Life of the Church: Joy’s and Concerns (April 2025)
Here is what our members had to share with us this month. To learn more about this please go here.
To share something with us, please send an email to: prayers@mcdunited.com
April News
April 11 Now What Affirming Dinner and Panel: Meet the panel - Part 2: On April 11th we are excited to host an Affirming Dinner and Panel. This gathering is an all ages open invitation to LGBTQIA+ individuals, their families, friends, and support networks to share a meal, connect, and reflect on the joys and challenges of allyship. Continue reading on website.
Taste & Try March Recipes: Rev. Danah shared how to make Tilapia Fish with Butter Lemon Sauce at the T&T event on March 13, 2025. Continue reading to see pictures and recipe.
Prepared to Drown: Meet April 4th Special Guest 2: Prepared to Drown is a monthly recorded podcast & live event with a variety of exciting themes exploring the intersection of faith & the world we live in today. Our next live recording is Friday, April 4th. This is not our usual recording day. Continue reading on website.
Summer Stage! Musical Theatre Camp: We are excited to announce a new two week children’s summer camp is coming to McDougall. Join Rev. Joanne Anquist and Rev. Bill Weaver for our brand new summer theatre camp! Summer Stage! Over the course of two weeks we will put on a youth musical theatre production. Intended for kids and teens ages 8-14, you can expect days filled with theatre sports, learning lines, music, and choreography. Continue reading on website
McDougall United Scholarship is Open for 2025: Applications for the McDougall United Scholarship are now available on our website. This scholarship is open to people with a connections to McDougall United church who have been accepted to a post secondary institution or trade. Applications are due May 31, 2025. Continue reading on website
Reflections by Rev. Joanne Anquist: Yesterday, the US president announced huge tariffs against much of the world. The markets began a free fall early this morning. Analysts say the world’s economy may very well go into recession over these tactics. Continue reading on website.
Dinners to Go: April Menu - Now includes Banana Muffins (4 Ways) - This month for Dinners to Go we have a bonus menu item: Banana Muffins. You can now purchase banana muffins, 6 for $7 (gluten free is 6 muffins for $8) in April. There are four different types of muffins that you can choose from: Banana chocolate Chips, Banana Coconut Cranberry, Banana Orange Date and/or Plain. Continue reading on website.
Notice of Passing: Lois Kerslake - It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Lois Kerslake, former member of McDougall United Church and wife of the late Donald Kerslake who passed in August of 2023. Lois passed away on March 28th, 2025 at 92 years of age. Visit her Candle Memorial
Happy Birthday Rudy!!!!! Rudy celebrated his birthday on April 5th. Congregation members were able to celebrate with him following service on Sunday, April 6 with a slice of delicious birthday cake.
The Kitchen Stove is clean! Many Thanks to Rudy Rumpel for completing the big job of cleaning the commercial stove in the kitchen. See the attached photos. Users of this stove are requested to properly clean up after use to keep this stove clean and sanitary. There is helpful information posted near the main gas valve. Submitted by Barrie Clayton
Reflections by Rev. Joanne Anquist: This coming Sunday is Palm Sunday – the day Jesus rode into Jerusalem and was greated with a parade. All four gospels have an account of this ride into Jerusalem but each of them is a little different. For instance, in Luke, our gospel reading for Sunday, Jesus comes in on a colt that has never been ridden, not a donkey. Continue reading on website.
Notice of Passing: Lorna Herdman: It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Lorna Herdman on Tuesday April 8th. Visit her Candle Memorial Here.
Easter Reflection by Rev. Bill Weaver: By the time Mary Magdalene makes it to the tomb in John’s Gospel, it’s still dark. Which feels about right. Darkness is familiar to many of us. Maybe you’re walking through the shadow of a diagnosis that’s shaken your world. Maybe you’re worried about work or finances or your kids or your aging parents—or all of the above. Maybe you’re grieving someone who should still be here. Or maybe you’re just plain tired. Body, mind, and soul. Continue reading on website
Thank You Volunteers: A huge thank you to our wonderful volunteers that make McDougall United Church the best community of faith to be a part of. The dedication and hours of volunteer time continue to allow McDougall to be a vital part of the Acadia community and beyond. You have embraced our guiding statements of:
Welcome. Come take your place. You belong here.
Forward thinking Christians who are creating hope through our Ministry.
You demonstrate how it is important that we each live these statements through Worship, Christian Education, Pastoral Care, Fellowship, and Outreach and Social Justice.
Let’s celebrate the work and dedication of our volunteers not only during National Volunteer Week but all year long!
Rain Barrel Fundraiser Press Release: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: The Benefits of Rainwater for Gardens - For those of us with green thumbs, finding the best materials and tools to tend to our gardens can be a high priority. While the top fertilizers, seeds and weeding strategies can be debated at length, it is also critical to recognize the importance of quality water when considering how to care for your garden. Continue reading on website.
Reflections by Rev. Joanne Anquist: This article is published on Maundy Thursday. This is the day when Holy Week begins in earnest. Today we commemorate the last supper – the meal Jesus shared with his disciples that is the foundation for our communion services. After the meal, Jesus went to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray, along with Peter, James & John. Continue reading on website.
McDougall Congregation Members visit Trico Living Well: Eleven people from the “ McDougall Wednesday Writing & Discussion Group”, went to “Trico Living Well” (Senior/retirement home) to visit 8 former McDougall people living there now. The Trico people were so so happy to see us and some of them for the first time, met other McDougall people that live there too. A grand time was had by all. There’s no friend like an old friend. Friends are the blooms in the garden of the heart.
Update on Scholarship Fund: Over the past five years we have been able to present an average of six scholarships. This year, our fund has depleted to the point of only being able to present two $1000.00 scholarships and I'm aware of at least four possible applicants. We would be greatly appreciative if you are able to add to this fund in whatever denomination possible. Thank You For This Consideration. Nick Perrin, Chair
2025 - Property Group Report for January to April 2025: Regular maintenance items and part time caretaking has continued during the first four months of 2025. There are no major issues, although there are concerns in two areas of property responsibility. Continue reading on website.
Summer Stage! Musical Theatre Camp Presents “Junie B. Jones, The Musical”: We are excited to let you know more about the musical that our Summer Stage! Musical Theatre Camp is putting on. It is called Junie B. Jones, The Musical. The kids in the camp will be working on it July 21-25 and July 28-August 1 during their summer camp. Continue reading on website.
Notice of Passing: Sonia Dodd: It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Sonia Dodd last night in Foothills Country Hospice surrounded by her family. See Sonia’s Candle Memorial Here.
Reflections by Rev. Joanne Anquist: Easter is actually a season lasting 50 days, right up to Pentecost which this year falls on June 8th. Whereas Lent is a time for introspection, Easter is a time for celebration. Christ is Risen indeed! Continue reading on website.
Earth Day Event Wrap Up: Earth Day at McDougall United, Calgary - over 60 people - children and adults gathered to celebrate Mother Earth with "Smudging & Prayers" led by Chinook Winds Indigenous Minister, the Rev. Tony Snow, Stoney-Nakoda First Nation. Continue reading on website.
Happy Anniversary! Verna and Frank A will celebrate their 72nd wedding anniversary today (Friday, April 25). We all wish you a very happy anniversary.
This list will continue to be updated as they are provided. Make sure you send in your news!
See what happened in March here.
