June 5, 2021

Dear Church Family,

This is my last update until July as I am going to take some time off.  Worship will continue every week while I am away.  The weekly link will be available on our website or through the church office.  The phone number for worship remains the same every week. 

This week (and June 20th) Evelyn Knoll has provided special music. It is wonderful to hear her play for worship!

Katherine Soule Blaser asked me to share the link to her Mom, Edna Soule’s, funeral.  The funeral was held at Augustana with a small number of family members present. The link for Edna’s funeral is:  https://youtu.be/0WSuS_-4nxo

Mental Health suggestions this week – I recently came across information from Red Cross that has a program called “Red Cross Friendly Calls.”  The program pairs specially trained volunteers for regular phone visit to people looking for new social connections.  Here is a link to some mental health suggestions from them https://www.redcross.ca/blog/2021/4/feeling-stressed-how-to-handle-the-ongoing-pandemic.  (more below as well)

God bless and keep you well,

Pastor Marilyn

Worship this week:  https://youtu.be/95imXRXdrSI

Worship by phone: 1-306-205-1168 (same every week)

Zoom communion in June will be Sunday, June 6 at 2 pm

 

Also from the Red Cross blog: 

Feeling lonely? It’s expected – and many people are feeling this way right now.

Last year we teamed up with research firm Leger for a study on the social and psychological impacts related to COVID-19 for Canadians. The study found that nearly one-third of those 65 years and older who are living alone and in fair or poor health reported feeling lonely either frequently or every day. The results also suggest that young adults have a more pronounced vulnerability to loneliness.

Fortunately, there are things you can do. Here’s four tips on helping yourself and others.

REACH OUT TO PEOPLE

This may seem obvious, but it’s common for people to feel like they should struggle alone with loneliness.

You don’t have to wait for others to make contact - try and reach out yourself. Chances are, if you’re missing a friend, they might be missing you too.

It can help to have a think about the people you know and come up with some ideas for how you can connect with them better. 

EXPAND YOUR CIRCLE

Meeting new people can also help with loneliness, although admittedly this may be tougher than normal during the pandemic.

Think of activities or hobbies you enjoy or you’d like to learn. Chances are, there’s an opportunity to join others with the same interests. If you’re not able to take up a new hobby or activity in person right now, you could look into online activities such as a virtual games group, language lessons or even an online book club.

Volunteering with a charitable organisation (including the Red Cross, wink wink!) is an excellent way to expand your circle. The Canadian Red Cross also has virtual volunteer opportunities for those who want to help out from their home right now.

Still unsure how to start? Our friends at the British Red Cross have a helpful resource for creating new connections.

ASK FOR HELP

If you’re struggling with loneliness, don’t be afraid to ask for help.

HELP OTHERS

Finally, make sure you check in on others who may be feeling lonely right now.  Let’s keep looking out for one another, keep safe, and keep healthy.

 

May 29, 2021

Dear Church Family,

Since the June newsletter is attached I do not have much more to share today. Just the suggestions below: 

Mental Health suggestions this week – I have received many suggestions about finding a way to spend time in God’s good creation: finding a place to sit in the sun, getting your hands in dirt, watching the birds, going for a walk.  There is something rejuvenating about being part of creation. 

I am still collecting your mental health suggestions to share with others.  Your suggestion might be just what someone else needs to hear. 

God bless and keep you well,

Pastor Marilyn                                                                      

Worship this week:  https://youtu.be/zrmmRnBJh9U

Worship by phone: 1-306-205-1168

Zoom communion in June will be Sunday, June 6 at 2 pm

May 22, 2021

Dear Church Family,

I hope you have a beautiful long weekend.  It always seems to be the gateway to summer. 

I want to remind you that your household can meet with me at the church to receive communion.  If you wish to do this, please contact me or the church office to set up a time.

We will continue to worship on-line for the time being.  We will be revisiting this decision as the situation in Saskatoon improves and vaccine numbers go up.  When we do return to worship in person we will continue to have our worship services available on-line.  If you would like to be part of the team that makes that possible your help will gladly be accepted.  There will be opportunity to learn new skills as well. The covid virus forced us into the 21st century and now we need to learn how to keep that up.

Mental Health suggestions this week – Thank you to Gwen Gleason-Graham who has provided a number of suggestions.  Here are two of her suggestions: 

1. There is a lot of talk on mindfulness recently.  The definition of mindfulness is: "being present in the moment with acceptance".  Prayer is one of the options in the mindfulness realm.  Prayer allows us to be present in the moment, take the space to breathe and just be; it's also extremely beneficial both physically and emotionally.

2. Keep in contact with others … reaching out by the means that we have available to keep connected to others means even though we can't always see them we know that we are loved and cared for!

I am still collecting your mental health suggestions to share with others.  Your suggestion might be just what someone else needs to hear. 

God bless and keep you well,

Pastor Marilyn

Worship this week:  https://youtu.be/qJxaSG_oCsA

Worship by phone: 1-306-205-1168

Zoom communion in June will be Sunday, June 6 at 2 pm

May 15, 2021

Dear Church Family,

This week we celebrate Christ’s going up to heaven.  Ascension Day was this past Thursday, but we are celebrating it in this week’s worship.  Christ’s leaving comes with a promise that God’s presence in our lives does not come to an end.  Just as Jesus walked with the disciples, God’s Holy Spirit continues to walk with us now.

O Christ God, you have ascended in Glory,
Granting joy to your disciples by the promise of the Holy Spirit.
Through the blessing they were assured
That you are the Son of God,
The Redeemer of the world!

(an Ascension hymn from the Orthodox church)

Thanks to Elsa Lissel-DeCorby for her music preparing us for worship!  Music feeds the soul and expresses what words alone cannot.

Mental Health suggestions this week – The first is to listen to your favorite music and maybe even move or dance to it.  Second is a seated breathing exercise called “square breathing.”  Sitting down with your feet firmly planted, close your eyes and breathe in for a count of 2, hold that breath for a count of 2, breath out for a count of 2, hold for a count of 2, repeat.  It is a calming breathing exercise you can do almost anywhere. 

I am still collecting your mental health suggestions to share with others.  Your suggestion might be just what someone else needs to hear. 

God bless and keep you well,

Pastor Marilyn

Worship this week  https://youtu.be/m0OwwKLjAZs

Zoom communion 2 pm Sunday May 16th 

Join Zoom Meeting at 2 pm
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85700356744?pwd=UUZMZnREMHIrNEhORTUvUUx6cWZEUT09

Meeting ID: 857 0035 6744
Passcode: 717246

Worship by phone: 1-306-205-1168

May 8, 2021

Dear Church Family,

Alleluia, Christ is risen! Christ is risen indeed!

We worship with Zion and the other ELCIC churches this week.  This is a special joint service because Pastor Michael Diegel will be installed as Chaplain at the Regional Psychiatric Centre.  Our joint ELCIC service was the best option to gather for an installation service during Covid 19.  Pastor Michael is also preaching this week and we will have an opportunity to learn about the ministry he has been involved in at RPC.  Pastor Michael began his ministry at RPC quite a while ago, so it is good to be able to celebrate his installation now.

I am still collecting your suggestions of strategies that have helped you maintain your mental health during this past year of physical distancing and stress.  Please share with me the things that have worked for you.  Your suggestions might also be helpful to others.  Many thanks to those who have sent me in their suggestions.

Mental Health suggestions this week – One suggestion from Gwen Gleason-Graham is to focus on what you still have and what you still can do rather than what you can't. A Gratitude Journal is often important.  The second suggestion for this week is to ask for help when you need it.  I include both my and Parish Nurse Carol’s email address on my weekly updates so that you can contact either of us.  We are both good listeners and can help you find the resources you need.

God bless and keep you well,

Pastor Marilyn

Worship this week:  10:30 am livestream worship with Zion and the other ELCIC churches in the city.  The service will be recorded and will be up on the Zion YouTube channel later on, but originally it will be on beginning at 10:30 am Sunday morning.

Worship link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCo7oFRb9WluqtWmHpv-yVgw

Worship by phone: 1-306-205-1168

May 1, 2021

Dear Church Family,

Alleluia, Christ is risen! Christ is risen indeed!

I am still collecting your suggestions of strategies that have helped you maintain your mental health during this past year of physical distancing and stress.  Please share with me the things that have worked for you.  They might also be helpful to others. 

Mental Health suggestion – when you read the May newsletter you will see some feedback on our Walk From Syria.  That experience taught us that keeping physically actively also helps our mental health. Doesn’t matter what level of fitness you are at … being active at your own level of ability is the best.  If you have not been active for a while you should talk to your doctor before starting something new.

Check out the newsletter for more Augustana news and the May calendar.

God bless and keep you well,

Pastor Marilyn

Worship link for this week:  https://youtu.be/Oraopvw1Nkk

Worship by phone: 1-306-205-1168

April 24, 2021

Dear Church Family,

Alleluia, Christ is risen! Christ is risen indeed!

I have the sad news to share that Edna Soule died this past week.  Please keep her daughter Katherine Soule Blaser and her family in your prayers. We give thanks for a life and faith well lived and pray that God will comfort her friends and families.

I am collecting your suggestions of strategies that have helped you maintain your mental health during this past year of physical distancing and stress.  Please share with me the things that have worked for you.  They might also be helpful to others.  With that in mind I have a two-part suggestion for this week:

Mental Health suggestion – sometimes there are phrases or Bible verses that are very helpful when repeated to oneself.  Mark Stauffer shared a Bible verse that his Mother quoted when life was difficult or complicated:  “Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10).   This verse helped her or the one she was advising to take a pause and remember that God was present in the midst of the situation: a pause that allowed for reframing or looking at the situation from a different perspective. The second part of this suggestion came from Gayle Dixon who finds colouring relaxing.  I have attached a “Be Still and Know” colouring page with this email.

God bless and keep you well,

Pastor Marilyn

Worship link for this week:  https://youtu.be/WCDDCziTnk0

Worship by phone: 1-306-205-1168

April 17, 2021

Dear Church Family,

Alleluia, Christ is risen! Christ is risen indeed!

The robins have arrived and I can hear them singing in the morning and evening.  It is a cheerful sound that I love to hear every year.  And it is something that Covid 19 has not effected.  Over the last year I have been giving people weekly assignments or suggestions on how to remain connected to our church family.  Please carry on with your calls, letters, texts and emails to others … they are very appreciated.

What I would like to do for the next little while is ask you for the strategies that have helped you maintain your mental health during this year of physical distancing and stress.  Please send me the things that have worked for you which might be helpful for others.  With that in mind here is the first idea on how to maintain your mental health …

Mental Health suggestion # 1 – everyday spend a bit of time outside or open your window and listen for the robins’ song and breath in some fresh air. 

By the streams the birds of the air have their habitation;
   they sing among the branches. Psalm 104

God bless and keep you well,

Pastor Marilyn

Worship link this week: https://youtu.be/BFRQ3WVg9gk

Worship by phone: 1-306-205-1168

Holy Communion by zoom 2 pm Sunday: 

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81508043984?pwd=NzJSQ2JORFdrZ3psemQzVFYxbkw2UT09

April 3, 2021

Dear church family,

Tomorrow we celebrate Easter. The link to our worship service is below.  If you have access to a little bell, get it ready. The choir and other special musicians have outdone themselves for our second pandemic Easter celebration.  I hope you and your family are enjoying the outdoors this Easter weekend. 

Tewodros and family – a seminary student from Ethiopia has recently arrived in Saskatoon with his family.  They are currently still under quarantine.  Tewodros is need of a good office chair, if you have one you do not need, he would make good use of it.

Our Walk from Syria  – we are there and then some! We have collectively travelled over 10,000 kilometers.  WOW!  What now? Keep moving … because it is good for you and as you keep moving keep remembering and praying for the Alhamad-Wahid family.  Pray for safety where they live now and the good news that they can travel to Saskatoon and be reunited with their family.  At the last Health Cabinet meeting people were sharing their travelling stories and the consensus was that these stories should be shared.  We will gather your travelling stories for the May newsletter: What activities did you do? Who traveled with you? How have the weekly stories, reflections and prayers on the website touched you?  Send your stories to the main office email address.

God bless and keep you safe,

Pastor Marilyn

+  +  +

Worship for Easter Sunday  https://youtu.be/cMH0tLS0jy4

Worship by Phone: 1-306-205-1168 

April 1, 2021

Dear Church Family,

These are the worship links for Holy Week.  I will send the Easter links along on Saturday.  The April newsletter is on the website (and that is not an April Fool’s joke).  Pastor Marilyn

Worship by Phone: 1-306-205-1168 

HOLY WEEK WORSHIP

Wednesday thru Saturday at 7 pm with Bishop Sid Haugen.  Augustana St. Timothy’s choir has provided special music for these services. For more information go to https://sasksynod.ca/synod-wide-holy-week-services/

Zoom Meeting ID: 843 1786 2145, Passcode: 306

Good Friday – two options (in case you have trouble with a live stream service)

Zion Saskatoon – 11 am livestream on Zion’s YouTube page https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCo7oFRb9WluqtWmHpv-yVgw

Augustana’s Good Friday Tenebrae Service (video from 2020)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dary-bTlgkc

Rev. Marilyn Fowlie-Neufeld (she/her)

Augustana Lutheran Church

Saskatoon www.augustanasaskatoon.net

306-242-9553

306-250-6172 (cell)

March 27, 2021

Dear church family,

This week we celebrate Palm/Passion Sunday. Sadly, we are not able to process into church with our palm branches waving. But, wherever you are, you can still mark Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem by waving a branch or a dandelion to help you remember that Jesus walks with us.

Our Walk from Syria is going well – we are almost there (or here)! At the last Health Cabinet meeting people were sharing their travelling stories and the consensus was that these stories should be shared. We will gather your travelling stories for the May newsletter: what activities are you doing, who’s travelling with you, how have the weekly stories, reflections and prayers on the website touched you?

Below is a lot of information on how to access worship during Holy Week. Please keep in mind that zoom and livestream happen at a specific time. YouTube videos can be played at any time.

God bless and keep you safe,

Pastor Marilyn

+ + +

Worship for Palm/Passion Sunday includes the stripping of the altar in preparation for Good Friday

https://youtu.be/y1rEL_GzZxU

Worship by Phone: 1-306-205-1168

(The service on the phone is updated when a new service is available. Palm Sunday will be on for the beginning of the week and Good Friday later in the week)

HOLY WEEK WORSHIP

Wednesday thru Saturday at 7 pm with Bishop Sid Haugen. Augustana St. Timothy’s choir has provided special music for these services. For more information go to https://sasksynod.ca/synod-wide-holy-week-services/

Zoom Meeting ID: 843 1786 2145, Passcode: 306

Good Friday – two options

Zion Saskatoon – 11 am livestream (link TBA)

Augustana’s Good Friday Tenebrae Service (video from 2020)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dary-bTlgkc

March 20, 2021

Dear church family,

Your assignment this week: come to our AGM at 1 pm Sunday March 21.  With a zoom gathering you don’t get to visit in the same way, but you do get to see people’s faces and that is a wonderful thing.  Seeing people’s faces is like water on thirsty ground.

Join Annual Zoom Meeting:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85759207523?pwd=VE5uemVxT09lVFBweHhNUnlTekhrdz09

Meeting ID: 857 5920 7523

Passcode: 861329

By Phone:  The meeting is through zoom but you can also phone in at 1 pm (long-distance charges will apply unless you have a long-distance plan with your phone carrier):

         1 647 374 4685 Canada THEN 857 5920 7523 THEN Passcode: 861329

or

         1 647 558 0588 Canada THEN 857 5920 7523 THEN Passcode: 861329

Our Annual meeting will cover only the items that need to be covered by law and by our church’s constitution.  We can hold another congregational meeting in-person at a later date when it is safe to do so.

On Sunday Evening at 7 pm Alexa Wallace is being ordained to the Diaconate of the Anglican Church of Canada.  Please keep her in your prayers. The link to the livestream service is: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZN4KiZ1eZ61zPk1Xn0j6EQ/.

Our Walk from Syria is going well. At the last Health Cabinet meeting people were sharing their travelling stories and the consensus was that these stories should be shared.  We will gather your travelling stories for the May newsletter: what activities are you doing, who’s travelling with you, how have the weekly stories and information on the website touched you? 

God bless and keep you safe,

Pastor Marilyn

+  +  +

Worship this week: https://youtu.be/xCPRtaYbSqI

Worship by Phone: 1-306-205-1168

Midweek Lenten worship:  Wednesday’s at 7:30 by zoom or phone … same link every week

Please, click on the link below to access the service.  You can also call in using the phone numbers below as indicated. Please, note that long-distance charges will apply unless you have a long-distance plan with your phone carrier.

Join Zoom Meeting

Online:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89600870712?pwd=YjlxOEE5bUFyUE81QUp0bGJpQXNKdz09

Zoom App:

Meeting ID: 896 0087 0712 THEN Passcode: 093604

Phone:

         1 647 374 4685 Canada THEN 896 0087 0712 THEN Passcode: 093604

         1 647 558 0588 Canada THEN 896 0087 0712 THEN Passcode: 093604

March 13, 2021

Dear church family,

All the ELCIC churches in Saskatoon are worshiping with Trinity Lutheran this Sunday.   I have attached a copy of the service for you. Also attached is information for those 80 and older on how to arrange for a vaccination appointment. You or someone on your behalf can make the appointment.

Your assignment this week: come to our practice AGM at 1 pm Sunday March 14th (the real annual meeting is next Sunday at 1 pm, March 21)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87948398162?pwd=ZXk4MUdId0U3U2F0OC9IQVdQUzFmQT09

The meeting is through zoom but you can also phone in at 1 pm (long-distance charges will apply unless you have a long-distance plan with your phone carrier):

1 647 374 4685 Canada THEN 879 4839 8162 THEN Passcode: 413322

or

1 647 558 0588 Canada THEN 879 4839 8162 THEN Passcode: 413322

Our Annual meeting is next week.  It will cover only the items that need to be covered by law and by our church’s constitution.  We can hold another congregational meeting in-person at a later date when it is safe to do so.

God bless and keep you safe,

Pastor Marilyn

+  +  + 

Worship this Sunday:  go to YouTube and use the search function to find Trinity Lutheran Saskatoon. It should bring you to the live stream broadcast and you should just have to click on it. Trinity will have the pre-service open & accessible about 5-8 minutes before service starts (10:30 am). The service will be uploaded to Trinity’s website very shortly after the service ends.

Worship by Phone: 1-306-205-1168

Midweek Holden Evening Prayer at Lenten worship:  Wednesday’s at 7:30 by zoom or phone … same link every week

Please, click on the link below to access the service.  You can also call in using the phone numbers below as indicated. Please, note that long-distance charges will apply unless you have a long-distance plan with your phone carrier.

Join Zoom Meeting

Online:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89600870712?pwd=YjlxOEE5bUFyUE81QUp0bGJpQXNKdz09

Zoom App:

Meeting ID: 896 0087 0712 THEN Passcode: 093604

Phone:

         1 647 374 4685 Canada THEN 896 0087 0712 THEN Passcode: 093604

         1 647 558 0588 Canada THEN 896 0087 0712 THEN Passcode: 093604

March 6, 2021

Dear church family,

The Annual Report has been sent out and our Annual Meeting is set for March 21 at 1 pm by Zoom (with phone-in option).  We are going to have a practice session the week prior -- on March 14 at 1 pm.  The practice session is so we can all be as comfortable as possible with zoom.  Because we have never conducted an Annual meeting by zoom the agenda will include only the business that is absolutely necessary.   If necessary, we can have another congregational meeting in person when it is possible to do so.

Your assignment this week:  please phone someone who needs an invitation and some encouragement to serve on church council.  You can also pass your thoughts on to this year’s nominating committee:  Larry Trenouth and Mik Bickis.

I thought the prayer below was a good one to share with you:

Iona Community Service of Prayer for Healing

Paul wrote: Always be joyful. Pray constantly. Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Jesus Christ. 1 Thessalonians 5.17

Hold in your hands, Lord,

our families and friends;

our neighbours;

those we meet at work and on the streets;

those whom we worry about

and those who worry for us.

And in these same hands

hold every family –

especially those for whom today

has brought new burdens

and fresh sorrows.

Dorothy & Peter Millar’s 'Prayers from a Columban House'.

#prayer #healing #Iona #IonaAbbey

God bless and keep you safe,

Pastor Marilyn

Worship link for this week:  https://youtu.be/BG51ssbt_74

Worship by Phone: 1-306-205-1168

Midweek Lenten worship:  Wednesday’s at 7:30 by zoom or phone … same link every week

Please, click on the link below to access the service.  You can also call in using the phone numbers below as indicated. Please, note that long-distance charges will apply unless you have a long-distance plan with your phone carrier.

Join Zoom Meeting

Online:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89600870712?pwd=YjlxOEE5bUFyUE81QUp0bGJpQXNKdz09

Zoom App:

Meeting ID: 896 0087 0712 THEN Passcode: 093604

Phone:

         1 647 374 4685 Canada THEN 896 0087 0712 THEN Passcode: 093604

         1 647 558 0588 Canada THEN 896 0087 0712 THEN Passcode: 093604

February 27, 2021

Dear church family,

The news is in the March newsletter this week.  Next week we will have a guest preacher -- Executive Director, Aubrey Thonvold of Reconciling Works.  March 7th’s service recognizes Augustana as a Reconciling in Christ (RIC) congregation and challenges us to grow as a welcoming congregation. 

As vaccines roll out, please let Parish Nurse Carol or myself know if you need any assistance in setting up an appointment or transportation. 

Weekly assignment: Augustana’s people live all over the city and outside the city as well.  Contact someone who lives in your neighbourhood to see how they are doing (phone, text, email, or letter).

God bless and keep you safe,

Pastor Marilyn

Worship link for this week:  https://youtu.be/roRjkHeF8Sg

Worship by phone:   1-306-205-1168

Midweek Lenten worship:  Wednesday’s at 7:30 by zoom or phone … same link every week

Please, click on the link below to access the service.  You call also call in using the phone numbers below as indicated. Please, note that long-distance charges will apply unless you have a long-distance plan with your phone carrier.  (Come a few minutes early to make sure any glitches can be worked out before the service begins)

Join Zoom Meeting

Online:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89600870712?pwd=YjlxOEE5bUFyUE81QUp0bGJpQXNKdz09

Zoom App:

Meeting ID: 896 0087 0712 THEN Passcode: 093604

Phone:

         1 647 374 4685 Canada THEN 896 0087 0712 THEN Passcode: 093604

         1 647 558 0588 Canada THEN 896 0087 0712 THEN Passcode: 093604

 

This invitation did not come in time to go in the newsletter:

Black History Month Town Hall with Police Chief Troy Cooper and Pastor Ali Tote

Pastor Ali Tote and City Councillor David Kirton are organizing a Town Hall with Saskatoon Police Chief Troy Cooper on Thursday March 4, 2021 at 7 PM in celebration of Black History Month. Please, attend and invite others.

Pastor Ali Tote is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: Black History Month Town Hall with Police Chief Troy Cooper

Time: Mar 4, 2021 07:00 PM Saskatchewan

Join Zoom Meeting

Online:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85935138296?pwd=UGhoT2pNUmlHNW1MeUtYeG9MUmI0Zz09

Meeting ID: 859 3513 8296

Passcode: 401206

Over the Phone:

Dial: 1 647 558 0588 OR 1 778 907 2071

THEN

Meeting ID: 859 3513 8296

THEN

Passcode: 401206

February 20, 2021

Pastor Marilyn is on holiday this week, but here are the links for worship this week:

Sunday Worship (pre-recorded):  https://youtu.be/M7vxuYukSDU or phone in service 1-306-205-1168

Wednesday joint Lenten Service Zoom link:    https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89600870712?pwd=YjlxOEE5bUFyUE81QUp0bGJpQXNKdz09

  • Zoom links are time and day sensitive. You should be able to link in at 7 pm every Wednesday during Lent. 

  • The service starts at 7:30 pm. 

  • Our mid-week Lenten services this year are Holden Evening Prayer with a Bible Reading and Devotion/Bible Study.  The Augustana St. Timothy’s Choir is leading Holden Evening Prayer and each week the host church will provide the Reading and Devotion/Bible Study.

  • The zoom link for each week is the same.

February 19, 2021

Dear Church Family,

Looks like the weekend is bringing warmer weather. What a welcome treat!

Please find attached the worship service for Feb. 21st.

Worship Link: Can be found on the Augustana YouTube Channel     https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCua4E9ZVxlZ4Wfmct0ZLnBA/videos

Worship by Phone: 1-306-205-1168

  • To note, in one month it will be Augustana’s AGM by Zoom. Don’t worry if you are uncomfortable with Zoom – there will be a practice run March 14th and there will also be a phone-in option.

  • We have entered into the season of Lent, and mid-week services will be Wednesdays, on-line with Holden Evening Prayer and Devotion. The following is the Zoom link information for all Wednesday Inter-Lenten services:

Online:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89600870712?pwd=YjlxOEE5bUFyUE81QUp0bGJpQXNKdz09

Zoom App:
Meeting ID: 896 0087 0712 THEN Passcode: 093604

Phone:
         1 647 374 4685 Canada THEN 896 0087 0712 THEN Passcode: 093604
         1 647 558 0588 Canada THEN 896 0087 0712 THEN Passcode: 093604

  • Our Walk from Syria continues with over a 2,300 KM travelled in 3 weeks. There is another 6 weeks and 7,400 KMS to go. Check in every week on the website for reflections and updates and don’t forget to email in pictures to the office when you have the chance. No larger than 2MB.  Please send in your kilometers every week by Friday noon (phone, email) 10 minutes activity = 1 kilometer. And please invite friends and neighbours to join our walk (we have some other congregations joining) to help the kilometres add up.

Blessings on behalf of Pastor Marilyn, (who is recovering well from cataract surgery and will be back in the office next week).

February 12, 2021

Dear Church Family,

This week we worship with Good Shepherd Lutheran as it is the second Sunday of the month. Bulletins that indicate how the service will flow are attached together with items for Sunday school for parents. A copy of the sermon is also included in case there are some who need it. The video (and documents) can be viewed by Sunday on Augustana’s website: http://augustanasaskatoon.net/

And don’t forget our worship by phone:  1-306-205-1168

Our Walk from Syria is progressing with over a 1,000 KM travelled in 2 weeks. Check in every week on our website for reflections and updates and don’t forget to email in pictures to the office when you have the chance. No larger than 2MB.  Please send in your kilometers every week by Friday noon (phone, email, or google).  10 minutes activity = 1 kilometer.

And not to be forgotten, the Weekly Assignment: contact someone with their anniversary in the same month as you or continue to contact people with the same birth month.

In other news, Sask Synod has shared the following information to pass on:

Climate Justice - Call to Action!
If you are a youth (children and families are welcome!) or young adult who is passionate about the environment and climate change, click the link to participate in a brief  survey:  https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NDT8VPM
The ELCIC is building a network of young adults and youth who would like to engage the church in some climate discussions and assist the ELCIC in working towards the goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2050. Come and join the conversation! If you have any questions, please contact climate@elcic.ca

Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper -  BYOPancakes

An invitation is extended to all Young Canadian Lutherans (think 18-35) to join a national young adult zoom hangout on Feb.16th FROM 6 TO 8 PM. ZOOM ID: 8384111 9981, PASSWORD: ELCICYA

Fight about pancake toppings, discuss upcoming lent, make new friends, eat a lot of syrup. You know... it’s called balance. Come as you are, leave when you’re ready.  Follow @ELCICYoungAdults for more information or email Kristina Kuhnert.

kristinakhn@yahoo.ca. 

Canada Lutheran Submissions Urgently Needed

The following is forwarded from Anno Bell, editor for the Saskatchewan Section of the Canada Lutheran.
 
Hello friends, 
I know this is a crazy time in the world, and a crazy time to be doing the work of trying to be the church in a province where gathering isn’t allowed or safe. And I know so many of you are exhausted, depleted, and otherwise struggling to meet the needs of congregants and your own needs in this context. Knowing and understanding this, as I am married to a pastor, I would still like to request your support. It can be difficult even in “normal” times to find material for the Saskatchewan Synod section of the Canada Lutheran. I have asked the people I know to contribute in the last months, and they have faithfully done so, but we are now in some serious need of new material for the coming months. PLEASE…..consider writing a reflection on your life in ministry, or asking parishioners who do interesting things in their lives that intersect with church and home/church and work/church and society, to write me an article and send pictures. Has anything good come from this time? Have people found ways to support the elders in their congregations that are isolated and lonely? Have people found ways to dig deep for hope in what seems an endless well of situational difficulty? Have people found grace in the “less busy”, finding time to step back into what really matters? Have people in your congregation stepped up to fill needs for those that struggle - to stay warm, to stay fed, to stay hopeful? 
 
We are all struggling, and some of us are lucky to do so in homes that are warm and filled with love. Has an unexpected homeschooling community sprung up among the immunocompromised in your lives? Where are people finding hope and connection? 
 
Please consider contributing your writing and photos to me at clsaskeditor@gmail.com so that I can share your stories with our community in the months to come. 
With gratitude,
 
Anno Bell
Inhale Gratitude, Exhale Peace

 

On behalf of Pastor Marilyn,

Blessings and Stay Well,

Lorene Jewitt, Office Admin

January 30, 2021

Dear Church Family,

The newsletter came out this week and I will not duplicate all that information.  I do hope that you will take on the “Walk from Syria” challenge and will invite friends and neighbours to do so as well. 

I do want to share some insights from Friday’s town hall with Bishop Sid and Pastor Ali. We will be worshiping on-line at least until the end of February and likely longer. There is hope ahead, but the need to be careful remains.  A number of the participants in the town hall expressed the fear that people would not return to church when the pandemic is over. Bishop Sid reminded us that the church tends to do poorly when it is rich, but thrives when it experiences adversity.  I would, once again, like to remind us that the church is not a building, it is the people. Many voices spoke to this anxiety and the common theme was to trust that God walks with us now and in the time to come. 

I am glad we are talking about this anxiety.  This week many have added the phrase “Let’s talk” to their facebook icon and it is good to talk about mental illness. It’s good to talk about what bothers us, it’s good to talk about fears and anxiety.  Partly it’s good because then these things no longer hold the power of secrecy over us.  And partly it’s good to have a listening ear to help us wade through our thoughts and make some sense of them. I hope you have some good listening ears in your life.  Parish Nurse Carol and I are also good listening ears. 

Information from our Sask Synod town hall also highlighted that the high numbers of covid right now are driven by youth and young adults.  I don’t want to minimize the stress of pandemic and isolation for those who are older, but I think the younger generation is dealing with some unique daunting challenges. For one thing this pandemic has taken over a greater part of their lives.  If you are 10 years old this pandemic has been part of almost 1/10th of your life.  Those of us on the other end of the age spectrum have more life experience to balance that out. However, all ages are united in our need for kindness and care.  Given that, your assignment this week is to contact someone from a different generation to offer your kindness and care.

In Christ,

Pastor Marilyn

 

Link for worship this week:  https://youtu.be/amovEUjRvHQ

Worship by Phone: 1-306-205-1168