Life of the Church: Joy’s and Concerns (February 2026)
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
To visit our Candle Memorial, please click here.
February News
Leadership Council: Volunteer Positions Week 2 - Leading up to the McDougall AGM on March 1st, we will be reviewing each of the volunteer positions that make up our leadership council. Many of these positions are up for nominations. We encourage you to review these positions and consider whether one of them might be something you could do, or if you know someone else who would be an amazing fit. This week we will be looking at the Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer. Continue reading on website.
AISH /ADAP Call to Action: Letter Writing Campaign - We shared previously a joint statement from the ministry staff and governing boards of McDougall, Ogden, and Red Deer Lake United Churches, standing with disabled Albertans in light of the ADAP legislation (if you missed it, you can read it here). We are encouraging you to take further action and write a letter to your MLA expressing your concerns with the proposed changes. Below is some more information on what the changes are as well as how they will affect disabled Albertans. Continue reading on website
The Benevolent Fund: Thank You - Today we get to announce that we are wrapping up our Benevolent Fund matching campaign. Together we have raised a total of $12,605.00. As the campaign comes to a close, we want to offer our deep gratitude for the generosity this community has shown. Together, we have exceeded our original goal of $10,000.00, strengthening a ministry that quietly supports individuals and families in moments of real hardship. Continue reading on website.
Refugee Update and Call to Action (Petition available on Sunday or in the office during office hours): In November, 2025, a subgroup of the McDougall UC Refugee group agreed to be co-sponsors (Constituent Group or CG) with the Anglican Diocese of Calgary - Refugee Support Group (Sponsorship Agreement Holder or SAH) and Mojib (son/brother, sponsor) to support Mojib's mother and 3 sisters (Afghan refugees) on arrival in Canada, from Pakistan. Continue reading on website.
Pastoral Care Ministry Team Third Quadrimestre Report Sept. – Dec. 2025: September 3: Meeting on Zoom, Esther Petersen agreed to be the Co Lead of the Pastoral Care Ministry Team, Ogden United Church began holding Sunday worship services at the Ogden Community Hall at 2 PM, Rev. Bill weekly makes Pastoral Care phone calls. Continue reading on website.
52 Ways to Reconcile: How to Walk with Indigenous Peoples on the Path to Healing, Week 6: Write a Land Acknowledgement from Robertson, David A. 52 Ways to Reconcile: How to Walk with Indigenous Peoples on the Path to Healing. You have likely heard a land acknowledgement before. They are now part of many gatherings, from school assemblies to conferences to sporting events. Robertson sees this as important progress, but he invites us to pause and consider how we are engaging with these words. When an acknowledgement is simply read from a script or copied and pasted from a template, it can become routine. The risk is that something meant to foster awareness and respect turns into another box we check without much thought. Continue reading on website.
Sweet Spring Notes: Silent Auction Items, We will be having a silent auction as part of our Sweet Spring Notes Fundraiser on March 6, 2026. Below is a list of items (that will be updated) of items that will be available for you to bid on. The auction will start when the doors open at 6:30 pm and will close during the intermission (around 8:30 pm). Tickets for the evening are $20 for adults and $10 for children. Learn more and see the items on our website.
Prepared to Drown: Special Guest for February, 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, February 20, 2026. Continue reading on website.
Leadership Council: Volunteer Positions Week 3, Leading up to the McDougall AGM on March 1st, we will be reviewing each of the volunteer positions that make up our leadership council. Many of these positions are up for nominations. We encourage you to review these positions and consider whether one of them might be something you could do, or if you know someone else who would be an amazing fit. This week we will be looking at the Members at Large and Secretary. Continue reading on website.
2025 Annual Report is Now Available: The 2025 Annual Report is now available. You can read the report at the link below. As it is a longer document, consider the environment and please read it online if at all possible. Continue reading on website.
52 Ways to Reconcile: How to Walk with Indigenous Peoples on the Path to Healing, Week 7 - Check Your Idioms (from Robertson, David A. 52 Ways to Reconcile: How to Walk with Indigenous Peoples on the Path to Healing). This week, Robertson invites us to pay closer attention to the everyday language we use. Many common idioms are so familiar that we rarely stop to think about where they come from or how they might be received. Continue reading on website.
Pie Day: Looking for People to Bring Pies on March 15 - The Affirming group at McDougall is pleased to once again be celebrating pie day on Sunday, March 15th following the service. Why PIE? PIE = Public. Intentional. Explicit. You can learn more about pie day by visiting the Pie Day website. We are looking for people to bake, buy or bring a pie to enjoy with everyone on March 15 after Sunday service. If you can bring a pie, please let us know by filling in the below form, talking to Marilyn B or signing up in Hospitality Hall after service. Continue reading on website.
Sweet Spring Notes: Concert Line Up - The concert part of our Sweet Spring Notes Fundraiser on March 6, 2026 is really coming together. We are so excited to announce some of our performers. You will notice from the list that all performers have a connection to McDougall, which in our mind, makes this a very special evening! In alphabetical here are some of the performers, their connection to our church and a little bit about them. Continue reading on website.
Leadership Council: Volunteer Positions Week 4 - Leading up to the McDougall AGM on March 1st, we will be reviewing each of the volunteer positions that make up our leadership council. Many of these positions are up for nominations. We encourage you to review these positions and consider whether one of them might be something you could do, or if you know someone else who would be an amazing fit. This week we will be looking at the Ministry Team Leads/Co-leads and Working Group Leads/Co-leads. Continue reading on website.
52 Ways to Reconcile: How to Walk with Indigenous Peoples on the Path to Healing, Week 8 - Start a Second Book in Your Indigenous Book Club
from Robertson, David A. 52 Ways to Reconcile: How to Walk with Indigenous Peoples on the Path to Healing. Back in Week Two, Rev. Joanne invited us to consider starting an Indigenous book club. This week, Robertson gently nudges us a step further. If you started that journey, don’t let it become a one-time experience. Reconciliation is not meant to be “one and done,” and neither is reading Indigenous stories. Continue reading on website.Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper and Ash Wednesday Service - Thank You, Our heartfelt gratitude goes to the volunteers who braved the cold and prepared a fabulous Shrove Tuesday pancake supper. Your hospitality created a wonderful space for fellowship and community building around the table. Continue reading on website
Prepared to Drown: Special Guests for February - Part 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, February 20, 2026 (tonight). Podcast features: Rev. Bill Weaver and Ricardo De Menezes, with special guests Rev. Dave Holmes, Robin Padanyi and Nick Johnson. Let's learn more about our special guests. Continue reading on website.
Pastoral Letter from Rev. Bill - Friends, Public life runs on stories. The stories we tell shape belonging. They shape safety. They shape who feels secure and who carries the weight of exposure. Following Premier Danielle Smith’s February 19 address announcing a proposed 2026 referendum that includes questions related to immigration, I have heard real concern from people within our congregations and across the wider community. Continue reading on website.
This list will continue to be updated as they are provided. Make sure you send in your news!
See what happened in January here.
