• Those who are sick, suffering or in need: Deirdre, Monica, Erin, Rhea, Brian, Denise, Daphne, Amy and Will.
• 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 which will be removed after two or three weeks.

Dear Friends,

It is lovely to be back in Edmonton. The early signs of autumn grace the river valley and Elk Island National Park. The light at this time of year is particularly beautiful and I give thanks for the gift of God's creation when I go walking. Between the years 1997 and 2007, I was the Bishop of Edmonton and due to that I am known to many of you. However given the very exciting things happening in the Diocese of Edmonton since 2008, a time when I was Bishop of Christchurch, New Zealand, I also do not know many of you. Getting to know you is something I am looking forward to doing. 

It is our pleasure to announce that Bishop Jane Alexander intends, God willing, to ordain to the diaconate Maryann Amor (pictured at right), curate at St. Luke's, Edmonton; and Shelly King, spiritual director and administrative assistant at the Synod Office. The ordination service will be held Monday, November 4, 2019, feast day of the Old Testament Saints, 7:00 pm, at All Saints' Anglican Cathedral, 10035-103 Street NW, Edmonton. Your prayers and presence are requested. Clergy are invited to vest. The colour is white.

This workshop will be led by Father Michael Lapsley SSM, a South African Anglican priest and social justice advocate.

After Fr. Michael lost both hands and an eye in a letter bomb attack in Zimbabwe in 1990, he developed the Healing of Memories Workshop to run in parallel to South Africa's Truth and Reconciliation Commission (1996-1997), creating a platform for those who wished to share their experiences and be heard compassionately. Over the following two years, workshops were offered through the length and breadth of the country, and in 1998 the Institute for Healing of Memories was born.

Today, the Institute offers workshops and training to diverse groups of people all over the world, offering a venue to explore how scars of the past continue to shape our lives, attitudes and choices. This workshop would be of interest to those working in social justice, counselling, and advocacy fields; those interested in bringing healing to their own lives in a supportive environment; and those planning to pursue further facilitator training with the Institute.

Conference registration fee of $275 includes meals, accommodations & conference materials.

Register on Eventbrite For more info, email: HealingofMemoriesEdmonton@gmail.com 

POSTER

St. Faith's Anglican Church, 11725-93 St NW, Edmonton, is hosting an Evening with Fr. Michael Lapsley on October 2 at 7:00 pm. 

Father Michael Lapsley, SSM, is a South African Anglican priest and social justice advocate. After he lost both hands and an eye in a letter bomb attack in Zimbabwe in 1990, he developed the Healing of Memories Workshop to run in parallel to South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission (1996-1997), creating a platform for those who wished to share their experiences and be heard compassionately.

Over the following two years, the workshops were offered through the length and breadth of the country, and in 1998 the Institute for Healing of Memories was born.

Today, the Institute offers workshops and training to diverse groups all over the world, offering a venue to explore how scars of the past continue to shape our lives, attitudes and choices. 

A freewill offering will be taken to support the work of Healing of Memories Institute locally and abroad. For more info, email: HealingofMemoriesEdmonton@gmail.com POSTER

“This is my vision for our churches: that they become places of belonging, places of sharing, places of love." Jean Vanier, Befriending the Stranger

All information about the 66th Synod of the Diocese of Edmonton, to be held October 4-5, 2019, is posted on the diocesan website.

All delegates are required to register ASAP for Synod on Eventbrite. 

You do not need to keep the ticket that Eventbrite issues,
but you do need to register so we know you are coming.

Nominations and Elections: Please consider if you or someone you know would like to be nominated for any of the positions available (it is ok to self-nominate!) For more information, the guidelines for the nominations and the nomination form are posted on the diocesan website: https://edmonton.anglican.ca/pages/nominations--221

Draft Agenda: A draft agenda for Synod is now available on the diocesan website: https://edmonton.anglican.ca/synod/66th-synod-2019

For questions, email Canon Barbara Burrows, Secretary of Synod: Barbarab@edmonton.anglican.ca

For all who lead Prayers of the People during worship, please feel free to use this template, created by the Rev. Tim Chesterton, based on the Season of Creation resource pack.

If you are looking for ways to Mark the Season of Creation, here are a couple of suggestions:

Young climate activists are calling on Canadians of all ages to join them for global action on climate change next week (September 20-27).

The Amiskwaciwâskahikan/Edmonton Climate Vigil will be held at the Alberta Legislature Grounds on Sunday, September 22, from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. This family-friendly, candle-light vigil is hosted by Citizens for Public Justice and interfaith partners. All people are invited to come together in prayer, song and ceremony, joining with people around the world in the biggest global week of climate action EVER!

Season of Creation 2019 Celebration Guide

The 42nd General Synod of the Anglican Church of Canada voted to adopt The Season of Creation as an annual time of prayer, education and action.  

Beginning September 1, the Day of Prayer for Creation, and running through October 4, the Feast of St. Francis (patron saint of ecology), Christians across the ecumenical spectrum are encouraged to join together in prayer for creation and environmental stewardship.  

This season is a special time for the Creator and each other. Some of us pray, some of us do hands-on projects, some of us advocate. We all protect creation.  

The momentum continues long after the season ends. By seeding ongoing prayer, changes in lifestyle and advocacy, the season grows hope in our communities each year. General Synod, as an example, also passed resolutions encouraging parishes and dioceses to curtail their purchase of single-use plastic products by 2023, and to support the new Global Goals for Sustainable Development which aim to end poverty, protect the planet and pursue the common good.  

Ways to Observe Season of Creation

- Hold a sustainability event
- Plant a tree
- Hold an ourdoor service
- Reduce your carbon footprint
- For inspiration, read the inaugural issue of Epiphanies, a digital magazine produced by the staff of the Anglican Journal

How is you parish marking the Season of Creation, September 1 - October 4? Send your ideas, events and pictures to churched@edmonton.anglican.ca and we will share them through the Synod Scene.

This workshop is for church groups, community groups and anyone interested in developing a community solar project.  The basics of how a utility-tie solar system works, and the steps needed to develop a project large or small, will be covered. Both Alberta’s existing Micro Generation law and Alberta’s new Small Scale Generation law along with its “Community Generation” sub-section will be explained. The workshop will include a Design Charrette to explore the possibilities of developing Community Benefit Agreements between solar developers and community groups.  POSTER

The Anglican Foundation of Canada challenges your parish to respond by upholding our Baptismal Covenant: “to safeguard the integrity of God’s creation, and respect, sustain and renew the life of the earth.” 20 grants of up to $2,500 each will be awarded to parishes or dioceses for projects that foster sustainability, reduce the carbon footprint, and plant the seeds for change for a greener Canada.

Please see the link to the AFC website (below) to find out more!

The Edmonton West/Yellowhead ACW Regional Meeting will be held September 21 at St. Timothy's Anglican Church, 8420-145 St, Edmonton. This year's theme is Care for the Environment - "The earth is the Lord's and all that is in it" - Psalm 24.

For more info, please contact president Gen Ashwell: 780-486-2999; Secretary Joyce Sharum: 780-407-6002.

We are currently looking for lay people in the Diocese of Edmonton who love Christ, want to help others come to know and love him too, and are willing to commit themselves to a two-year formation program (six Saturdays a year, plus some practical work in between sessions).

We hope to begin a new formation program in early October.

The attached documents (hover for link) describe what Lay Evangelists are, and how we plan to form them for their ministry.

If you would like to find out more about this, please contact your rector and also the warden of lay evangelists, the Rev. Tim Chesterton (stmrector@gmail.com or 780-437-7231).

Register now for the next Cursillo Weekend, October 18-20, 2019 at Star of the North Retreat Centre in St. Albert. It's an opportunity for anyone: singles, couples, and people at all stages of their Christian journey, to explore and expand your Christian life in a retreat setting through guided discussion, prayer, music and fellowship. 

If you've been to Cursillo before, please pray about who you can sponsor. If you would like to go but don't have a sponsor, email David Holehouse.

Registration forms are completed by the applicant, a sponsor and your parish clergy. Email David or visit www.edmontoncursillo.ca for more information. Early registration is encouraged, as space is limited. 

A Common Word Alberta invites you to its annual Christian-Muslim Dialogue on Saturday, October 26. Featured guest speakers are Neveen Ayad and Canon Scott Sharman, Anglican Church of Canada Animator for Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations, will address the ways, as an Interfaith Community, we strive to create spaces for gatherings where we can engage with each other in order to overcome stereotypes. POSTER

The Annual Bishop's Fund Dinner, in support of clergy of the Dioceses of Edmonton and the Arctic, will be held November 13, 2019 at the Royal Mayfair, Edmonton. Guest speaker will be Rick Hamlin, Executive Editor of Guideposts Christian magazine and author of Prayer Works: A Lifetime Spiritual Journey. 

It's back! Last year's September Coffee Fundraiser was so successful, we've decided to do it again. POSTER The Mothers' Union in our sister diocese of Buyé launched an amazingly practical initiative in 2018, helping senior citizens and less advantaged families to get a medical card, which gives them 80% medical coverage for a full year. The card costs about $5, but that is out of reach for many of the people who need it most.

The Creating Hope Society of Alberta is hosting Amiskwaciwaskahikan: An Indigenous Community Gathering, Saturday, September 21, 11 am to 8 pm, at the Edmonton Intercultural Centre Gym, 9538-107 Avenue. For more information, contact Brittany: 780-477-7961 or email Indigenous.Liaison@creatinghopesociety.ca POSTER

Nukskahtowin at Athabasca University Peace Hills Trust Tower, 10011-109 St, 12th Floor, Room 1222, would like to extend an invitation to our September and October instalment of Bannock and a Movie. Indian Time, a film by National Film Board (2016), is a personal and current portrayal of the 11 Indigenous nations of Québec. POSTER

Part 1 (45 minutes) will be shown on September 27
Part 2: (45 minutes) will be shown on October 4  

Please RSVP to Ivy Lalonde: ivyl@athabascau.ca 

September 30th is Orange Shirt Day! The Indigenous Ministry Initiative in the Diocese of Edmonton invites you to join us, and hundreds of people across Canada, as we wear an orange shirt to honour the children who survived Indian Residential Schools and to remember those who didn't.

Every child matters. We will wear orange shirts in recognition, remembrance and as an affirmation of our commitment to ensure that everyone around us matters.

We are encouraging your parish to commemorate this on Sunday, September 29, 2019 with prayer and by wearing orange shirts to church that day. If you would like to order an orange shirt, Safe and Caring Schools & Communities has an Edmonton location for pick-up. Also, you need not buy a t-shirt to participate—any orange shirt will do.

Please contact the Rev. Nick Trussell or Fiona Brownlee. if you neeed assistance with any of this. If you would like to learn more about this day check out http:// www.orangeshirtday.org/ Together as a diocese we will be that invitation to heal in our communities.

Orange Shirt Day Prayer, Orange Shirt Day Responsive Prayer, Background and Resources Information Sheet, POSTER

Contacts: 
*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. See also the Anglican Church of Canada Reconciliation Toolkit.

Please join Bishop Victoria Matthews and the congregation at St. Paul's Edmonton for the Induction Service of the Rev. Myron Penner. All are welcome to come and celebrate with Rev. Myron, his family and the parish. The service will be held at 7:00 pm, Tuesday, September 24th at St. Paul's Anglican Church, 10127 – 145 Street NW, Edmonton. We look forward to having you join us in celebrating this new ministry.

“Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!” (Psalm 8:9)

The Messy Church gang filled the hall at St. Luke’s on Saturday, September 14th, celebrating the theme “Love Your World” as part of the Season of Creation. Crafts included sock caterpillars and bird feeders, rock insects and flower painting. On the “Caring for Creation Tree” people had a chance to note the things they and their families do to help care for our world. A possible favourite was the creation of dirt cups with worms (the dirt being made of Oreo cookies and chocolate pudding; the worms being multi-coloured gummy worms!) At the prayer station, those who wished were invited to write a prayer on a flower and let it gently float in a ‘pond’ of water. And during the celebration, a giant inflatable globe bounced through the crowd reminding us of the world God has put into our care.

“In the beginning there was NOTHING! Nothing to hear. Nothing to feel. Nothing to see. Only emptiness and darkness. But God was there and he had a wonderful plan.” Jesus Storybook Bible 

On Friday, September 13, 20 kids brought their mom’s and dad’s to Christ Church, Edmonton for their Season of Creation Messy Church. Before dinner, Rev. Chelsy brought everyone together for the story of creation and to talk about our responsibility to care for the world that God created for us. 

Forty-four people, made a wonderful rainbow together to kick-off Messy Church at St. Augustine's Parkland in Spruce Grove on Saturday, September 14. The theme of new beginnings (God's promise in Noah's ark) guided our worship and activities that included blessings of the backpacks, journal-making, planting seeds for new growth and making prayer cards of blessings to leave in the church pews. There was sunshine, laughter, joy, good food and wonderful music. We built new friendships and praised God. Submitted by the Rev. Billy Isenor.

It’s bright, it’s beautiful, and it’s a symbol of church and community working together. St. Augustine of Canterbury Anglican Church is sporting a new mural on the corner of its building facing 60th Street and Fulton Road, Edmonton. It’s the work of local artist Theo Harasymiw, who has a number of art installations around the city, including a mosaic on the outside of the downtown Italian Centre and more than 90 school projects, the most recent being a series of murals installed last year at Hardisty School.

Thirteen ladies from St. Thomas' Anglican Church in Sherwood Park took a break away from their usual routines last weekend. From Friday evening, September 13 to Sunday morning, September 15, they came together for a time of renewal, refreshment and fun at the Star of the North Retreat Centre in St. Albert. Facilitator Shelly King led as they dug into gospel stories, connecting with women who knew and loved Jesus; and they sat long over meals and snack times, connecting with each other. The weather was beautiful for those who wanted to get outside for walks; the setting comfortable for those who wanted to just sit and visit. The only question… when can we do it again!?

Do you have toys that are no longer being played with? The parish of St. Mary & St. George in Jasper is starting a Toy Swap/Library and is currently looking to collect quality toys. You can drop the toys off at the Synod Office or give them to the Rev. Andreas Sigrist during the Diocesan Synod on October 4-5. For further information or questions please contact Rev. Andreas at andreas.sigrist00@gmail.com or by phone at 587-938-2007.    

HTAC invites you to an East Coast Kitchen Party on September 20 at 6:30 pm. Join us for an evening of music, a spaghetti supper, silent auction, and laughs as we gather as a community and fundraise for new, blue Advent paraments at Holy Trinity Old Strathcona! Tickets are $15 per person or $10 for those 12 or younger! Reserve your tickets now as seating is limited! Contact Rev. Danielle at assistantcurate@holytrinity.ab.ca for any questions or to get your tickets! POSTER

On September 21, from 7-10 pm, join the St. Augustine's Community, 6110 Fulton Road, Edmonton, for a fall pub and karaoke night. Craft beer and pub snacks available (non-alcoholic options too). $20 gets you one drink and one plate of snacks. Profit directed to fundraising for St. Augustine's LED light upgrade. Purchase tickets early online.

Are you longing for an ancient and powerful practice to explore spiritual growth and transformation? Dreams are one of the fastest ways to connect to the soul and experience human wholeness, which brings freedom, spaciousness and meaning to our often distracted lives. This workshop, presented by Kathy Sperling on Saturday, September 21, 9 am-3 pm, at St. George's Centre for Wellness and Learning, is designed to teach you strategies to discover the meanings of your dreams through a method of working with dreams in a group setting.

To register, cost is $75, contact ksperlingwellness@gmail.com All are welcome, even those who do not remember their dreams; prior knowledge is helpful but not necessary.

Join us Saturday, September 21 at 7:00 pm for solemn evensong on the feast of St. Matthew. Location is St. Stephen the Martyr, 11725-93 Street NW, Edmonton.

Fusion Canada is offering a Foundations Course (12 weeks + 2 Saturdays + outreach opportunity) at St. Matthias Anglican Church, 6210-188 St NW, Edmonton, September 18-Dec 4 (Wednesday evenings). The cost is $75 (includes manual and food on the Saturdays). The course will run from 6-9:30 pm (potluck supper at 6 pm with teaching starting at 6:45 pm). The Foundations course explores four areas of study: Living with God, Living with Others, Living with Yourself, and community transformation. Have a look at the website for more details and to register: http://fusioncanada.ca/training/

St. Michael and All Angels' Anglican Church in Edmonton is hosting a Vacation Bible School next summer called "Knights of the North Castle," where they will learn to "be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power" (Ephesians 6:10).  We are already starting our search for props. Our dream and hope is to find someone who will lend us a life-size real Suit of Armour. Can you help us out with any leads?  Know any collectors? Please call the church and let us know: 780-478-6741.

St. Paul Anglican Church in Edmonton is looking for some Common Praise hymn books. If you have any to spare, please contact their office.

St. Luke's Anglican Church in southeast Edmonton eagerly awaits your application for the position of rector. Our search committee is looking for someone who is ready to build on the energy in this congregation and take St. Luke's to its next level in spiritual and numerical growth.

Any special services, end-of-summer barbeques or church picnics in your parish? New events or activities planned for fall? We love to share stories from all corners of the diocese.

Please send your promotions, your pictures and write-ups (they don't have to be long!) to churched@edmonton.anglican.ca and we will be happy to post them with your church information on the diocesan web-site and in the Synod Scene. Look forward to hearing from you!

The Wainwright Ministerial Association presents award-winning Christian storyteller and musician Steve Bell in concert at the Wainwright Communiplex, September 27. Bell is a member of saint benedict’s table at All Saints’ Anglican Church in Winnipeg. Tickets can be purchased at stevebell.com and proceeds will help purchase a CT scanner for the Wainwright Hospital. Quick fact: Steve learned to play guitar in Drumheller Prison when he was 8 years old - his father was a federal prison chaplain.

The annual Ecumenical Mission of Strathcona County is a four-day conference featuring drop-in events that allow you to take part whenever is convenient for you. This year’s Mission is titled "Interfaith Intersections," and is being led by the Rev. Dr. Scott Sharman, a priest of Edmonton diocese and the Animator for Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations for the Anglican Church of Canada. Interfaith conversations are an important reality in our increasingly diverse world and Scott has put a lot of thought into this topic. If you are interested, we would love to see you. Please feel free display the attached POSTER. For more information, visit ecumenicalmission.wordpress.com or see the attached brochure. The Rev. Dr. Scott Sharman is pictured here addressing General Synod 2019.

The Canadian Council of Churches has published a  2019 Federal Election Guide as a voting reesource for people of faith leading up to the 2019 Canadian federal election on October 21. The guide includes examples of questions to ask candidates and resources and links to can learn more about the issues.

The Studion School for Spiritual Direction is now accepting applications for its next cohort of students beginning in March, 2020. The Studion is a two-year, part-time training in the ministry of spiritual direction in the Christian tradition and is included as a public access course of King's University in Edmonton. Click here for application forms on The Studion website. Email thestudionschool@gmail.com for more information.

On Eagle's Wings is seeking a minister with a passion to see northern people grow as disciples of Christ. The minister will be an active member of the On Eagle's Wings’ ministry team, with primary responsibility for the Northwest Territories and Nunavut. This position (see JOB Profile) requires travel to remote communities periodically throughout the year and the ability to respect and walk alongside northern people.

For more information or to obtain a detailed job description, please contact:
Rev Lesley Hand, Executive Director
10072 164 Street NW, Edmonton, AB T5P 4Y3
780-440-6594 oneagleswings.north@gmail.com

There are several ministry opportunities in the Diocese of Rupert's Land and the Manitoba Northwestern Ontario Synod of the ELCIC:

• Anglican Parish of Christ Church, Selkirk, MB
• Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Winnipeg
• Interlake Regional Shared Ministry
• Messaih Lutheran Church, Winnipeg
• Prince of Peace / Abundant Life Lutheran Shared Ministry

For more info, contact Canon Susan Suppes, Exec Asst to the Bishop Diocese of Rupert's Land, 204-992-4212.