• Those who are sick, suffering or in need: Rhea, Jenny, Paul, Erin, Sandy, Philip, Brian, Denise, Daphne, David, and all young adults struggling with addiction and mental health issues.  
• Those who have died: Will; and all 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.

It is our pleasure to announce that Bishop Jane Alexander intends, God willing, to ordain to the priesthood the Rev. Rebecca Harris, interim deacon-in-charge at Holy Trinity Riverbend, Edmonton. The ordination service will be held Wednesday, March 25, 2020, the Annunciation of the Lord to the Blessed Virgin Mary, 7:00 pm, at All Saints' Anglican Cathedral, 10035-103 St NW, Edmonton. Your prayers and presence are requested. Clergy are invited to vest. The colour is white.

The "Hot Mess Ecumenical Prayer and Potluck Service" will be held February 16, at 4 pm, at Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Old Strathcona, 10037-84 Ave, Edmonton. This service will be facilitated by Pastor Erin Thomas (Lutheran), Rev. Eileen Edwards (Moravian), and Rev. Danielle Lepine (Anglican). Our goal is to have a prayer service, an intention setting Bible Study of sorts, and to share a meal with our neighbours as we seek how to best meet the needs of our Equally Anglican Community. All are welcome and we hope to see you there! POSTER

It's the start of a new year, and what better resolution than to become a blood donar and give the gift of Life! And when you do, let Canadian Blood Services know you're Anglican! Donate through the Partners for Life program using our code: ANGL696986, and help us meet our goal of 100 units of blood donated by the end of 2020.

• sign up here to become a Partner for Life
• make an appointment to donate at the Edmonton Donor Clinic (8249–114 Street)
• Mobile Clinic Schedule (communities outside of Edmonton)

Canterbury Foundation is reshaping the way we care for seniors and our role in supporting the community. Come find out more at our Valentine's Open House. Please join us for tours, entertainment and refreshments from 10:00am to 4:00pm on February 15, 2020. Email Christinei@canterburyfoundation.com for more information.  POSTER

Grounded in the Anglican tradition, Canterbury Foundation, a private not-for-profit charitable organization in Edmonton, is seeking members for its Board of Directors. The Foundation has provided quality seniors accommodation and related supportive services for more than 40 years, and is currently undergoing a major Court Modernization and Expansion Project. Interested candidates must be an active member of an Anglican Parish within the Diocese of Edmonton. Please see attached document, or contact Brian Popp for more information: brpopp@telusplanet.net. Application deadline is February 14, 2020.

Trinity Youth Project is a Diocesan ministry that supports marginalised youth in Edmonton and area. In February and March they are offering a 15% discount to parishes looking to order baked goods from their baking employment program! Individuals part of the Diocese can also take advantage of this discount by mentioning discount code “Diocese15” when placing an order. For their current menu, and to place an order, please email info@trinityyouthproject.ca

Young Sojourners is a weekend conference held in Sorrento, BC for Anglican youth. The conference focuses on relevant themes for youth as well as community-building. St. Paul's Anglican in Edmonton is planning to take a group to this conference on the May long weekend. We will be booking a bus and there is a lot of room for other youth or youth groups to join! Please contact Victoria at stpaulsyegyouth@gmail.com by February 20th if you would be interested in having your youth come to the conference with us. Conference registration is $150 and there will be additional transportation costs. Thank you!  

Keeping track of historical documents important to the Diocese of Edmonton is a big job! Our dedicated archivist is looking for interested and conscientious individuals who would like to volunteer to help with this work for about three hours a week. Please take a look at the attached Job Description which includes more information and the right person to contact if this interests you. 

The Inner City Pastoral Ministry (ICPM) is an inter-denominational Christian ‘ministry of presence’ for inner city people. Partners in ICPM are members of Lutheran, Anglican, Roman Catholic and United Church denominations. The current pastor retires on May 31, 2020, thus, a full-time position is available for an ordained minister on May 31 or earlier. The pastor oversees the overall direction of the ICPM mission, objectives, and goals. Reporting to the Board of Directors, the pastor provides spiritual leadership and pastoral care largely among adults living within the urban core of Edmonton. For more information, see the Ministry Description, visit www.icpmedmonton.ca, or contact or Nancy Kerr. Please send applications by email to nkerr@ualberta.ca by March 9. Review of applications will begin on March 16, 2020.

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. 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.

St. John the Evangelist Anglican Church in Edmonton took a step forward in a season of change on Sunday, February 2, with a full and joyous service of induction and confirmation. Bishop Jane preached and presided, her sermon focusing on the story from the gospel of Luke, chapter two, in which Mary and Joseph encounter Simeon when they go to present Jesus in the temple.

“Imagine the baby Jesus, the old man Simeon, and the young Mary,” she said, “all looking at each other in this collapsing of past and future, of tradition and innovation, all in a kind of glorious theological explosion.”  

Simeon was possibly the first person to have a ‘bucket list,’ the Bishop suggested. “The only thing on Simeon’s list was to see the Lord’s Messiah, and God had promised that he would.”   

“Scripture doesn't tell us how long he lived with this knowledge. He must have got discouraged at times. Day after day, month after month, year after year, waiting, waiting waiting. Looking into the eyes of everyone he passed in the temple, waiting to hear the voice of God say, ‘This is the one, Simeon! This is the one you've been waiting for.’”

On Sunday, February 2, the congregation at Holy Trinity Riverbend welcomed their newest and youngest member. Baby Faye, dressed in a lovely white, sparkly dress, and looking very curious and delighted with all the attention, was dedicated and blessed through the service of the Thanksgiving for a Child. It was the perfect day for this service, falling on the Presentation of our Lord in the Temple.  As everyone prayed for, and celebrated with Faye, her proud family surrounded her with an abundance of love and joy that was bursting at the seams. The Rev. Dr. Elisabeth Thompson, and the Rev. Rebecca Harris, officiated. 

The Toy Library and Playroom at St. Mary's and St. George's Anglican Church is a community partnership in Jasper. The initiative made the local news recently and you can read about it in the Jasper Fitzhugh. Photo: F Dragon, Fitzhugh

The Very Rev. Alex Meek will be inducted as Rector of All Saints' Cathedral and Dean of the Diocese of Edmonton during Evensong on March 1, 2020, the First Sunday of Lent, at 7 pm. All are welcome! 

Christians today are not always familiar with the rich spiritual heritage of the church and how it evolved. Please join us as we look at the history and key spiritual teachings of our forebears in the faith. There will also be time for prayer and reflection. Wednesday, February 12&19, 7:30-9:00 pm at St. Thomas, 4A Raven Drive, Sherwood Park.  POSTER

Join Fiona Brownlee, diocesan aboriginal and rural communities liaison, and St. George's, Fort Saskatchewan for a KAIROS Blanket Exercise on Saturday, February 22, at 3:00pm, with dinner to follow. Please bring a blanket, and an open heart to this afternoon of learning and community. A children’s activity related to reconciliation and relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people in Canada will be offered for kids 12 and under. Please reserve your spot with Bev: call/text 780-224-7015 or email bevcyf@gmail.com POSTER

The Rev. Dr. Adenike Yesufu, a vocational deacon at St. Faith’s, Edmonton, has recently published a book titled Exploring Jesus in the Bible. The book includes a Foreword message by Dr. David Williams, President, Taylor Seminary, Professor of Theology and Ethics, Director E. P. Wahl Centre. Adenike would like to share her book with members of the diocese. Copies are available for $10 (half the retail price) at the Synod Office. You are welcome to come by and take a look. Adenike’s book can also be purchased online at full price: iuniverse 

Dr. Hud Hudson, philosophy department, Western Washington University, will present on the topic of "An
Optimistic Pessimism," on February 11, 11am-12 pm, at the Institute for Christian Studies and Society at Concordia University in Edmonton. POSTER

In these trying times the philosophy of pessimism is well grounded, independent of religious
orientation. However, this pessimism is even more austere for the Christian who takes the doctrines
of the Fall and Original Sin seriously. Yet these doctrines have been invoked as a kind of optimism
through which the philosophy of pessimism can be tempered. Dr. Hudson will critically examine this
proposal according to which our current predicament may be regarded as a fortunate fall.

The Edmonton Recital Society presents Jeremy Spurgeon, All Saints' Cathedral Organist and Music Director, in concert at the Winspear Centre on Wednesday, February 12, 7:30 pm. Tickets, $40 Adult; $30 Senior (60+), can be purchased through TIX on the Square, Eventbrite and at the door. Group discounts of 10% for parties of 10 or more are available upon request to info@edmontonrecital.com. View the featured works and POSTER

As Canadians watch the fires and the aftermath of the fires in Australia, many wondering how they can help, the Primate's World Relief and Development Fund (PWRDF) has been in contact with our counterparts there and made arrangements to support the Anglican Board of Mission’s bushfire appeal. Those wishing to read more or give to this cause may do so through PWRDF. 

Messy Church Canada is holding a National ‘Messy Connections’ Conference in Winnipeg, from October 15 to 18, 2020. Messy Connections brings together Messy Church teams, as well as those interested in launching Messy Church, in a four-day conference with Messy Church founders and leaders. The conference will be an interactive, energized, musical, and inspired gathering that will connect you with other leaders and with your own learning in Messy Church.Information about the Conference and registration can be found on Eventbrite.

NAIN is a non-profit organization which consists of a network of interfaith organizations and individuals in Canada, the United States and Mexico. The new NAIN Consultant will be committed to NAIN's mission to strengthen the interfaith movement in North American. All candidates should have proven leadership, coaching, and relationship-building experience. Please see the attached job description for more information. Application deadline is February 7, 2020.

Register at 780-459-5511 or www.starofthenorth.ca

Power of Scripture to Transform: Faith, Freedom and Living Life to the Full: Archbishop Emeritus Sylvain Lavoie, OMI, leads three Thursday evening sessions: February 6, 13 and 20, from 7 to 9 pm, on Scripture passages in which God meets our need to be loved, calms our inner storms and enables us to move from being stuck in grief to good grieving. Cost: $80. 

Finding Serenity Through Surrender Recovery Retreat: This workshop/retreat is open to anyone interested in learning more about the addictive process, a spirituality of recovery, inner healing and the 12-Step program. The February 7-8 event will focus on aspects of a life of sobriety that is joyful and free, serenity and surrender. Facilitators: Sylvain L. and Justin R. Cost for Live-ins, $150; Commuters, $100. 

Slow Down Retreat Day: Em-Bodied Spirits: Embracing Our Physical Selves: Sandy Prather will lead the group in exploring the gift of our bodies with gratitude. Feb. 20, 9:30 am to 3:30 pm. Cost: $40.   

The Parish of St. Andrew, Woodhaven in Winnipeg, MB is seeking a full-time incumbent. Deadline for applications is March 4, 2020. For more information, please see Parish Profile.

2020 brings an opportunity to renew your commitment to the Word of God through the Good Book Club, a free, online resource produced by The Episcopal Church and several partners including Forward Movement. The Good Book Club is recognised by the Anglican Church of Canada. You can download the reading list to read the Gospel of John during the time from Epiphany through Shrove Tuesday. Sign up at goodbookclub.org to receive updates. 

MEANINGS AND CALLINGS THE THREADS OF OUR STORIES Friday, February 21 (7:00 pm) to Sunday, February 23 (1:00 pm)  
Faith Nostbakken Our lives are ripe with meaning from our first to our last breath. We experience an inherent human quest to find purpose; we feel a God-given impulse to discover our passions, express our joys, confront our challenges, and address our most profound questions. This retreat invites us to enter into the unique details of who we are, who we have been, and who we are becoming by asking the question, “What might happen if we each started to see our lives as a story of callings?”

The WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE – A Lenten Retreat Friday, February 28 (7:00 pm) to Sunday, March 1 (1:00 pm) Register by February 13: Bishop Emeritus Fred Henry The Message of Christ talks to every stage of the life process. The old hear the call to integrity and wisdom, the middle-aged to generativity and responsibility, the young to identity and intimacy. To find Christ at every stage in our lives is to find ourselves! Spring/Summer 2020 Brochure