• Those who are sick, suffering, or in need: Karen, Bob, Josh, John, Joanne; Penny, Les, Dan; Floyd, Debbie, Blair; Gail, Wendy, Rhea, Mitch, Sandie, Jen, Grayson, Lorelei, Marie, Sue, Cathryn, Doreen, Cheveyo, Jean, Anne and Roger, Les.
• Those who have died: Ron; and those who mourn: Elsie and the Morris family.
• Those affected by conflict or 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.

• December 14: Clergy Day, St. Timothy’s, Edmonton
• December 14: Michael Coren Social Gospel Talk, St. Timothy’s, Edmonton
• December 17: St. Margaret’s, Edmonton
• December 19: Administration and Finance Committee, Zoom
• December 24:  Christmas Eve Service, All Saints’ Cathedral, Edmonton

In his greetings to the congregation gathered during Advent for the Anglican Church Women (ACW) Midday Eucharist, on Thursday, December 7, at All Saints’ Anglican Cathedral, Bishop Stephen London said he has spent "much time thinking about a vision of the diocese as a whole.

“As a family in Christ, parishes do not need to compete, but we can celebrate the good work happening in each different place because we see ourselves as working together for the whole of the common good."

The Diocese of Edmonton will be leading the Revive Discipleship Program, both in-person at St. Matthias, Edmonton; and virtually, beginning on January 13, 2024. Revive Schedule

• To participate online, register here: Virtual Attendance
• To participate in person, register here: In-Person Attendance

The diocesan courses will be led by the Rev. Canon Dr. Scott Sharman, Canon to the Ordinary, and a team of Revive Animators including the Rev. Madeleine Urion, St. George’s, Edmonton; the Rev. Andreas Sigrist, St. Matthias, Edmonton; the Rev. Stephanie London, St. Columba, Beaumont.

The Edmonton diocese will begin a new formation program for Lay Evangelists in 2024. The formation will take place over 10 Saturday modules (approximate time frame 10 am - 3 pm), at Good Shepherd Anglican Church, 15495 Castle Downs Rd, Edmonton. We anticipate completing seven modules in 2024, and the remaining three in early 2025, concluding with a licensing of new evangelists later in the spring of 2025.

On Sunday, December 3, the parish of St. Thomas, Sherwood Park, celebrated the Ven. Michael Rolph’s 50th Anniversary of Ordination to the Priesthood, on November 30, 1973. Michael,  honourary assistant at St. Thomas, was invited to preside over the Eucharist. Rector the Rev. Chelsy Bouwman, presented Michael with congratulatory letters and certificates from Archbishop Linda Nicholls, Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, and Bishop Stephen London. The community, along with special friends and guests, continued our celebration over coffee and cake. Congratulations Michael!

St. Mary the Virgin Anglican Church and Vegreville United Church, co-hosted Vegreville’s 2nd Annual Community Nativity Festival on December 1 and 2.

More than 200 beautiful nativities and dozens of angels, produced in numerous countries around the world, were displayed. The items were made from various materials, including wood, glass, fabric, banana fibre, clay, stone, corn husks, porcelain, and the list goes on! 

The December 2023 issue of In Touch, the quarterly newsletter of the Diocese of Edmonton ACW, is available to download or read online. This issue is full of inspiration, reflection and lots of yummy recipes.

The next Clergy Day will be held Thursday, December 14, 9:30 am to 3:00 pm, at St. Timothy's, 8420-145 Street NW, Edmonton. The morning session will be focus on the Queerly Beloved diocesan working group. The afternoon session will feature guest speaker the Rev. Michael Coren, author of The Rebel Christ.

The Rev. Michael Coren, assistant curate at St. Luke's, Burlington in Niagara diocese, author of 18 books and a contributing columnist for the Toronto Star, will lead a public talk on the social gospel, Thursday, December 14, 7 pm, at St. Timothy's, 8420-145 Street NW, Edmonton. Coren argues that not only is Christianity relevant to the modern world, it is vital and revolutionary. "What did Jesus actually say and teach, and how can we authentically follow him"? 

Join Holy Trinity, 10037 84 Ave NW, Edmonton, on Saturday, December 16, 7:30 pm, for The Annotated Christmas Song Book, a fundraiser for arts programming at Holy Trinity Anglican Church.

Behind every song is a story. The songs of Christmas are linked to a world of fascinating legends, ideas and history. The Annotated Christmas Song Book is a musical revue including much-loved holiday classics, such as "Angels We Have Heard on High," "Children Go Where I Send Thee" and "Silent Night," as well as contemporary hits, like "Christmas Must Be Tonight," "Winter Song" or "One More Sleep Til Christmas." Every song has its own story.

Tickets: $20 Adults; $15 Students and Seniors (with ID); 12 and under admitted free, may be purchased at the door or through the Edmonton Arts Council Store @ 780 420-1757.  POSTER

On Sunday, December 17, 2:30 pm, at Good Shepherd, 15495 Castle Downs RD NW Edmonton, the Voces Alegres Choir and Ensemble will present an enjoyable afternoon of music filled with incredible instruments and voices, including flute, guitar, cello, percussion, violin, harp and more. For more info, see the Facebook page. There is no admission fee.

All are invited to a Christmas Lessons and Carols Service featuring the Christ Church Choir and the Diocesan Children's Choir, on Sunday, December 17, 4 pm, at Christ Church, 12116-102 Avenue NW, Edmonton. Please enjoy refreshments and fellowship after the service. POSTER

Clergy of the Diocese of Edmonton and their families (if you don't have a spouse or children, bring the person or people you consider family) are invited to a potluck dinner in celebration of Epiphany, on Saturday, January 6, at 5 pm, at Christ Church, Edmonton. Please RSVP to sue@christchurchedm.ca. 

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? Email Margaret Glidden, communications@edmonton.anglican.ca; or call 780-439-7344

Canadian Blood Services reminds us that donating blood or plasma between December 22 and January 7 is critical. They ask that eligible donors consider booking a donation appointment during the holiday season. Blood is critical for everyday medical care, including major surgeries, medical procedures, cancer treatments and managing diseases and disorders. Yet, at any given time, the need for blood outpaces the number of donations. 

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.

For nearly 25 years, the Edmonton & District Council of Churches (EDCC) has led a cross-denominational holiday campaign to raise money for housing and housing improvements for those in need. Churches and Christian communities are encouraged to support the annual No Room in the Inn fundraising project starting on the first Sunday in Advent, December 3.

The 2023 campaign is in support of A Safe Place residential facility in Sherwood Park for those who are escaping intimate or family violence.  The facility requires major roof repairs or a roof replacement. Please share the attached graphic and poster on your community web pages, social media platforms and in your parish bulletins. BROCHURE

Diocesan communications is looking for four to six people to contribute ideas as part of a Creativity Exchange.

The exchange is a new thing we are doing to explore communications through our gifts of art, poetry, writing, photography, videography, podcasting, you name it.

We will plan to meet four times per year, for a half-day workshop. We will likely have an inaugural, in-person meeting, with subsequent meetings to take place virtually on Zoom. It will be a chance to brainstorm story ideas, and different methods of sharing those stories.

We want to connect with passionate storytellers, no professional experience is necessary. If interested, please get in touch with Margaret Glidden by email at communications@edmonton.anglican.ca, or call the Synod Office at 780-439-7344.

We will form our Creativity Exchange early in the new year.

Camp Kuriakos, a vibrant Christian outdoor ministry located on the shores of beautiful Sylvan Lake, is seeking a qualified individual for the full-time position of Executive Director. 

As the successful candidate, you will be a Christian (ordained or lay) and enthusiastic about serving Camp Kuriakos as a Lutheran Ministry in Alberta. You will possess an undergraduate degree in a related field of study or an equivalent combination of education and experience. You will have excellent verbal, written and interpersonal skills combined with at least five years of supervisory and leadership experience preferably in a camp ministry, church, or non-profit environment.  

The Mustard Seed needs volunteers for its Coffee Connect program in the basement of Strathcona Baptist Church, 8318 104 St NW, Edmonton. We need people to simply hang out and have a cup of coffee with folks who are experiencing poverty or homelessness. This program offering emergency food/clothing, chaplaincy, and addictions support, runs most Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9 am to 2 pm. Anyone who is interested must complete Safe Church screening before volunteering. You will also be trained/supported by Mustard Seed staff. For more information, please contact Chaplain Eric at ericjkregel@gmail.com.     

Cold and flu season is upon us, and COVID persists in all its variations. As we spend more time indoors, it is becoming more difficult to contain germs and protect vulnerable members of our communities. Please remember that a minor infection for one person can develop into a major sickness for someone else. If you are feeling unwell (ie. have a cough, runny nose, sore throat, chest congestion, fever...), please stay home.

Star of the North invites you to bring a friend and share the creativity process on Wednesday, December 13, 6:30 to 8:30 pm. A short reflection opens the evening. Our experienced facilitators provide step-by-step instructions to guide you into creating your own gilded Christmas ornaments: all materials and supplies included. Cost is $40

Korora's Wintersong, an annual celebration of seasonal song, fellowship, and good cheer, will be held on Saturday, December 16, at 1 pm, 4 pm, and 7:30 pm, at McDougall United Church, 10025 101 Street, Edmonton. At the various concerts, the seven Korora (formerly Kokopelli) choirs—featuring hundreds of singers of all ages—take the stage to present seasonal music from around the world, with a particular nod to the Celtic tradition. All three shows feature mass choir pieces along with plenty of Korora’s trademark joy and energy. Edmonton ensemble Celtara will be on hand to lend their instrumental magic to several pieces at each concert.

Tickets are $25 ($20 students, $15 children) and are available at kororachoirs.ca/performances.