• Those who are sick or suffering: Amy, Donna.
• Those who have died; 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.

Download the December, 2018 issue of The Messenger. View as Flipbook

The Messenger welcomes submissions! Please send stories (max. 500 words) and pictures (min. 1 MB) to anglicanmessenger@gmail.com by December 1. 

We at the Synod Office love to share your stories and promote events in the diocese and in your parish. Please send pictures and details often! And to ensure your information can be included the same week, please send it no later than end of day Tuesday. Thank you!

Margaret and Shelly

Anglican Student Ministry is hosting a Fancy Advent Eve Fundraiser at the St. Joseph's College Boardroom (89 Ave and 114 Street, Edmonton) on Saturday, December 1, at 7pm. There will be caroling, eggnog, wine, cookies and excellent times had by all! Tickets are $20. For tickets, email hliddell@ualberta.ca.  POSTER

Calling all youth in the Edmonton diocese! You’re invited to the… great Anglican BUILD OFF! Join us at Holy Trinity in Old Strathcona on Friday, December 14 as we build gingerbread houses, share a meal together, blare the music, and have jolly fellowship! All youth 11+ are welcomed and encouraged to attend! Cost is $5 per person. Please RSVP to Rev. Danielle @ assistantcurate@holytrinity.ab.ca  POSTER

Since 1999, No Room in the Inn has led a highly successful cross-denominational Christmas campaign to raise money for housing and housing improvements for those in need. No Room in the Inn is inspired by the story of Mary and Joseph, who arrived in Bethlehem to discover there was no room at the inn for them. They found a place in a stable, where they welcomed their son, Jesus.  

An EfM Mentor Training event will be held in Edmonton from Monday afternoon, January 21 to noon Wednesday, January 23. This is open all clergy and EfM graduates who wish to learn about the program and possibly become accredited as group mentors. Interested people should contact the Rev. Robin Walker, Diocesan EfM Co-ordinator at robin_walker1948@outlook.com. Note that space is limited, and that accreditation requires attendance at the entire event.    

Wondering what to do with that car or motorcycle sitting idle in your garage? The Edmonton diocese’s new partnership with Donate A Car Canada enables you to donate your car, truck, RV, boat, or motorcycle to be recycled or sold at auction (depending on its condition, age and location).

The Edmonton diocese is in need of a volunteer to help with our refugee sponsorship ministry.

Gail Millard, refugee sponsorship coordinator for the Edmonton diocese, is seeking assistance with the process of submitting applications on behalf of sponsored families. 

This person should be familiar with computer programs like Adobe Premiere and Microsoft Office and be able to help Gail approximately one day/month, with the likelihood of more hours when she is away in January, 2019.

If you can share your organizational and administrative gifts to assist refugee families, please contact Bishop Jane Alexander at the Synod Office: 780-439-7344, or email: bishop@edmonton.anglican.ca

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 56 units of blood, and most of that has come from members who have given before.

To sign up and join Team Anglican, Click here. Our Partner ID is ANGL696986. 

To donate blood, call: 1-888-236-6283 or click below for more information, including mobile clinics in rural areas.

Archbishop Fred Hiltz invites 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 when Archbishop Hiltz will step down as Primate. Conversation Circles can take place anytime from now until May 7, 2019. Find all you need to know about this initiative on the ACC website.

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.

I (Fiona Brownlee) received an email in late August asking if I would be interested in assisting the Messy Church team at St. George’s, Fort Saskatchewan with the planning and doing of an Indigenous-based Messy Church. I immediately said, 'yes,' and from that Messy Church Reconciliation came to be.

We have now had two Messy Church Reconciliation events in the diocese: one at St. George’s, Fort Saskatchewan and the other at Christ Church, Edmonton. The Indigenous Ministry Initiative of the diocese has put together a team that has both interest and expertise in planning and implementing this for both the urban and rural parishes of our diocese. Our goal is to show both the joy of cultural experiences, as well as the seriousness of those experiences.

Inner City Pastoral Ministry (ICPM) and Moving Forward with Reconciliation present the next Common Ground Celebration, a round dance, on November 30, at Robertson Wesley United Church. Doors open at 5:30 pm, with welcome and smudging ceremony at 6:00 pm. We welcome you to join us as we celebrate the season together! Please RSVP to michelle.iskwew@gmail.com to ensure we have enough food.

Jeremy Spurgeon, Director of Music at All Saints’ Anglican Cathedral, was presented an Honorary Doctor of Letters degree at the University of Alberta Fall Convocation Ceremony on November 21, 2018. Many of Spurgeon’s friends and supporters, including the Rt. Rev. Dr. Jane Alexander, Bishop of Edmonton, and the Very Rev. Neil Gordon, Dean of Edmonton and rector of All Saints’ Cathedral, were present for the Convocation Ceremony at the Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium.

A member of our diocese invites you on a prayerful journey. Daniel Westfall and his wife Pearl are members of St. John the Evangelist, Edmonton. Daniel recently launched a new YouTube channel, "Pray with Me," featuring short talks, prayers and book reviews. He plans to share new content each week.  

Join us at St. Stephen the Martyr Anglican Church Thursday, November 29, the feast of St. Andrew, for Evensong I at 7:00 pm.

St. Luke’s Edmonton (8424 – 95 Avenue NW) will host its annual Christmas Bazaar and homemade soup lunch on Saturday, December 1 from 10:30am to 2:30pm. Come along for the baking, crafts and white elephant sale. Stay for homemade soup & bun, just $5.00. POSTER

The Advent and Christmas seasons are coming, but that's not a source of joy for everyone. The holidays can be a time when we are reminded of pain and loss. Join us at St. Augustine of Canterbury on December 1 from 9:00am - 3:00pm for this workshop where we will:

• Learn ways to prepare for and mitigate the inevitable triggers of holiday events
• Do some grief work in a safe, supportive environment
• Gain tools to contain the grieving process
• Engage in a spiritual approach that is inclusive of all belief systems

POSTER

An absolute stress-free way to do your Christmas baking!  Come along on Saturday, December 1 from 10:00am – 1:00pm to St. Patrick’s Anglican Church (334 Knottwood Road North in Mill Woods). Choose from over 400 dozen home-baked cookies. Large box: $15. Small box: $7.

Please join us at 7:00 pm on Wednesday, December 5 for a fun evening of Christmas Carols, Mince Pies, and Hot Apple Cider. Admission is free and everyone is welcome! 

St. Mary the Virgin Anglican Church, Vegreville, will hosts its Second Annual Nativity Festival, Saturday, December 8, 10:00 am–3:00 pm; and Sunday, December 9, 10:00 am (following our 9:00 am worship service)-2:00 pm.  Come get into the spirit of the season by admiring parishioners' nativities from around the world. Admission is a freewill offering or non-perishable item for the local food bank.

The ACW at St. Stephen the Martyr is hosting their annual St. Nicholas Tea and Bake sale on Saturday December 8. The tea runs from 1:30 to 3:30 pm. Admission is $5 for adults, $2 for children (ages 6 to 12) and free for children under six. Our Tea and Bake Sale will be held at PrayerWorks Hall adjacent to the Church at 11725 – 93 Street, Edmonton. POSTER

St. Thomas, Sherwood Park (4A Raven Drive, Sherwood Park) invites all to a seasonal festival on December 8 starting at 10:00am, featuring free family activities, an outdoor fire pit, musical entertainment, a photo booth, and drop-in Christmas pageants at 11:30 am and 2:30 pm (costumes provided). POSTER

Please join us for an exciting and enlightening lecture-discussion series on monthly Saturday mornings at Holy Trinity Anglican Church, 10037 84 Ave NW, Edmonton. 30 minute lecture followed by 30 minutes of discussion. Refreshments provided. POSTER
December 8 - John Brough: "The Origins of the Christmas Carol"
January 12 - Heather Coleman: The "Jesus Prayer" in Russian Orthodox Spirituality 
February 9 - Clark Hardy: Social Justice and Trinitarian Theology 

Join us at Holy Trinity Anglican Church, 10037-84 Ave NW, Edmonton, for a Christmas Concert with something more... Did you know that “Jingle Bells” was never intended to be a Christmas song? Or that “The Hallelujah Chorus” was written to raise funds for London charities? Or that “The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)” was written by two men trying to find relief during a California heat wave in July?

St. Aidan and St. Hilda Anglican Church, Rexboro, presents its 41st Annual Service of Lessons and Carols for Advent and Christmas on Sunday, December 9 at 10:30am. A reception will follow in the Wabamun and District Seniors’ Centre. Donations of non-perishable food items and/or new children’s toys will be gratefully accepted on behalf of the Wabamun Christmas Hamper Committee. 

On the evening of Saturday, December 15, St. Augustine's Parkland Anglican Church presents a dramatic reading of Dickens' A Christmas Carol, featuring six CBC Radio One personalities. Long a tradition for over two decades in cities across Canada and originated by CBC Toronto newsreader Judy Maddren, this local version will be emceed by Lydia Neufeld, with the five staves of the reading presented by Mark Connolly, Adrienne Pan, Rod Kurtz, Kim Trynacity, and Janice Johnston. Between the readings will be musical presentations by the St. Augustine’s Music Team, Tag Along (barbershop), Tim Chesterton (folk), Lorne Manweiler (organ), and Meridian Line (folk).

Several parishes are hosting a "Messy Christmas" this season and all are welcome. Click below to find the one nearest you and join in the fun as we celebrate the season!

St. Faith Anglican Church (11725–93 Street NW, Edmonton) needs a Godly Play volunteer to help lead our diverse children's outreach ministry. Our community members have a desire to know and be loved by Jesus. We need someone to teach and show God’s love through play with the children while their parents are in church. If God is calling you please contact the Ven. Travis Enright at 780-887-9710.

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; someone who is enthusiastic about building relationships with the church and the Edson community-at-large. To learn more, please view the Parish Profile or click on the link below.

The Greater Edmonton Alliance and the Calgary Alliance for the Common Good, invite you to a training on grassroots, individual donor fundraising. These sessions are designed to help you become more effective in raising money for your congregation or organization. It builds on the relational skills practiced in the community organizing. You can attend both or just one workshop.

Bob Connolly has 10 years experience as an organizer with the Industrial Areas Foundation and 35 years as the co-owner of The James Company, which helps congregations and non-profits raise money. He has helped to raise over $1.1billion for 1,800 organizations.   

As the Edmonton diocese is a member of GEA, there is no cost to register for the workshop. To register, by November 29, please contact Nuel Han at nuelhan@greateredmontonalliance.org

For more information, see attached POSTER

Waiting and expectation, hope and joy are what Advent is all about. Just as Mary’s response “let your word be done unto me” took her on a journey of faith that required trust, the Word of God invites us to the same trust in our own lives. This Advent retreat will be an encounter with Sacred Scripture through Lectio Divina, Visio Divina, prayer, reflection, song, and sharing. The retreat runs Friday, December 7 (7:00 pm) to Sunday, December 9 (1:00 pm) at Providence Renewal Centre. Please register by November 30.

Over the years, the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra has provided music fans of Edmonton many opportunities to get to know and love Handel’s Messiah. Now, in the city that sings, comes the chance to experience Messiah as a member of the chorus. The BALM Society is pleased to present its first annual Sing-Along Messiah! on Saturday December 8, 2:00pm, at Robertson-Wesley United Church. The audience is invited to sing the choruses along with a chamber orchestra consisting of strings, organ, and trumpet; and to listen to the solo arias performed by professionals and emerging artists from the Edmonton area. POSTER

The CP Holiday Train will roll into Edmonton on December 10, 2018 at 7:45 pm. It will turn right at the Old Strathcona Arch (University Ave and Gateway Blvd) and make its way to 7935 Gateway Blvd. Festivities take place on the CP Rail Yard, South of the CP Station. The performance is scheduled to start at 8:15pm and run until 8:45pm.   Edmonton's Food Bank will be on site collecting monetary and non-perishable donations before and during the festivities. See list of most-needed items  Scheduled performers are Terri Clark, Sierra Noble and Kelly Prescott SCHEDULE / POSTER