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.