• Those who are sick or suffering: Gloria, Jessica, Coleen, Elaine, Daphne, Jim, Amy, Donna, Brian, Steve, Aimable, for David and all who are struggling with addiction.
• Those who have died: Lori, Jeannie; and those who mourn: Erika and Elizabeth, Michael and family.
• 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 which will be removed after two or three weeks.

The Rev. Danielle Lepine and the Rev. Eric Kregel were ordained priests in the Anglican Diocese of Edmonton by the Rt. Rev. Dr. Jane Alexander, February 1, 2019, at All Saints’ Cathedral, Edmonton. “We are people, in this day and age, called to be witnesses to God’s power and love in the world,” said the Very Rev. Neil Gordon, rector of All Saints’ and Dean of Edmonton, giving the Homily. On the Eve of the Presentation of the Lord, he told the ordinands that, as Simeon was when presented with baby Jesus by Mary and Joseph at the temple, they, too, would be blessed to see the Messiah in the people and world around them.

On January 31, 2019, Harold Lake of Good Shepherd Anglican Church in Edmonton, made his 205th donation through the Canadian Blood Services (CBS) Partners for Life program. To date, Lake who is a member of Team Anglican, has donated 71 units of whole blood and 134 units of plasma. “Someone once asked me why I donate, and I said it was because of the cookies and the pop afterwards,” he jokes.

As part of the Partners for Life program, members of the diocese give blood through the Canadian Blood Services (CBS) program. In 2019, we aim to donate 100 units by December 31. Click here to join Team Anglican. Our Partner ID is ANGL696986. 

Whether she is visiting the parishes in the diocese, leading and educating the community, providing pastoral support to the clergy, or representing the diocese in the Anglican Communion, our Bishop is always on the move! Here are some of the upcoming events which Bishop Jane will be attending:

February 10: Parish visit, St. Mary & St. George, Jasper

February 16: Politics of Faithfulness, St. Matthias Anglican Church, Edmonton

February 23: Diocesan Day: God, the Environment and a Jesus-Shaped Life, St. Augustine-Parkland Anglican Church, Spruce Grove

March 3: Parish visit, All Saints' Anglican Cathedral, Edmonton

Have you experienced Cursillo? Would you be willing to give some time to Secretariat (the governing body for Cursillo in Edmonton) and help others walk with this joyful community of love for Christ and each other? Our 4th Day Chair will be taking over the Communications Chair position that becomes vacant later this year. We would love to talk to you about being our new 4th Day Chair, to assist with managing a schedule of 2019 Ultreyas that is already in place, and to bring your ideas to the Secretariat table once a month. Please contact David, dwholehouse@gmail.com to learn more about how we can mentor you into this interesting and rewarding role.  

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 addresses a common concern: "we want to help, but don't know where to start!" Look for the first in a series of 'primers,' helping us get started in the right direction with community development.

In a year of provincial and federal elections, this is an invitation to explore and discuss what it means to carry your faith with you into the public square. Speakers include Dr. Stephen Martin (The King's University) on "The Body of Christ and the Public Good," and Bishop Jane Alexander on "Questions A Person of Faith Might Ask A Political Candidate at The Door." 

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Environmental Chaplain the Rev. Billy Isenor invites all (clergy and laity) to a diocesan day on caring for the environment. Join key speakers Bishop Jane Alexander, Jim Gurnett and others. RSVP to brotherbilly@orderofsaintfrancis.org. POSTER

The Associates of SSJD (Sisters of St. John the Divine) will host a Quiet Day retreat at Christ Church, Edmonton on Saturday, March 9. We gather for coffee and visit at 9:30, then hold Morning Prayer at 10:00 am in the church.

The Reverend Maureen Crerar will be our speaker. We will have some quiet times for reflection and reading, and we’ll serve soup to go with your bag lunch at noon. We finish at 3:45 pm.

We encourage you to invite your neighbours and friends to this Lenten day of meditation and worship. Donations for SSJD are welcome. Approximate attendance would be appreciated. Please email Gen at gclaire@telus.net or phone 780-443-1926.

February 15, 7:00pm, to February 18, 1:00pm, at Camp Kuriakos, Lacombe County, AB. Join other families at Camp Kuriakos for a special Messy Church family camp on the Family Day weekend! 

Check out the details and register on the camp website. Family camp includes meals and accommodation and all activities from 7:00pm Friday (evening snack) to after lunch on Monday. 

For more information, contact Catherine McPherson of St. Michael and All Angels, Messy Church Regional Coordinator for Alberta.

Attention all Junior High and High School adventurers! Camp Director, Dr. Mark Armstrong and Camp Chaplain, the Rev. Heather Liddell are busy planning for another fun-filled winter camp, this time at Van-Es Camp on Cooking Lake, about 20 minutes southeast of Edmonton. Camp starts with supper on Friday and ends with lunch on Sunday. Cost is $60 per camper. Click here to register online. 

Following a successful workshop last November, Ascend Collective founder Matt Morrison and Edmonton diocese Communications Director Margaret Glidden will offer a Parish Website Webinar on Thursday, March 14, at noon. Click below to see planned topics and previous feedback.

Please share this info with your parish communities and watch the Synod Scene, the diocesan website and Facebook for registration details.

Anyone wishing to receive print copies of the Anglican Journal and The Messenger via Canada Post must call the Anglican Journal subscription department toll-free at 1-866-333-0959; return the attached subscription renewal notice to yes@national.anglican.ca; or go online to anglicanjournal.com/yes by June 1.

Your coorperation is appreciated and will help the Anglican Church of Canada update its membership lists. 

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

The Rev. Nick Trussell, Urban Reconciliation Facilitator: n.trussell@edmonton.anglican.ca / 780-488-1118

The Rev. Lori Calkins, Priest: loriinkster@gmail.com

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

Stand up against violence with a day of ceremony and fasting. Thousands of people will be joining in ceremonies and fasting across Canada as part of the Moose Hide Campaign and their personal commitment to end violence against women and children. Our fast at Christ Church Parish Hall, 12116-102 Avenue, Edmonton, will begin with ceremony at 7:30am and end with a ceremony of First Water and a small feast at 6:00pm. Please let the Rev. Nick Trussell know if you plan to take part.   
"We will continue to ask men to take positive and concrete steps forward in standing up and speaking out against violence towards women and children. By taking part in this one day fast you are showing your love and respect for the women in your life and supporting their right for peace and safety in their homes and communities."
Paul Lacerte, co-Founder, Moose Hide Campaign

The Rev. Nick Trussell, Urban Reconciliation Facilitator, is organizing a three-session (Saturday mornings in Feb and March) Tatawaw workshop at Christ Church, Edmonton. This will be an opportunity for church members to join Neheyawin, a local start-up by Jacquelyn and Hunter Cardinal, on a journey of rediscovering the ancient tradition of welcoming.  For thousands of years the Plains Cree have described the tradition and the spirit of welcoming as “tatawaw,” meaning “there is room for you, welcome.”  

Kairos Canada is a joint venture ecumenical program for 'Faithful Action for Justice and Peace' administered by the United Church of Canada. Kairos is calling for urgent attention and action to see that Bill C-262, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, will be passed by the Senate. The bill will, if enacted, ensure that the laws of Canada are in harmony with the UN Declaration.

Reconciliation In Solidarity Edmonton (RISE ), in partnership with the Art Gallery of St. Albert and the City of St. Albert present "In This Together: An honest chat about reconciliation since the TRC."

Five years after the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) held its final National Event in Alberta, join contributors of the anthology In This Together: Fifteen Stories of Truth and Reconciliation to hear about their continued connection to the cause of reconciliation. Contributors will be joined by local activists and community leaders for a frank conversation on how reconciliation has moved forward. Learn about the initiatives taking place in our region and how you can contribute to this ongoing work.

This event is hosted at the Arden theatre through a partnership with the City of St. Albert - Culture. After the event, attend other free activities happening in the afternoon throughout St. Albert to mark this important five-year anniversary. Visit Facebook for a list of events

Since the conclusion of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC) mandate in 2015 and the release of the TRC’s 94 Calls to Action, Anglicans across Canada have been seeking ways to continue the process of truth-telling and healing begun by the TRC. From commemorations, walks and feasts to study groups and social action groups, more and more people are getting involved in this ongoing healing journey. Reconciliation, right relationship, justice-seeking—these are all part of a “trajectory of grace”. There are many places to enter into this journey. Wherever you are at, you will find resources in the Anglican Church of Canada Reconciliation Took Kit to help you either enter into this journey for the first time, or take the next step on that journey.

On the chilly morning of February 3, 2019, Bishop Jane Alexander and the Rev. Susan Oliver, rector, welcomed the Christ Church, Edmonton 10 am congregation to the Sacrament of Confirmation on the Feast of the Presentation (Candlemas). This feast is a “gift,” and a “poke in the side every February,” said Bishop Jane in her homily. “God reminds us that we are personally responsible for being called to newness.” As we think about how this year will be for us spiritually, physically and emotionally, “This feast bursts in,” as if to say, ‘how’s it going one month in?’ and reminds us to “keep at it.”

Good Shepherd Anglican Church, Edmonton, invites anyone in grief to join us on a journey of acknowledgment, with Klaio, our new peer support group. We won't try to cheer you up or encourage you to snap out of it. We are here to witness what you feel, and acknowledge the pain of it. All are welcome, no matter what you believe about God or heaven or any of it. Klaio is for everybody. We meet next on February 5 at 4 pm.

Join Good Shepherd for a crash course in ethics as we start “God and The Good Place” on Wednesday, February 6! We'll join Chidi and Eleanor as they explore the ethics of the afterlife, and add our own particular perspective as Christians through the study of scripture and theology. All are welcome! There are two sessions of the same course each week, one at 1pm and one at 7pm. We will begin by watching an episode of the NBC comedy starring Kristen Bell and Ted Danson, followed by our discussion.

All are welcome to join the congregation of St. Mary's Anglican Church in Ponoka for an afternoon tea in honour of their rector, the Rev. Donna Willer.

Rev. Donna is retiring from the minstry as of the end of January.

“Women have the capacity to lead us to a more peaceful world with compassion, affection and kindness.” - Dalai Lama

If you are interested in volunteering or learning more about Circles of Support and Accountability (CoSA), please join us t St. Faith's Anglican Church, 11725 93 St NW, Edmonton, for an information session on February 13 at 7:00 pm. We are seeking dedicated volunteers to be a part of circles which are involved in directly supporting individuals who are reintegrating into society after serving a prison sentence for sexual-related offences. At the information night we will provide an overview of the history and mission of CoSA, as well as the role of volunteers. We ask that you please pass this information on to your community and anyone that may be interested in social justice initiatives. POSTER

For more information, contact Arthur Dyck at info@edmontoncosa.org or by phone at (780) 264-5308.

Please join us for the next in our exciting and enlightening lecture-discussion series in the Upper Hall at Holy Trinity Anglican Church, 10037 84 Ave NW, Edmonton. On Saturday, February 16, at 11:00am, Clark Hardy will present on "Social Justice and Trinitarian Theology." It will be a 30-minute lecture followed by 30 minutes of discussion. Refreshments provided.

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This book, The Master and his Emissary, by Iain McGilchrist, is described as "a fascinating exploration of the differences between the brain’s left and right hemispheres, and how those differences have affected society, history, and culture." Christ Church will offer a lecture / discussion series based on the book at 4:00pm on three consecutive Sundays, February 24, March 3 and March 10. Guest speakers are: Tom Snyder and David Gray of the University of Alberta, and Henry Schuurman and Steve Martin of King's University. See the attached POSTER for more information.

St. Margaret's, Edmonton would like to invite you to a pre-Lent Quiet Day on Saturday, March 2, from 10:00 am - 3:30 pm (coffee is on at 9.30 am). The theme will be 'A Spirituality of Justice and Compassion' and the guest speaker will be Tim Schultz from World Vision Canada . The day will include three talks by Tim, as well as times of corporate worship, private prayer and reflection, and sharing what we have heard with one another. Please bring a bag lunch. We are suggesting a donation of $20 per person to help cover Tim's honorarium. To register, please email Tim Chesterton at stmrector@gmail.com or call St. Margaret's at 780-437-7231. POSTER

Come and support the SJE Haiti Parish Partnership (with Food for the Hungry) and enjoy a Memorial Concert of Gospel Music, featuring Norman Rice and Friends. Mark your calendar for March 16, 2019, at 2:00 pm, at St. John The Evangelist, 11111-57 Ave NW, Edmonton. This concert is to the Glory of God and in memory of Michelle Laing. A free-will offering will be taken to assist the SJE Haiti Parish Partnership. Please see the link to the attached poster and spread the news!  

Christ Church Edmonton is looking for an experienced Administrative Assistant to support its ministerial staff and church office operations 30 hours a week. This is a temporary position until March 2020. Interested candidates should submit a cover letter outlining their interest in the position and the gifts and skills they possess along with a resume.

See the attached detailed description for specific duties and required skills. Applications will be accepted by mail or email at the addresses found in the attached pdf. Closing date is February 20, 2019.

Full description of job posting in pdf

St. John the Evangelist, one of the largest parishes in the Diocese of Edmonton providing a vibrant and diverse pastoral ministry to more than 800 people, is seeking a priest with at least five years experience in parish leadership to serve as rector. It is anticipated that the new rector would serve as coadjutor rector for a period of three months to facilitate the transition of leadership in this parish. 

This summer, the General Synod of the Anglican Church of Canada will choose and install a new Primate. Current Primate, Archbishop Fred Hiltz, is calling on the church to pray through the next six months as the process of selecting a new leader unfolds. 

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.

The Greater Edmonton Alliance (GEA) and the Edmonton Seniors Coordinating Council are part of an initiative, Seniors Home Supports Program, to help seniors living on their own by providing referrals to services such as snow removal, yard help, housekeeping, home repair and maintenance and moving help (www.seniorshomesupports.com). The Anglican diocese is a member of GEA, a network of faith, labour, and community organizations working together to mobilize citizens’ power to act effectively on issues that matter to us all. Please make this information available to your congregation as you are able. Fact Sheet / Referral Info / Bulletin Announcement / AD

You are invited to our 2nd annual Ecumenical Meatball Cook-Off at Ascension Lutheran Church on Saturday, March 2. Sign up your team to compete or come along to taste. A light supper will be provided by Ascension to eat with the meatballs. Our judges this year are: Dr. Faith Nostbakken, ecumenical officer for the Alberta Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, the Rev. Dr. Scott Sharman, ecumenical animator for the Anglican Church of Canada, and Sr. Dr. Zoe Bernatsky, Assistant Professor, Newman Theological College. Entry fee for teams and tasters is a free-will donation to E4C. Please note, registration deadline is February 17 and there is a cap as to how many teams are allowed per church, so get your registration in early to be assured a spot! POSTER

Providence Renewal Centre is accepting applications for the next Presence Program: Called in Love, Sent to Serve, taking place September 2019 to June 2021. Presence is a spiritual formation program intended to help participants grow in their spiritual lives and to prepare them for the ministry of spiritual direction in the Christian tradition.

Visit www.providencerenewal.ca/programs/PresenceProgram to learn more. Application forms can be downloaded from the website. Contact Debbie for more information at ddoornbos@providencereneawl.ca or call 780-701-1853. Application deadline is March 15, 2019. Providence Renewal Centre is located at 3005 119 Street, Edmonton.   

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There are several opportunities each week to join groups practicing centering prayer at parishes and retreat centres in and around Edmonton.

· 7:00pm Sundays at St. David’s Anglican Church, 8345 79 Avenue, Edmonton

· 7:00pm Mondays at All Saints' Anglican Cathedral, 10035 103 Street, Edmonton

· 2:00pm Tuesdays at Star of the North Retreat Centre, 3A St. Vital Avenue, St. Albert (office entrance)

· 7:00pm Tuesdays at St. Columba Anglican Church, 5703 50 Avenue, Beaumont       

· 7:00pm Wednesdays at Providence Renewal Centre, 3005 119 Street, Edmonton

Cultural Connections Institute – The Learning Exchange – is happy to announce the 2019 dates for our ESL in the community workshops, designed to help people who teach English as a Second Language in their community:

1) Conversation Skills Workshop runs Wednesday, February 13 and March 20 from 5:30pm – 8:00pm. It includes practical strategies to improve the conversational portion of the lesson and ready-to-go (intermediate) lesson plans.

2) ESL in the Community, Basic Training runs Saturday March 9 from 9:00am – 2:30pm. It includes basic training about the refugee experience and language teaching, ready-to-go (beginner) lesson plans, and a stack of ready-to-go teaching materials. 

Grounded in the Anglican tradition, Canterbury Foundation is a private, not-for-profit charitable organization in Edmonton that operates three seniors living options on one site. The Canterbury Foundation is located in a quiet community surrounded by mature trees in the Laurier Heights area of west Edmonton. The Foundation has provided quality seniors accommodation and related supportive services for more than 40 years. If interested, see attached Position Profile and apply, by February 15, 2019, to:

Canterbury Foundation has been providing exceptional seniors' care in the quiet and desirable neighborhood of Laurier Heights, west Edmonton for more than 45 years. Canterbury Foundation offers three living options for seniors: independent living, supportive living, and memory care for seniors living with dementia.

We are actively accepting applications for new residents into Canterbury Court, our supportive living option. We warmly welcome you and your loved ones to come and visit us for a tour of the facility. All rooms in Canterbury Court are private individual suites with four-piece bathrooms, quality flooring and draperies, along with TV and telephone hookups.

Pulitzer-prize winning journalist Chris Hedges, the 2019 Augustana Distinguished Lecturer, will be giving this year's Chester Ronning Lecture on Religion and Diplomacy, Tuesday, March 26, 6:00 pm, at the Lougheed Performing Arts Centre Cargill Theatre (Augustana Campus) Camrose. This event is free to attend and open to the public. *A PHYSICAL TICKET IS REQUIRED FOR ENTRY* Reserve yours at aug.ualberta.ca/hedges or call the box office at 780-608-2922. POSTER

Sorrento Centre retreat and conference centre, a place of inspiration, gathering, and growth offering a year-round program of workshops, youth leadership training, public lectures and performances on the shores of the beautiful Shuswap Lake, BC, is building towards a low-carbon future. In December Sorrento launched a solar energy campaign to reduce its carbon footprint and green its main campus and natural farm.

"In the sunniest months, we will produce enough power from the sun to sell electricity back into the BC Hydro grid. Over the year, we will substantially cut our electrical costs as we gain a significant part of our energy from the sun. Once the panels are installed, there will be a real-time, on-line monitor to track their performance. This is the first step towards our commitment to green the Sorrento Centre." - The Rev. Michael Shapcott, Executive Director

Here are three ways you can support the centre's solar campaign:

1. Mail your cheque to The Sorrento Centre, PO Box 99, 1159 Passchendaele Road, Sorrento, BC., Canada, V0E 2W0;

2. Call the office at 1-866-694-2409 with your credit card details or to arrange an e-transfer;

3. Log on to CanadaHelps and make a secure on-line donation instantly at any time, day or night.  

What does it mean to be a steward of God’s creation? What did God mean for us to ’Work in the Garden’? Mark Polet, practicing biologist of 40 years, will lead us in these sessions on Creation Care to hear about the hope and challenge of being a good steward, and to discuss and move forward from questions to action. 

Wednesdays from 7:30-9:00pm on March, 6, 13 and 20

Cost: $20 per session or $55 for the series

Star of the North Retreat Centre is seeking a temporary, full-time Guest Services Coordinator, responsible for administrative support and for coordinating the use of the centre by persons and groups, in keeping with the mission, goals and objectives of the centre. This is a 10-month to 1-year position due to maternity leave. Salary is $20 to $22/hour.

The successful applicant will be well organized, hospitable and able to work on a team. Excellent communication and computer skills, including Word, Excel, Blackbaudt, and Simply Accounting are required as well as a sensitivity to retreat centre ministry. Five years administrative/reception experience required. Start date is Monday, March 18, 2019. We appreciate your interest but only those short-listed will be contacted.

Apply by email with resume attached or by mail to Director: Star of the North, 3A St. Vital Avenue, St. Albert AB, T8N 1K1 

The biennial Ross and Davis Mitchell Prize seeks to recognize Canadian poets whose work wrestles with the beauty and complexity of religious faith. In 2019, the winner and runner-up will be awarded $20,000 and $5,000 respectively, by a panel of three celebrated writers: Lorna Goodison, Chelene Knight, and Scott Cairns. Poets engaged with all faith traditions are encouraged to submit work. This prize seeks to honour writing that explores the distinctive contours of belief and the shape it gives to modern life.

As the United Church, and broader community, seeks to address the calls to action aimed at churches from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, we seek to understand the path forward and, in the words of the TRC "to respect Indigenous spirituality in its own right". Evelyn Day will speak to her connection to her indigenous spirituality as well as her experience within Christianity and the United Church, February 10, 12 noon - 1:30 pm, Ashbourne Assembly Hall 11148–84 Avenue. Light lunch provided. POSTER

Evelyn Day is a native elder from the Tahltan Nation. Evelyn currently acts as the indigenous liaison for the United Church workgroup Moving Forward with Reconciliation and has established connections with most of the United Churches in Edmonton and the immediate area. Evelyn also does significant outreach in the inner-city, through blanket exercises, and with school programs.