• Those who are sick, suffering, or in need: Becky, Madison, Paul, Rhea, Megan, Jen, Bob, Trina, Don, Christabel, Blossom, Fredericka, Gail, Shelly, Dorothy and family.
• Those who have died: Brenda; and those who mourn: Matthew and all of Brenda's 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.

Bishop Stephen London has appointed the Ven. Travis Enright as rector of St. Mary's, Edmonton. Enright also serves as rector of St. Faith's, Edmonton, and Archdeacon for Indigenous Ministries.

This program, running Thursday evenings now until March 31, is for community elders, seniors and knowledge keepers to connect and learn about the drum from a traditional and multicultural view. Proof of vaccination is required to attend these in-person sessions. Contact Cynthia at programs@creatinghopesociety.ca for more information. 

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. 

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 Sunday services will start on January 30 until February 20, at 10 am.

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.

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.

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. 

In the first week of February, both the beginning of Black History Month and World Interfaith Harmony Week, we will come together online in anti-racist and interfaith solidarity. You are invited to join local Muslim and Christian leaders and anti-racism activists, from The Green Room and The Anglican Diocese of Edmonton, on Feb 5, 10 am to 12 pm, for “Faith Spaces, Safe Spaces: Interfaith Reflections on Anti-Black Racism”. Register on Eventbrite

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  

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

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          

White people in our place and time have the unearned advantage of being born White in a White culture. This suppertime presentation with international speaker and author Jane Vennard will examine why exploring White privilege is an integral part of the spiritual journey for White people. We will engage in storytelling, which is the language of spiritual formation, rather than informational language. Resources for further study will be available. Tuesday, February 15, 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Cost is $25.00. Register by February 8.

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. 

The Anglican Foundation of Canada (AFC) is stepping up its commitment to young people across Canada with an even more ambitious plan to fund ministry and outreach to children, youth, and young adults this year. At its November meeting, the AFC Board approved a campaign plan for Say Yes! to Kids 2022, setting a $500,000 goal and introducing an innovative partnership model of fundraising.  

Those who wish to learn more about Say Yes! to Kids should visit anglicanfoundation.org/say-yes-to-kids or reach out directly to Michelle Hauser, AFC’s Development and Communications Consultant, at mhauser@anglicanfoundation.org.

Is your family looking to get away this summer to a place where the sun shines, children play freely and adults find soulful nourishment with others who are also looking for meaningful experiences? Find a program for you and your family at Sorrento Centre. Click here to take a look at the variety of courses and leaders who bring rich and dynamic programming.