive SW

Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.
 






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Woodcliff United Church · 5010 Spruce Dr. S.W. · Calgary, Ab T3C 3B2 · Canada

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