June 28th, 2026 - Canada Day Sunday
Canada became a country on July 1, 1867, when the British North America Act united the colonies of Canada (now Ontario and Quebec), Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick into the self-governing Dominion of Canada. But while 1867 marks Canada's official birth, the country achieved full legal independence in stages.
Canada Day is a big deal in our household. Both my parents were teenagers/young adults living in the Netherlands under the Nazi occupation in WW2. Life was perilous and tenacious. Relatives and neighbours were sent to work camps, factories and concentration camps.
Food was scarce. By 1945, dinner might consist of boiled potato skins or flower bulbs. Starvation was just around the corner. Another winter would have seen the death of many due to the lack of food and adequate heating.
Canada officially entered World War II on September 10, 1939, exactly one week after Britain and France declared war on Germany. A country with limited ties to the European mainland decided that defeating the Nazi regime was crucial for democracy’s survival. Canadian troops liberated the Netherlands from their oppressors. This act has never been forgotten and is acknowledged with deep gratitude every year.
When my parents considered immigration, Canada was their top choice. My father had lived and worked in several provinces before their marriage and fell in love with the beauty of the country. My mother was a well-respected teacher whose only request was that their move might be a community that had some other Dutch immigrants.
From the moment they stepped off the boat, they felt welcomed. While several moves were made to serve churches in other countries, Canada always had this special place in my father’s heart. When the opportunity to join the United Church of Canada presented itself, he jumped at the chance. He became a Canadian citizen a year later with Mom following some years after.
Canada has been home ever since.
Canada continues to draw many folks from around the world to its shores. It is celebrated as a mosaic rather than a melting pot. It is a place where we continue to learn from our historic mistakes and seek to make the necessary steps to reparation. Canada is a country that seeks to be better in its current and future relations.
The original Indigenous inhabitants, its early European settlers and the many immigrants who have come from far and wide make this country a vibrant, exciting and complex place to live. And because of it, we are richer for it. Happy Canada Day!
Rev. Deborah
ANNOUNCEMENTS
SINGERS WELCOME: Our choir is on summer break, but anyone who would like to help lead the singing during the church services over the summer is welcome to come up to the Choir Loft.
REV. DEBORAH ON VACATION: Rev. Deborah will be away the next 2 Sundays, July 5 and July 12. Please call the Church Office if you urgently need a Minister.
WHISPERING WATERS SERVICE FOR JULY CANCELLED: We will not be going to Whispering Waters for our usual Communion Service in July but plan to go the first Wednesday in August.
REMINDERS
MEWASSIN SUMMER SERVICES SCHEDULE: Here is Mewassin’s worship service schedule for the summer:
June 28: Regular Service
July 5 to Aug 2 inclusive: No Services (Summer Break)
Aug 9: Regular Service
Sat. Aug 15: 100th Anniversary Service
Sun. Aug 16: No Service
Aug 23: Regular (Communion) Service
Aug 30: No Service (Camping Weekend)
JUNE: NATIONAL INDIGENOUS HISTORY MONTH: An information board, featuring local placenames with their Indigenous origins, has been displayed in the Narthex throughout the month of June to celebrate National Indigenous History Month. This is the last Sunday for “Indigenous Origins” in the bulletin. Special thanks to St. Andrew's United Church for creating the info board and giving it to our church!
CANADA DAY CAR SHOW - JULY 1ST: Our Church, in conjunction with the Canada Day Car Show, is again running our "SPUC 'Bistro Cafe'" serving Breakfast, Lunch and Concession - ice cream, drinks, etc. at various times from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Visitors and Volunteers are welcome. Contact the Church office for more info. (Lots of volunteers are needed!)
MEWASSIN CAMPING WEEKEND AUG 28 – 30: Camping weekend at Entwistle RV Campground is happening from Friday, Aug. 28 to Sunday Aug. 30. Everyone is welcome – either to come and camp for the weekend or come for a visit. There will be a service & pot-luck supper on Saturday. Watch for more information via e-mail as we get closer to the date. There is no service at Mewassin on August 30.
MEWASSIN BOTTLE DRIVE SAT. SEPT 26: The bottle drive is tentatively scheduled for Saturday, September 26/26. So, if you’ve got bottles, we hope you can save them until then (if not we can arrange for an early pick-up). Sunday School appreciates our wonderful congregation's support.
M & P ANNOUNCEMENT: We are looking for a new Church Administrator to fill this position. If you are interested or know of someone who may be interested please contact Allan Scherlie for more information. Cell: 780 984-5657. Home: 780 892 3259.
Click for Position Description.
TOWN OF STONY PLAIN SUMMER ACTIVITIES AND PROGRAMS: There are copies of the Town’s upcoming event schedule on the table outside the sanctuary, as well as on the bulletin board, along with posters for most events.
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 28, 2026 Rev. Deborah in person at MEW and SP.
Sun. July 5, 2026 Rev. Deborah on vacation. NO SERVICE AT MEWASSIN.
Sun. July 12, 2026 Rev. Deborah on vacation. NO SERVICE AT MEWASSIN.
Sun. July 19, 2026 Rev. Deborah in person at Devon UC. NO SERVICE IN MEWASSIN.
Sun. July 26, 2026 Rev. Deborah in person at SP. NO SERVICE AT MEWASSIN.
WEEKLY ACTIVITIES
Ukuleles & Choir: No practices until September 2 or 9 unless otherwise notified
Card Recreators: Thursdays, 10 AM
MEETINGS AND SPECIAL EVENTS
|
Wednesday, July 1 |
NO Whispering Waters service |
|
July 5 - August 2, inclusive |
NO SERVICES AT MEWASSIN (Summer Break) |
|
Saturday, August 15 |
Mewassin 100th Anniversary Service |
|
Sunday, August 16 |
NO SERVICE AT MEWASSIN |
|
Friday, August 28 - Sunday, August 30 |
Mewassin campout at Entwhistle RV Campground |
|
Sunday, August 30 |
NO SERVICE AT MEWASSIN |
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.