More Alberta Travels

This is a picture of St Paul's, a small country church on Goodwin Road, visible from Hwy 43 between Debolt and the Smoky River Valley on the way to Grande Prairie. I'm not sure I've ever noticed it before, even though it is plainly visible from the highway. I learned about it from the Rev. Rose Howell at St Anne's Anglican in Valleyview, as it is part of her charge. The church is not in use at the moment, because it has no running water, just a 25 meter walk to an outhouse, and is heated by an old wood-burning stove.

But I thought I'd check it out anyway. There was a fresh 10 cm of snow on the ground, and the only tracks in the snow (before mine) were animal tracks. I was unable to get past the foyer, but took a couple of pictures through a window. The pews are all in place, and here is one picture that turned out (others didn't as there was too much reflection in the window glass). Note the ancient pump organ  in the bottom left. Once again, I find myself thinking of the people who built and once worshipped in small country churches like these, in contrast to others I visit with sanctuaries seating over 1000 and sound systems that cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. Quite a contrast. But as I've said before, we Christians today stand on the shoulders of those who came before and exercised their faith modestly in places like these.

Having said all that, let me report on my trip to Grande Prairie and the Peace Country.

I had a number of interesting, encouraging and productive visits. I connected with churches who are currently running Alpha's, some who are new to it, a couple who have in the past, are not right now, but who intend to later in the year, and some "cold calls" to churches where I found some interest.

One of my most encouraging meeting was with Sister Louise of the Diocesan Office of Evangelization and Catechesis for the Archdiocese of Grouard-McLennan, and John Kuran of the Holy Family Catholic School Board in Peace River. They are both very excited to get Alpha going at both the parish and the school level, so we'll see what God will work out there.

Blessings,

John

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