Did You Know?
As a fixture on Main Street since 1891, the Canmore Church (originally Canmore Presbyterian… then Canmore United in 1925… then Ralph Connor Memorial United in 1942…) has always functioned as a community hub. Similarly, the Banff Church, situated at the south end of Banff Avenue since 1886 (originally a Methodist Church… then a Local Union Church, starting in 1911/1916… then Banff United in 1925…then Rundle Memorial in 1941…) has played an important role in the Banff community. Now that we are one congregation with two campuses, we are pleased to have these connections with in both communities. Call the Canmore Church office 403.675.0064 or the Banff Church office 403.762.2075 for further information, or contact the program leaders listed below.
Programs that happen at both sites are listed first, then Canmore, then Banff:
REFUGEE SPONSORSHIP – BVRP and TWION
The Bow Valley Refugee Project was established in late 2015 as an Outreach Ministry of Ralph Connor in response to the Syrian refugee crisis. This community volunteer organization has successfully sponsored a family of six, who arrived in Canmore in the fall of 2016, and a family of two who arrived in the summer of 2020. Although our first two sponsorships involved refugees from Syria, our mandate has now expanded so that refugees from elsewhere may also be considered. In concert with Rundle Memorial United Church in Banff and its “The World is our Neighbour” (TWION) project, we are at present working on two sponsorships, involving a total of five people.
Ralph Connor is proud to provide a “home base” for the BVRP. One does not need to be a member of the Church, or of any faith community, to volunteer for this broadly supported community organization. {watch for good news, soon! Travel Visas have been received by the family sponsored by TWION so we hope for their arrival sometime this spring/summer!}
KIDS CONNECTION and TODDLER CARE: Sunday during 10 am Worship
Kids Connection – Our Sunday morning programming for children, age 4 to 15, happens during the Sunday service, whether we are worshiping in Canmore or in Banff. Please note that toddler care for younger children, age 1-3 is a separate thing . See https://ralphconnor.ca/kids-connection/ for more info! {Kids Connection ended for the season on May 28th and will resume in mid-September}
HEALING PATHWAY: Wednesday and Friday on Zoom
Twice weekly, the Healing Pathway Prayer Circle meets online. This group is a long-standing healing Ministry at Ralph Connor. If you have a prayer concern, please contact v.goodrow@me.com
CANMORE
ALPINE VOICES THRESHOLD CHOIR: Monday 7:00 pm
Threshold choirs give singers the opportunity to offer their voices in service, singing at bedside as a gift to those at life’s thresholds. The Alpine Voices Threshold Choir rehearses on the second and fourth Monday night of the month at 7:00 in the Sanctuary, and sing at the Canmore Hospital each week. All community members are welcome – while hosted by Ralph Connor United, this is a separate entity. Please contact jan.tissandier@gmail.com for more information.
COMMUNITY FOOD AND FRIENDS NIGHT: Monday 5-7 pm at St. Michael’s
Ralph Connor is pleased to be one of the community partners that serves the Monday night communal meals at St. Michael’s Anglican Church. Anyone and everyone wishing to have a great meal come to St. Michael’s Hall between 5:00 and 7:00 PM on Mondays! During the pandemic, this event transitioned to take-out only; now, one can either stay for sit-down or do take-out. Volunteers are needed, sign up here!
EVENSONG: Contemplative Worship, Wednesday at 7:15 PM
This service, held on Wednesday nights from fall to spring, began in 2001, and provides a quiet and gentle spiritual Oasis in the middle of the week. Some of our services are on Zoom, others in person in the Ralph Connor Canmore Sanctuary. A weekly notice is sent out each week, outlining the theme of that week’s gathering, as well as the location. To be added to this email list, contact office@ralphconnor.ca
On “The Longest Night”, Wed Dec 21 at 7:15PM – Evensong ~was recorded and available to watch on the Ralph Connor YouTube channel. {The 2022/23 Evensong season concluded on May 31st – we will resume in late September or early October 2023}
UKULELE: Thursday Night
The “High Strung” Ukulele group uses Gordon Hall and the Sanctuary for their practices each Thursday at 6:00 PM from fall to spring. This group has seen rapid growth in recent years, and now performs at a number of community venues.
RALPH CONNOR CHOIR: Thursday 7:30 pm
Most Sundays from September to June, our volunteer choir sings a Sunday anthem, led by music director Tanya Sullivan. Music is such an important part of our congregation’s Worship life – come join us. {resumes Jan 5, 2023} Our choir has a “playlist” on the Ralph Connor Canmore YouTube page! {June 1 rehearsal was at Ralph Connor, then the choir is on hiatus until the fall}
PRAYER SHAWL KNITTING AND CROCHETING CREATORS: Friday 1:00 pm
Over 1000 Prayer Shawls have been given to those in need and they are such a huge success for those receiving them. What a gift and a fellowship for those creating!
Typically, gatherings are on the second Friday of the month at 1:00 PM in Gordon Hall. Bring wool and needles. Call Jeanette at 403.678.2030 for further information about this community/ecumenical group. {returning soon to Ralph Connor!}
CYAN – CANMORE YOUNG ADULT NETWORK
The Canmore Young Adult Network was established following a study conducted by Ralph Connor’s Community Networker in the summer of 2017. For more information, visit the CYAN Facebook Page or website. As described in their materials, CYAN programs are “For Young Adults – By Young Adults” and include weekly yoga, young adult community suppers, cross-country skiing, art nights, board games nights, special seasonal celebrations, Canmore Eagles games, information nights on social issues… and we are so pleased to be involved with them.
AA MEETINGS: most nights
Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday evenings there are AA meetings at Ralph Connor, and Al-Anon meets on Tuesday nights. For dates and locations of AA Meetings in Canmore, see https://calgaryaa.org/meetings/?tsml-day=any&tsml-region=canmore
There will be extra meetings in the 2022 Christmas season, many of which will be hosted at Ralph Connor. {we thank Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church in Canmore, and Alberta Health Services, for hosting these groups during the construction at Ralph Connor Canmore. AA returns to Ralph Connor on the 2nd week of June.}
BANFF
RUNDLE UNITED THRIFT: Tue/Thu afternoon 2-5 PM, Wed/Fri evening 5-8 PM, Rundle Memorial UC (ground level access from Banff Avenue)
The Rundle United Thrift store, located in the lower level of our Rundle Memorial United Church building in Banff (enter from Banff Avenue), is open on Wednesday evening each week to provide affordable goods… and to raise money for the Mission of the Church. We are grateful for volunteers from both Banff and Canmore who help with the work of this important community outreach. For more information, please go to http://rundleunited.ca/rundle-united-thrift-banff/
BANFF RUNDLE PLAYSCHOOL
The Banff Rundle Playschool is truly a Banff “icon”, having functioned for over forty years! At playschool, three and four year old children interact and learn through play in a trusting, safe and fun environment. It is located in Travis Hall at Rundle Memorial UC – enter via the back alley. For more information see https://www.banffplayschool.com/
In addition:
Local choirs & singing groups, hold rehearsals in our sanctuary, musicians make recordings all taking advantage of the tremendous acoustics of our historic buildings. If you are interested in renting the Sanctuary, Hall or Upstairs for your Canmore event or meeting take a look at our Building Rental Page. or for Banff-Rundle rentals, contact the Banff Church Office.