Events
Upcoming & Past Events:
Book Group (March) - The Powers that Be: Theology for a New Millennium (1999)
See more info about the Book Group here.
Note: April discussion has been moved from Apr.4th to Apr.18th.
Apr. 18, 2024 discussion: Walter Wink, The Powers That Be: Theology for a New Millennium (1999) (Amazon.ca link)
What does evil look like and how does it operate in the world? Can we really change the world? Seriously? Or have we pretty much given up? Walter Wink, influential theologian, Bible scholar, and activist for social change, explains how systems of evil work in our world, and how The Way of Jesus brings real, do-able hope for changing the world.
Online discussion Thursday, April 18, 7:00-8:30 pm.
Email connect@westsprings.church for the Zoom link.
The Contemplative Journey - Centering Prayer Workshop
This workshop will give us grounding in the method of Centering Prayer, a practice of silent surrender that deepens our relationship with God.
The workshop includes both learning and practice, drawing deeply on the teachings of Fr. Thomas Keating. The sessions will teach us what to do with our busy mind and the barrage of thoughts we all experience when we move toward interior silence.
There is no charge for this workshop. Everyone is welcome and no experience is necessary. Bring your own lunch.
Details: Please see the full details in this PDF: Contemplative-Workshop.pdf
Presenter: Liz Rees (see PDF above for more info)
When: Sat., April 13, 2024 10am - 3:30pm
Where: West Springs Church
Sign-up by filling out the sign-up sheet at the coffee bar in the foyer, or by emailing office@westsprings.church
3rd Annual Easter Egg Hunt
Welcome to the 3rd Annual West Side Easter Event!
This is a community event being held at West Springs Church — a day filled with fun, food, and Easter festivities. This in-person event is perfect for families looking to celebrate the holiday together.
Food trucks, free coffee, face painting, games, egg hunting, photo booth, and more! Don't miss out on this exciting opportunity to create lasting memories with your loved ones. Mark your calendars and get ready for a day of Easter fun!
Full Details and tickets: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/3rd-annual-the-west-side-easter-event-tickets-851048899167
When and Time: March 30, 2024, Saturday from 2 PM to 4 PM.
We need volunteers for setup 1-2pm, during the event 2-4pm and tear down 3:45- 4:15pm. Please send the church office a message if you can support, at office@westspings.church
My Little Plastic Jesus - Tim Bratton
My Little Plastic Jesus
Tim Bratton is a Free Methodist member living in Saskatoon who performs a one-man traveling road show called My Little Plastic Jesus across Western Canada in people's home. Tim is connected to our congregation in that he's married to Amy Caswell, who is John Lyons's niece, one of West Spring's long-time members.
To quote from Tim's website:
"In this one-man living room show, Tim Bratton finds hilarity and heartache as he unpacks his upbringing in evangelical pop culture, examining its folly and redeeming its faith. "
Alan Chan will be hosting Tim and his show in his living room on Saturday, March 16, at 8 pm. For the price of the ticket, we will throw in all the pop and tea you can drink and Cecilia's homemade buns! Details and ticketing information can be found at:
International Potluck
March 3 we will be hearing from CCIS (the Calgary Catholic Immigration Society) during our service. They will share some of their work, a bit more about refugee settlement, and the ways our own Asylum Seekers Initiative works with their organization. This will be followed by an international potluck.
Bring your favourite main dish or dessert that represents your cultural and ethnic heritage to share. If you desire, label your dish with its title and country of origin. We look forward to tasting these dishes and getting to know one another through your food and the story it tells!
Book Group (Feb) - C.S. Lewis - The Great Divorce
See more info about the Book Group here.
Feb. 29, 2024 discussion: A classic good-old-books selection: C.S. Lewis, The Great Divorce (Amazon.ca Link)
The story about a famous bus ride from hell, written by the author of “The Narnia Tales” and “Mere Christianity.” His short novel explores the question, “Who goes home?” and how we think about good and evil.
Online discussion Thursday, Feb. 29, 7:00-8:30 pm. Email connect@westsprings.church for the Zoom link.
Continuing Discussions - Doctrine of Discovery
Continuing the Conversation on Truth and Reconciliation
What: Watch the film together and discuss (see below), led by Dr. Heather Bensler (Assistant Dean and Associate Professor, Faculty of Nursing)
When: Feb 25th, immediately after the morning service (around 11:15am)
Where: At the church, in classroom #2
“Doctrine of Discovery: Stolen lands, Strong Hearts” is a film about a devastating decision, made over 500 years ago, which continues to profoundly impact Indigenous and Settler people worldwide. Pope Alexander VI ruled that the lands being discovered by European explorers at the time was “empty” land and its millions of Indigenous inhabitants were “non-human”, thus paving the way for colonization of North America. This film is one of the responses of the Anglican Church’s Primate’s Commission on Discovery, Reconciliation and Justice. The purpose of this film is to respond to the 94 TRC calls to action by helping to provide education and insight into the troubling foundations of many of our property and other laws still in existence to this day.
Join us to watch the film together and discuss how we can respond as Christians to our history and our responsibilities moving forward.
Book Group - Out of the Embers (January)
See more info about the Book Group here.
Jan. 25 2024 discussion: Bradley Jersak, Out of the Embers: Faith After the Great Deconstruction (Amazon.ca Link)
Deconstruction – trendy name for falling away from belief in God? Or a process essential to authentic faith? In the early 21st century the Church in North America is experiencing a mass exodus this author has dubbed “The Great Deconstruction.” Something big is happening here… but what? Unpacking insights of ancient philosophers and great influencers, Jersak helps us understand this significant moment in history that we are passing through and how best to navigate it. What will remain when our faith-houses of wood, hay and stubble are consumed by the flames of deconstruction?
Online discussion Thursday, January 25, 7:00-8:30 pm. Contact Merlette Schnell at connect@westsprings.church for the Zoom link.
The Chosen - New Women's Connect Group
A new kind of opportunity especially for women to connect with each other. A weekly gathering to view this popular film version of the life of Jesus (starting with Season 1), followed by informal conversation.
When: Begins January 10. Wednesday mornings, 10:00am-Noon.
Where: Hosted by Heather Van Normal in her home.
For more details or to reserve your seat, contact Merlette Schnell connect@westsprings.church.
Christmas Eve Candlelight Service @5pm
Sunday, Dec. 24th (Christmas Eve) at 5pm:
Join us for our Christmas Eve Candlelight service! Full of beautiful music, the telling of the Christmas story, and a special candlelight ending you won’t want to miss. A great time to come with family, meet your neighbours, and share in the beauty of the Christmas story!
Please note: there is no regular morning service on Sunday, only this 5pm event!
Potluck + Christmas Celebration Service
On December 17th we will hear from our WSC Christmas choir, engage with a Mustard Seed representative and we will have a special guest speaker, Caitlin Bangsund, join us to finish off our advent sermon series.
This will be followed by a church potluck. Everyone is welcome to join, and for those who are able we ask that you bring your favorite holiday side dish to share.
Turkey and Ham are provided by our wonderful Hospitality Team.
WSCRA Holiday Event
WSCRCA is hosting a holiday event with Mr. and Mrs. Claus on Saturday, December 2nd, from 1-5 pm at West Springs Church (816 78th Street SW).
Join us for colouring crafts and activities, live Christmas music by West Springs Church, visits by Santa's elves, outdoor horse-drawn sleigh rides, hot chocolate and sugar cookies, outdoor Butterfield Acres petting zoo, and story-time with Santa's elves!
Registration closes November 26th. The cost is $15 per WSCRCA family and $50 for non-member families to attend.
Please see all the details and how to register, here: WCRA Holiday Event Registration
Book Group - Nov.30 - “Curveball”
See more info about the Book Group here.
The 2nd book of our Fall/Winter 2023 lineup - Peter Enns, Curveball: When Your Faith Takes Turns You Never Saw Coming (2023) [Amazon.ca Link]
Is your God too small? In his latest book, Enns tackles of the “scary” topics that worry many Christians and shows that God is bigger and more mysterious and wonderful than anyone’s expectations. But we need a faith that can grow just as deeply.
Online Discussion: Thursday, November 30, 7:00-8:30 pm.
Amazon links for the Fall/Winter 2023 books:
Nov. 30 discussion - Peter Enns, Curveball: When Your Faith Takes Turns You Never Saw Coming
Jan. 25 2024 discussion - Bradley Jersak, Out of the Embers: Faith After the Great Deconstruction
Email Merlette Schnell at connect@westsprings.church for the Zoom link for any and for any questions/info.
Church Fall Potluck
Sunday, November 5th, we will have a potluck meal after the service. Everyone is invited. Bring a dish to share with the congregation. Join us as we fellowship together over a meal!
Fall Cleanup 2023
Fall Clean Up - *** new date ***
Join us on Saturday October 28 from 9am - 11am for the 2nd round of cleaning up our premises.
Activities include spreading some mulch, weeding, and clearing garbage out of our gardens.
If you are available to help email: office@westsprings.church
Book Group - Oct.26 - The Blue Parakeet
See more info about the Book Group here.
The 1st book of our Fall 2023 lineup - The Blue Parakeet: Professor and author of “The King Jesus Bible” Scot McKnight challenges us to rethink how to read the Bible, not just to puzzle it together into some systematic belief or historical tradition but to see it as an ongoing Story that we're summoned to enter and to carry forward in our day.
Amazon links for the Fall 2023 books:
Oct. 26 discussion - Scot McKnight, The Blue Parakeet: Rethinking How You Read the Bible, 2nd Edition
Nov. 30 discussion - Peter Enns, Curveball: When Your Faith Takes Turns You Never Saw Coming
Jan. 25 2024 discussion - Bradley Jersak, Out of the Embers: Faith After the Great Deconstruction
Email Merlette Schnell at connect@westsprings.church for the Zoom link for any and for any questions/info.
Now that Faith has Come - Galatians Study
Wednesdays, 'Bring Your Lunch' at 11am - 12:30pm, beginning October 18th.
Vickie Lynn will be facilitating, “Now that Faith has Come: A Study of Galatians” as taught by Beth and Melissa Moore. This opened to all.
You can:
Purchase the workbook and complete all the homework in it each week (approximately 1 hr each day)
Purchase the workbook and use it as a video and discussion guide each week, completing only the workbook questions that look relevant to you.
Not purchase the workbook, watch the 30-minute video with the group, and participate in discussion about the workbook questions with our group each week.
Bring your lunch!
For more information please email connect@westsprings.church, or speak with Vickie.
Paint Nite!
Paint Nite!
October 15th, 2023, 7-9pm at Buffalo Bob’s Canadian Pub 3715 51 Street SW. Come on out for a fun night of socializing and painting. Limited spots!
West Side Calgary Halloween Family Event
The 2nd Annual West Side Calgary Halloween Family Event
The Lara Mitchell Group, with West Springs Church, invites you for a fun-filled spooky afternoon celebrating Halloween!
A lot of surprises in store for you! There will be food trucks, photo booth, a pumpkin giveaway, games, treats, and more!
The event will be on Saturday, October 15th, from 3 PM to 5 PM at the West Springs Church Calgary. The address is 816 78 Street SW, Calgary, AB T3H (just off of 77th Street SW)
Come and dress up in your favourite costume!
Please go to EventBrite here to buy tickets ($2.50) and to see all the details!
Evolving Faith Conference
We are hosting a gathering for those who want to virtually participate in the Evolving Faith conference together. The details on Evolving Faith are here: https://evolvingfaith.com/.
Their main page says:
“Welcome home, questioner and doubter. Question-asker, status-quo upender, church kid, Bible nerd, rebel, yes, you. You wonderer, spiritual refugee, weary one, idealistic cynic and disappointed disciple. Hello, we see you.”
“Evolving Faith exists to cultivate love and hope in the wilderness, pointing fellow wanderers and misfits to God as we embody resurrection for the sake of the world.”
A number of prominent speakers, including Sarah Bessey, Krista Tippett, Danté Stewart, Nadia Bolz-Weber, the Rev. Wil Gafney, Ph.D., and more (see here: https://evolvingfaith.com/conference/speakers)
Contact office@westsprings.church to register
WSC Camping Weekend
If you love camping, love the outdoors, or just love hanging around a camp fire, come join us!
We are going camping July 14th-15th.
Summer is here and it is time to sign up for our camping weekend. Whether you wish to say for the whole weekend, join in for a bonfire or a meal the information you need is below. Sign up by Tuesday July 11th so we can plan for you and your family. If you have more questions please connect with Al Chan directly (his contact info is in the weekly church email. If you are not on the email list, email office@westsprings.church to sign-up to receive these emails).
Directions:
Please see map sent in the email. (As this is a private property, we are not posting on our public website).
Times:
July 14th Camp set up time will begin at 2pm
July 16 tear down at your leisure
Supper on July 14 and 15 6pm
Bonfire at 7or 730 pm
Do I have to stay the whole time?
Come one or two nights or only for the day. (But tell us so we can have the supplies on hand if you are eating with us.)
Meals:
We will have a communal cookout for supper will be provided the evening of the 14 and 15 and breakfast provided the morning of the 15th and 16th.
Cost will be determined by the number of individuals eating together.
Please plan to provide your own noon day meals and snacks to share.
(If everyone can make their own sandwiches for lunch, then it will save you bringing cooking gear since I will have the hot meals covered. )
If you want to make coffee you might want to bring a small burner to heat up the pot.
Details:
· Open pit outhouse. Bring a roll of toilet paper and wet wipes.
· Lots of fire wood and a fire pit available. Al will bring the firestarter and axe.
· Bring your own water supplies, no water is at site.
· No electricity is at site, bring a small battery to charge your cell phone. Cell phone reception is spotty.
· Tent or car camping, there are two cabins but they are used by the owners of the property.
· We are open to day visitors, come for supper or the bonfire
· This is a heavily wooded area on a hill. Our campsite will be a flat spot. Safe for kids to wander around however this area does have wildlife.
· This is private property so we won't be following the rather restrictive Parks rules, that being said I will still follow animal safe rules around food storage. You are welcome to bring bear spray, though a few others will have it.
· The town of Millarville is approximately 15 km away so its easy to get supplies you forgot.
Sign Up
Let Al Chan know if you are attending by Tuesday, July 11th by texting or emailing him at the contact info provided in the email. Include your name, the number attending, if you are planning to sleep overnight, the meals you will be joining.
Stampede Breakfast
Stampede Breakfast!!! A community event co-hosted with Lara Mitchell Realty Group.
Pancakes, Music, and Kids’ activities!
9am-11am Sunday, July 9th!
Book Group (June)
See more info about the Book Group here.
Current Book (June 2023): Brian Zahnd’s Sinners in the Hands of a Loving God: The Scandalous Truth of the Very Good News. Amazon Link.
Many have grown up believing that unless they live the right kind of perfect life, God will “get them.” That kind of thinking has left many people primarily afraid of God and frustrated or stunted in their spiritual life. In Sinners in the Hands of a Loving God (which Relevant Magazine named one of the Top 10 Books of 2017), pastor Brian Zahnd questions the theology of an angry and vindictive God who delights in punishing sinners and where the implications of such a view of God lead us. He cuts through all the fear and fundamentalism to reveal the gospel that is indeed good news.
When/Where: After two years of on-line discussions, the discussion for this book will be IN PERSON… WITH PIE at Lee Raine’s home on Wednesday, June 21 @ 7pm. Please let Merlette Schnell know before June 21st if you plan to attend or email: connect@westsprings.church
Signup early for the Zoom link by emailing: connect@westsprings.church
Father's Day Pancake Potluck
Let’s celebrate the fathers and men in our lives!
The church will provide the pancakes, syrup, butter. We suggest that you bring a side (fruit, bacon, sausage, etc.), if you are able. Everyone is welcome!!!
Sun, June 18th, 11:15am (immediately after the morning service).
West Side 2nd Annual Easter Egg Hunt Event
The Lara Mitchell Group and The West Springs Church would like to invite you to the 2nd Annual Easter Egg Hunt Event. We aim to bring our community together and meet new friends through family events that everyone can enjoy.
Details here: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/the-west-side-2nd-annual-easter-egg-hunt-event-tickets-577592593997
What to expect?
Egg hunt - There will be 2 groups for the egg hunt. 8 years old and below will hunt inside the church. 9 years old and above will hunt eggs in a designated area outside the church. We are going to put the chocolates out at the same time and once it's gone then it's done.
Yummy Food Truck vendors are coming.
Fun Games for all ages
The Easter Bunny is coming for a visit
A Photo Booth to capture great memories
When and Time: April 8, 2023, Saturday from 1 PM to 3:30 PM.
What To Bring: Donate a can good for the Food Bank
Spring Cleanup
April 6 & 7, 12-8pm @ WSC. Pastor Kevin will be at the church both days with cleaning supplies, tools, and a to do list as tall as he is to spruce up the interior of our space. Come for an hour (or 3!) any time during those hours and he’ll be extremely grateful for your help!
Hot Topics Group - Christians & Politics
Hot Topics group — anyone & everyone welcome! This month’s topic is “Christians & Politics: Walking through the mud without getting dirty”. We will be meeting virtually over Zoom this month, April 4th @ 7pm.
Email connect@westsprings.church for the Zoom link or for any questions.
Leader: Rachelle Babcock.
The Hot Topics group is a get-together to have discussions on a variety of topics to spark and fuel spiritual growth. They are informal, meeting-for-coffee like conversations. No homework. See more here: https://westsprings.church/connect/spirituality
Book Group (March) - Surprised By Hope
See more info about the Book Group here.
Current Book (Feb/March 2023): N. T. Wright, Surprised by Hope: Rethinking Heaven, the Resurrection, and the Mission of the Church (Amazon.ca link)
Acclaimed author and leading New Testament scholar Tom Wright tackles the question of what happens after we die, showing how most Christians today are getting it wrong and the critical difference it makes in how we live and the hope we have. Essential reading for 21st Century followers of Jesus.
Online discussion Thursday, March 30, 7:00 pm
Signup early for the Zoom link by emailing: connect@westsprings.church
An Evening with Dr. Beth Barr (Author of The Making of Biblical Womanhood: How the Subjugation of Women Became the Gospel Truth)
The University of Calgary Department of Classics & Religion, in partnership with the Calgary Public Library, presents: An Evening with Beth Allison Barr.
Dr. Beth Barr, a historian who specializes in medieval, women's and church history and is the author of the well known book, "The Making of Biblical Womanhood", will be in Calgary on March 2, 2023. She will be discussing the book, reflecting on its thesis and international reception over the last two years.
This is a free event, but you must register. To register and for more information: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/an-evening-with-dr-beth-allison-barr-the-chair-of-christian-thought-bental-tickets-
For more about Dr. Beth Allison Barr: https://bethallisonbarr.com/about/
Lent Coffee Hour
Lent begins at the end of February and this year we would like to foster connection and relationship building. Thursday mornings between 9:45am and 11:15am, February 23 to April 6 will be a time to connect at the church each morning for coffee and conversation.
Most mornings will be hosted by Pastor Keitha and her co-host Yaa. If you are interested in co-hosting, give Pastor Keitha a shout!
This will be an opportunity for those available during the daytime to bring questions, pray together and connect with new faces. We look forward to having you join us for a Thursday morning coffee.