• Those who are sick, suffering, or in need:  Iona, Shirley, Carol, Norma, Susan, Les, Gail, Paul, Rhea, Mitch, Madison, Robert, Jen.
• The people of Edson who were evacuated over the past week due to wildfires.
• 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.
• People who are trapped in places of conflict and persecution around the world. We pray especially for people in Sudan, Ukraine, Turkey and Syria.
• 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 Most. Rev. Colin Johnston, Assistant Bishop in the Diocese of Niagara, lecturer at Niagara School for Missional Leadership and personal mentor to Bishop Steve, has agreed to provide a day-long seminar on leading through challenging times - like the ones we are in right now!  From 10am to 3pm on Saturday, June 17, Johnson will offer an overview to a particular practice of leadership that will help us respond creatively and faithfully to the challenges that face us today as we join in God's mission with confidence and hope.

Lunch will be provided. There is no charge, but registration is required for in-person attendance. *For those who are unable to attend in person, the seminar will be livestreamed on the Christ Church YouTube channel.

Please hold Bishop Stephen London in your prayers as he serves parishes throughout the diocese and connects with our partners and friends beyond the diocese.

• June 17: Adaptive Leadership Seminar with Colin Johnson, hosted at Christ Church
• June 18: Service and Confirmations, Christ Church, Edmonton
• June 21: Observing National Indigenous Peoples Day

This week on Sunday, Bishop Steve enjoyed a visit to the parish of St Mary Abbot in Barrhead. He posted on his Facebook page: "They have an amazing facility and beautiful church complete with well done symbolic mosaics down the aisle. The saint is the mother of our Lord, and it was named after a church in Kensington, England where the church had been under the authority of the abbot of a nearby Monastery. A great service of worship and lovely potluck afterwards."

The Synod Office will be closed on National Indigenous Peoples Day, Wednesday, June 21. Bishop Steve encourages all members of Edmonton diocese to seek out activities in your area and make a point of marking the day in some way that is meaningful to you. Photo: Onion Lake Pow Wow, July 2017

The latest issue of the Inner City Pastoral Ministry (ICPM) newsletter Straight from the street features All Saints' Cathedral Vicar the Rev. Ruth Sesink Bott, who is interim pastor to the Emmanuel worship community while the Rev. Quinn Strikwerda is on leave. Please keep Ruth, Quinn, the ICPM team and the Emmanuel community in your prayers.

For a moment at the start of June, as I listened to the pump organ being played in St. Mark’s Chapel-of-Ease at King’s Landing in Fredericton New Brunswick, I thought about my Anglican roots ensconced in prairie churches thousands of kilometers away.

Countless moments, like singing “Come Down, O Love Divine” in a little Maritime church, are the gifts of coming together with members of the Anglican Editors Association (AEA) at our annual conference for encouragement, inspiration, strength and friendship. 

“Music speaks what cannot be expressed, soothes the mind and gives it rest, heals the heart and makes it whole, flows from heaven to the soul.” (Anonymous)

In its inaugural season, The Anglican Diocese of Edmonton Children’s Choir, directed by conductor Laura Hawley, and supported by a 2021 Say Yes! To Kids grant from the Anglican Foundation of Canada (AFC), became a burgeoning music ministry for children and youth in grade 2 and up. This free, inclusive choir makes sure that all children can grow in faith and musicianship. 

"My seven-year-old Cora was so excited for choir each week. Choir helped cement existing friendships and create new ones -- when we visited another church in the diocese, she happily pointed out her "buddy" from choir! These kid-to-kid connections are so valuable to keeping her engaged with church." - Jamie Hurlburt

We invite you and your church community to give to the Say Yes! to Kids campaign and help make our diocesan children’s choir a sustainable part of our worship life in the Diocese of Edmonton. 

To help us spread the word, please include this link (https://www.canadahelps.org/s/nEGAvJ), the attached graphic and a brief description of the Say Yes! to Kids fundraising campaign for the Diocesan Children’s Choir in your church bulletins, and share on social media. Watch for FB, Twitter and Instagram posts by @DioEdm.

Church of the Nativity, Frog Lake invites you to "Walking Together in Faith: HEALING. RESTORATION. HOPE", a joint service with neighboring Anglican parishes on Sunday, June 18, 11 am, in recognition of National Indigenous Peoples' Day and in celebration of the Summer Solstice. The service will be followed by a pipe ceremony and a feast at the Morningsky Health and Wellness facility. For more information, email Fred Matthews, lay reader-in-charge, at froglake.anglican@gmail.com  Please share the POSTER with your community.

Comedian Kevin Stobo grew up in Spruce Grove and is coming back to his hometown, making an appearance on June 23 at St. Augustine Parkland. Join us for a good laugh, live music, cash bar and raffles! Pre-show entertainment by The Ray Haddock Band from Stony Plain. Doors open at 7pm. Advance tickets are $25, up to $30 after June 18 and at the door. To reserve email staugustinesparkland@gmail.com or call 780-962-5131. POSTER

You can now Register Online for the Diocese of Edmonton and Friends Family Retreat. Single folks and families of all shapes and sizes are welcome! 

This weekend will be held the weekend of July 7 (Friday at 2 pm ) to July 9 (Sunday at 1 pm), at Camp Van Es, located a half-hour southeast of Edmonton.

Join Susan Oliver, Archdeacon for Children, Family and Youth Ministries, for time away from your everyday routine, enjoying the outdoors. Swim in the pool under the supervision of a lifeguard, walk the trails, find a quiet place to read, or a not-so-quiet place to chat. There will be games, too!

Weaving teacher Jamie (Ali) Hurlburt, a lay evangelist of the Edmonton diocese, is teaming up with longtime Sorrento Centre leader David Taylor to offer a course combining spiritual reflection and hands-on crafting, from July 23 to 29. A range of beginner crafty activities will be offered, and absolutely no experience is required. POSTER

Compassion Camp is a five-day summer camp program for children ages 5 and up. Each day has its own theme, music, crafts and activities all centered around small simple acts of compassion. Children over 14 will get to participate in camp as a Leader-In-Training, gaining both the benefits of the daily lessons and an opportunity to share their strengths as they assist our younger campers during crafts and games. 

Registration is open. Save your child a spot with a $25 deposit!

Christ Church Mosaic (120th St and 102 Ave) is a house next door to Christ Church parish, where six young adults from various parts of the country live out their faith and their lives together.

There are only a couple of spots left for the 2023-24 school term for affordable community living close to downtown Edmonton. 

Young people form an intentional Christian Community during the school year while attending a variety of schools and programs. Living as housemates, these residents work together to decide the “rule of life” that will shape their common experience over the course of the year. Supported by Christ Church Parish in their spiritual journey, Mosaic residents gather twice a month with parish volunteers to engage in Bible study and discussion.

Apply to be a resident for the 2023-24 term by completing this FORM. 

June has arrived and before you know it the summer will be over. The National Day of Truth and Reconciliation in September is just around the corner. If you would like the Remembering the Children weaving project to visit your parish, or if you would like to know more about the resources to help parishes plan an educational event, please look at the Indigenous Ministries page on the diocesan website, or contact Fiona Brownlee at f.brownlee@edmonton.anglican.ca .

After a long break caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the diocesan Cursillo group is now planning the next Cursillo weekend! This in-person gathering will happen May 3-5, 2024, so start thinking now about three things:

• If you've never attended a weekend, why not sign up for this one? "Cursillo" means "short course;" a weekend experience of interactive learning about the Christian life.
• If you know someone who might enjoy and benefit from a Cursillo weekend, ask them to save the date and watch for more information about sponsoring.
• If you've been to Cursillo before, it might be time to join the team to help run this important weekend! 

For more information on any of these options, contact Janie Seguin, Communications Chair, at cursilloedmonton@gmail.com

Let us help you promote your upcoming event in Synod Scene, our weekly e-newsletter to clergy, parishes and subscribers. Please click the link to the form below to tell us about your event (ie. youth gathering, parish fundraiser, worship service, community outreach, public lecture). Upload a graphic or picture (horizontal / landscape orientation; 1500x784 px), and your event poster. Events must be submitted by Tuesday at noon for inclusion in the current week's newsletter. Have Questions? Send us an email: churched@edmonton.anglican.ca

Thanks to those who have donated blood or plasma through National Blood Donor Week, June 11-17! Let's keep it up through the month of June as we near the halfway point toward our goal of 130 donated units in 2023. To book your lifesaving appointment, call 1-888-236-6283 or visit Canadian Blood Services. Check your eligibility, then click here to enter our Partner ID: ANGL696986. Make your life-saving donation today!

Lodgepole Bakery, a social enterprise in central Edmonton based at St. Faith’s and St Mary’s Anglican Churches, is hiring an Animator to expand its scope. The enterprise is a bridge to social and economic inclusion and strengthens community safety and cohesion. This is a 10-month position starting August 15, 2023. For more info, see the Job Profile

The Bishop of Edmonton invites applications for the position of the incumbent of the parish of St. Peter’s, Edmonton. This is a half-time position. The goals of the parish are to grow in Christ by building up relationships with the local community and engaging in ministries of service to one another and to their neighbours. Please click below to see a full description of the type of person St. Peter's is looking for. Closing date is July 5, 2023

St. Margaret’s Anglican Church, 12603 Ellerslie Road, Edmonton, is looking for a pianist to play for our services for the months of July, August and September.

Our instrument is a digital piano (Roland HP330). Through the summer we will hold one service each Sunday from 10 to 11:15 am. We sing four hymns or songs, and the pianist usually plays music before and after the service, as well as during communion. Hymns would be chosen in consultation with the rector, from our hymn book Hymns Old and New: Complete Anglican Edition, and our parish songbook.

An honorarium of $75 per service would be paid. We will require a commitment to play every Sunday through the three months, except, of course, in case of emergencies.

If you are interested, please contact the rector’s warden, Melanie Eriksen, at melanie.eriksen@telus.net.

The General Synod of the Anglican Church of Canada meets in Calgary at the end of this month, the first such in-person gathering since the pandemic. It's an important time in the history of the ACC and we need more people at the table! Nominations are open for several positions at the national level, some of which do not have to be filled by those elected from our diocese as members of the general synod. Take a look at this blog and see whether you or someone you know might fit one of these roles. The deadline for nominations is Friday, June 16!

Edmonton diocese is currently considering changes in its approach to summer camp. But while that is happening, there are very good camps in our area that the diocese is happy to recommend. We support Hastings Lake Bible Camp (Lutheran) and Camp Van Es (Moravian), both within a 30-45 minute drive southeast of Edmonton. Please click on the website links for more information about this summer's programming. Financial support may be available for those who need it.

The Territory of the People will hold an Episcopal Election in Kamloops, BC on Saturday, September 16, 2023. The call for nominations is now open. The nomination form, timeline and process are on the Territory of the People website. Nomination forms, completed by the appropriate designate as named in the information online, must be received by email (territoryelection@gmail.com) by the Electoral Committee on or before midnight PDT on Friday, June 16, 2023. Inquiries and questions can be directed to Melissa Green, Chair of the Electoral Committee at territoryelection@gmail.com or at 250-682-4866.

National Indigenous Peoples Day is a day for all Canadians to recognise and celebrate the unique heritage, diverse cultures, and outstanding contributions of First Nations, Inuit and, Métis peoples. This year the Augustana Campus of the University of Alberta invites the public to two virtual sessions with Governor General's Literary Award-winning author David A. Robertson on June 21 at 10:30 am or 1 pm.  The cost is free. Register HERE

In the words of the great Canadian writer, Richard Wagamese, “…those clouds are Creator’s handwriting. That wolf track in the mud is Creator’s touch. Those birds singing in the trees are Creator’s voices. A drum beating or your heartbeat is Creator’s Morse code. Children and elders and life itself are Creator’s exclamation marks”. As we transition from the season of spring into summer, Providence Renewal Center invites you to a day to become “Closer to the Creator”. Friday, June 23 (10:00 am – 3:00 pm) $65 (incl. buffet lunch) 

This retreat day is designed for those currently serving in ministry, training for ministry, retired from ministry, and the spouses of those in ministry. Let Julianne Gilchrist, facilitator and spiritual director, help you create space for quiet, prayer, reflection, and renewal. 
Cost: from $55.00
Date: Monday, June 26, 9:00 a.m.—3:00 p.m.
Location: Star of the North Retreat Center in St. Albert, Alberta

So Loss, seeking to fill several roles (paid and volunteer) this summer through fall. If you are a creative person who would like to share your experiences of being with grief and loss with others in a space that values beauty, intentionality, and showing up as our full selves, learn more at https://www.soloss.ca/get-involved 

Online registration is now open for Canadian Lutheran Anglican Youth CLAY 2023: Ashes & Embers, to be held August 10-13 in Waterloo, Ontario. Please spread the word to youth and leaders in your parishes!