• Those who are sick, suffering, or in need: Eleanor, Joyce, Gail, Les, Kelly, Dakotah, Carol, Dan, Mitch, Rhea, Jen, Tom, Mildred.
• Those who have died and those who mourn.
• Those affected by natural disasters around the world.
• 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 at the end of those two weeks.

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.

• September 28: Living Our Vows, Zoom
• September 28: Executive Council, All Saints' Cathedral
• September 30: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
• October 1: Sunday Service, St. John the Evangelist, Edmonton, 10:30 am
• October 1: Evensong, All Saints' Cathedral, 7 pm

The Diocese of Edmonton, like many corners of God’s Church, is going through a time of transition. Being the Church today and, more importantly, preparing to be the Church of tomorrow, is going to take each and every one of us. Your Diocese of Edmonton church family needs you. We cannot be what God calls us to be without you on board. To that end, Bishop Steve is asking everyone in Edmonton diocese to please take a few minutes of your time to fill out THIS SURVEY on various possible opportunities for service in our diocesan family.

Youth (ages 14 to 18 years) from parishes across the Edmonton diocese and all their friends are invited to the Fall Youth Festival taking place October 13 to 14 at St. Matthias Church Hall, 6210–188 Street NW, Edmonton. This is an overnight gathering, from 7 pm to 7 pm. Registrants will receive an email with everything they need to bring. There are also opportunities for young adults to join the leadership team. The cost is $100 per participant. Bursaries are available. Scan QR code on POSTER or click the button below to REGISTER online by October 4. VIEW SCHEDULE

Last week, the Diocese of Edmonton was blessed to welcome Canon Dawn Davis, director of leadership for ministry programs at Huron University College in London, O.N. Davis was invited by Bishop Stephen London to speak at Clergy Day on September 21, and then at the Leaders with Heart public gathering on September 22.

Davis created Revive, a discipleship program to help active lay leaders grow in confidence as spiritual leaders. The Diocese of Edmonton joins several dioceses across the Anglican Church of Canada in offering Revive to parishes and ministries.

In this time of transformation, Bishop Steve says, “I’m a big believer that there are resources across the church we can utilise to learn and grow.”

The Revive small-group program is designed to “transform lay leaders of practical church ministry into confident spiritual leaders.”

Everyone is encouraged to wear orange to local events commemorating Orange Shirt Day and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30. Many parishes will commemorate Orange Shirt Day at worship services held on Sunday, October 1. By wearing an orange shirt, you make a statement to support reconciliation and commit to the enduring truth that Every Child Matters. To learn more about truth and reconciliation, visit the Indigenous Ministries' Resources page. If you are interested in having the Remembering the Children diocesan weaving come to your parish, email Fiona Brownlee at f.brownlee@edmonton.anglican.ca

Remembering the Children Prayer

God of our Ancestors,
who holds the spirits of our grandmothers and grandfathers and the spirits of our grandchildren,Remembering the Children,
we now pledge ourselves to speak the Truth, and with our hearts and our souls
to act upon the Truth we have heard of the injustices lived,
of the sufferings inflicted, of the tears cried,
of the misguided intentions imposed, and of the power of prejudice and racism
which were allowed to smother the sounds and laughter of the forgotten children.
Hear our cries of lament
for what was allowed to happen, and for what will never be.
In speaking and hearing and acting upon the Truth may we as individuals and as a nation
meet the hope of a new beginning.
Great Creator God
who desires that all creation live in harmony and peace,
Remembering the Children
we dare to dream of a Path of Reconciliation
where apology from the heart leads to healing of the heart and the chance of restoring the circle,
where justice walks with all,
where respect leads to true partnership,
where the power to change comes from each heart.
Hear our prayer of hope,
and guide this country of Canada
on a new and different path.  Amen

Read online or download the October 2023 edition of The Messenger

The Messenger welcomes story ideas, opinions (Letter to Editor) and photo submissions relating to news and events of the Athabasca and Edmonton dioceses. Written content should be limited to 500 words. Pictures must be high resolution, a minimum of 1 MB (300 dpi), and include the photographer's name and a brief description of the subject matter.

Note: The Messenger is published 10 times/year. Please send submissions for the November 2023 edition to anglicanmessenger@gmail.com by October 1.

The Cursillo Community will be helping serve dinner at St. Faith's Anglican Church September 29, 2023, and we would love for you to join us.

• When: Friday, September 29, 2023
• Where: St. Faith's Anglican Church, 11725 93 Street, Edmonton
• Time: 4:00 - 7:00pm

Holy Trinity Anglican Lutheran, Edson is sharing the Remembering the Children weaving with the Edson community at the local Friendship Centre (5014 3rd Ave) on September 30, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The church has been seeking guidance from the Friendship Centre to support growth and understanding on their path to Truth and Reconciliation. Leading up to this, the congregation will learn about the Doctrine of Discovery using the Anglican Church of Canada resource and study guide. 

St. Augustine-Parkland, 131 Church Road, Spruce Grove, presents "The Ultimate Tribute to Elvis" with Las Vegas headliner Robin Kelly on September 30. Doors open at 6:30 pm, show at 7 pm. Tickets are $25. Book by calling 780-962-5131. Leave a message and someone will return your call. 

All young adults are invited to join us for six Tuesdays, beginning October 3, 2023, at 7 pm, at Holy Trinity located at 10037 84 Ave, in the Office Commons area (buzz the buzzer on the back door), as we read and explore Nadia Bolz-Weber's book: Shameless.

If you’ve been mistreated, confused, angered, and/or wounded by shaming sexual messages, this one is for you:

• Tuesday, October 3 - Beginning to Sanctus
• Tuesday, October 10 - Creation I: The First Blessing
• Tuesday, October 17 - Creation II: They Belonged to Each Other
• Tuesday, October 24 - Creation III: Who Told You You Were Naked?
• Tuesday, October 31 - No Study - Spooky Time - aka Halloween
• Tuesday, November 7 - Creation IV: Flesh Made Word
  
  This book is available through the Edmonton Public Library, and online at various locations including Amazon which is listed HERE

What’s bugging you? Are there social issues that you wish you could do something about? The Greater Edmonton Alliance (GEA) is a coalition of faith, community, and labour organizations dedicated to mobilizing people to act for the common good. The Diocese of Edmonton has been a member since 2015. GEA’s successes to date include preserving food production in northeast Edmonton, educating employers on the need to pay a living wage, and successfully lobbying the City of Edmonton to adopt standards for mental health in the workplace. To identify pressing issues that will shape its activities for the next two to three years, GEA invites your participation in a relational conversation on October 11, at 7 pm, on Zoom. This online gathering is an opportunity to share your stories, as well as concerns and dreams for your community in a safe, respectful environment. RSVP HERE

The Common Cup Company will be giving a concert at St. Thomas, 4 A Raven Drive, Sherwood Park, on Saturday, October 14, at 7 pm. Tickets are $20/person. Children under 10 are free. For tickets, call the church office: 780-467-5730, or purchase at the door. Please note, tickets will not be held without payment. 

Have you ever wondered about scripture, ethics, and the possibility of same-sex relationships? If so, you are invited to join a book study co-sponsored by Queerly Beloved and St. George’s, Edmonton using the book Scripture, Ethics, and the Possibility of Same-Sex Relationships by Karen R. Keen (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2018). The study will take place on Thursday evenings, via Zoom, from October 19 to November 30, 7 to 8:30 pm. Please arrange for a copy of the book through your favourite bookseller. To register (so that you can receive the Zoom link), or for more information, please contact the Rev. Mark Vigrass at stgebookstudy@gmail.com

The Ecumenical Mission is a group of churches that puts on an annual gathering to worship together, learn together, and grow together in Christ. This year Nicolas Jesson and the Rev. Amanda Currie, an interchurch couple, (Roman Catholic and Presbyterian) will share with us throughout the mission, October 22 to 25. St. Thomas Anglican Church, 4 A Raven Drive, Sherwood Park will host a service on Tuesday, October 24, at 7 pm. All are warmly invited and welcome. See the WEBSITE for more information POSTER / BROCHURE

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

Our Team Anglican blood donations have decreased this fall. If you have considered joining this team, quietly giving behind the scenes in this important way, please don't hesitate. To book your lifesaving appointment, call 1-888-236-6283 or visit Canadian Blood Services. Check your eligibility, then click here and enter our Partner ID: ANGL696986 to join Team Anglican. You won't just make a difference. You can make all the difference.

The Anglican Diocese of Edmonton invites applications for the joint, full-time position of Office Administrative Assistant. This is a shared position between the Anglican Diocese of Edmonton and All Saints’ Anglican Cathedral. The successful candidate will work at the Anglican Synod Office, 10035 103 St NW, Edmonton, for the core dates and hours of Monday to Friday, 9 am to 4:30 pm. There will be occasional evening and weekend work. 
 
Ongoing responsibilities include but are not exclusive to responding to phone and email enquiries for the Anglican Diocese of Edmonton and All Saints’ Cathedral; managing an office; scheduling and managing rental bookings, coordinating with building maintenance contractors; preparing service bulletins for the Cathedral; tracking online event registrations; collecting parish returns and maintaining membership databases; contributing to a positive work environment. 

St. Paul's Anglican Church, 10127 145 St. NW, Edmonton is seeking a part-time, temporary Kid's Crew Facilitator. If you are organised with loads of energy, please submit your cover letter and resume to the Director of Community Outreach, Michelle Schurek michelle@stpauls-anglican.ca. 

This is the second year of this program. Kids Crew starts October 5, 2023 for 5 sessions of 5 weeks each and will wrap up May 2, 2024. Additional time for planning and clean up will be added as needed. 

The Anglican Parish of Christ Church has a great group of Junior High aged kids and we're looking for someone to engage with and teach them on Sunday mornings. Our ideal candidate is someone in university or older; someone with a winsome and lively faith who has great communication skills; someone who is organized, animated and reliable! This position requires five to ten hours per week at a competitive rate of pay. Click below to read about other perks of the job and how to apply.

Season of Creation resources, designed as a kind of ‘grab bag’ for parishes to use to help shape their Sundays between September 1 and the feast day of St. Francis, can now be found on the diocesan website.

The Fifth Mark in Action Sub-committee of the diocesan Social Justice Committee provides a theme, prayer resources, resource links, hymn suggestions, challenge ideas, and a small video that can be used on Sunday or in a small group setting. Care of creation is a team effort, so lay members who are passionate about this could offer to lead these portions or to support their priest’s lead in this regard.

Join a community at the intersection of faith & contemporary issues: creation care, social justice & reconciliation. Our fall module, Good News: An Invitation to Everyone starts September 29 and will feature presenters Sr. Teresita Kambeitz, Dr. Linda Gibler, Ron Rolheiser and more. To join us in person at Star of the North Retreat Centre or online, register at 780-459-5511 or at starofthenorth.ca/goodnews 

Beginning with children's activities at 12 pm on September 30, will be the National Truth and Reconciliation Day recognition "Empowering Our Spirits.", at the Boyle Street Plaza, 9538 103A Ave NW, Edmonton. From 5 to 7 pm, there will be a TRC panel discussion and entertainment. People of all ethnicities, identities and abilities are welcome to participate! POSTER

The 3rd Annual Orange Shirt Day Run / Walk will be held on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, September 30. The event will begin with a roundance and activities, at 12 pm, at Kinsmen Park and continue on river valley trails. POSTER For more info, visit www.indigenousrunner.com

Through the Virditas program, the Anglican Foundation of Canada is awarding up to $100,000 for new projects prioritising climate care or “green shoots ministries” that offer new and innovative approaches to local challenges. This is a special funding opportunity that falls outside the diocesan quota. Submissions will be accepted until October 1, 2023.

NOTE: Infrastructure projects are not the focus of this RFP. Infrastructure elements may be a component of the project plan but not the primary purpose.

On October 4, 2023, at 12:30pm, as a celebration of the Feast of St. Francis, Providence Renewal Centre is joined by Fr. Dave Norman, OFM for the Blessing of the Animals.  Please join us and bring your feathered, furry, and scaly family members to receive a blessing.  Light refreshments to follow. There is no charge, but registration is encouraged in order to prepare the right amount of refreshments.

Starting October 5, the Greater Edmonton Alliance is hosting an eight-session Zoom series of Wrestling with the Truth of Colonization and its Aftermath. To attend the main sessions, all participants need to attend a 30-minute briefing. More details about Wrestling with the Truth of Colonization and its Aftermath can be found on the POSTER You can register for the program HERE

The Vancouver School of Theology (VST) is hosting its annual Explorer's Weekend from October 5 to 7. This is an opportunity for people who are considering degree-level (Diploma/Master) coursework in ministry and theology to attend class and worship, interact with current students, staff, and faculty, and have some personal-communal discernment time on the beautiful UBC campus. If you are curious about what it’s like to be a graduate student at a collaborative theological school, then why not be an Explorer? For more info, see the attached POSTER and click the button below to register by September 24.

Jewish Family Services Edmonton invites you to join a new series of five in-person workshops on racism and antisemitism in Edmonton.

Facilitators from diverse backgrounds will guide discussions about identity and racism, as well as healing from racial trauma.

You will engage in cultural teachings and spiritual practices that celebrate our shared community. Each session will hold time for personal reflection, using the sacred art of the mandala. 

The workshops, held on Thursday evenings beginning October 5, are free and open to everyone over 18. Registration is required. Register Here

For more info, see POSTER or visit JFSE.org

A Common Word – Alberta is hosting their annual Christian-Muslim Dialogue on Saturday, October 28, from 9:30 am to 1:00 pm. It will be held in the hall of Sacred Heart Church of the First Peoples, 10821 96 Street, Edmonton. Building on last year’s theme of “Expanding the Circle”, the ACWAB planning committee is working with Indigenous elders and Knowledge Keepers to foster a dialogue that will allow us to learn, integrate and experience Treaty 6 Indigenous way, and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s calls to action. Registration information is forthcoming. Inquiries can be made at acommonwordalberta@gmail.com. POSTER 

The Studion School for Spiritual Direction is currently seeking volunteers to meet one-on-one with second-year students over the course of one year, to experience spiritual direction as part of a supervised practicum. We have students who are able to offer direction in Spanish or Chinese, as well as in English, and there are opportunities specifically for youth (junior high and high school age). If this interests you, please email thestudionschool@gmail.com to find out more.