• Those who are sick, suffering or in need: Kelem, Brian, Denise, Daphne 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.

Bishop Jane Alexander is pleased to appoint the Rev. Nick Trussell as rector of St. Luke's, Edmonton, effective December 1, 2019.

The December, 2019 issue of The Messenger is available to read online and download. It can also be viewed as a Flipbook

The Messenger welcomes story ideas, opinion and photo submissions relating to news and events of the Athabasca and Edmonton dioceses. Content should be limited to 500 words. Pictures must be high resolution, a minimum of 1 MB (300 dpi), and include the photographer's name and a brief description of the subject. Submissions will be accepted until the first of the month, one month prior to the publication date (for example, December 1 for January 2020 issue). Please send submissions to Editor Margaret Glidden: anglicanmessenger@gmail.com

Diocesan Executive Archdeacons/Officers from across Canada met from 19-21 November in Edmonton. The meeting was held jointly with the diocesan Finance Officers on the 19th and separately for the rest of the time. 20 dioceses (Algoma, Arctic, Brandon, Calgary, Central Newfoundland, Edmonton, Fredericton, Huron, Kootenay, Montreal, Moosonee, New Westminster, Niagara, Nova Scotia and PEI, Ontario, Ottawa, Qu’Appelle, Toronto, Western Newfoundland , and Yukon) were represented, along with the Military Ordinariate. Archdeacon Michael Thompson, General Secretary of the General Synod, also participated. The group has gathered annually for a few years to discuss matters of diocesan governance, of the relationship between dioceses and the General Synod, and for mutual support and education. Topics this year included Safe Church implementation, ACPO (Advisory Committee on Postulants for Ordination), General Synod finances, and General Synod governance and structure.

Right at Home Housing Society and Holy Trinity Riverbend Anglican Church are holding a drop-in information session to provide an update on the family-oriented, mixed-income housing development on the HTR site in the Terwillegar Towne neighbourhood. You are invited to drop-in at HTR, 1428-156 ST, Edmonton, between 7 pm and 8:30 pm on December 3. All the informational materials will be available online. For more information, contact RAHHS Board Chair Anne Stevenson at 780-423-1339 or astevenson@right@homehousing.com Invitation

Local churches and individuals from many denominations join together around Christmastime to provide financial support to a housing provider to the homeless or those at risk in the Edmonton Capital Region. NRII is based on the biblical story of Mary and Joseph being forced to take refuge in a stable after discovering that there was no room for them in the inn in Bethlehem.

No Room in the Inn (NRII) brochures are available for pick-up from the Synod Office and can be downloaded here.

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.

Creating Hope Society is hosting an Indian Taco fundraiser at St. Faith’s Anglican Church (PrayerWorks Hall), 11725-93 Street, Edmonton, this Friday, November 29, from 11 am to 1 pm.  Tacos - $8.00; Combo (Taco and Drink) - $10.00 

Tacos - $8.00; Combo (Taco and Drink) - $10.00 

Delivery available if order is more than four tacos. See attached Order Form

Treaty Talk: Sharing the River of Life is a 50 minute film produced by Pat Makokis (Saddle Lake Cree Nation) one of Canada’s most outstanding Indigenous leaders to better understand our collective responsibility to treaty. The purpose of the film is for people to connect as allies in reconciliation; to build understanding and bridges for better relationship and work together. Through the sharing of a traditional Cree understanding of natural law and treaty, it will explore and model how indigenous nations and non-indigenous allies in Canada can come together to transform racism and discrimination at a local and systemic level to build a future of mutual benefit. Join us Friday, November 29th at 7:00 pm at United in the Park: Sherwood Park United Church, 20 Fir Street, Sherwood Park. Lewis Cardinal, life long Human Rights advocate, and Cathy Bell, Indigenous Rights law professor, will be facilitating the Q&A session following the film screening. POSTER

Calling all youth! It's that time again! Time for our Annual Great Anglican Gingerbread House Build Off! All youth 12+ are invited to join us at Holy Trinity Anglican Church on Friday, November 29 from 5:00-9:00pm for a meal (which we'll make together) and to build our annual gingerbread houses! This event is free and we encourage youth to invite a friend! Please RSVP to Rev. Danielle at Danielle@holytrinity.ab.ca so we can ensure there are enough gingerbread houses for everyone! POSTER

St. Mary the Virgin Anglican Church, 5042 48 Avenue in Vegreville, invites one and all to get into the spirit of Advent and Christmas at their 3rd annual Nativity Festival and bake sale:
Friday, November 29 11:00am - 8:00pm
Saturday November 30 10:00 - 3:00pm and
Sunday December 1 noon - 3:00pm    POSTER

St. Paul's, 10127-145 Street, Edmonton, is holding a White Elephant Sale, Saturday, Nov. 30, between 11AM and 3PM, to raise funds for a trip to Rwanda in the summer of 2020 to re-establish relationships in the Cyangugu diocese. Members of the parish intend to facilitate conferences for youth and pastors and check on progress with pre-established microfinance, housing, and youth education projects. Come, bring your friends and enjoy some tea and refreshments while finding some special Christmas gifts and supporting a great cause!

Sister Dorothy from SSJD Victoria will be the speaker for our Quiet Day at Christ Church, 12116-102 Ave, Edmonton, on Saturday, November 30, from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm. Everyone is welcome. Please bring your own bag lunch. We will begin with coffee at 9:30 am, serve soup at noon, and finish with compline at 3:30 pm. Please email Gen at gclaire@telus.net or phone 780-443-1926 to confirm your intention to attend.

This Sunday, December 1 at 7 pm, St. Margaret's, 12603 Ellerslie Rd, Edmonton, presents a Christmas variety concert in support of World Vision's Raw Hope initiative.The program for the evening will include music from the Piatta Forma Choir, the Metropolitan Saxophone Quartet and other performers; a Christmas pageant will be presented by members of our congregation. Refreshments will be served after the concert.Tickets are $10 each or $30 per family and are available from St. Margaret's, 780-437-7231 or at the door on the evening.

Join us for a gorgeous evening at All Saints' with music, readings and poetry. After the service, try a mince tart (or two!) in the hall, and you'll be ready for the start of Advent!

You are invited to join us for a festival of Advent Lessons and Carols as we prepare for the birth of Christ. The Festival of Lessons and Carols for Advent is designed to portray moving from darkness into light as the world at Christmas moves from darkness into the light of the Incarnation of the Word (“and the Word became flesh and dwelt among us”). If you are able, please bring a potluck dish to share as we join together for fellowship in the Lower Hall before the Lessons and Carols service. All are welcome.   POSTER
Where: Holy Trinity Anglican Church, 10037 84 Ave, Edmonton
When: Sunday, December 1
Potluck supper - 5:00pm; Service - 7:00pm

Come along to St. David’s Annual Community Carol Sing-Along, 7:00 pm on Wednesday, December 4. You'll find us at 8345 79 Ave NW in Edmonton. There will be fabulous home-made mince pies along with hot apple cider, as we break into song with everyone’s favourite Christmas Carols (accompanied by the new organ)! There is no admission cost for this event, and everyone is welcome!        

St. Thomas', Sherwood Park invites you to their third annual A free, all-ages neighbourhood gathering featuring an outdoor fire pit and marshmallow roasting, card and ornament making, cookie decorating, a photo booth, and refreshments. We will share the story of the birth of Jesus with two drop-in pageants at 11:30 and 2:30. Bring your family, friends and neighbours for festive fun! POSTER

St. Stephen the Martyr ACW invites you to its annual St. Nicholas Tea and Bake sale on Saturday, December 7. The tea starts at 1:30 pm and goes until 3:30 pm. Admission is $5 for adults, $2 for children (ages 6 to 12) and free for children under six. The Tea and Bake Sale will be held at PrayerWorks Hall adjacent to the Church at 11725 – 93 Street, Edmonton. POSTER

Bring your festive spirit and join us at St. Augustine Parkland, 131 Church Road, Spruce Grove, for our Messy Church St. Nick's Party on  December 7. The funs starts at 3:00pm! This year we will be holding an impromptu Christmas Pageant with narration by Rev. Billy and Christmas Carols. Supper will be provided and we encourage everyone to bring a gift of socks, gloves, or toques for our Little Disciple's social justice bin. These gifts will go to our brothers and sisters in need in the inner city of Edmonton. Please RSVP to Rev. Billy and let us know of any dietary restrictions.     

Join us at St. Luke’s Anglican Church (8424–95 Avenue, Edmonton) from 11:00am to 2:30pm on Saturday, December 7, for our Christmas bazaar. Enjoy a bowl of homemade soup and take time to shop for baking, crafts, and white elephant items. POSTER

This free hour of fun features rocking carols, hot chocolate and cookies. Everyone welcome! POSTER

The Filipino Congregation of St. Matthias, 6210-188 St. NW, Edmonton, will be hosting a Christmas party for anyone and everyone! Join us on Sunday, December 8 for a eucharist service followed by festive singing, games, and fun for the family. Our kids will have a gift exchange ($20 min and $30 min for adults), abd then we will all share a potluck meal. If you want, bring a pot; if you don’t, you’re in luck - we will have plenty extra. Either way, come one, come all and let’s jingle and mingle. POSTER    

St. Aidan and St. Hilda Anglican Church presents the 42nd Annual Service of Lessons and Carols for Advent and Christmas on Sunday, December 8 at 10:30am. The Rt. Rev. Dr. Jane Alexander, Bishop of Edmonton, will officiate. 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 Fund.  

Join us at St. Mary the Virgin for a few hours of quiet amid the hectic pre-Christmas rush. Bring a friend and explore together ways to enter into the beauty and sacred holiness of Advent.
Where: 5042 48 Avenue, Vegreville
When: 10:00am - 1:30pm, December 14
POSTER

St. Augustine's Parkland will host a reading of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol on December 14 at 7:30pm. All readers are CBC on-air presenters. Plus, look forward to special music by Tag Along, Ian Bowden, Bill Werthmann, The Parkland Bells of St. Andrew’s United Church and Lorne Manweiler. Tickets are $30 in support of Auggie's Cafe. Festive desserts and refreshments will be served at intermission. POSTER

Good Shepherd Anglican Church seeks an enthusiastic and flexible Youth Children’s Ministries Coordinator who loves to share the Good News of God’s love with children, teens, and their families. This is a part-time, independent contractor position with flexible hours and paid planning time. Join our team of passionate volunteers as we seek to equip families to grow in the knowledge and love of God not only on Sundays but all week long. For more info about this opportunity, please see Ministry Profile 

Learn about or refresh your knowledge of Centering Prayer and deepen the experience during a weekend of quiet contemplation as the Advent season begins. Centering Prayer, a method introduced by Fr. Thomas Keating, focuses on consenting to God’s presence and action within. Mary Jane Yates and Susan Storey will lead this retreat Friday, November 29 at 9:00am until Sunday, December 1 at 3:00pm. $365 for a suite, $325 for a single room. Register online at www.providencerenewal.ca or call 780-701-1854.  POSTER

Hope Lutheran Church, 5104-106 Ave NW, Edmonton, is holding an ELW Bake Sale on November 30, from 10 am to 4 pm. Come for tea and tasty treats! There will be a quilt raffle at 4 pm. POSTER

Local ecumenical leaders from the Catholic, Lutheran and Anglican churches will discuss how to prepare various forms of congregational worship for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. Join facilitators Julien Hammond, Faith Nostbakken and Canon Scott Sharman for a half-long workshop (actually from noon to 4 PM) preparing to celebrate the 2020 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity: introduction to the biblical theme for the week, tips for organizing ecumenical worship services, hymn suggestions, bible studies and adaptations for children’s lessons. Registration is through Star of the North Retreat Centre https://www.facebook.com/events/697625900715689/ 

The annual Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols for Advent and Christmas, a benefit for U of A student support, will be held at the Winspear Centre for Music, Monday, December 2, 7:30 pm. This event is sponsored by the U of A Interfaith Chaplains Mixed Chorus, and the U of A and The King's University Departments of Music. It will feature the U of A Mixed Chorus Faculty of Education Handbell Ringers, Robert de Frece, Director; Marnie Giesbrecht Joachim Segger, Organists. All seats are $20 (plus service chg.) Winspear Box Office: (780) 428-1414 POSTER  

The Anglican Church of Canada has been invited to send delegates to the 2021 Assembly of the World Council of Churches (WCC) in Karlsruhe, Germany. Applicants may be clergy or lay and must be at least 18 years of age by September 2021. There is no cost to a delegate to attend. Applications to serve are being accepted through December 15 via the online FORM on the national church website.

A warm gust of song on a winter’s day Every December, Kokopelli hosts Edmonton’s largest seasonal choral concerts. This year, we present seven ensembles of all ages, for a total of almost 400 singers. Wintersong fills historical McDougall United Church with music Saturday, December 21, at 2 pm (featuring Tamariki, Kikimasu, Shumayela, Kokopelli, Òran, Vacilando) and 7 pm (featuring Kikimasu, Shumayela, Kokopelli, Òran, Vacilando, and ChandraTala). Both concerts will embrace a wide array of holiday music and traditions—with the afternoon concert including the abundant charm of our youngest ensembles. Tickets ($25 adults, $20 students, $15 ages 6-12, 5 and under are free with ticket and accompanied by an adult) are available at Tix on the Square (tixonthesquare.ca), from choristers, and at the door. POSTER

Spiritual growth often occurs when we are able to explore our experiences of God with another person, particularly when that person is trained in active and reflective listening. This is the primary activity of spiritual direction, sometimes also known as spiritual accompaniment. The Studion School for Spiritual Direction is currently seeking volunteers willing to receive spiritual direction from our second-year students as they complete their practicum requirement. If this opportunity interests you, contact us by email at thestudionschool@gmail.com to find out more.

The Anglican Diocese of Athabasca is looking for a full-time Administrator/Bookkeeper. The ideal candidate should have excellent oral and written communication skills and experience with the Sage bookkeeping program, as well as knowledge of all aspects of payroll processes and reporting requirements. An understanding of the Christian faith and things ecclesiastical would be considered an asset. Click here for the full job posting. Closing date is December 15, 2019.

The Canadian Christian Communicators (CCC), formerly the Canadian Church Press, has launched a new website: www.christiancommunicators.ca For the next year, CCC is offering individual memberships for $25. Writers, editors, photographers, social media managers, graphic and web designers - anyone who wants to connect faith communities - will be able to take part in free webinars about how to communicate in our polarized and noisy world. Want a chance to talk with author Malcolm Gladwell? Climate scientist Katherine Hayhoe? Writer and blogger Sarah Bessey? They have all agreed to participate in webinars with CCA in 2020.