• Those who are sick or suffering; Amy, John, Brian.
• 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 (List of Twinned Parishes).
  Please continue to pray for our brothers and sisters in Buyé diocese who continue to suffer the effects of drought.
• Request a prayer

It is our pleasure to announce that Bishop Jane Alexander intends, God willing, to ordain the Rev. Aaron Parsall-Myler to the priesthood and Danielle Lepine to the diaconate on the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul, January 25, 2018 at 7:00 pm at All Saints' Cathedral, 10035-103 Street, Edmonton. Your prayers and presence are requested. Clergy are invited to vest. The colour is white.

Still looking for the perfect Christmas gift? The hospital in our partner Diocese of Buyé, Burundi, is in need of renovations to the pediatric ward. Last year our diocese sponsored the construction of a maternity ward in Buyé, which has allowed them to serve approximately 5,400 women each year, providing a clean and safe space for deliveries and c-sections. Now they would like to move forward with a much needed ward to treat ill and malnourished children, and have asked for our help. We are almost there but need another $12,000 to make this dream a reality for the children of Buyé. Please consider giving to this important project. Please make cheques payable to The Diocese of Edmonton and mark "Buyé Pediatric Ward" in the memo line.

The Edmonton Interfaith Centre and the Edmonton & District Council of Churches unveiled a new nativity scene next to the Celebration of Faiths display inside City Hall, on December 1. The art installation was sculpted from clay by local artist Ritchie Velthuis. Ritchie was raised in a Christian family and says the story of Christ’s birth is very familiar to him. Though this was his first time creating a nativity, he did work on the Homeless Memorial and decided to use people he knows, real-life Edmontonians, as his models. For example, Baby Jesus is modelled after his friends’ son Luke, and other characters, such as the Three Wise Men, bear a strong resemblance to his co-workers at the Edmonton Ice Castle.

An Advent Quiet Day will be held December 9 at St. Margaret's, 12603 Ellerslie Rd, Edmonton. Guest speaker will be Michelle Nieviadomy, Assistant Director of the Edmonton Native Healing Centre, and Oskapewis (Helper in Cree) at Inner City Pastoral Ministries. The day will begin with coffee at 9:30 am followed by Morning Prayer and will close with compline at 3:30 pm. The Rev. Donna Willer, rector of St. Mary’s, Ponoka, will celebrate Noon Eucharist. Please bring your own bag lunch. We’ll serve soup. RSVP by email to Gen Ashwell at gclaire@telus.net 
Directions for driving: Take Anthony Henday to 127 St. Go south to Ellerslie Road and head west. 

Every year the Diocese of Edmonton participates in the 'No Room in the Inn' project. Organized by the Edmonton and District Council of Churches, this project provides financial support to a different agency each year; one that is working to house the homeless in the Edmonton area. This year, 'No Room in the Inn' has chosen to support the Edmonton Region of the Canadian Mental Health Association. Brochures and offering envelopes are available for pickup at the Synod Office, 10035 103 Street NW, Edmonton. 

View work from more than 45 local artists, just in time for Christmas shopping. Bleeding Heart Art Space is located at 9140 118th Avenue in Edmonton. Visit the website for hours and exhibit details.   

Are you a capable 'techy' looking for a meaningful way to use your skill and knowledge? Refugee Coordinator for Edmonton Diocese, Gail Millard, is in need of someone to help with the technical aspects of making refugee applications. For example, hundreds of pages of documentation must be scanned and uploaded to the government website. If technical problems arise, applications are delayed. Please email the diocese if you have the time and expertise to help.

As of November 28, members of the diocese have rolled up their sleeves and given 118 units of blood - blasting past our pledge of 100. Well done!! But don't stop now! Let's see how much more good we can do in 2017. See the links for December clinic dates for Edmonton and rural locations.  

Edmonton Clinics      Rural Clinics

The Ecumenical Service celebrating the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (WPCU) 2018 will be held Sunday, January 21, 2017 at McDougall United Church. Reception to follow. 

Contacts: 
Sharon Pasula, Oskâpêwis / Aboriginal Cultural and Educational Helper: oskapewis@edmonton.anglican.ca / 780-439-7344
Fiona Brownlee, Aboriginal and Rural Communities Liaison: f.brownlee@edmonton.anglican.ca / 780-312-9070

Resources: Please see the Indigenous Ministries section of the diocesan website for leaflets, web links and other resources to help you pray and act for reconciliation. Please see the City of Edmonton Indigenous Relations Office to subscribe to their Community Bulletin.

Join us for "Our Common Ground: Thanksgiving," the final gathering of a four-part series sponsored by the Anglican Foundation, Inner City Pastoral Ministry and Moving Forward with Reconciliation. There will be feasting, a smudging ceremony and a mini round dance! For more info, see POSTER

Come along for food and drinks and Christmas pictures with Santa. Our open house is from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm on December 21st. The Friendship Centre is upstairs at 11728 - 95 Street, Edmonton. POSTER

On the evening of Thursday, November 30, 2017 Bishop Jane led the induction service welcoming the Rev. Jordan Ware into a new ministry as rector of Good Shepherd Anglican Church in Edmonton. Ware comes to this new post from her home in the United States, bringing great warmth and enthusiasm. Click below to see a brief biography.

GriefShare: This 13-week video and discussion based program helps participants walk through different challenges of grief in a safe and supportive atmosphere. The only cost is $20 for the workbook and people are welcome to join at any time. Join us at St. Thomas Anglican Church, 4A Raven Drive in Sherwood Park on Wednesday mornings, 10:00 am - 12:00 noon, until December 20 (weeks 1-7), and January 10 to February 14 (weeks 8-13). For information or to register: 780-467-5730 or sttomsherwoodpark@gmail.com POSTER

Join us for our first Nativity Festival at St. Mary the Virgin, Vegreville (5042 – 48 Avenue). It's happening on Saturday, December 9 from 11:00 am–3:00 pm and on Sunday, December 10 from 10:00 am–2:00 pm following our 9:00 am worship service. Come get into the spirit of the season and see displays of different styles of Nativities collected by the parishioners – some from different parts of the world. Admission is a free will offering or non-perishable item for the local food bank. Seasonal treats and refreshments will be available.  

Come and Ask, Part VI: The Mission of St. Saviour, Wabamun is offering another round of Come and Ask sessions. These open discussion times are held at St. Saviour's office in the Marketplace building at 5123-52 (Main) Street. The final one for the year will be December 11. POSTER

Lessons and Carols for Advent and Christmas: St. Aidan and St. Hilda Anglican Church, Rexboro, Highway 16 West - Range Road 45 (7 km west of the overpass into the village of Wabamun), welcomes everyone to a service of Lessons and Carols for Advent and Christmas officiated by Bishop Jane Alexander on Sunday, December 10 at 10:30 am. 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 Committee.

Death Café: Saturday, December 16th, 12-2:00 pm, Upper Hall at Holy Trinity, 10037-84 Ave, Edmonton. Death is a taboo subject in our society. We live in a culture where many people only start to think about what happens when we die - to our bodies, our loved ones, our souls - when they are faced with the death of someone close to them. I am passionate about creating safe spaces to talk about Death because it is the one sure thing that every one of us will have to deal with at some point in our lives. The HTAC Death Cafe is about turning on the light - pulling death out from under the carpet - and asking the questions so many are afraid to admit they've got bouncing around in their brains. AND, I promise, there will be cake. While our Death Cafe is in a church, Holy Trinity is also a community space; it is open to the whole community. Questions? Please contact Rev. Heather Liddell.

Check it out! Good Shepherd Anglican Church in Edmonton has a newly revamped website.

In the spirit of Christmas, the Rev. Tim Chesterton, rector of St. Margaret's, Edmonton, records a Christmas song each year for family and friends. He shares with us his version of the old traditional Christmas carol "God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen."

Join St. Philip's Anglican Church at the Westlock Legion Hall for a roast beef dinner and old fashioned Christmas concert. Music of the season by the Rev. Peter Yeung and friends. POSTER

A unique evening to celebrate Advent, featuring the Songs & Sonnets of Steve Bell and UK poet Malcolm Guite at All Saints' Cathedral in Edmonton AB. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at the Synod Office and All Saints' Cathedral, 10035-103 St, online at www.stevebell.com or by calling 1-800-854-3499. POSTER

Join St. Stephen's, 11725-93 St, Edmonton, for door prizes, lunch, home baking, crafts, and more at their annual Tea and Bake Sale! Admission - $5.00 for Adults; $2.00 for children 6-12 years old; and free for children under 6. POSTER

Is the Christmas season a hard time for you? Are you grieving, lonely, depressed, worn out,  or would like to support someone who is? The Anglican Mission of St. Saviour invites you to a Blue Christmas Service of Healing and Hope on Sunday December 10, 2017, 10 am, at the  Wabamun Seniors’ Centre. POSTER

Enjoy some of Edmonton's finest singer-songwriters in this benefit performance at St. Faith's, Edmonton in support of Women United. Featuring Erin Kay, Vissia, Caileigh Cardinal and more.   
St Faith's is at 11725 93 Street, Edmonton.

Christmas Bureau Holiday Meal: The Christmas Bureau of Edmonton is accepting applications for a free Christmas festive meal for individuals, couples and families. Families can apply for Christmas assistance (including meal and toys from Santa's Anonymous) by phone or in person: 780-414-7695 / 4230 118 Avenue (Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm). The deadline for applications is December 8.

Welcome Home: Are you a person who enjoys the journey, not the destination? Would you enjoy building a new life-long friendship? If so, put your faith into action by spending time with someone who is making the transition from homelessness to home. Volunteer with Welcome Home! Visit: https://www.cssalberta.ca/Our-Ministries/Welcome-Home or call (780) 378-245.

King’s Now Offers Continuing Education Courses: Starting the second week of January 2018, The King’s University will offer a variety of non-credit personal enrichment, child care, business, music, and spirituality courses on evenings and weekends. There are no prerequisites, text books, essays, or exams. It’s learning and personal development at its most relaxed. Learn about infant development, how to write a book in 40 days, technology strategies for business, and many more! See the full listing here.

Winter Interdisciplinary Studies (IS) Conference: Join us at The King’s University on January 24–25, 2018 for our winter IS conference, with keynotes by Rev Dr. Margaret Aymer of Austin Theological Seminary, where we will consider a prophetic challenge to the way we live by exploring practices (both individual and communal) that might lead to greater shalom for all. The conference sessions are free and open to members of the public.
We will also host an evening performance of “Freud’s Last Session” on January 24 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets for the play are available at www.kingsu.ca/isconf or through King’s Bookstore. For more details, contact Rebecca Warren at rebecca.warren@kingsu.ca or 780-465-8332.

Oxford Theology Summer School: The Oxford University Theology summer school is a residential programme for members of the clergy, theologians and teachers of religious education. In 2018 we will be exploring the theme "Renewing the Sacred Centre" through a series of one-week seminars taught by members of Oxford's Theology Faculty, distinguished theologians and prominent church leaders. Participants will have the opportunity to study and live in Christ Church, one of Oxford University's largest and most beautiful colleges. For more information please see our website. Letter from Program Director

Bruce Ehlert, Pastor of Mount Olivet Lutheran Church in Sherwood Park, has compiled prayers for Advent. If you would like to receive a daily prayer and picture via email, please send a message with the word “subscribe” in the subject line to: pastor.bru@mountolivet.ca   

Something lacking in these days is a spiritual vocabulary that speaks to many men. Retreat leader, Richard Groves, will reach back to the Grail Quest story to address that need. Groves, an ordained Catholic priest for 15 years, also served as chaplain in the Oregon Correctional System and as assistant chaplain in the US Air Force. The retreat will include engaging films, a creative process for reflection and conversation, and inspiring ritual. It takes place January 26-28 at Providence Renewal Centre, 3005 119 Street Edmonton. 

An afternoon of quiet reflection, some sharing and rest to honour those who are in for the long haul of caring for someone with little ability to care for themselves. A time to be spiritually embraced and uplifted for the continuing journey. Facilitator Helen Gledhow is a certified grief counsellor and former pastoral associate. She has developed programs of support for the often weary journey of care giving. It takes place Wednesday, January 24 from 1:00-4:00 pm for a cost of $25 (financial subsidy will be available if needed). Register at: 780-459-5511 or online. POSTER