• Those who are sick, suffering or in need: Sheena, Brian, Fran, Keean, Don, Jan, Marcy, Rhea, Paul, Erin, Sandie, Yvonne and Justin.
• Those who are struggling with physical or mental illness due to COVID-19; for "bending the curve" and bringing down the number of cases in Alberta; for all who are doing their best to serve others in this time.
• Those who have died and those who mourn.
• Bishop Sixbert and the Diocese of Buyé (Twinned Parishes).  
• Our brothers and sisters in Christ from Treaty 6 and Treaty 8 First Nations, from the Métis Nation of Alberta, and from the Métis Settlements in Alberta.
• Click here if you would like someone's name included in this prayer list. We will use first names only. Names are kept on the list for two weeks.

Just a reminder that Synod Office staff are working from home in compliance with current public health guidance in Alberta. The best way to get the help you need is by email. 

General office questions and communications
(Synod Scene, The Messenger):
Shelly King at reception@edmonton.anglican.ca

Questions regarding finances and giving:
John Gee at treasurer@edmonton.anglican.ca

Questions to the attention of the Bishop:
Jennifer Wirun at assistant@edmonton.anglican.ca
Bishop Jane at bishop@edmonton.anglican.ca

The Anglican Journal has shared with churches across the country the story of how Holy Trinity in Old Strathcona, Edmonton avoided a COVID-19 outbreak last year. It was all due to the strict procedures they and the diocese were following throughout that time, before closures were implemented. Click below to read the story.

The Studion School for Spiritual Direction launched its third cohort of students this week with participants joining from locations across western Canada, including Vancouver, Kelowna, Lethbridge, Cochrane and Warman, Saskatchewan, as well as a number in the Edmonton area. COVID-19 restrictions meant the normal in-person gathering at Star of the North Retreat Centre in St. Albert was out of the question. Instead, 12 participants met their teachers and each other for the first time, online.

This shared project to create a decorative textile for the Cathedral narthex is beginning to wind up. White knit, crocheted, and woven squares are starting to come in, but there's still time to get involved! Click below for full information, or download this instructions pdf, or contact Alison Hurlburt at alison.anne@gmail.com

Reading the Bible is an important part of being a Christian. And yet, the Bible can be intimidating! Even long-time Christians can wonder where to begin. This class is truly for beginners. If you're not quite sure who Moses is, or why we hear four different readings in church on a Sunday, or how we find passages we're looking for (much less pronounce the names!), then we welcome you. All you need is to bring a Bible - any Bible - and your questions to Zoom on Wednesdays at 7:00pm, beginning January 13, 2021. Email Archdeacon Jordan at rector@goodshepanglican.org to sign up. 

This meeting is open to everyone who would like to share the experiences of racism they have faced, and for those who would like to hear these stories so that together we can build communities of support and resilience with and for our Black, Indigenous, and members of colour. To sign up and get the Zoom link, email Archdeacon Jordan at rector@goodshepanglican.org.  

How are Christians called to interact with others who share our beliefs but express them differently? How are we called to interact with those who faithfully follow beliefs that are different to our own? The Rev. Canon Dr. Scott Sharman has developed a short, interactive study to help answer those questions. It includes four videos, a guide book, and the opportunity to join with others to explore this topic.

If you'd like to join the folks at All Saints' Cathedral for this study, email Sara at admin@allsaintscathedral.ca to get the Zoom link. The sessions will run Wednesday evenings at 7:00pm on January 20 and 27, and February 3 and 10, just in time for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity and World Interfaith Harmony Week. If you'd rather work on your own, the videos and guide book are available on the diocesan website.

Good Shepherd will host its January anti-racism book club meeting on Zoom, January 25 at 7:00pm. Please register in advance by emailing Archdeacon Jordan at Jordan Ware rector@goodshepanglican.org. This month’s book is I’m Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness by Austin Channing Brown. Locally, you can buy the book from Glass Bookshop. They offer free delivery within Edmonton, Sherwood Park and St. Albert.

Ever think having a “calling” is only for clergy? Not true! Every follower of Christ has a Christian Vocation.  You might describe it as a "Vocation in a Travel Mug,” ready-to-go any place and any time. This is your invitation to join a Zoom conversation to explore what defines a Christian Vocation and how you might find ways to live that out in Church and World. Two sessions, on Wednesdays January 27 and February 10, at 7:00pm via Zoom. RSVP to Archdeacon David at david@stmatthiasedmonton.ca for the Zoom link.

Sarah Alexander, parishioner at Holy Trinity Riverbend, has taken on a project to raise $25,000 so that a young man named Dallin can have a the service dog he needs. Just over half that amount has already been raised. Read all about it on this GoFundMe page.

The Diocese of Edmonton has renewed its pledge to donate 100 units of blood over the course of 2021 through the Canadian Blood Services Partners for Life program. Our PFL ID is ANGL696986. New members can register at the link below. Just create an account or, if you already have donor account, enter your username and password to log in. Select ‘PFL organizations’ from the menu, add the PFL ID and select ‘join the team.’ 

And special thanks to the 31 team members who helped us pass our 2020 goal 2020 by 8 units!

Contacts: 
*The Ven. Travis Enright, Archdeacon for Indigenous Ministry: rector@stfaithsanglican.org / 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 

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.

Reconciliation Events in Alberta invites you to this personal and professional development opportunity January 21- February 25, 2021. This six-week series presents a diverse lineup of Indigenous women speaking on the topic of resilience. The sessions will be held on Zoom every Thursday from 12:00-1:00pm MT. They will also be recorded with the link available for a full week so those who can’t make the live session can still participate. There is a Q&A at the end of each live session. The cost is $90 for the full 6-week series.
SPEAKERS POSTER

Nukskahtowin, the Indigenous Meeting Place of Athabasca University, invites you to its winter series of Indigenous films and documentaries. January's movie, Our People will be Healed by Alanis Obomsawin, is about a Cree community in Manitoba that has been enriched through the power of education. 

Online Bannock and a Movie is set up so you can self-enrol even if you do not have an Athabasca University account. Click the link below. Create a new account or sign in if you have already registered. Please contact Ivy Lalonde with any questions at ivyl@athabascau.ca

This page lists online opportunities for worship, learning and virtual community provided weekly by parishes throughout the diocese.

In this time of continued uncertainty, the Church, the Body of Christ, remains a loving and connected community. we hope to do all we can to support each other, and the diocese grateful for any and all donations we receive. If you are able, please continue to support the ministries of the Anglican Diocese of Edmonton. We continue to look for ways to support parishes and to ease the financial burden on those who will be struggling in weeks and months to come. You can make a secure online donation through the diocesan website.

Resources are now available for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. In the northern hemisphere, these eight days of prayer are traditionally held starting January 18th (the Feast of the Confession of Saint Peter) and ending January 25th (the Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul). Please click below to visit the WPCU website and plan how your parish might join in.

This nine-week series, The Bridges to Contemplative Living with Thomas Merton, gently leads participants on a journey toward spiritual transformation and a more contemplative and peace-filled life. Each two-hour session includes further introduction to Merton, contemplative living through prayers, readings from Merton and other spiritual masters, and questions for small group dialogue. Series runs Wednesdays, January 27 to March 24, 2021.

Deepen your experience of silence and solitude through the practice of Centering Prayer. This silent retreat will appeal to persons who are committed to the daily practice of Centering Prayer. Facilitator, the Rev. Susan Storey coordinates a Centering Prayer group in Edmonton and is an experienced retreat leader. She has been a priest in the Anglican Church of Canada since 1988, serving in the Diocese of Qu'Appelle in Saskatchewan and in Edmonon diocese.

For more offerings, see the Providence Renewal Centre January-March newsletter.

Click below to read the Hastings Lake Bible Camp January update, with a look-back to unexpected blessings in the midst of a pandemic.