• Those who are sick, suffering, or in need: Emily, Bill, Joan, Sara, Culley, Erin, Madison, Paul, Erin, Rhea, Megan, Nagendra, Gail.
• Those who are struggling with physical or mental illness due to COVID-19; for wisdom and grace as our churches move toward re-opening.
• Those who have died: Connie, and those who mourn: Rob, Liam and family.
• Archbishop Sixbert and the Diocese of Buyé (Twinned Parishes).  
• Our relations 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 unless intentionally renewed.

The Edmonton diocese officially welcomed the Rt. Rev. Stephen London as 11th Bishop on September 18, 2021, the Feast of the Founders, Benefactors and Missionaries of the Anglican Church of Canada.

The service was livestreamed from All Saints’ Cathedral in Edmonton, as indoor gathering restrictions limiting the number of people who could attend in person had been re-introduced by the provincial government a mere days before the consecration due to another surge in COVID cases in AB. The Cathedral Choir, directed by All Saints’ Music Director, Jeremy Spurgeon, was arranged in front of the high altar to accommodate physical distancing.

On the morning of September 18, only a few hours before his consecration as the 11th Bishop of Edmonton, the (then) Rev. Steve London was called outside his home by the sound of singing. The singers were members of the Edmonton chapter of Cursillo, enacting what's called a "mañanita." In Spanish, it simply means "morning," but the Cursillo tradition around it is to surprise an unsuspecting recipient with joyful singing as they start their day. London would be familiar with the practice, having attended a Cursillo weekend in 2019.

Communications Chair for Edmonton Cursillo, Janie Seguin, says, "The singing, cards of encouragement and the bouquet of carnations made for a pleasant "wake-up call" for one of our most recent Cursillistas."

Bishop Steve London, newly consecrated on September 18, has hit the ground running in his new role in Edmonton diocese and in the Anglican Church of Canada. One of his first ambitions is to visit every parish in the diocese as soon as possible. Following is his itinerary for the next few weeks:

• September 26: All Saints' Anglican Cathedral, Edmonton 
• September 27-Oct. 1: House of Bishops, meeting in Ontario
• October 3: St. Mary's, Edmonton
• October 10: St. John's, Sedgewick
• October 14: Clergy Day, Edmonton 

The Very Rev. Alexandra Meek, Diocesan Administrator (at time of appointment), is pleased to announce the Rev. Clare Stewart has been appointed as Interim Priest-in-Charge for St. Timothy's, Edmonton, beginning October 3, 2021.  

All are invited to join Cursillo for the next Ultreya, Friday, September 24, 7 pm. We hope you will join us on Zoom for a very brief Annual Report and the introduction of our new Lay Director.   

On the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, Thursday, September 30, members of Immanuel Anglican Church will gather with community members from Wetaskiwin, Millet and Maskwacis for the 6th annual walk from the Heritage Museum, 5007-50 Ave, to the Peace Cairn. We will gather to remember the children who did not come home and those that came home broken. We will gather for healing and for truth-telling. The walk starts at 5:30 pm and all are welcome to join us.   

Due to the fourth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Round Dance originally planned to coincide with the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation has been postponed.

“While the provincial guidelines allow for 200 people to be gathered outdoors with distance, the Round Dance will still have to be postponed,” says the Rev. Nick Trussell.

“Perhaps the right time for the Round Dance will be before the spring when we can again be outside.”

Parishes can use Orange Shirt Day (National Day for Truth and Reconciliation) to acknowledge past harm and act through prayer and commitment for reconciliation., says the Rev. Nick Trussell. "The Four Directions teach us to commit our whole selves, in balance to the life Creator has given us. The prayer helps us to lift each part of ourselves and of our communities, the children, youth, adults and elders, each with their own Spirit-given gifts to bring to the work of the reconciling Spirit in us and amongst us. We hope you can pray this Four Direction Prayer with your congregations."

The Anglican Church of Canada has provided this 18-minute video service for use on September 30, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. This service of reflection and prayer, was designed by a group of Indigenous Anglican Elders. We are invited to walk with them on a journey of grief and sorrow for the hurt and injustices of the past and present. They share teachings about forgiveness and help us to understand what must be done to be able to move toward Reconciliation.

• an overview of PWRDF and its programs
• information about our volunteer network
• what PWRDF volunteers can expect to see and do
• what support you can expect to receive from PWRDF staff

All are invited to a unique opportunity for Planetary Prayer, October 16 at St. Matthias' Anglican Church. The event will be led by Janet Kwantes and Scott McDonald of St. Thomas' in Sherwood Park, who explain it this way: We are all moving through Covid, navigating the challenges of changing social isolation requirements, on a path of reconciliation, dealing with personal challenges while also witnessing national and global unrest. Here is an opportunity to join with others in a circle of walking prayer for healing and resiliency.

What if ONE weekend had the potential to bring you and your spouse closer… or help you connect at a level you maybe didn’t think was even possible? Would you consider investing the time?

The Marriage Encounter in-person weekend experience is back! Though now we're including the option of staying at the Providence Renewal Centre in Edmonton where the sessions will be held, or going home or to a hotel at the end of Friday and Saturday evening. Here's what participants are saying:

This experience is a MUST for all couples. It definitely brought the romance & joy back into our marriage.

The best thing you can do for your children is to love your spouse… We took the plunge and tried out the retreat and we’re so happy we did!

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In the next episode of the "Season of Prisoners" video series, Rob Betty, a life-long Anglican and member of the diocesan Social Justice Committee, talks with Ron Nikkel, President Emeritus of Prison Fellowship International (PFI), an association of independent national Prison Fellowship organizations in 127 countries. For more than 30 years Ron has traveled extensively throughout the world promoting PFI's work of compassion and reconciliation among prisoners, ex-prisoners, victims of crime, and the families involved.

How do we live well on the land? We often forget that engaging land means engaging urban land, too. Dustin Bajer is an educator, master gardener, writer, beekeeper, and ecologically inspired designer.  Listen on Anchor FM

• See also these Season of Creation Resources for you and your parish to use.

Our celebration of the Season of Creation runs now through to October 4, the Feast of St. Francis (patron saint of ecology), Christians across the ecumenical spectrum are joining together in prayer for creation and environmental stewardship.

The theme for the 2021 The Season of Creation is A Home for All? Renewing the Oikos of God. Oikos is the Greek word for "home" or "household." 

For the past several years, our Diocese has done an outstanding job raising funds for the people of the Buye Diocese to purchase medical cards. Loving our neighbors as ourselves, we can make a difference in the lives of many of our brothers and sisters living in Burundi. Through the month of September, we encourage each parish to take up a collection for the purchase of Buye medical cards. 100% of the monies collected go directly to the purchase of medical cards. There are no administrative fees. Medical coverage is out of reach for most people in the Diocese of Buye. A $5 medical card covers 80% of their costs and will help women in need, and children under the age of 18. 

Please send all donations directly to Rev. John Gee at the Synod Office. With our heartfelt thanks, Rev. Rebecca Harris and Rev. Danielle Key 

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As a Partner for Life with Canadian Blood Services, the Anglican Diocese of Edmonton has pledged to donate 100 units of blood in 2021. With 14 weeks to go, we need 33 donations to hit our target. Thanks to those are serving the community in this way. Do you know anyone who might like to join the team? Don't by shy to invite them!

Click here to join Team Anglican. Our Partner ID is ANGL696986.  To donate blood, call: 1-888-236-6283 or visit Canadian Blood Services.

St. Timothy's in Edmonton has an opening for one or more persons who can organise and oversee all aspects of music ministry, consistent with the values, vision, and mission of St. Timothy’s in order to support the wider ministry of the parish. The Music Director will contribute to a leadership team seeking to equip, encourage and empower members of St. Timothy’s congregation to connect with God, with each other and with the community. See the Job Description for qualifications and details on how to apply.

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.

Truth and Reconciliation Week (Sept. 27-Oct. 1) virtual event, with programming for students, teachers, and general public attendees, through the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation. The programming will feature short videos created by Indigenous storytellers, followed by conversations with Elders, Knowledge Keepers, Survivors, and the children of Survivors of residential schools. Click here for daily schedule

The deVeber Institute for Bioethics and Social Research presents this online lecture entitled “Life Issues: The Indigenous Perspective” on October 5, 2021 at 8pm (ET) via Zoom. This lecture will feature presentations from a panel of Indigenous midwives, and a presentation from Dr. Carrie Bourassa on end-of-life practices and the need of decolonize health care.

More information is available on the de Veber website. POSTER

Calling all grandmothers, grandfathers, and seniors in general! Here is a chance to become better acquainted with Indigenous teachings. St. Faith's Anglican Church and Creating Hope Society in Edmonton are hosting a weekly series called Teachings of the Drum. All Kokums and Mosums (Cree for Grandmother and Grandfather) are invited to join weekly teaching, conversation and events focusing on drum teachings. Sessions run Thursdays, from 6-8 pm, at St. Faith's Anglican Church, 11725 93 Street NW, Edmonton. Contact Cynthia at 587-596-9805 or email programs@creatinghopesociety.ca for more information. POSTER

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. You can make a secure online donation through the diocesan website.

Star of the North begins its new formation program with an opening retreat (on-line or in-house), October 1-3. This first retreat (Module 1 of the program) will rely on the core stories from the Book of Genesis to explore themes of: creation/creativity, self image and self expression, images of God, land conflicts and God’s blessing on our journeys as tribes, cultures and peoples formed in the image and likeness of God. Presenters include Maureen Wilde, Harry Lafond, Ron Rolheiser, Rabbi Gila Caine, and Steve Heinrichs. If you miss Module 1 you can still sign up for Module 2. Overall, the program will focus on faith & contemporary issues such as creation care, social justice & reconciliation.

On the 1st Monday of the month from October 2021-June 2022, join us on Zoom as we use our eyes of faith to see inspiration in the writings of a variety of authors. Meetings are held on Zoom from 7:00 to 8:30 pm. Cost to join is $45.00 and members are responsible for acquiring their own books (most are available through public libraries and on e-readers).  Click here to register for Event #14343.

Based on the success of its Say Yes! to Kids campaign, the Anglican Foundation of Canada (AFC) will be accepting proposals for ministry projects that contribute to the physical, intellectual, emotional, or spiritual well-being of children, youth, or young adults within Canada.

Grants for both ongoing and emerging projects will be considered:

• Category A grants, of up to $5,000 will be considered based on impact and how they support young people in a local context.

• Category B grants of up to $15,000 will be considered based on how they support the overall mission and service to children and youth in a city, diocese, or region.

Eligible uses of funding include, but are not limited to, administrative expenses, equipment, technical costs, remuneration, honoraria, and food. Proposals will be accepted from September 1 to October 1, 2021.

AFC’s Board of Directors will review proposals in November and announce the grant recipients in early December. Proposals submitted in response to this Request for Proposals will not count toward one of the three submissions each diocese is allowed per year. 

Chorale Colibri is an intergenerational choir (all ages are invited, including families), with no audition to enter, where the music is taught by rote as well as with scores. Sponsored by the Synod of Alberta and the Territories of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, and hosted at Hosanna Lutheran Church, Chorale Colibri participates missionally in learning about various culture groups in the Edmonton area, in Alberta, and beyond into the global world, through the singing of and presentation of the sacred song of these cultures. This is a choir that is deliberately trying to learn about and walk beside our neighbours around us in Edmonton and further afield, particularly by singing the Christian sacred song, by hearing the stories, by supporting and understanding the emotional and practical needs. Included beside each rehearsal will be a time of learning from a person or community that intersects with Colibri’s mission. 

The Covenant Health Palliative Institute recently invited your feedback on what kinds of supports would help you better prepare for end-of-life or better care for loved ones who are approaching the end of life. We received dozens of suggestions, and we are now inviting you to help us interpret and prioritize this list of ideas.  You can provide your input online through the following link: https://participant.groupwisdom.tech/project/1754/sorting-rating 

After creating an account, you will be guided through two activities: (1) sorting the list of ideas into groups, and (2) rating each idea in terms of relative importance. The feedback you provide will help identify areas of greatest need and establish priorities for our Palliative Care Public Awareness Project. If you need any support with this exercise or would like more information, please contact Mary-Ann Shantz at mary-ann.shantz@covenanthealth.ca. Thank you in advance for your input!