Choir - The choir is a fun place and welcomes everyone. Terry, our director, selects uplifting choral music and our excellent accompanists, Meredith and Sue, help us learn and present the pieces to a most appreciative congregation. Terry found a recent article that speaks to the magic of being in a choir. It's not just magic there is science too! Below is a clip from the article by Jaimie Babbitt, and a link. (The article has a link to a nice choral piece too!)
"Any of us who have sung in choirs know all too well the joy it brings not just the audiences, but also the choir members themselves. And why wouldn’t it? When we raise our voices with lots of other gorgeous voices in a big, beautiful space, it feels like we’re altering molecules. The power, the mojo that this (relatively) small time commitment offers…how is it possible? Well, according to various scientific reports, we are altering molecules…inside our brains, with different changes occurring whether listening to music, singing, or singing with others. Our voices don’t have to be “professional strength” to derive these myriad health benefits."
Link to the article "Your Brain and Singing: Why Singing in a Choir Makes You Happier" by Jaime Babbitt: https://www.choraldirectormag.com/articles/vocal-pro/your-brain-and-singing-why-singing-in-a-choir-makes-you-happier/
Worship and Sacraments Committee - The committee is responsible for the following:
Oversee the worship services and the sanctuary
Evaluate the worship services
Collaborate with the Minister on the liturgy (Order of Worship)
Arrange pulpit supply when the Minister is on holidays or study leave
Oversee and support the music program of the congregation, the choir director, the accompanist(s), and the purchase of the music
Look after the pulpit, the Communion Table, flowers, banners, posters, decorations
Prepare the Communion elements and care for the Communion vessels
Arrange for and instruct servers prior to Communion Services
Arrange for Greeters, ushers, and those receiving the offering
Examine and recommend to the Council new members to be received by Confirmation, Restoration, or Transfer of Membership
Recommend to Council the baptism, funeral, and wedding policies
Oversee the nursery program
Oversee the technology for worship
Submit to council by November 30 an annual operating budget.
UCM - United Church Men
The Men's group is a group of men in the church.
They meet periodically and sponsor a number
of important events in the church through the
year - BBQs, pancake breakfasts. Enjoy some male bonding and fellowship with us.
UCW - United Church Women
For more than 60 years, the United Church Women (UCW) have met to converse, plan ways to support the church and its congregants, and learn from invited speakers. We meet on the first Wednesday of every month at 1:30 PM in the back Hall of the Church for a short meeting, and then like to enjoy a beverage and something for the other hand after the program. We also support our Church and community by catering for funeral lunches and dinners, hosting the annual Cookie Walk (held on the third Saturday in November, at 10:00 AM).
UCW "Recreated by the Stony Plain United Church" Greeting Card Project: The "Recreators" meet on Thursday mornings in the Back Hall from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Since the group's conception, we have recycled thousands of greeting cards by replacing the backs and adding creative embellishments. We always appreciate the donation of used greeting cards "with the backs intact", as we need the spines in order to add the new backs, and the verses, which are also reused. Lately we have branched out into other projects using the greeting cards, and are always open to suggestions.
We invite anyone who is interested in our creative group to come and check us out on Thursday mornings. The coffee is always on!
For information contact the church office, 780-963-4745 or email to UCW at