The Little White Church on Main Street, Canmore, Alberta
Initiated in 2001, Evensong’s contemplative style of worship is a wonderful Wednesday evening service (7:15-8:00 PM) at Ralph Connor. Interspersing music, silence, poetry, prose, meditation, prayer, the gifts of the Spirit are very present in this place.
NOTE: due to COVID-19 protocols, Evensong has transformed into an online event on Zoom. Contact office@ralphconnor.ca for login.
Evensong’s “The Longest Night” services from the past two years are available on YouTube: 2020 Longest Night – 2021 Longest Night
From mid-March to mid-June, 2020, Evensong members contributed a weekly meditation/reflection to our online Sunday worship service. To watch these, grouped one month per video, please click on the month to view on YouTube.
MARCH 2020
Jan Tissandier, “Encircled in Light” (22 March)
Judith Maxwell, “Lectio Divina – Be Still, and Know that I am God” (29 March)
APRIL 2020
Judy Archer, “Gratitude” (5 April)
Jan Tissandier, “An Easter Like No Other” (12 April)
Marni Virtue, Lectio Divina – “Such Singing in the Wild Branches” (19 April)
Alan MacFadyen, “Meditation on Loving Kindness” (26 April)
MAY 2020
Barbara Parker, “A Spring Prayer” (3 May)
Val Goodrow, “Prayers of Intercession” (17 May)
Jan Tissandier, “Ascension Poetry Collage” (24 May)
JUNE 2020
Marni Virtue, “Pentecost Season: One Searing Word” (7 June)
Eric McAvity, “The Goodness of Creation” (14 June)
Alan MacFadyen, “Oneness with Creation” (28 June)
Easter IV Potluck Worship ~ May 11, 2022 at 7:15pm I know this drill. I settle down, I pause, I breathe. I tell my mind, please, be still. I know this dream. It feels like wind that sings, like air, showered clean, like holy ground. It’s hopeful, wild like faith on fire, like passion found, like Spring, focusing, surprising. ~ Dan Stone Let Christ be rising now in our lives and in our prayers, as we open our …
Evensong April 13, 7:15pm Ralph Connor Memorial United Church We must go down to the shores of the river of lament before we can sing our alleluias. ~ Carolyn McDade We have been on a journey through the wilderness of grief and there is much to lament… the losses due to COVID the ravages of the war in Ukraine and all places of conflict the children buried in unmarked graves at Indigenous residential schools the personal burdens and heartaches …
Grounding and being…the journey of Lent continues You are invited to have a candle ready to light. The world cannot be discovered by a journey of miles, no matter how long, but only by a spiritual journey, a journey of one inch, very arduous and humbling and joyful, by which we arrive at the ground of our own feet, and learn to be at home. ~ Wendell Berry The Avowal As swimmers dare to lie face to the sky and …
Evensong March 30, 7:15pm You are invited to join us this Wednesday for Evensong as we continue our journey through Lent. A reminder that for those who reside in the Bow Valley, the sanctuary of Ralph Connor Memorial United Church is open if you wish to attend Evensong in that sacred space. Please use the West/side door to enter the building. If you attend by Zoom, you are invited to bring a candle to light. On the edge of war, …
And so in this Lenten season, We journey with Jesus, Spirit-led, Into the wilderness of our apprehension To face our demons, And to find the courage to open again and again, To lean once more into the winds of grace And be uplifted by mistral presence. Bruce Sanguin Teachings come from everywhere when you open yourself to them. That’s the trick of it, really. Open yourself to everything, And everything opens itself to you. Richard Wagamese Come to sing, come …
Evensong March 16, Lent III, 2022, 7:15 pm Don’t Know Mind You are invited to bring a cup of tea (perhaps in a thermos cup that will stay warm) and a candle. Teachings come from everywhere when you open yourself to them. That’s the trick of it, really. Open yourself to everything, and everything opens itself to you. Richard Wagamese The single hardest lesson I’ve ever had to learn is that the greater, grander plan is not mine to create …
Lent I: The Impeded Stream is the One that Sings March 9, 2022, 7:15 p.m. Lent is a time to remember the light and the sorrow. Lent is a time to embrace the divinity of ambiguity. Our hearts are wide enough to do this. You are invited to join in the ongoing observation of Lent, in chant, prayer, reflection and silence. Join by Zoom (email evensong@ralphconnor.ca if you don’t have the link) or… join us in person in the Sanctuary. …
Evensong – March 2, 7:15 pm This Wednesday is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the season of Lent. For the imposition of ashes, you are invited to bring and have ready, a small bowl with ashes (mixed with oil), or essential oil, or water. You are also invited to bring and have ready a candle. You may also wish to have a journal or paper and pen to use. It may be that when we no longer know what to do …
Evensong March 2, 7:15 pm – on Zoom This Wednesday is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the season of Lent. For the imposition of ashes, you are invited to bring and have ready, a small bowl with ashes (mixed with oil), or essential oil, or water. You are also invited to bring and have ready a candle. You may also wish to have a journal or paper and pen to use. It may be that when we no longer know …
Evensong Wednesday, Feb. 23, 7:15pm As we come to the end of the season of Epiphany, this week at Evensong you are invited to an Epiphany Potluck—a potluck not of food for our bodies but of food for our souls. Space will be held for all who wish to bring a poem, a quote, a reading, or a thought to share, particularly related to this season of Light. We look forward to the tastiness of a meal made from many contributions! …