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Please Remember in Your Prayers this Week
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DIOCESAN AND PARISH NEWS AND EVENTS
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Diocese of Edmonton Diversity and Inclusion Survey
A message and invitation from Bishop Steve: One of my biggest priorities in the past two months has been getting to know the diocese. I have been visiting as many different parishes and people as I can. There is a central value to face-to-face conversations in seeing where we are as a diocese. There is also value in different metrics, such as the budget and annual statistics, which provide another important dimension. It is in this spirit of getting to know the diocese that Archdeacon Jordan Ware and the Anti-Racism Team she has developed suggested it would be helpful to explore the diversity of our diocese, particularly giving voice to people who might not be easily heard. They put a lot of work into developing this survey. It asks some personal questions, but we hope the survey will be received in the light of that core value of getting to know who we truly are as a diocese - all of us. Google Forms will automatically generate the numbers and percentages that will provide the information about diversity that will be helpful to us. No potentially identifying information (such as the option to share your parish) will be used for any purpose other than to create a general picture of diversity in the Diocese of Edmonton. Email addresses will not be collected. Thank you for taking the time to fill out the survey. Please share as much as you feel comfortable sharing, and if you would like a member of the Anti-Racism Team to reach out, please include your contact information where that option is presented.
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Getting Around the DioceseBishop Steve connects with parishes Bishop Steve's calendar is full in these first months of his episcopacy. As well as visiting for Sunday and special services in various parishes, he is making time for smaller meetings with rectors, vestries and corporations mid-week. You can keep up with Bishop Steve through his FaceBook page, and the Synod Scene has begun a collection of pictures from visits thus far. For more infomation visit:
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Bishop's Itinerary
Bishop Steve London has hit the ground running in his new role in the Edmonton diocese and in the Anglican Church of Canada. One of his ambitions is to visit every parish in the diocese as soon as possible. The following events are among those in is his itinerary leading up to Christmas:
Bishop Steve also has various visits booked to meet with rectors, corporations, and vestries over the coming months. For more infomation visit:
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Diocesan ACW Celebrates Eucharist Together on St. Andrew's Day
Representatives of several Anglican Church Women (ACW) parish branches, including Beaumont, Camrose, Drayton Valley, Edmonton, Gibbons and Onoway, came together for a Mid-Day Eucharist with the Very Rev. Alex Meek, Dean of Edmonton and Rector of All Saints’ Cathedral; and ACW Patron the Rt. Rev. Stephen London, Bishop of Edmonton. The first in-person worship gathering of the diocesan ACW since the start of the COVID pandemic two years ago took place on November 30, St. Andrew’s Day, also the 45th Anniversary of the Ordination of Women in the Anglican Church of Canada. Musical accompaniment was provided by Elaine Johnston MacMillan, a member of St. Andrew’s, Camrose. While the livestream feed was being connected for people to participate in the service from home, Bishop London took the opportunity to get to know the congregation gathered at All Saints’ Cathedral. If you missed the service, you can watch it on the Cathedral YouTube channel. For more infomation visit: http://edmonton.anglican.ca/news/diocesan-acw-celebrates-eucharist-together-on-st-andrews-day
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HTR Prepares for Sunday In-person Worship at Providence Renewal Centre
The parish of Holy Trinity Riverbend has overcome many obstacles since the start of the pandemic, not the least of which was having to sell its church building which was deconsecrated in June. “As a small parish, we could not afford the very costly repairs needed to bring our church building back to health. So, with heavy hearts, it was determined the best path forward was to sell the building and land,” said the Rev. Rebecca Harris at the time. Since then, the parish which has been worshipping together every Sunday virtually has been looking for a temporary place to gather in person. For more infomation visit:
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HTR Seeking Copies of BAS for In-person Worship
Holy Trinity Riverbend, Edmonton has a new temporary home at Providence Renewal Centre beginning December 5. In preparation for in-person worship, the parish is in need of approximately 30 copies of the Book of Alternative Services. Please contact the Rev. Rebecca Harris if you have spare copies of the BAS. |
Advent Reflection: O Come, O Come EmmanuelAdvent 2021 Bishop Stephen London reflects on the spiritual meaning of Advent. For more infomation visit: http://edmonton.anglican.ca/media/2021-12-02-advent-reflection-o-come-o-come-emmanuel
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The December 2021 Issue of The Messenger is Available to Read Onlinefeaturing stories and news from the Anglican dioceses of Athabasca and Edmonton You can download the December 2021 edition of The Messenger or view it online as a flipbook. Please Click Here to subscribe to The Messenger or to change your subscription address. Print editions of the Anglican Journal and The Messenger are now mailed to confirmed subscribers only. For more infomation visit: http://edmonton.anglican.ca/blog/the-messenger-december-2021
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Tweens and Teens Bible Reading AdventureStarts week of Thursday, December 2, 2021 Teens and Tweens in the Edmonton diocese are invited to join Rev. Sue for a Bible Reading Adventure during the season of Advent. Starting the week of Thursday, December 2, explore themes of gratitude, gift-giving, presents and joy with daily bible readings and once-a-week virtual meetings. To register, email christchurchedm@gmail.com or speak to your parish priest. POSTER! For more infomation visit: http://edmonton.anglican.ca/events/tweens-and-teens-bible-reading-adventure/2021-12-02
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Advent at All Saints' Cathedral
All Saints' Cathedral invites all to the following events and services for Advent:
Watch this space for Christmas service updates! |
St. Margaret's Christmas ConcertSunday, December 5 St. Margaret's Anglican Church in Edmonton will premiere its 2021 Christmas Concert Video this coming Sunday. It will once again be a fundraiser for World Vision's 'Raw Hope' initiative. The video will be available to watch on YouTube starting at 7:00pm on Sunday, December 5. There is a link to the full program there as well. For more information about Raw Hope, visit World Vision Canada. To donate to Raw Hope through St. Margaret's, go to our church's Canada Helps page. In the donation box you will see a drop down menu allowing you to choose to donate to a fund set up by our charity. One of the options is 'World Vision: Raw Hope.' Thank you for your support for children in dangerous places around the world. |
Advent Clergy DayThursday, December 9, 2021 An Advent Clergy Day will be held at the Cathedral onThursday, December 9, 10:00 am-3:00 pm (lunch provided). Please RSVP to the Bishop's assistant by December 3. ID and proof of vaccination will be required to attend. Let us join together for a much needed day of prayer and fellowship as we journey through this season of Advent in faith, hope, joy and peace. |
Family Barnyard NativitySunday, December 12, 1-4 pm Join us in the front yard at Holy Trinity Old Strathcona (10037 84 Ave) on Sunday, December 12, from 1-4 PM as we join with our friends from Trinity Lutheran to host a family "Barnyard Nativity" complete with stories, hot chocolate, snacks, and animals! We will re-enact that glorious night in a stable years ago when sweet baby Jesus entered this world. In addition to the Holy family, shepherds, and angels, we will have lambs, goats, miniature horses, miniature donkeys, alpacas and African Zebu cattle. This event is geared to all families with young ones - as a way to join together, safely, while masked, for some good, Advent-time, family fun. Please do mark your calendars! (Note: if the weather is -20C or lower this event, for the animals safety, will have to be cancelled). |
Advent Prayer with Parishes of Whitemud DeaneryWeeknights at 7 pm, until December 23 The parishes of the Whitemud Deanery are joining together to host a reflective season of prayer this Advent on Zoom. Tune in every weekday at 7 pm from November 29 through December 23. For more infomation visit:
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All Saints', Drayton Valley Online Holiday AuctionNovember 28 to December 12 All Saints’, Drayton Valley is holding an online holiday auction! The bidding will start at 5 pm on Sunday, November 28, and will conclude at 5 pm on Saturday, December 12, in time for Christmas. (Items will be available for pick up at the church or in Edmonton at an address near the Old Strathcona Farmer's Market.) If you would like to donate items or services for the auction, please email a digital photo of the item, along with a description and starting bid suggestion, to the Rev. Christopher Cook. View the auction items here! For more infomation visit: http://edmonton.anglican.ca/events/all-saints-drayton-valley-online-holiday-auction/2021-11-28
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Holy Trinity Presents: The Annotated Christmas Song BookAdvent Podcast now until Christmas The Annotated Christmas Song Book is an original podcast celebrating the music and lore of the holidays. An episode will be released each day through the Advent season featuring an original performance of a Christmas song accompanied by an annotation; a story that illuminates the song. An entertaining and enlightening podcast celebrating the joys, wonders and eccentricities of Christmas. Check out the preview HERE. For more infomation visit:
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St. Faith's Collective Kitchen
Starting in January, St. Faith's Anglican Church will be home to a Collective Kitchen community on the second Tuesday of each month, from 1 to 3.30 pm. Enjoy cooking with a small, friendly group. Help make three ready-to-eat meals and muffins to take home for $4. Enter from the parking lot on 92 St between 117 and 118 Avenue, Edmonton and remember to bring containers to take your meals home. Please call Trish at 780-464-5444 to reserve your spot. |
ICPM Newsletter and Advent Appeal
The latest issue of Straight from the Street, the newsletter of the Inner City Pastoral Ministry (ICPM), which the Edmonton diocese and parishes support in a variety of ways, can be read here. |
We're on Track to Meet and Exceed Our Goal!
As a Partner for Life with Canadian Blood Services, the Anglican Diocese of Edmonton has pledged to donate 100 units of blood in 2021. We are on track to meet and exceed our target in December! Thank you to our team members who have donated or have an appointment to give. Why not join our team? It's a simple but powerful way to give back to the community. Click here to join Team Anglican. Our Partner ID is ANGL696986. To donate blood, call: 1-888-236-6283 or visit Canadian Blood Services. |
Centering Prayer Groups Invite Participation
You are invited to join one of several Centering Prayer Groups meeting in person or online. Centering Prayer is not meant to replace other kinds of prayer; rather it casts a new light and depth of meaning on them. It is at the same time a relationship with God and a discipline to foster that relationship. This method of prayer is a movement beyond conversation with Christ to communion with him. Click here to find a group near you. For more infomation visit: http://edmonton.anglican.ca/news/centering-prayer-groups-invite-participation
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Diocese of Edmonton Indigenous Ministries
Contacts: 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. For more infomation visit: http://www.edmonton.anglican.org/what-we-do/indigenous-ministries
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ONLINE WORSHIP RESOURCES
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Worship from Home Schedule and Resources
This page lists online opportunities for worship, learning and virtual community provided weekly by parishes throughout the diocese. For more infomation visit: http://edmonton.anglican.ca/news/worship-from-home-schedule-and-resources
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Give Today
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. |
BEYOND THE DIOCESE
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Coming up at Star of the North Retreat Centre
Ron Rolheiser Public Lecture: Blessing Our Way to Wholeness Ron Rolheiser Weekend Retreat: Keeping Christ Incarnate - The Stunning Implications of the Incarnation Advent Mission: The 4 Quarters of Advent – Turning Our Humanity to the Presence of the Lord with Fr. Mark Blom, OMI. Aurora Living: Formation Through Word & Creation. Why not make our winter module—Wilderness: From Slavery to Freedom—a part of your Lenten journey? Join a community at the intersection of faith & contemporary issues: creation care, social justice & reconciliation. Opening retreat: January 7-9. For more infomation visit:
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SSJD Advent Quiet Day 1Saturday, December 11 “Joy is the Spirit of God in time. It is the only taste of eternity that is freely given... Joy is the energy to carry on through dull days knowing that miracles can happen in the future because we have seen them in the past.” A journey through Advent is an inward journey to joy. Reflections on this Zoom quiet day, led by Sr. Doreen of the Sisterhood of St. John the Divine, will follow three journeys in our own lives through the biblical stories of the annunciation, the visitation and the journey to Bethlehem for the birth of Jesus. To register by December 6, please contact Dorothy Dahli at dorothydahli@shaw.ca POSTER For more infomation visit: http://edmonton.anglican.ca/events/ssjd-advent-quiet-day-1/2021-12-11
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SSJD Advent Quiet Day 2Saturday, December 18, 2021 We are called and chosen, gifted by God to join in the great dance of life. Advent is a wonderful opportunity to open ourselves to this invitation from God! Reflections on this Zoom quiet day, led by Sr. Doreen of the Sisterhood of Saint John the Divine, will follow this theme, reflecting on God as the dance partner, on ourselves as invited to put on our dancing shoes, and on our call to participate in God’s great dance floor. To register by December 6, please contact Dorothy Dahli at dorothydahli@shaw.ca POSTER For more infomation visit: http://edmonton.anglican.ca/events/ssjd-advent-quiet-day-2/2021-12-18
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Sorrento Centre Assisting BC Flood Evacuees
The Shuswap Emergency Program has been sending evacuees from the Merritt-area flooding to Sorrento Centre for help with basic needs, accommodation and meals. The families, including some with pets, are warmly welcomed with typical Sorrento Centre hospitality as we help them settle in our apartments, lodge rooms and cabins. We want to assure you, you can help us help. Here’s how: All donations will receive a tax receipt, and the money you send comes directly to Sorrento Centre within days so we can continue our boots-on-the-ground efforts to provide hospitality to those who need it most. For more infomation visit:
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16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based ViolenceDevotional Booklet for Advent Each year, the Anglican Church of Canada works with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, The Episcopal Church and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America to create the Churches Beyond Borders Advent devotional series. This year’s devotions will be “timed with and inspired by the United Nations’ annual 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign.” The 16 Days of Activism run from the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, on November 25, to Human Rights Day, on December 10. As this overlaps Advent, Mary’s Magnificat—found in Luke 1:38-55—was selected as a guide for the devotional booklet. For more infomation visit: http://edmonton.anglican.ca/news/16-days-of-activism-against-gender-based-violence
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PWRDF Daily Advent ReflectionsAvailable Now! The Primate's World Relief and Development Fund (PWRDF) Advent resource Thread of Hope can be used for personal prayer or group study. It ties together a diverse array of writers, viewpoints and activities suitable for adults and youth alike. Each week of Advent begins with an illustration and scripture passage that takes us through the familiar Advent story, from the angel messengers and the journey to Bethlehem, to the shepherds responding to the call and the birth of Jesus. On Sundays you’ll receive a reflection from a PWRDF partner, volunteer or staff member, followed by a guided meditation from the Rev. Cheryl Barker (read or listen!). During the week, a different writer will reflect on a scripture passage and offer a prayer for each day, followed by a PWRDF story. This resource can be received as a daily message in your email or downloaded here in its entirety. To learn more or to subscribe, go to pwrdf.org/Advent2021
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Anglican Church of CanadaNational Lessons and Carols Service The national office of the Anglican Church of Canada will host another Advent Lessons & Carols service this year. Save the date for Friday, December 17, 8pm Eastern (6pm Mountain time). Audio and video will be made available a week prior to the livestream, so that dioceses and parishes may integrate them into services and events on or after the live broadcast. More details to come! |
2021 No Room in the Inn
The Edmonton and District Council of Churches (EDCC) 2021 No Room In the Inn (NRII) campaign is now underway. Traditionally, many Anglican parishes in Edmonton have taken up a Christmas Eve collection for NRII. Please invite your parish community to support the campaign (information attached). This year, No Room In the Inn is supporting L’Arche Edmonton, which provides supportive housing and assistance for adults with special needs. With the funding raised in this year’s campaign, L’Arche Edmonton will be renovating and upgrading one of their seven houses in the Edmonton area. For more infomation visit:
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Online Auction ends December 15
Canterbury Foundation’s 2nd Annual Online Auction is back, with all winning bids matched by presenting sponsor Bird Stuart Olson, up to $10,000. 100% of auction proceeds will go to: The Anglican Diocese of Edmonton is a founding partner and active participant in the work of the Canterbury Foundation. For more infomation visit:
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Opportunity for Spiritual GrowthReceive Spiritual Direction as part of a Supervised Practicum Spiritual growth often occurs when we are able to talk about our experiences of God with another person, especially if that person is trained in deep and reflective listening. This is the primary activity of spiritual direction. The Studion School is currently seeking volunteers to receive spiritual direction from its second-year students, as part of a supervised practicum. The practicum lasts one year and begins in March 2022. If this opportunity interests you, please email thestudionschool@gmail.com, or call the Rev. Shelly King at the Synod Office: 780-439-7344. |
Online Course
As we emerge into a new context of living with COVID, The Forum for Intercultural Leadership and Learning is able to again offer the “Engage Difference! Deepening Understanding for Intercultural Leadership and Learning” program. A 12 week online course starting January 2022, it will be offered as an on-line program synchronous with the Wycliffe College course: “lntercultural Leadership and Learning: Engaging Ministry in Diverse Contexts." *Ecumenical + interactive program Find the Forum for Intercultural Leadership and Learning on Facebook For more infomation visit:
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St. Stephen's College Accepting Applications for 2022-23
St. Stephen’s College is now accepting applications for the 2022-2023 academic year to all of our programs, including the Master of Theological Studies (MTS) and Doctor of Ministry (DMin). Applicants interested in various dimensions of human services, care, and social transformation are invited to explore our newly crafted MTS programs in “Faith and Culture”, “Spiritual Care”, and “Contemplation, the Arts, and Social Engagement”. POSTER For more infomation visit: https://www.ualberta.ca/st-stephens/st-stephens-programs/master-of-theological-studies.html
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Community-based Food Security Initiatives
As an alternative to grocery stores, food security initiatives like Khair For All provide food boxes for donation to another community member, to pick up at a designated depot, or be delivered directly to your home for a small fee. Food boxes are available in a small size for $25 and a large size for $50. The cost of the grocery boxes is 20-30 per cent less than grocery stores like Superstore. In the Edmonton diocese, every Wednesday the Manna Market offers grocery bags for $5 at All Saints' Cathedral, while the Lodgepole Market offers bread and produce at St. Faith's. |