June 7th, 2026 – Pride Sunday
Pride Month is not simply a month to celebrate.
As Pride Month begins, many in the 2S (two-spirit) and LGBTQ+ community are carrying a mix of emotions. For some, this season brings joy, celebration, and connection. For others, it arrives alongside frustration, uncertainty, and concerns as we witness a relentless wave of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, harmful rhetoric, and efforts to erase or diminish the dignity of individuals and communities.
Pride Month is needed to remember all those times that 2S and LGBTQ+ folks have been discriminated against, persecuted, denied housing or employment, or refused to have been served in business establishments.
In the United States this past week the courts ruled that trans service members currently serving in the military cannot be dismissed because of their identity.
In Alberta recent events have seen the removal and banning of books from school and public libraries. I am reminded of the person who once said, “Reading a book with an LGBTQ+ character won’t make you gay any more than reading The Very Hungry Caterpillar will turn you into a butterfly.”
Consuming information or media about a topic does not alter your identity, beliefs, or orientation. Reading about a subject is simply an act of learning and expanding your perspective. Exploring different perspectives, cultures, or orientations is a fundamental way to build empathy and a better understanding of the world around you.
Pride has never been solely about celebration. Long before rainbow merchandise appeared in storefronts, LGBTQ+ people were organizing and demanding the right to love openly and authentically. Pride emerged from communities that refused to disappear. It was born from courage, sustained by love, and fueled by the conviction that every person deserves to live with dignity and belonging.
As members of the United Church of Canada, we affirm that gender and sexuality are gifts of God, and welcome people of all sexual orientations and gender identities.
Rev. Deborah
ANNOUNCEMENTS
CHOIR: There will be no Choir practices after June 10. We will resume Wed. Sept. 2 or 9. Anyone who would like to do “Special Music” during the summer is encouraged to contact the Church Office. Thanks to all who have participated in our Music Ministry this year!
MEWASSIN SUNDAY JUNE 21: There will be no service at Mewassin Sun. June 21. You can attend the Picnic Service in Devon or the service in Stony Plain.
MEWASSIN SUMMER BREAK: There will be no services at Mewassin from July 5 to August 2, inclusive. Regular services resume Sun. August 9.
REMINDERS
NATIONAL INDIGENOUS HISTORY MONTH: An information board, featuring local placenames with their Indigenous origins, will be displayed in the Narthex throughout the month of June to celebrate National Indigenous History Month. Every Sunday over the next few weeks there will be one or two Alberta placenames with their meanings and/or related stories included in the bulletin. Special thanks to St. Andrew's United Church for creating the info board and giving it to our church!
SUNDAY JUNE 7: June 7 is Pride Sunday. Please wear rainbow colours.
UCW MEETING WED JUNE 10: The UCW has changed their regular meeting date to the second Wednesday of the month. Thus, we will meet next on June 10 at Rotary Park for our "picnic in the park'. Bring your bag lunch, beverage, lawn chair, sun hat etc. Arrive at 11:30 AM to secure a good location. If the weather doesn't cooperate, the picnic will be in the church.
TUESDAY JUNE 16 SP COUNCIL MEETING: The Stony Plain Council will meet on Tuesday, June 16 at 7:00 pm in the Board Room or on Zoom.
SUNDAY, JUNE 21 DEVON PICNIC AND SERVICE: Our congregations are invited to join Devon United Church for their Sunday service in the Park on June 21! The service will begin at 10:00 a.m. with games and then picnic lunch to follow. A reminder to bring lawn chairs is on the invitation. We have lots of kites for the children to decorate and fly after the service, and the parachute games were a hit last year, so that is on the games agenda again. Potluck items are welcome if people wish: salads or dessert/fruit or finger foods. There is a sign-up sheet available – please add your name if you’d like to attend– we need to RSVP with our numbers of attendees by June 7. Stony Plain will still hold its regular 10:30 AM service, and Mewassin will have NO service.
PASSING ON YOUR CONCERNS: If you know of anyone who would like a visit or needs a card, please contact the Care Committee, Rev. Deborah or call the Church Office (780 963-4745) or email
REV DEBORAH’S SCHEDULE FOR UPCOMING SUNDAYS:
Sun. June 7, 2026 Rev. Deborah in person at Devon UC
Sun. June 14, 2026 Communion Rev. Deborah in person at MEW and SP
Sun. June 21, 2026 Rev. Deborah in person at Devon UC for their picnic service.
Mew & SP are invited. Regular 10:30 AM service at SPUC.
Sun. June 28, 2026 Rev. Deborah in person at MEW and SP
Sun. July 5, 2026 Rev. Deborah on vacation. NO SERVICE AT MEWASSIN.
WEEKLY ACTIVITIES
Ukuleles & Choir: Wednesdays: Ukes 6:00, Choir 7:00 PM
Card Recreators: Thursdays, 10 AM
MEETINGS AND SPECIAL EVENTS
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Wednesday, June 10 |
11:30 AM - UCW "Picnic in the Park" at Rotary Park |
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Tuesday, June 16 |
7:00 PM - SP Council Meeting |
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Sunday, June 21 |
Devon Picnic and Service - SP and MEW are invited! NO SERVICE AT MEWASSIN |
FROM OTHER UNITED CHURCHES AND THE COMMUNITY
(Posters on the Bulletin Board and on the table in the Narthex)
Town of Stony Plain Community and Social Development: Several programs are being offered in the next couple of months, including Mental Health Week Events, Sketch Book Club, Women’s Support Group, and many more.
July 1st - The Stony Plain Canada Day Car Show
- Breakfast from 8 to 10:30 AM
- Lunch from 11 AM to 1 PM
- and Concession - Ice Cream, drinks, chips from 10:30 AM to 3 PM.