Monday, June 24, 2019

Cause for Celebration!!



A century ago -- just after the Great War (the War to End All Wars -- remember?) -- a Canadian fellow and his England-born bride returned to Canada and set to creating a home in these parts.  Mr. and Mrs. Ironside built their "Happy Valley Ranch" a few miles south and west of Lacombe, Alberta, along what is now known as the Aspelund (Aspen Land) road -- so named in honour of the proliferation of aspen throughout the entire area.

There they raised a family.

When Your Faithful Editor moved out this way and began to attend St. Cyprian's Anglican Church, she met Eileen Ironside (then well up in age) and her daughter, Heather Ironside Osborne.

Heather and her family are celebrating the Centenary of the founding of this farm on June 30, 2019.

They have invited the good folks of St. Cyprian's to have an outdoor Eucharist service there...to be followed by a potluck lunch.

Any who are willing and able are also invited to remain for the Open House celebration that begins there at 1 p.m.

Outdoor Worship Service: 10:00 a.m.
Celebrant: Rev. Dr. Robert Sears
Music: Joan Grover on keyboard

Potluck lunch to follow

Centenary Open Celebration: 1:00 p.m.
All welcome!


Almighty God, we thank you for making the fruitful earth produce what is needed for life.  Bless those who work in the fields; give us favourable weather; and grant that all may share the fruits of the earth, rejoicing in your goodness; through your Son, Jesus Christ, Our Lord.  AMEN




Sunday, June 9, 2019

Lacombe Rocks!

It all started last summer...when Lacombe resident, Melodie Reid, decided to spread some joy around Lacombe -- and on Facebook -- by leaving painted rocks here and there.  Click HERE to read how it all started.

The idea, taken from something similar started over in the U.K., caught on, and now you might find a rock in the most unusual places.

St. Cyprian's has been honoured with 3 such rocks, the latest one painted like Bob the Tomato, a character from the children's video series, Veggie Tales.


Parishioner Alison Thompson discovered him on Thursday evening (June 6) on her way in to the church for music practice.  As of this morning (Sunday, June 9), he was still grinning from his perch on the window sill outside the front doors.

She's shared his photo via Facebook, and we're sharing it here too -- and on the Parish FB page. 

It doesn't take much to bring a smile -- join in the fun: find some smooth rocks and paint along!

P.S. If you or your kids never watched Veggie Tales, here's just a clip...featuring Larry the Cucumber and -- of course -- his friend Bob, the Tomato.



Poetry for Pentecost: T.S. Eliot






The dove descending breaks the air
With flame of incandescent terror
Of which the tongues declare
The one dischage from sin and error.
The only hope, or else despair
Lies in the choice of pyre of pyre-
To be redeemed from fire by fire.

Who then devised the torment? Love.
Love is the unfamiliar Name
Behind the hands that wove
The intolerable shirt of flame
Which human power cannot remove.
We only live, only suspire
Consumed by either fire or fire.

               -- T.S. Eliot, "Little Gidding", IV, from Four Quartets