Update from Presbyterian World Service & Development (PWS&D)

Proud to Send My Daughter to School

Sayed Mohammad makes bricks to support his family. He works during the hot summers, as well as the cold winters. For a time, his ten-year-old daughter, Saima, worked alongside him. Through a Presbyterian World Service & Development project in Afghanistan, Sayed learned that his daughter was too young to be doing hard labour at the brick factory and that it was his responsibility to send her to school. “I feel really proud of myself now, because everyone at home appreciates that I am sending my daughter to school.” Not only is Sayed sending his enabling his daughter to pursue an education, he is working hard to raise awareness about how education can change children’s futures. Since PWS&D started supporting the girls’ education project in Afghanistan, over 4,000 girls have been enrolled in school.

For more information about PWS&D, go to http://presbyterian.ca/pwsd.

Edmonton District Council of Churches

Our very own Rev. Harry Currie is the vice-president of the Edmonton District Council of Churches which promotes Ecumenism in the Edmonton area.  To learn more about the good works of this organization, click on the following link: http://www.edccunity.org/home.htm 

Sample of EDCC projects:

No Room In the Inn

No Room in the Inn is an annual appeal to Edmonton area churches that helps offer safe and affordable housing for the homeless. Many churches designate a Christmas time offering for this worthy cause. Is your church participating in the campaign?

The No Room in the Inn campaign will support Canadian Mental Health Association - Edmonton Region (CMHA-ER). CMHA-ER has been providing safe, affordable, long-term housing to individuals with mental illness for more than 40 years.

Citrus Court, one of six properties managed by CMHA-ER, houses 26 individuals and one family. With water damage in a number of units, it is in desperate need of a new roof. The funds raised by No Room in the Inn will contribute to the much needed roof replacement.

Click here to open the brochure.

To date, more than 60 congregations from eight different denominations have raised over $700,000 for projects aimed at providing safe and affordable housing for those who are in greatest need.

For information on the No Room in the Inn campaign or to receive donation envelopes in your church or congregation, contact Bob McKeon at 780.469.1010 or sjustice@caedm.ca

Outdoor Way of the Cross

The Outdoor Way of the Cross is an annual event held on Good Friday, each year in Edmonton's inner city. Faithful Christians gather to re-enact Christ's journey to His crucifixion two milennia ago. The object of the walk is to draw attention to local social issues and the fact that we are all responsible for their solution.

Friday, April 3, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. ~ All are welcome

Media Coverage of the previous Outdoor Ways of the Cross:
The Messenger
The Western Catholic Reporter

SOURCE: http://www.edccunity.org/projects.htm

Getting the Word Out - posting events at FPC

Do you have activities at the church to which the public is invited? That is good. But it is very important that you also publish these events on the church’s webpage!  We will help get the word out.

Please, send your events to webmaster@firstpresbyterian.ca.  For more details, talk to Frederick Ako-Nai.  Send a copy to fpcblog@hotmail.com, we'll add it to the blog too.

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (Jan 18 - 25)

This year the service for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity will be held at Braemar Baptist Church 7407 - 98 Ave. Edmonton. The service will be at Sunday January 18 at 7:00 PM.

This year's liturgy will have a particular reference to Christianity as it is lived out in Brazil. The theme for this week is: "Jesus said to her, 'Give me a drink'" based on John 4:7. A reception will follow the service. We look forward to seeing you there!

Wednesday January 14 at 5:00 PM at Edmonton City Hall there will be a Display at City Hall to launch the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.

Black History Month (Feb 1 @ 3pm)

There will be a service in conjunction with Black History month at St. Faith’s Anglican Church, 11725 - 93rd Street, Edmonton, on Sunday February 1 at 3:00 PM.

Celebrating the Diversity in God's Kingdom! Refreshments will be provided after the service in St. Faith's Church Hall. Parking is available at the back of the church. For further info please call Rev. Dr. Adenike Yesufu (780.476.6589) or Joy Thomas (780.298.7074).

What's the connection between FPC & the Royal Society of Canada?

To answer the question, the two are connected by Dr. Marnie Giesbrecht.  On September 9, 2014, the Fellows of the Royal Society of Canada (RSC) elected 90 new Fellows and Marnie was among them. She is organist and choir director at First Presbyterian Church and she is one-half of Duo Majoya, with Dr. Joachim Segger, who is also an organist and choir director at First Presbyterian. Marnie is a Professor Emerita at the University of Alberta where she is a highly respected teacher and researcher.

In recognition of her outstanding artistic achievement. Marnie was elected by her peers to the academies of the Royal Society of Canada. This is the highest honour a scholar can achieve in the Arts, Humanities and Sciences.

This year's new Fellows were inducted to the academies of the RSC during the Induction and Awards Ceremony on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2014 at Fairmont Le Château Frontenac in Quebec City.

Founded in 1882, the Royal Society of Canada (RSC) comprises the Academies of Arts, Humanities and Sciences of Canada. Its mission is to recognize scholarly, research and artistic excellence, to advise governments and organizations, and to promote a culture of knowledge and innovation in Canada and with other national academies around the world.

GIESBRECHT, Marnie – Department of Music, University of Alberta
An adventurous and consummate keyboard artist, Marnie Giesbrecht, University Organist and Professor Emerita is passionate about playing and teaching a breadth of keyboard instruments, including organ, piano and harpsichord, allowing idioms and techniques to cross-pollinate and create new modes of expression. Internationally acclaimed for her work with the unique Duo Majoya, she is renowned as a performer, pedagogue and advocate for the organ and Canadian music.

Ladies Aid (Jan 26 @ 10:30 am)

The Ladies Aid will convene its first meeting for 2015 on Monday, January 26 at 10:30 a.m. in the Social Room. We were delighted to welcome two new members in the fall and hope to have more join us this season. Many hands make light work, as was evident during the cake-baking and the craft and bake sale last November.

We were delighted to welcome two new members in the fall and hope to have more join us this season. Many hands make light work, as was evident during the cake-baking and the craft and bake sale in November.

With new members come fresh ideas and the sharing of experience and enjoyment. Contact Dorothy Stoutjesdyk (descott@shaw.ca) for more information about FPC's Ladies Aid.

OBITUARY - Eleanor Mary (Nee Batcheller) DUNCAN (Dec 10, 1925 - Dec 12, 2014)

On December 12, 2014 Eleanor passed away at the Devonshire Care Centre at the age of 89. She will be lovingly remembered by her husband of over 65 years, Neil; children Kim (Valarie), Kathy, David (Lisa), and Deborah (Bruce); grandchildren Brett, Cameron, Heather, Stephanie, Lucas, John, Mark, Jennifer, Kathleen, Ethan, Jordan, Paige, Angela, and David; brothers, Alan and John. She will also be missed by many great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. Eleanor was predeceased last year by her daughter Karen Duncan Harries, and by her siblings Derek and Janet.

Eleanor was born in Crossfield, Alberta, spent her early childhood in the Eastern townships of Quebec, and returned with her family to Edmonton at the age of 2. She attended University High School, where she met Neil. After graduating from nursing at the Royal Alexandra Hospital, Eleanor married Neil and they raised their family of 5 children. Once the children grew up, she embarked on her second career in real estate. In their golden years, Eleanor and Neil enjoyed travelling worldwide as well as close to home, and watching their family grow.

A memorial service was held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday December 27, 2014 at First Presbyterian Church, 10025-105 Street, with a reception that followed. Her family would like to thank the staff at Devonshire Care Centre for the kind and compassionate care shown to Eleanor.

SOURCE: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/edmontonjournal/obituary.aspx?pid=173535804#sthash.k9cnJ8NS.dpuf

OBITUARY - Roy Thompson Elliott (1936- 2014)

First Church member, Roy Thompson Elliott suddenly passed away in Edmonton, Alberta on December 11, 2014 at the age of 78 years. Roy was beloved husband of Margaret for 55 years and loving father of Sharon (Darcy), Marilyn, and the late Terry Lynn (Jason). He was cherished Grandpa of Trina, Brendan (Kaitlyn), Brent (Randi), Ryan (Charlene), Amanda (Nathan) and the late Garrett and Great-grandpa of Ryder.  Roy was predeceased by his father George, mother Eileen, brothers Gordon, Bill and Bob. He will be greatly missed by many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

A Memorial Service was held on Friday, December 19, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. at the Westlawn Funeral Home, 16310 Stony Plain Road, Edmonton, Alberta.

This obituary was published in The Edmonton Journal on December 16, 2014. Click on the link to see more: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/edmontonjournal/obituary.aspx?n=roy-elliott&pid=173486413&fhid=12303#sthash.LsZsL1co.dpuf.

Burns Supper (Jan 16)

Everyone is welcome to our Robert Burns Supper on the evening of January 16th. Tickets are on sale after each Sunday service.

Get In On the ACTS-ion! (Jan 14 @ 6:30 pm)

FPC's Wednesday night Bible Study resumes its study of the Book of Acts on January 14th at 6:30 pm in the social room.

For more information or study material, contact the church office or email Nick Knoppers at jo.k@shaw.ca.

Christmas Eve Service (7:30 pm)

On December 24 at 7:30pm, come celebrate Christ’s birth with a traditional Christmas Eve Service.

First Church's service will feature readings, choir anthems, choral solos, seasonal carols, candle lighting and a meditation by the Rev. Harry Currie.

FPC Community Dinner (Jan 24)

Ross Lepard is looking for volunteers for First Church's next Community Dinner on January 24th.

If you can contribute time for a shift, contact Ross by email at rlepard@telus.net or by phone at 780.469.8169. Volunteer sign-up sheets are located in FPC Wallace Room/Kitchen.

Mitten Tree

The Mitten Tree is once again setup in the Newcombe Room, ready to receive caps, scarves, and mittens for adults and children lacking warm clothing.

Join our Christmas tradition and bring items add to the Mitten Tree.

Fruit Cake & Church Calendars

The Ladies Aid begins its seasonal activities with the sale of FRUIT CAKES and CHURCH CALENDARS at coffee hour following the November 2nd service.

Quantities are limited, so don't delay!