• Those who are sick, suffering, or in need: Christabel, Blossom, Fredericka, Gail, Shelly, Susan, Kay, Roger, Blake, Justin, Eleanore, Fred, Dorothy and family.
• Those who have died: Len; and those who mourn: Ken, Patti and family.
• Those who continue to battle COVID-19 in Alberta, especially our health care workers, teachers and families with school-aged children, especially in light of the increase in cases due to the Omicron variant.
• Archbishop Sixbert and the Diocese of Buyé (Updated list of 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.

To streamline the process for completing parish returns (see attached checklist and schedule), we’ve converted some of the documents to Google forms which can be completed and submitted online. The links are also posted on the diocesan website. Please complete the forms as soon as possible after your parish AGM which needs to take place before the end of February. Thank you, this will be a tremendous help as we gear up for synod in October. 

As more churches are closing to in-person services because of care around rising COVID numbers, we recognise that not every church has the capacity to offer digital services. We have many options for parishioners to choose from which you can find on the diocesan website. For a short period of time (only four weeks) we are also offering another option: a diocesan Zoom service led by Bishop Stephen London. The service will begin next Sunday (January 30) and go until Sunday, February 20. Our start time is at 10 am.

Over those four weeks, Bishop Stephen will preach a sermon series on what the gospel of Luke might be saying to us as we look at what it means to be the church in 2022. As a mainline church we find ourselves in a tremendous time of change and challenge where many people are asking serious questions about the future of the church.

St. Paul's, Edmonton offers morning prayer on Zoom, 8 am, every day (except Thursdays and Sundays). On Thursdays, prayer is in person at St. Paul's.

From Tuesday, January 18 to Monday, January 24, All Saints' Anglican Church will join the churches of the Drayton Valley Ministerial Association in offering a series of services as part of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. Churches will join in prayer for the unity of all Christians, reflect on scripture together, participate together in jointly organised services, and share in fellowship during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. All Saints’ will be streaming on its Facebook page on Monday, January 24 at 7 pm. 

Please join us for our next Ultreya on January 21, 7 pm. Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86802672776
Meeting ID: 868 0267 2776

Cursillo Edmonton is trying to update its database. So if you have moved or if you're not sure whether Cursillo has your correct contact information, please send an email with your updated info to cursilloedmonton@gmail.com 

Bishop Stephen London invites clergy of the diocese to gather on Zoom (link in email), Wednesday, February 2, 9:30am-2:45pm, for prayer and study together, led by the Rev. Tim Chesterton, rector of St. Margaret's, Edmonton. This will be a time of worship, learning, conversation and individual reflection.

Throughout the Advent and Christmas seasons, members of All Saints', Drayton Valley contributed to the church's Giving Tree. Unlike a regular family Christmas tree, items were placed on or beneath the Giving Tree to be given to two organisations that work with the vulnerable in the community. Submitted by the Rev. Christopher Cook, rector; photo: Sandra Blades   

A Collective Kitchen community will be meeting on the second Tuesday of each month, from 1 to 3.30 pm, at St. Faith's Anglican Church. Participants will cook together in the PrayerWorks Hall kitchen 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 home your meals. Please call Trish at 780-464-5444 to reserve your spot.

The Anti-racism Book Club invites readers to its upcoming virtual conversation. All are welcome to join the Ven. Jordan Haynie Ware, archdeacon for social justice and community connection. On Monday, January 31, the Building on Foundations group will delve into Tainna: The Unseen Ones by Norma Dunning. 

"Our faith is always to be in motion rather than static, and no one goes alone on their spiritual journey; we are to travel together with others at every step."

Each month leading up to the 68th Synod in October, Canon to the Ordinary Scott Sharman will share worship and prayer with a parish by reflecting on what scripture has to tell us about our vocation as fellow members and leaders of the Church of God in the Edmonton diocese. You can watch and read the text for Scott's sermons here

The next diocesan synod will be held, God willing, on Friday evening, October 21 and Saturday, October 22, 2022. Planning is underway. Please save the dates in your calendars! 

Due to the rapid spread of the Omicron virus, the launch of the Diocese of Edmonton Children’s Choir, conducted by Laura Hawley, is postponed until fall, 2022. When circumstances permit, the choir which is open and free to anyone ages 7 and up,  will rehearse on Wednesday evenings, 5-6, at Christ Church, 12116 - 102 Ave, Edmonton. Stay tuned for an announcement about a "Come and See" event in the spring.

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.

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.

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.

GEA (Greater Edmonton Alliance) is offering an online learning opportunity on Wednesday, January 26, 7 to 9 pm. This course is free to attend for members of the Edmonton diocese. Join GEA as they explore the differences between Minimum Wage, Living Wage and Quality Job Wages. Learn how these three tiers of wages affect individuals, families, our communities and the businesses we work and shop in. Register here  

Presented via Zoom: Centering Prayer, a method introduced by Fr. Thomas Keating, focuses on consenting to God’s presence and action within. Mary Jane Yates and Liz Rees will introduce the basics during the day on Friday. They will then lead periods of centering prayer plus facilitate continued learning through the rest of the retreat. (Teachings are optional for those experienced in CP). Friday, January 28 (9:00 am) to Sunday, January 30 (3:00 pm)  $175.00; Register by January 21.

Grief is normal and a natural response to loss, and one of the most painful human experiences. But there are helpful ways to move from this pain towards a desire to reach out again with hope for a greater fullness of life. During this 6-week group process, led by Glenda Sartore, we will tend to the grief experience and improve our understanding of our own unique process of grief. Coping strategies will be explored and rituals incorporated to help express the depths of the grief experience and foster healing. Thursdays, February 3, 10, 17, 24, March 3 and 10 (3:00-4:30pm) cost: $150.00          

This is an online event, Saturday, January 29, 7:00 pm, with Dr. Melanie Hoffman of Drawdown Alberta. Open to the public by donation. www.starofthenorth.ca /780-459-5511

Steve Heinrichs (from Mennonite Church Canada) will be facilitating a retreat/workshop February 11-13 at Star of the North Retreat Centre in St. Albert. He invites you to explore what settler colonialism means for Christian discipleship, and the possibility of Jubilee as a key path (perhaps “the” path) for restoring relationships. All are welcome, whether Christian or not. The retreat will take place in person only if health protocols permit. There is also an online option. Click here for more info and to register