Worship and Congregational Leadership Minister Report: Jan – April 2025
2025 has already been a busy year with lots happening in our church life.
EVENTS:
We joined with other churches in the SoCal Cluster to observe Black History Month with events over the four weeks. On February 2nd, McDougall screened the documentary “We Are the Roots” about the history of Black communities in Alberta. February 9th was an interfaith concert at Scarboro United Church. On February 16th Lakeview United screened the documentary “Black Lives in Alberta” and on February 23rd Fish Creek United screen John Ware Reclaimed.
I attended the Chinook Winds Clergy Retreat February 9 – 13th, which was held at the Sanctum Retreat Center near Sundre. It was a wonderful time of connection with other clergy in the Region, some learning, rest and fun! I came home refreshed and inspired.
We had a Mardi Gras event & Service of Ashes at Red Deer Lake on Tuesday March 4th.
We had a joint affirming celebration at Red Deer Lake on February 16th. Thanks to Bob Mutlow who had a small service in the chapel for those who could not make it to Red Deer Lake.
Danah helped create an Art Walk which was on display at RDL & McDougall during Holy Week.
We continue to record a Podcast once per month. The discussions have been deep, and our guests have been amazing. Thanks to Bill for his passion for this project.
SUPERVISION AND ADMINISTRATION:
Along with other administration roles with Leadership Council and Operations Working Group, I continued to serve on Chinook Winds Regional Executive as the Presiding Officer. This is my last year. In September, a new Presiding Officer will be elected!
In January and February the team engaged in team building exercises which helped the whole team (including Admin from both RDL & McD) to begin to vision together and establish working procedures & relationships. We engaged Parsons Dialogue to help us with these discussions.
We have started admin meetings with the full staff of the shared ministry. We meet twice per month, once on Zoom & once in person. For our in person meetings the office is closed as we alternate sites between RDL & McD.
Our Shared Ministry initiative with Red Deer Lake & Ogden continues to progress. We had a town hall with Scott Reynolds, Growth Animator for Chinook Winds Region, who led us in a discussion about what we celebrate about our church communities. This will be followed with a Joint Visioning Team to consider our future together.
As Presiding Officer of Chinook Winds Region, I am also a delegate to General Council, which will hold it’s meeting in Calgary in August. I have been engaging in training for this event.
I continue to be the Lead minister for our Shared Ministry. At the present time, we have no Operations Working Group Convenor, so I serve in that role for our monthly meetings. I also attend Leadership Council and the Board meetings at Red Deer Lake, as well as liaise with the Joint Ministry & Personnel Committee.
WORSHIP:
In January we began a 6 week Epiphany worship series called “A Deeper Life” which focused on the spiritual life and growth of followers of Jesus. The foundational text for this series was Mark 12:28-31: One of the scribes … asked him, “Which commandment is the first of all?” Jesus answered, “The first is, ‘Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these. It used the “Overflow Principle” which encourages us to think of Love as central to our lives. Love flows from God to us, from us to our neighbours and back to God.
Our Lenten Series, “Everything In Between” was a Sanctified Art publication. We explored the tensions in our lives between: intention & action, stranger & neighbour, faith & works, rest & growth, lost & found, righteousness & mercy, shouting & silence, power & humility, acceptance & resistance, and grief & hope.
Our Good Friday service was a joint service with RDL & Ogden, and was held at McDougall. It was a simple service of scripture and song, and featured a joint choir with members from all three congregations, as well as Sonica.
Easter Sunday had a sunrise service (led by Bill) at RDL, and services at both sites (I was at RDL).
We had a joint service with RDL & Ogden at McDougall on April 28th. It was great to have
SPIRITUAL NURTURE:
We continue to hold Bible Study on the coming Sunday’s text each Tuesday at 11 am. This a great way to discuss sermon themes!
Our Lenten series was based on the book “Sacred Pathways: Nine Ways to Connect with God” by Gary Thomas. Each Wednesday evening a group of us met for dinner and discussion on one or more of the pathways. We explored the 3 general pathways: Wonder, Contemplation and Action.
PASTORAL CARE:
Bill has oversight of pastoral care, but I continue to meet with people on an ad hoc basis as requested.
Respectfully Submitted,
Joanne Anquist
To learn more about Leadership Council, please visit the Leadership Council webpage