ACW Embodiment of 'Diocese as a Whole'

In his greetings to the congregation gathered during Advent for the Anglican Church Women (ACW) Midday Eucharist, on Thursday, December 7, at All Saints’ Anglican Cathedral, Bishop Stephen London said he has spent "much time thinking about a vision of the diocese as a whole.

“As a family in Christ, parishes do not need to compete, but we can celebrate the good work happening in each different place because we see ourselves as working together for the whole of the common good.

“The ACW transcends parish boundaries,” said Bishop London, Diocese of Edmonton ACW Chaplain. “You embody the truth that we are not just siloed, individual congregations. But we are a family of churches spread across central Alberta, all working together, of course, for the gospel of Jesus Christ.

“You come together, like today, from Wainwright, Ponoka, Onoway, Spruce Grove, Stony Plain, Beaumont and Edmonton as sisters in Christ for mission, fellowship and worship. I love that you know one another so well because you have spent time together doing many things: praying for each other and the bigger church, helping each other and the bigger church, raising money for local initiatives, national and international initiatives… 

“You are ACW members from individual parishes, but you are also the ACW for the whole diocese, as well as being part of a much larger family, the ACW across Canada. I give thanks for the great ministry you do together for Jesus. May God bless you richly in the year ahead.”