• Those who are sick or suffering: Alison, Amy, Daphne, Donna, Katherine.
• Those who have died: Connie, Daniel, and those who mourn.
• Our brothers and sisters in Christ from Treaty Six and Treaty Eight First Nations.
• Bishop Sixbert and the Diocese of Buyé (Twinned Parishes).
• Request a prayer Click here to let us know what you would like 'pray-ers' in the diocese to pray for. We will use first names only for personal prayer requests. They will be removed after two or three weeks; please let us know if you would like a name to remain on or be returned to the list.

We at the Synod Office wish everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving! The office will be closed for the holiday Monday. We'll be back in business Tuesday, October 9 at 8:30am.

Bishop Jane Alexander is pleased to announce the appointment of the Rev. Nick Trussell to the position of Urban Reconciliation Facilitator, effective November 1. 

This position is shared by the Diocese of Edmonton and Christ Church, in conjunction with the diocesan Indigenous Ministries Initiative.

On September 30, the Feast of St. Michael and All Angels, and the day many members of the Edmonton diocese wore orange shirts and prayed for the children and families who suffered in the Indian Residential School system, Fr. Michael Lapsley conveyed his hope to “my dear sisters and brothers” of All Saints’ Cathedral (Sunday morning), and the Equally Anglican community at Holy Trinity Anglican Church (Sunday evening) that, eventually, “good will triumph over evil.”

“One of my favourite verses in scripture is the one (Revelation 12:7-9) we heard today,” said Fr. Lapsley. “Michael and his angels fought against the devil and his angels and evil was defeated.”

Fr. Michael Lapsley’s message – in brief – is that where there has been hurt and a tearing apart in our families; our communities; our nation, there needs to be healing if people are to come together and move forward in any real way, and that healing starts with telling our stories. Fr. Michael’s teaching style mirrors his message. Meeting on Monday, October 1 with clergy and lay readers from  throughout the diocese, he first showed the video describing his own life and journey, and then invited each person in turn to share whatever touched her or him the most.

On the evening of September 28, 17 amazing young people gathered in the Green Room of Holy Trinity Anglican Church to paint masterpieces, eat pizza, and chug down some beverages! Within a mere three hours, the talented youth painted their own versions of the "Trinity Tree" or, as one witty congregant named it, the "Tree-nity!" HTAC youth were joined by youth from around our diocese and from our ecumenical partners: Trinity Lutheran and St. Thomas D'Aquin. They spent the evening laughing, joking around, getting to know each other and bonding. 

Come join us for this exhibition at Bleeding Heart Art Space, October 13, 20 and 27, during gallery hours, from 11:00am to 3:00pm. We have collected voices from a variety of Edmonton youth through paint, drawing, craft and music. Young people ages 13-24 show off what they enjoy making, from pop art, to graffiti, to abstract expression. Admission is always free. Please join us for a special Opening Reception on October 13, between 2 and 4:00pm, featuring live musical performances. Refreshments will be provided.

This week, the Synod Office received pictures of the inside of the new extension to the pediatric ward in Buyè Diocese. Both the inside and outside of the building are now finished.  

Click below to see the most recent message from the Rev. Dominique Ciza, Diocesan Secretary and Health and Christian Education Coordinator in Buyè.

The Neighbourly is a monthly publication of the Capital Region Interfaith Housing Initiative, of which the Anglican Diocese of Edmonton is a founding and active member. This month's edition includes a full report on the very successful interfaith housing discussion held at Evangel Pentecostal Assembly on September 6 and video resources for viewing and sharing. 

Whether visiting parishes, leading and educating the community, providing pastoral support to the clergy, or representing the diocese within the worldwide communion of Anglicans, our Bishop is always on the move! Here are some of the events which Bishop Jane will be attending over the next few months:

October 4: ReDress Service at All Saints' Anglican Cathedral, Edmonton

October 7: Parish visit at St. Augustine of Canterbury, Edmonton

October 14: Confirmation at Holy Trinity Riverbend, Edmonton

October 18: Induction of the Rev. Cheryl Boulet at St. John the Divine, Onoway

Would you like to invite Bishop Jane to your event or parish? 
Please fill out the Parish Visit Form and/or contact Jen at assistant@edmonton.anglican.ca

This annual gala fundraiser assists the Bishops of Edmonton and the Arctic in supporting clergy and their families in times of need. This year, guest presenter Dr. P. Kim Sturgess, CEO and Founder of Alberta WaterSMART Solutions, will speak to the question: "Is water our next crisis?"

The Bishop's Fund Dinner will be held at the Royal Mayfair Golf Club on Wednesday, November 14, beginning at 6:00 pm. Tickets are $250 per person; $125 for clergy; $2,000 for a table of 8. RSVP  POSTER

September 2018 marks the 125th anniversary of the General Synod of the Anglican Church of Canada. To mark the occasion, and to prepare for General Synod 2019, Archbishop Fred Hiltz is inviting parishes and dioceses across the country to join together in dialogue, prayer and reflection through Conversation Circles. He asks that each circle create a prayer expressing their "heartbeat for the church." The prayers will be shared at General Synod 2019, which is also the time when Archbishop Hiltz will step down as Primate. Conversation Circles can take place anytime from now until May 7, 2019. You can find all you need to know about this initiative on the ACC website.

Are you seeking a way to step out in your faith? Why not join the Rev. Tim Chesterton and lay evangelist Alison Hurlburt for the Stephen Ministries course "Caring Evangelism," to be presented at Christ Church, 12116-102 Ave, Edmonton. The course, designed to help participants become comfortable sharing God's Good News in their daily lives, will begin on a Friday night, October 26 and run all day Saturday, October 27, to be followed by five Tuesday evening sessions: November 6 to December 4, from 7:00 - 9:30 p.m. Registration fee is $40/person. Click here to Register. For more info, contact Ali Hurlburt at alison.anne@gmail.com  POSTER

Edmonton Anglican Cursillo movement is stepping outside the box this year with a Renewal Weekend, November 16-18, tailored exclusively for those who have made their Cursillo in the past. “I attended my Cursillo Weekend 20 years ago, and I know I’m not the only one who has thought how awesome it be to be able to take it a second time,” says Secretariat Lay Director David Holehouse. 

The Renewal Weekend at Star of the North Retreat Centre in St. Albert starts on Friday at 5:30pm, with supper for all who can get away from work early. A closing eucharist service will end about 3:30 pm on Sunday.   

The World Wide Marriage Encounter (WWME) Weekend is designed to equip couples with communication tools to grow and enhance their marriage. After the weekend, there is an opportunity to join the ME community which supports and connects encountered couples. For more info, visit www.eame.ca, or see BROCHURE and POSTER. 

Register by Friday, October 19.  

As Partners for Life, members of the diocese give blood through the Canadian Blood Services (CBS) Program. Together, we donated 133 units of blood in 2017, up from 85 units in our first year, so we increased our 2018 goal to 125 by December 31. So far we have given 50 units of blood toward that pledge - so a good ways to go in the next three months!  

Click here to join Team Anglican. Our Partner ID is ANGL696986. 

To donate blood, call: 1-888-236-6283 or click below for more information.

Contact: 

The Ven. Travis Enright, Archdeacon for Indigenous Ministry: rev.enright@gmail.com / 780-477-5931

Fiona Brownlee, Aboriginal and Rural Communities Liaison: f.brownlee@edmonton.anglican.ca / 780-312-9070

Resources: Please see the Indigenous Ministries section of the diocesan website for leaflets, web links and other resources to help you pray and act for reconciliation. Please see the City of Edmonton Indigenous Relations Office to subscribe to their Community Bulletin.

You might have noticed an unusually high number of people wearing orange in church last Sunday. Maybe you were one of them! That's because September 30th was Orange Shirt Day in Canada, and a growing number of parishes in Edmonton diocese are participating.

Orange Shirt Day originated in Williams Lake, BC, the location of St. Joseph Mission residential school, which closed its doors in 1981. The idea for the orange shirts came from the story of a little girl named Phyllis, who proudly wore a brand new orange shirt to her first day of school at the mission, only to have it taken away. She never saw it again and symbolically it represents the ways in which Indigenous children lost a sense of their own identity in the residential system.

Nearly nine months after the end of Canada’s 150th Celebrations, St. Saviours dedicated their 150th anniversary quilt. The quilt has been hanging in the hall for most of 2019, but this was the first opportunity we have had to officially dedicate it and to reflect on its meaning. This time has allowed  us to consider what the quilt represents to us as a parish community.    

The idea of a quilt began with a very practical purpose: to provide a decorative sound barrier. As members of the parish took part in the Canada 150th mosaic project, the idea of making a quilt as a 150th project began to take shape. With the support of the ACW and wardens Joann Mones and Judy Misick, we approached Rita Barr with our idea. Rita agreed to lead the project and we began to look for an appropriate pattern. It took some time but we finally discovered the pattern you see now.

All Saints' Anglican Cathedral (10035-103 Street, Edmonton) will host its annual Red Dress service to honour all murdered and missing Indigenous people of our country. Missing and murdered Indigenous women were the original focus of this annual act of remembrance. It now encompasses all others among the Indigenous community who have been lost to their loved ones, often with no explanation and no justice. Mayor Don Iveson and other local dignitaries will attend the ceremony. POSTER

MacEwan University is the venue for this first ever Round Dance to Honour Youth, Friday, October 12. Pipe Ceremony starts at 3:00pm, Round Dance to follow in gymnasium from 6:00pm to 10:30pm. All are welcome.

Sponsored by kihêw waciston Indigenous Centre and the City of Edmonton POSTER

October 14-17, 2018, at various locations in Sherwood Park: Join us in welcoming and learning from this year's ecumenical speaker, the Very Rev. Dr. Stan McKay. Stan, as he prefers to be called, brings his wisdom as an honoured Elder, Ordained Minister, Activist and Former Moderator of the United Church of Canada to this year's event theme: "We Are People of Treaty, Covenant & Reconciliation."  Stan is a member of Fisher River Cree Nation in Manitoba, Treaty Five Territory, and currently lives in Treaty One Territory. A life-long Indigenous and faith leader, he invites us to explore living in right relations with each other as people of faith and within creation.

St. Saviour’s Anglican Church, Vermilion held its annual garage sale on September 22, 2018. We wanted to try something different this year. We had completed several sessions with Richard King, Archdeacon for Mission and Discipleship, to develop our ID framework and identified a strong desire to be part of our larger community. With that, St. Saviour’s Vermilion donated all proceeds to be split equally between the Vermilion Elementary School and St. Jerome’s Catholic School Hot Lunch program.  

This workshop (lunch included) is for anyone interested in learning more about why and how church websites are an essential tool for inviting, welcoming and building community. Margaret Glidden, Director of Communications for the Edmonton diocese, and Matt Morrison, Founder of Ascend Collective, will talk about their partnership and present an exciting opportunity for parishes. Since 2010, Ascend has reached out to equip churches across Canada. Their team is currently serving more than 500 churches and dioceses, including the Edmonton diocese.

Come celebrate the end of the Season of Creation on Thursday, October 4 at 7:00pm on the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi with a service of Blessing of the Animals. Bring your beloved pets (on their leashes, of course, or in their kennels/cages) to St. Mary's for a special evening prayer service to celebrate and acknowledge our furry family members! Invite your friends and neighbours to bring their pets as well. It’s sure to be a fun evening! POSTER

Present in Anglican churches throughout the Edmonton diocese (stained in glass windows, engraved in metal plaques and forever etched in memory) are the names of parishioners who served in battle for their country; some never to return home. Between 1914 and 1918 more than 650,000 men and women from Canada and Newfoundland, including approximately 4,000 Indigenous men, served in uniform. More than 66,000 gave their lives; and more than 172,000 were wounded.

Please join us for an exciting and enlightening lecture-discussion series on monthly Saturday mornings at Holy Trinity Anglican Church. 30 minute lecture followed by 30 minutes of discussion. Refreshments provided. POSTER

October 13 - Nathan Kowalsky: “Hunting and the Problem of Evil”

November 10 - Adrian Peetoom: “Narrative or Story Theology: An Introduction”

The Knygts Erraunt of Edmonton, the resident re-enactment group of Holy Trinity Anglican Church, are hosting their second annual medieval meal. It will be held in the atmospheric Upper Hall at Holy Trinity, 10037-84 Ave NW, on Saturday, October 20, from 5:00-9:00pm. In addition to an historically accurate menu of homemade medieval food, there will be a Chaucer reading, the arming of a knight, a mini medieval market, medieval games, and general merriment. Tickets are $20 per person, and only 30 tickets are available. Please contact kerraunt@gmail.com to purchase. Advanced sales only, no tickets at the door, sales end on October 17. Doors open at 5:00pm, dinner at 6:00pm, ending at 9:00pm.

Holy Trinity Anglican Church is a place of community and a place for art. We welcome all to join us for a night of music and spoken word on monthly Friday nights, from 7:30 to 10:30 pm. Upcoming Open Stage Nights are: October 5, November 2 and December 7 this year. More dates to come in 2019!

Interested in performing or have questions? Leave a message on our Facebook page, and we’ll be happy to connect with you!
Phone: 780-433-5530 Text only: 408-579-7294 Email: church.office@holytrinity.ab.ca

Sunday, October 7th, at 10:30am, Holy Trinity will be celebrating a special Haitian Thanksgiving. James Michel, Chairperson from Outreach to Haiti will be bringing an important message about the good works taking place through this important ministry. This will be a fun and celebratory inter-generational worship experience. All are welcome! For more information, call 780-433-5530 or visit our website.  

Come join us on October 10 for the first in our Film, Food and Faith series. We'll be showing the 2017 film Silence. It is the story of two Catholic missionaries who face the ultimate test of faith when they travel to Japan in search of their missing mentor - at a time when Catholicism was outlawed and their presence forbidden. (Internet Movie Database) The film contains strong material and is rated for ages 16+.

We will be serving supper beforehand (6:00pm), so RSVP to revbilly@staugustinesparkland.org as he will be preparing our feast. Please bring your own popcorn for the movie!

Join us at St. George's Anglican in Devon (1 St. Clair Street) for our 2nd Sunday worship and blues. Everyone is welcome! POSTER

Join us October 15 at noon for the first meeting of St. Augustine’s Book Club. You can order the book Being Christian: Baptism, Bible, Eucharist, Prayer from Amazon.ca. Please read Chapter One ahead of time and come prepared for a discussion. RSVP to Rev. Billy if you plan to attend or need help getting a copy of the book: revbilly@staugustinesparkland.org

Bishop Jane will conduct a service of induction for the Rev. Cheryl Boulet, Priest-in-Charge at St. John the Divine Anglican Church, 4809–50 Street, Onoway, at 7:00pm on October 18, which is the Feast of St. Luke the Evangelist. All are welcome. Clergy are invited to robe. The colour is red.

This day is primarily for parishes who already run a Messy Church to network, learn, share ideas & revitalize your Messy Church as you meet up with other Messy Church Practitioners. The day will be facilitated by Andy & Sue Kalbfleisch, Messy Church Canada Team Leaders. If you plan to attend, please email Sue at info@messychurch.ca with the following information:

• Name of your Messy Church
• Names of participants attending
• Any special dietary or physical needs

Please arrive between 10:00 and 10:30 for a 10:30am start. We'll eat together before we finish at 1:30pm, so please bring $5.00 toward lunch. No other cost. If you have any questions please call Sue: 905-648-0302 POSTER

St. Stephen the Martyr ACW is hosting a Harvest Dinner, October 20, at PrayerWorks Common. Vegan options available. Admission is $10 (free for children under 6). POSTER

All Saints' Cathedral's Manna Market offers fresh fruit and vegetables at half the cost of retail prices. Manna Market will run every Wednesday afternoon, from 2-5:00 pm, until December. Cash only and please bring your own bags.

The Anglican/Lutheran parish of Holy Trinity, Edson is seeking a parish priest/pastor to shepherd the community in a new direction as one church with open arms. We are seeking a spiritual leader who is enthusiastic about building relationships with the Holy Trinity community and the Edson community-at-large. To learn more about Edson, Holy Trinity and its exciting future, please view the Parish Profile. To apply, email Alison Reid at reidal@telusplanet.net

The Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund (PWRDF) has relaunched with a new logo and new website. Take a minute to visit their site at www.pwrdf.org. PWRDF is the Anglican Church of Canada’s agency for sustainable development and relief. Through the support of Anglican parishes across Canada, PWRDF makes financial and human resources available to partners around the world working to improve health, food security and livelihoods for vulnerable people.  

Take a break... join retreat facilitator, Sandy Prather for this mid-week opportunity titled: "It’s All Gift: Living a Life of Gratitude" Thursday, October 18, 9:30am to 3:00pm. Cost is $40 for the day, which includes lunch.

Centering Prayer, a method taught by Fr. Thomas Keating of Contemplative Outreach International, focuses on consenting to God’s presence and action within. We will learn the basics, practice the method, and share reflections on the experience during the workshop on Saturday, October 20 (9:30am-3:30pm - lunch included). For the following six consecutive Wednesday evenings (7:00-8:30pm), we will watch a video share teachings from Fr. Keating via video and 20-minute prayer sessions with facilitator, Mary Jane Yates and the Centering Prayer Circle that meets regularly at Providence Renewal Centre. Total cost is $140. Please register by October 12.  POSTER

Homeless Connect Edmonton is a broad-based, community-inspired initiative. Twice a year it provides free and appropriate services to people experiencing homelessness and those at risk of becoming homeless. Gently used/new clothing is needed for the next event, which will take place at the Shaw Conference Centre on Sunday, October 14. Donations will be accepted now until October 5. There are seven drop-off locations in the city. See the attached POSTER or contact Deborah at dharmacy@homewardtrust.ca or 780-944-2979.

Dr. Worthen, an historian of American evangelicalism and regular contributor to the New York Times and other major media outlets, will address the role of evangelicalism in current North American politics. Camrose Public Library is at 4710 50 Avenue. Start time is 6:00pm.

There is also opportunity for coffee and casual conversation about Dr. Molly Worthen's work, in preparation for this lecture at the Ronning House, 4606 49 Street in Camrose, on October 15. Drop in anytime between 2-3:30 pm. No RSVP required for either event.

On behalf of the entire Canterbury Foundation family, we are pleased to invite you to our fall fundraising event: the Promise of Home Gala, presented by Stuart Olson, which will take place on Friday, October 26, 2018 at the Double Tree by Hilton (16615–109 Ave, Edmonton) starting at 6:00 pm. The event will include a champagne reception, dinner, silent auction and live auction.

Proceeds from this year’s Gala will go towards strengthening Canterbury Foundation’s Community Outreach Program, allowing our residents to have access to a Social Worker and Chaplain on site to holistically assist residents, family members and other seniors in our community with the challenges and transitions associated with aging.

Tickets are $150/each and can be purchased online. For further information, please contact Katie Schneider at 780-930-5581. POSTER

'A Common Word' Alberta would like to invite you to their annual Christian-Muslim Interfaith dialogue event at 9:30pm on October 27th at the ARCA Banquet Hall, 14525 127 Street. Cost is $10. POSTER

Ladies, join us for a unique weekend to learn about the impact of trauma on the mind, heart and soul. We will look at triggers, memories, recovery, outreach to the broken-hearted, and ministry ideas. We encourage church leaders, pastors, and those looking for healing for the inner soul to attend. POSTER Facilitated by: Marg Daly, Dr. Helen Bowden, Pastor Anna Thede, Dr. Kate Woodman

The Hospice Society of Camrose and District brings this day-long symposium to the Camrose Resort Casino on November 16.
Key note speaker is Dr. Rob Rutledge of Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia. Topics presented will include fostering resilience through: 
- Integrative medicine: Get the best of medical and complementary care
- Understanding your brain empowering your life
- Science and the practice of self-compassion
- Healing Skills and Mind-Body techniques
Cost is $40. Lunch is included. For more information and to register go to www.camrosehospice.org or phone Bill Harder at 780-608-0636. POSTER

Are you a person who loves to listen to others, to hear their stories and how God is at work in their lives? Would you like to learn how to do this better? It could be that you are suited to a ministry of spiritual direction. The Studion School for Spiritual Direction is taking applications for its next group of students, who will begin studies this winter. Visit the website for more information and email with any questions to: thestudionschool@gmail.com