Gaetz Groups
Prayer Shawl Ministry:
While drooling over yarn and knitting patterns, I have often run
across references to "Prayer Shawls" but had never been
quite sure what they were. Over coffee one night, Fran suggested
that I might like to start a "Prayer Shawl Ministry" at
Gaetz and I had to admit my ignorance. I went home and checked the
Internet, and what I learned intrigued me.
Prayer shawls have a long history. In the Jewish tradition, shawls
are worn as a sign of devotion and a reminder to the wearer of his
or her faith. In 1997, two American women began knitting shawls
to give to those in crisis, life changes or simply in need of a
loving hug. The idea caught on and soon knitters and crocheters
everywhere were turning their art to loving and prayerful purpose.
As the shawls are being made, the creator "meditates"
on the person who will receive the shawl, infusing the garment with
love and prayer. Recipients of the shawls are told the story of
their creation and urged to wrap themselves in the shawls whenever
they need to feel the warmth and love with which they were created.
If and when the time comes when the wearer feels it is right to
pass the shawl on, they are asked to add their blessings and tell
the new recipient the story.
Prayer shawls can be plain or fancy, large or small. They may be
made by one person alone or a "patchwork" shawl, created
by many hands. Often, after a number of shawls are completed, they
are dedicated during a Sunday service and then kept at the church
to be given out when needed.
When are they needed? When someone is facing surgery, has lost a
loved one, is moving away and needs a reminder of home, has graduated
and is moving to a new career, is "empty nesting", is
ordained, is diagnosed with a serious illness.....the list is endless!
So...I am proposing that those who would like to be a part of a
Prayer Shawl Ministry at Gaetz give me a call. We will plan to meet
once (twice?) a month on a Saturday morning (?) for coffee and fellowship
and to encourage each other.
Don't knit or crochet? No problem. Those of us who do would be happy
to teach you, thus passing along our art! Age is not a problem.
I learned to knit as a young child from my grandmother - young people
are more than welcome!!! All thumbs?? Did you ever do "spool
knitting" as a child? I plan to have several "grown-up
size" spools and looms. If you could do it then, think how
much better you will be at it now!!
Want to be involved but don't have a creative bone in your body???
If you wish to donate money, it will be used for yarn or other materials!!
Contact: Joyce
Senior Choir
If you love to sing, then this is the group for you. Open to all,
with or without previous musical experience. A 4-part chorus with
lots of internal fun and caring, which provides leadership for the
hymns and offers a special selection each week in worship. Rehearsals
are Wednesday evenings, 7:30 PM in the Choir Room. News can be accessed
by clicking here.
Contact: Miriam
New: Gaetz Spirit Singers!
If you think you might enjoy singing contemporary praise music
on a regular basis, then this group is designed for you! This new
intergenerational music worship team will rehearse weekly throughout
the year at a time and day that is to be agreed upon by all interested
in becoming members. This music team will be one that will perform
and lead newer contemporary hymns as well as new arrangements of
older hymns/anthems at various times throughout the year. This group
is designed to be a smaller group of singers that will compliment
our current weekly senior choir offerings. The Spirit Singers invitation
is open to people of all ages - young and old - who want to explore
the wide variety of contemporary Christian music and who will act
as song leaders for contemporary hymn sings and services. This group
will also have the opportunity to work with members of the Synergy
band and rhythm section. News about this group will be posted here.
Contact: Greg
Golden Gaetz Ringers Handbell Group
A wonderful chance to meet and mix with a group of people and learn
the time-honoured skill of handbell ringing. The ringers meet Thursday
evenings at 7:00PM in the sanctuary. You can find news about this
group by clicking here.
Contact: Melanie
Junior Handbell Choir
Calling all children 7 years old and up! Come and have fun playing
the handbells. Director - Melanie can be reached through the church
office and you can find news by clicking here.
Contact: Melanie
Synergy Worship Band
All instrumentalists and all ages are welcome to join this group.
Last year we had 16-20 musicians who regularly practiced after church
and prepared pieces to be perfermed at 4-5 services throughout the
year. We try to keep our rehearsals a half-hour long and enjoy playing
sacred music in swing and rock stylings. Director - Greg can be
reached through the church office and news can be found by clicking
here. For a photo of our group,
please click here!
Contact: Greg
Youth Groups
These three youth groups offer opportunities for children and youth
to enjoy social activities, high-energy fun, recreation and of course,
eating!! Activity details will be mentioned in the bulletins Sunday
mornings, and updates can be found by clicking here.
Sneaker Set - Grades 4 and 5 - Leader: Karen
and Diane
G.U.M.S. - Grades 6 to 8 - Leader: Laurel
and Susan
Senior High - Grades 9 to 12...After many years
on the Christian Development Committee and working with Senior
High Youth, Diane and Suzan are stepping down from the Senior
High planning committee although they will continue to help out
in other ways. Adam Spiers will stay on as support for youth events
and classroom but definitely needs help for planning/chaperoning
youth events and in the classroom on Sunday mornings. We would
like to ask the parents/guardians to plan one youth group activity
(or more)for the year. The youth have lots of suggestions.
As for the classroom, Suzan, Adam and Kathleen have shared the
leadership role which helped with continuity in the classroom.
We need to find 2 or 3 volunteers to fill this role again starting
in September.
If you could volunteer in the classroom as a guest (one week
commitment), classroom leadership or as a teacher to lead discussion
or follow a curriculum based program please contact one of Gaetz
CD committee as listed above.
- Leader: Adam
Study Group
An opportunity to explore the bible, its people and issues of
faith. Come, as you are able, and join in the lively discussions
and fellowship, each Wednesday morning, 10:00AM to noon. News can
be found by clicking here.
Contact: Fran
Book Club
Would you like to get together with others to discuss various
books from a faith perspective? A couple of times each year, a book
will be selected that we can read and discuss on an evening over
potluck desserts and refreshments. News can be accessed by clicking
here.
Contact: Brenda
Movie Nights
This is an opportunity for singles or couples to come together
for a social evening. Each month, a movie will be chosen for all
to view. This will be followed by a time for discussion, fellowship
and food. Join in each month or as often as you can. Watch for updates
by clicking here or in the church
bulletin.
Quilters
Welcomes anyone who likes to quilt or would like to learn the art
of quilting. They meet every Thursday morning, 9:00 to noon in the
Parlour. For news, click here.
Contact: Vi
The Laughing and Living Gaetz Red Hat Group
This is a dis-organization with just one rule: that you dress for
fun in your red hat and purple clothes when we get together. We
are so glad to share our time with each other and we welcome all
who want to celebrate their womanhood with humour and support for
others. There are chapter activities about once a month, and events
we can attend in the Red Deer and neighbouring areas. Annual registration
fee is $5.00. News will be posted here.
Ongoing events:
Bower Mall - 2nd Monday of each month, 10:00 a.m. in the food court.
Parkland Mall - 4th Monday of each month, 7:00 p.m. in the food
court.
Contact: Betty
AOTS - As One That Serves
The AOTS Team extends this invitation to all: there is no membership
fee to attend; the invitation is gender inclusive. Our purpose is
to foster Christian faith in others by providing fellowship (along
with food). We are the largest single group that meets regularly.
You are welcome. Meets on the first Monday of each month at 6:30PM,
unless there is a conflict with a long weekend. Then it is on the
second Monday. News can be found by clicking here.
Contact: Bert
U.C.W. - United Church Women
There are two units of the UCW at Gaetz. These women meet to share
fellowship, service, and personal enrichment times. All women are
invited to attend. Click here
for news.
- Wilson Gardiner - meets the third Tuesday of
each month, 1:30PM in the Parlour.
Contact: Gwen
- Jubilee - meets the second Wednesday of each
month, 1:30PM at the members' homes.
Contact: Doreen
Conferences and Retreats:
Day of Enrichment for All Women of the Church
These retreat days are held each spring and fall in various churches
in the region. Sponsored by the Red Deer Presbyterian United Church
Women. Watch for updates by clicking here
or in the bulletin.
Western Women's Conference
This is an annual conference for women. Get information by clicking
here or watch for it in the bulletin.
Registrations are available in the Narthex.
Banff Men's Conference
This is an annual conference for men, held in late October at
Banff, AB. Get information by clicking here
or watch for it in the bulletin. Brochures will also be available
each spring.
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